Stepson stumps for Kerry campaign

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's stepson, Chris Heinz, made a campaign stop on campus yesterday, speaking to an audience of around 100 in Huntsman Hall a few hours before the start of the final presidential debate.

"I've known John Kerry for 10 years, and he's never lied to me," Heinz said. "I think that's a big departure from the last four years."

Heinz -- who quit his finance job to work full-time for the campaign -- told the audience that, before President George W. Bush took office, America was feared for its military and loved for its ideas.

Now, Heinz said, "The limits of our military [power] have been defined, and we are no longer feared the way we were four years ago, and we are no longer loved for our ideas."

Speaking specifically about the aftermath of the war in Iraq, Heinz echoed Kerry's plan to bring American troops home, which includes enhanced training of Iraqi police and military forces.

Heinz acknowledged that "it is naive to say you can get rid of" terrorism, but accused the Bush administration of prolonging the fear of terrorism for political reasons.

Heinz answered audience questions about energy policy and fiscal responsibility, saying that Kerry's goal is to have 20 percent of America's energy come from renewable sources within 10 years.

As for the budget deficit, Heinz said that "John Kerry has pledged to bring back 'pay as you go'" -- a term that refers to paying for new programs by reallocating existing funds or raising taxes -- which Heinz accused the current president of abandoning.

Heinz, who earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2001, lost his own father, Sen. John Heinz, in a 1991 plane crash.

"One thing I thought I didn't need, or would never have again, was a father figure in my life," Heinz said. "Then I met this guy John Kerry."

Heinz went on to say that Kerry is a great stepfather and that he succeeded "by earning my respect, building a friendship ... and I love the guy."

Heinz said that Kerry is also a loving partner to his mother, Teresa Heinz Kerry, which he joked is often "a full-time job."

Wharton graduate student Leena Jain said she came because she is Republican, but remains undecided in this election.

"My favorite part of the event was hearing about Chris' relationship with his stepfather and hearing about the personal side" of life in the Kerry home.

College sophomore Meghan Johnson said she liked what Heinz had to say about terrorism, and that she was excited to watch the final debate.

"Domestic issues are so important to me, and I think if George W. Bush has done anything domestically, it has been to hurt us. ... I want to hear what my candidate, John Kerry, is going to do to fix that."

Introducing Heinz was Ken Miller, vice chairman of CS First Boston and state business coordinator of the Kerry-Edwards '04 campaign.

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