Candidates' Daughters: Key Campaign Roles

Some Campaigns Are Becoming A Family Affair - And It Could Be An Asset

(CBS)  “I am a continuing source of embarrassment to her,” said Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Twenty-three year old Meghan McCain is a permanent fixture on her 71-year-old father’s Straight Talk Express, CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports.

“I get straight talk from my daughter,” McCain said.

Like what?

“Anything I do wrong!” he said.

Meghan’s blog, mccainbloggette.com chronicles her life on the road.

She holds events, such as a tattoo contest - it’s the decidedly lighter side of politics.

Did you ever consider not playing a role on the campaign?

“When you hear criticism about my dad's age, you know, I just think, please, I'll show everyone how much it doesn't matter,” she said.

“My actual title is national field director,” said Mike Huckabee’s daughter.

Her name is Sarah Huckabee. She left a promising job in Washington to join her father’s campaign back when there were just a handful of staffers.

“I probably do get away with saying things that most other field directors cannot say to their candidates - like 'no, you will not wear that tie ever again!'” she said.

There are two dozen adult children campaigning with their parents this presidential election season. Five of them are young women in their 20s whose ability to turn out voters like them could make the difference in a tight race.

“I think you can connect with them and relate with them in ways our fathers and mothers might not be able to,” said Cate Edwards.

John Edwards’ daughter speaks at colleges around the country - when she isn’t studying. She’s a first-year law student at Harvard.

“It can be really overwhelming!” she said.

The daughters of presidents and presidential candidates have always found themselves in the spotlight. Think of Tricia Nixon, the Kerry daughters and the Bush twins.

Chelsea Clinton only occasionally joins her mother on the trail and in ads.

And Rudy Giuliani’s estranged 17-year-old daughter Caroline never appears with her father - and briefly endorsed Barack Obama. But Giuliani told CBS News anchor Katie Couric it shouldn’t matter.

“I don't think there's anything special about a politician's relationship with their children,” he said. “Except if they're a high profile person and sometimes the problems that that creates”

Cordes asked Cate Edwards: “Is it hard to hear people say negative things about your dad?”

“I think it was at first, but you get used to it, it's politics...” she said.

And it’s a contact sport.

“I kind of just want to show young women out there that, like, politics is fun and interesting and just because, like, you know, you read the New York Times, doesn't mean you can't watch The Hills, you know what I mean?” Meghan McCain said.

Still, with so much at stake, these three are willing to work in the spotlight - and in the trenches.

[sgtrds]

%u201CI am a continuing source of embarrassment to her,%u201D said Republican presidential candidate John McCain.


Hey John, you''re a continuing source of embarrassment to all Americans, but esp to yourself. Face it John, you''re senile and need to be put in a good nursing home before you destroy what little remains of the respect you used to have long ago.

[denn034]

A family should be involved in a campaign. Too bad so many of Giuliani''s family hates him too much to help him though.

[jedi08]

Im just waiting for Chelsey to run after her mom loses next year. I mean she is the daughter of Bill and according to the Clinton''s that makes her qualitfied to run the country.

What a joke Billary Clinton is.

[kaliveotin]

Hillary lost my support when she weakly promised to provide National Health Care "by the end of my second term." 2016? Is her target. We 45 million Americans without any care cant wait 9 years. We need health care now, and we deserve it. She''s to weak as an advocate, and doesn''t speak to democrats unless thier OLD WOMEN. I''ve been a democrat for 35 years and I''m left uninspired and feeling ignored by Hillary.

[mbcsmith]

It''''s all about abortiion, guns, terrorists, and so-called family values. At least Hillary has a plan!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jcnbma at 08:01 AM : Dec 28, 2007

Yep, her plan is socialist redistribution of wealth. Tax everyone and benefit a few. Just like Billdo''s tax plans.

[allunknowing]

boring.

What about the candidates'' sons?

Wait, if the daughters are on myspace, nevermind, forget about the sons. Where''s George''s daughters'' myspace? That chick gets naked.


stupid news signing off

[jumpyg1258]

I wish Dr. Rand Paul would get more involved in politics. From what I have seen of him, he could be just as good if not a better politician than his father Dr. Ron Paul.

Speaking of which, why does this subject of daughters and sons matter at all? Its not like the Bush twins did anything to help their father get elected and look at them. They are just as much of an embarrassment as their father to this country.

[rowdytexan2]

Certainly the young need to get involved. In all our families, not just theirs.

I think part of our problem now on votership is because we haven''t trained our young people to study the candidates, keep an eye on important issues, and prepare for the responsibility of votership.

[rowdytexan2]

Posted by jcnbma at 08:01 AM : Dec 28, 2007

Perzactly!