Live Chat: Model and Delegate Christie Brinkley
Aug. 17, 2000 -- — At this year's Democratic convention in Los Angeles, the famous are rubbing shoulders with the powerful. Film stars like William Baldwin, Warren Beatty and Tommy Lee Jones (Al Gore's college roommate at Harvard) have come out to lend their support.
Musicians like the Goo Goo Dolls and David Crosby have turned up at the convention hall. Even wrestling stars The Rock and Chyna are making their presence known.
Christie Brinkley, supermodel and mother of three, is no exception: she participates this week as a superdelegate from New York. ABCNEWS.com readers talked to her about her convention experience in a live chat from the Democratic National Convention. Look below for a transcript of the chat.
Moderator
Welcome, model delegate Christie Brinkley!
Christie Brinkley
Hi, thank you. I'm thrilled to be here.
Moderator
What has been your impression of the convention in Los Angeles?
Christie Brinkley
It's been really exciting, and I've really enjoyed being a delegate and meeting other delegates. I've come to the conclusion that delegates are solution people. They have identified problems in their community and are trying to find a solution for those problems. It's an honor to be able to share the floor with them.
Moderator
Why do you support Al Gore for president?
Christie Brinkley
First of all, I believe that Al Gore is the leader with the experience. He has dedicated a lifetime of service to our nation — the Senate, vice president. That's a lot of experience to bring to the position of President. Also, the Vice President cares about the same things I care about: the environment, gun control, education, a woman's right to choose.
A woman's right to choose will be the first right we will lose if George W. Bush becomes president. Next, we'll start seeing a proliferation of guns, and if we think we have a problem with guns in our schools now, I hate to think of what will happen if we have two men who have voted for cop-killer bullets and concealed weapons. It's frightening.
Patsy says: How did you become a delegate? What do you hope to get out of this experience? Does it give you a sense of "AH" that your voice/vote does make a difference?
Christie Brinkley
I became a delegate because I have been active in my community on environmental issues. Mainly, I've been trying to shut several nuclear power plants that have been polluting our environment, our air, our water. My efforts were recognized by Gore2000, and I was asked to run as a delegate. I was so honored to be asked, and I jumped at the chance, knowing how important this campaign is. Being a mother of three, I was willing to help do that.
Rachel says: Some people feel that it is unfair for celebrities to lend their support to any one party, for fear that it will sway votes simply because a celebrity is voting for this candidate or that candidate. Have any such feelings been expressed to you by the public because of your support for the Democratic Party?
Christie Brinkley
It's absolutely been a big debate here, whether celebrities help or hurt a candidate. I can only say for myself that I am here as a mother, a concerned mother, and a citizen. I never signed a paper that said when I became a celebrity that I gave up my voice as a concerned citizen.
I think that for every person that says, "I'm going to listen to her," there's the other side that says, "She's just a model; I'm not going to listen to her." It's a double-edged sword. I hope people will understand that, like others in America, I have concerns and I believe in service to my country.
JCC says: What do you think about Lieberman's flip-flops on affirmative action and school vouchers? Also, did you know he supported Clarence Thomas' nomination to the Supreme Court? What are your thoughts?
Christie Brinkley
I am not really sure, and I'm probably speaking away from what I am knowledgeable about, but I don't think it represents a flip-flop — I think it shows he is on board with the vice president.
I did not know that he supported Clarence Thomas' nomination.
briang says: What do you think about Senator Lieberman's comments regarding Hollywood?
Christie Brinkley
I think everyone has a right to his or her opinions. I know he has been critical of violence in Hollywood, but I have been critical of it too!
I have the opinion that if you don't want your kids to see it, you can stop your kids from seeing it. You don't stop it from being made.
Beachartist says: What are your long-term goals as a political activist?
Christie Brinkley
I'm looking ahead to November, and I'm actually anxious to get back to more time with my kids and my own career, because closing nuclear power plants and being vocal on the issues is time consuming.
Moderator
Christie, your daughter Alexa will be voting in a few years. Do you talk with her about politics and the importance of voting?
Christie Brinkley
Yes, I try. I always explain whatever I'm doing to the kids so they have a sense of giving back to our community and caring about what's going on in our country, and having a social conscience. I talked with my five-year-old today, and told him I was going to hear the vice president's speech and he said, "Oh, Al Gore will be there?" He knows what's going on!
Moderator
Do you think in your lifetime you will see a woman elected president?
Christie Brinkley
I definitely think so! I can see Hillary Clinton in that role. I would just like to urge everybody, everybody, to really look at the issues and look at the voting records that back up these issues, because there has been a lot of blurring of the distinctions.
The Republicans tried to co-opt a lot of the Democrats' ideas, and it's just not true. If you look at the voting records that support these policies, you'll see that it's all a lot of "read my lip" service going on there.
Moderator
Thanks for joining us today, Christie, and thanks to all of you who participated. Keep visiting ABCNEWS.com for our continuing coverage of the 2000 election. Good night!