|
Cate Edwards Born: March 4, 1982 Parents: John and Elizabeth Edwards, first generation college students, lawyers Grandparents: Wallace and Bobbie Edwards, blue collar workers Education: Princeton University, graduated 2004 (cum laude) Arrests: None Criminal convictions: None
Excerpt from convention speech: By now I'm not sure if more of you know me as John and Elizabeth's daughter or as Jack and Emma Claire's older sister. But tonight, I can tell you that I am the proud child of two people who have made our home a place of hope, two people who will make sure our country is a land of possibility when my dad is the next Vice President of the United States of America.
And standing beside him tonight, standing beside him always, is his wife, my mom, Elizabeth.
Both my mom and my dad have always taught me to dream big and reach high. Now, as a young woman about to head out into the real world, I have one thought on my mind: If I can live a life even half as accomplished as my mother's, then I'll have done alright.
The truth is, my mom has done it all. She's been a star law student, and a PTA member, a successful attorney, and a coach, a public servant, and a mentor, a devoted wife and above all, a mother who is always there for us -- always.
But I look up to her not only because of what she does with her life, but because of the way she lives it: with a strength that inspires. With a courage that carries on. With a kindness that keeps our front-door open and our family and friends close. And, with an optimism that keeps her joined to my father at the heart.
I know that some may find it easier to look at the hurt in the world and the challenges around us and simply turn away or sit at home. But we were raised by our parents to believe differently. Because my mom and dad believe differently.
John Kerry and Teresa believe differently too, and that's why together, we're going to change this country.
They say a ship in a harbor is safe. But that is not what ships are built for. They are built for exploring new possibilities. And, to quote from my mom's favorite poem, they are built for allowing us to "believe that a further shore is reachable from here."
My mom believes. She has brought joy to our home and love to our hearts, and she will join my father in bringing hope to America when she is our next Second Lady of the United States.
Ladies and Gentleman, my mother, Elizabeth Edwards.
Jenna and Barbara Bush Born: November 25, 1981 Parents: Laura and George Bush, Yale graduate, failed businessman, politician, scion of two wealthy, well-connected Eastern Establishment families. Grandparents: Barbara and George H.W. Bush, former congressman, CIA director, Vice President and President Education: Barbara - Yale University (without honors) Jenna - University of Texas (without honors) May 2004 Criminal convictions: Jenna -2 Barbara - 1 (to date)
Excerpt from convention speech: JENNA: It's great to be here. We love Arnold. Isn't he awesome? Thanks to him, if one of us ever decides to marry a Democrat, nobody can complain, except maybe our grandmother, Barbara. And if she doesn't like it, we would definitely hear about it.
We already know she doesn't like some of our clothes, our music, or most of the TV shows we watch.
Gammie, we love you dearly, but you're just not very hip.
She thinks "Sex and the City" is something married people do, but never talk about. We spent the last four years trying to stay out of the spotlight. Sometimes, we did a little better job than others.
We kept trying to explain to my dad that when we are young and irresponsible, well, we're young and irresponsible.
BARBARA: Jenna and I are really not very political, but we love our dad too much to stand back and watch from the sidelines.
We realized that this would be his last campaign, and we wanted to be a part of it.
Besides, since we've graduated from college, we're looking around for something to do for the next few years.
Kind of like dad.
. . . JENNA: But, contrary to what you might read in the papers, our parents are actually kind of cool. They do know the difference between mono and Bono. When we tell them we're going to see Outkast, they know it's a band and not a bunch of misfits. And if we really beg them, they'll even shake it like a Polaroid picture.
BARBARA: So, OK, maybe they have learned a little pop culture from us, but we've learned a lot more from them about what matters in life, about unconditional love, about focus and discipline.
They taught us the importance of a good sense of humor, of being open-minded and treating everyone with respect.
And we learned the true value of honesty and integrity.
As I said, not even close!!!
|