Cate Edwards and Scholastic Student Reporter David Rush in Manhattan recently. (Photo: Suzanne Freeman)

October 2004—When John Edwards accepted the Democratic nomination for Vice President of the United States, he knew his 22-year-old daughter Cate would support him. She campaigned for him during his run for President earlier in the year, despite a hectic final semester at Princeton University. She spoke on his behalf at the Democratic National Convention in July, and is now reaching out to college-aged voters across the country.

"We have a choice," she tells students on campuses across the nation. "Choose the Democratic ticket and vote for change."

Cate says she isn't upset that her father lost his bid for the Democratic nomination for President to Senator John Kerry. "I think we're really happy with where we are," she told Scholastic News Online in an interview recently. "I trust John Kerry. I believe he'll be a great leader and I know that my dad is just really proud to be on the ticket with him."

Young Voters

Since the convention, Cate has been to almost 30 college campuses with a stump speech encouraging students to support the Kerry-Edwards ticket. About her father, Cate says, "He's very optimistic about this country and the things that we can achieve in this country. He wants to invest in things like education and he wants to invest in jobs and the economy, and things that really do affect our lives."

Although her message is in support of the Democratic ticket, she is also focused on encouraging students to vote. "This is our future. I don't know why we would let someone else decide who the leader of this country is," she said.

In Cate's view, the Democratic ticket best represents the values of young voters.

"I'm campaigning because I truly believe in my dad," Cate said. "His fundamental belief in opportunity and the access to opportunity . . . will make our future brighter."

Read more from David's interview with Cate Edwards.