Kerry’s Daughter Campaigns
By Nick Zinzer

Recently, Vanessa Kerry, daughter of Massachusetts Senator and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, sat down with Broadside for a one-on-one interview. She has taken four months off from medical school to assist her father with his national campaign in his bid for president. She discussed her childhood, political beliefs and the future of Kerry’s campaign.

Broadside: How is the campaign going so far?

Vanessa Kerry: I think my dad’s campaign has been going unbelievably well. I think we’re actually at a very strong point where the foundations are really deep and really wide.

Broadside: Do think that [your background] alienates you from regular college students?

VK: People make an assumption that I’m a rich little kid. I grew up, I think, just like everybody else. I did go to good schools and I had a great opportunity educationally and I’m sure in a lot of ways I probably did grow up luckier than a lot of people and I’m not by any means ignoring the opportunities I’ve had in my life. I had chores. I worked through high school. I worked through college and I have loans just like everybody else and I think everybody’s experience is just different.

Broadside: Why did you decide to take time off to help with the campaign and did your father ask you to help?

VK: No, he didn’t ask me. I [work] in a hospital and I’m aware of this campaign and I’m emotionally invested in it…I’ve listened to nurses. I’ve listened to patients and I’ve listened to things going on in people’s lives. I’m focused on international health and I’m invested in people who are doing work there and I know what’s at stake and frankly to not be a part of effecting change kind of scares me. I’d rather make a huge effort to change the course of where this country’s going...than complain.

Broadside: Why is your father suited to be president and what sets him apart from other Democratic candidates?

VK: Two principled things. One, my father has an unbelievable domestic record in which he has fought for things that you didn’t necessarily see the good in right away as he’s been willing to look at long term [results]. He is also a Vietnam War veteran.