Chelsea Clinton ended a whole day in the Mountain State on Friday talking bread-and-butter issues with a crowd at the Charleston Civic Center, in support of her mother's presidential campaign.

At the kickoff of the West Virginia Young Democrats convention, the 28-year-old Clinton said that she's very proud of her father, the nation's 42nd president, but thinks her mother would be better in the job.

"She's more prepared than he was," she said of her mother, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

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Michele Davidson of Pikeville, Ky., said she drove two hours to meet Chelsea Clinton. The night before, she said she waited in line for five hours to hear her father, former President Bill Clinton.

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In Charleston, she called her mother a fiscally responsible candidate with years of experience on issues including health care and public education reform.

"She's the only candidate who tells you, literally dollar for dollar, how she'll pay for everything," she said.

West Virginia's primary election is May 13. Hillary Clinton faces Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the Democratic primary, while Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona awaits the winner.

Chelsea Clinton answered about a dozen questions from the Charleston audience and discussed issues such as high prescription drug costs and public education.

She also offered specifics on how her mother would make it easier for people to afford college and graduate school and how she would "end the unfunded mandate of No Child Left Behind."

Many of the people who attended the event were middle-aged or older.

Travis Mollohan, a district coordinator for the Young Democrats, said he was somewhat disappointed in the event's turnout of about 130 people.

"I had hoped to see more young people here," he said. "That may [be due] to the fact that more young people are committed to Obama."

The organization reached out to both campaigns, but Clinton's visit logistically worked out for the start of the convention, said Young Democrats President Rod Snyder.

"[Chelsea Clinton] is one of the most visible young Democrats in the country," he said. "Everyone's excited, regardless of who they're supporting."

Chelsea Clinton ended a whole day in the Mountain State on Friday talking bread-and-butter issues with a crowd at the Charleston Civic Center, in support of her mother's presidential campaign.

At the kickoff of the West Virginia Young Democrats convention, the 28-year-old Clinton said that she's very proud of her father, the nation's 42nd president, but thinks her mother would be better in the job.

"She's more prepared than he was," she said of her mother, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

Earlier Friday, Clinton campaigned for her mother at events at Marshall University in Huntington and West Virginia University Tech in Montgomery.

In Charleston, she called her mother a fiscally responsible candidate with years of experience on issues including health care and public education reform.

"She's the only candidate who tells you, literally dollar for dollar, how she'll pay for everything," she said.

West Virginia's primary election is May 13. Hillary Clinton faces Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the Democratic primary, while Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona awaits the winner.

Chelsea Clinton answered about a dozen questions from the Charleston audience and discussed issues such as high prescription drug costs and public education.

She also offered specifics on how her mother would make it easier for people to afford college and graduate school and how she would "end the unfunded mandate of No Child Left Behind."

Many of the people who attended the event were middle-aged or older.

Travis Mollohan, a district coordinator for the Young Democrats, said he was somewhat disappointed in the event's turnout of about 130 people.

"I had hoped to see more young people here," he said. "That may [be due] to the fact that more young people are committed to Obama."

The organization reached out to both campaigns, but Clinton's visit logistically worked out for the start of the convention, said Young Democrats President Rod Snyder.

"[Chelsea Clinton] is one of the most visible young Democrats in the country," he said. "Everyone's excited, regardless of who they're supporting."

He said the close Democratic primary race is energizing the party, especially young Democrats.

"Young people are looking for a new direction for this country," he said.

Megan Price, a high school senior from Huntington, could barely contain her enthusiasm as she waited for Clinton to speak.

Price called herself "a huge Clinton fan" and said she believes Hillary Clinton has the best plans for health care, the economy and foreign policy.

"I think it's way past time that we have a woman in the White House," she said.

She said she would vote for whoever is the Democrats' choice.

"I would support any Democratic nominee," she said. "I think anything would be better than Bush and what the Republicans have to offer."

Gregory Hairston, secretary of the Young Democrats group at the University of Charleston, said he agrees with Hillary Clinton on just about every issue.

"I just love Hillary. I love Bill," the 19-year-old Logan native said. "I love the Clintons, every one of them."

Congressional candidates Anne Barth, Richie Robb and Thornton Cooper were scheduled to speak later Friday evening.

The convention continues today at 8 a.m. Democratic candidates for secretary of state and the Supreme Court were to debate as part of the convention.

Christine Pelosi, daughter of U.S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was scheduled to speak at the keynote dinner at 6:30 p.m. today, but is ill and has had to cancel, Snyder said. State Treasurer John Perdue and Auditor Glen Gainer now are scheduled to speak at the dinner.

To contact staff writer Alison Knezevich, use e-mail or call 348-1240.