ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Would Hillary Rodham Clinton be a better president than her husband, Bill?

Posed that question Friday, former first daughter Chelsea Clinton laughed at first -- and then came up with an answer.

"His question is, `Do I think my mother will be a better president than my father,' '' Clinton, 28, told the crowd at Lehigh Valley Hospital, where she had been discussing her mother's health-care proposals.

"Well, again, I don't take anything for granted,'' she said, "but hopefully with Pennsylvania's help, she will be our next president, and yes, I do think she'll be a better president.''

Asked about her daughter's comment at a news conference in Hammond, Ind., the former first lady smiled broadly and laughed.

"I have to talk to her before I answer that question,'' she said.