I saw an interview with her on the Princeton Alumni Weekly. (She is a senior at Princeton, same age as the Bush girls.) <
http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/> - go to the 2004 Weblog
It's pretty long. Here are some of her answers:
Student Body Politic 3: A Visit With Cate Edwards
By Andrew Romano ’04
. . . She’s gregarious but guarded; casual but driven. She understands what she can and cannot say in an interview about her father – no strategy talk, no badmouthing the other Dems. Cate has learned the rules of the presidential race – but she hasn’t grown cynical. She still believes in the power of politics to move people. And most of all, she still believes in “Dad.”
...
On a practical level, what are the demands your father's campaign places on you?
I’ve been on the road throughout the summer and fall, speaking mainly with young people in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. While my roommate is in Hawaii for Christmas break, I’ll be traveling with my dad and family in New Hampshire and Iowa. Presidential politics just isn’t quite as glamorous as one might think.
These demands must conflict with your life as a Princeton student. Have you had to make compromises, academic or social, in order to help out with the campaign?
Of course. I’ve been gone on weekends campaigning instead of hanging out with my friends. I’ve had to shift my workload and class schedule to cater to the demands of the campaign. But since I know my dad has made much bigger sacrifices for me, it never really seems like that big of a deal to miss some of the little things.
...
In general, how do you two discuss politics? Does he seek your advice?
It’s funny because my dad often talks to me like one of his political advisers. I guess in a way I am, but it took me awhile to realize the benefit he gains from understanding the opinions and ideas of our generation. He wants to hear about my interactions with kids of our generation. I certainly have a different viewpoint than his other advisers.
What exactly does he ask about these interactions?
My dad wants to know what kids are worried about in terms of policy and how he might help them. He wants to hear their ideas for policy. He wants to know is how we might engage the youth more in politics – how we can lift the disillusionment.
...
Well, let’s talk about our generation. What impressions do you have of young voters you've met on the campaign trail? Are they disillusioned? Idealistic?
Well, of course the voters that I come across on the trail are more active than the typical youth vote. However, these young people do seem to be slightly disillusioned, and certainly concerned with the direction of politics in this country — they definitely have a sense that there is more out there, better leadership to be had. The youth is ready to look forward with optimism. I think they are looking for a leader with a good heart, integrity, and positive vision for America.
What have you learned about the presidential race from being behind the scenes?
Well, I could write my thesis on the things I’ve learned from being “behind the scenes.” Actually, that is what I’m writing my thesis about. ...
...
Have you met the other candidates' kids? Do you bond at all about being sons and daughters of candidates?
I sat in front of Al Sharpton’s daughters, who are about my age, I think, at the debate in New York. They were very funny, and able to joke about their father the way that my mom and I sometimes do — it was really nice to see that same dynamic.
How would you handle that position of First Daughter, were you thrust into it? Do you ever think of the Bush twins or Chelsea Clinton as examples – either to emulate – or not?
Well, I think I differ from
, so it would be difficult to compare. I would hope that, were I given that position, I would be able to use it to discuss some of the issues that I find important, like education, equal rights, and AIDS.
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