Larry
King Live 7/26/04
Coverage of the Democratic Convention
LARRY KING, HOST: Thank you, Wolf. We're down here on the floor at the
Democratic National Convention. We welcome two lovely ladies. They are the
daughters of the presidential nominee of the Democratic party. Directly to my
left is Vanessa Kerry the younger daughter of Senator John Kerry and Julia Thorn.
She's taken time off from studies at Harvard Medical School to campaign for her
father. And she attended Yale at the same time as her stepbrother's Chris and
Andrew Heinz. And Alexandra Kerry is the older daughter of Senator John -- not
much older, of Senator Kerry and his first wife. She's an independent filmmaker,
masters degree at the American Film Institute. Her thesis film "The Last Full
Measure" was shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
What has this been like for you, Vanessa?
VANESSA KERRY, DAUGHTER OF JOHN KERRY: It's amazing walking into this hall this
evening, seeing everybody here, to celebrate Dad and Senator Edwards is an
extraordinary thing.
KING: Vanessa, when you have a father that's been so much in the public
limelight, how has that affected you, growing up?
V. KERRY: Well, both of our parents have been advocates for Alexandra and me to
really pursue our own thing, do our own lives to be -- to have our own interests.
And they've given us a lot of room to make our own decisions. So in many ways
being a senator hasn't impacted us. It's certainly starting to now as he runs
for president, but it's well worth it.
KING: So, that has been a happy thing?
V. KERRY: No. Teresa's been an unbelievable addition to this family and so have
the boys. We've had an incredible -- it's been about a decade now.
KING: Yes, it has.
V. KERRY: It's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of antics. And it's been very
extraordinary to be on this journey together.
KING: Are you close to your mother, too?
A. KERRY: Very close, yes. My mom chooses to be more private, and she lives in
the western part of the United States. But she's a huge supporter of my dad and
of his policies.
KING: She is?
(CROSSTALK)
V. KERRY: ... that this is the most important election of her lifetime.
KING: All right, what's your role in the campaign?
V. KERRY: I would say -- I don't know, what is my role?
KING: Are you going to help? I mean, are you going to campaign?
V. KERRY: I am going to continue to campaign. It matters to me enormously that
my father becomes president of the United States. And I will do what I can to
help get young people involved, help get young people to understand the best
they can that this is the future, you know, this is our future and this is our
country. So, anything I can do, I don't know, I mean, Alex will...
KING: Anything you can do, anything you're asked to do?
V. KERRY: Not anything, oh, no. No, no. No, there are lines drawn, yeah.
KING: Do you like campaigning?
V. KERRY: Absolutely.
KING: Have you done it before?
V. KERRY: I have never done it before. But it's been very, very fun to be able
to travel this country, talk to people, and hear people's stories. The energy
that is behind this campaign, and the energy that is behind a hope for change is
enormous. And to be a part of that, it's one way or another sort of witnessing
history. It's been extraordinary.
KING: Do you expect a very, very tough campaign?
V. KERRY: I think it will be tough. This is for the White House. But I think in
any election, there is a spirit of competition. My sister says this often, too.
The goal is to keep this optimistic and to be talking about the things that
matter, the values of this country that matter. And, you know, the health care
for all Americans, education, investing in it, protecting our resources. And I
think making us safer abroad. I think that these are the things that we need to
stay focused on. Not necessarily taking snipes.
KING: Your father's been working on his speech?
V. KERRY: He has.
KING: Do you know any part of it?
V. KERRY: I know some.
KING: Historic convention and a unique broadcast. We're on the floor, and we'll
be back live at midnight, too. We have remaining moments now with Vanessa Kerry
and Alexandra Kerry. What did you think of your stepmother telling somebody to
shove it?
V. KERRY: I think we need to look at the greater context, first of all. And I
think the other thing is we need to be very careful that a single moment of
exasperation doesn't become blown well out of proportion. She's been an
incredible asset to this campaign. And I think, you know, this is -- people try
to make a controversy out of something that really isn't.
KING: What does your dad say about it?
V. KERRY: Nope. There's more important things.
KING: What did you think of the selection of Mr. Edwards?
V. KERRY: I was delighted. I think his whole family has been an extraordinary
addition. We've had a great time. There's some weird chemistry. Wasn't really an
addition, it was a multiplication.
KING: And he's got those little kids.
V. KERRY: They are a riot.
V. KERRY: And it's just their values, I mean, dad and Edwards complement one
another well.
KING: Are you going to speak?
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You'll both be part of the introductions?
V. KERRY: Yes. The pre-pre-introduction.
KING: You're going to film it?
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You nervous?
V. KERRY: Yeah. I'm very nervous. Especially walking in here and seeing all
these people.
KING: You're two beautiful ladies.
V. KERRY: Thank you very much for having us.
KING: Thank you guys. We'll be right back with our panel.
