By Jeanine Poggi

The daughter of Democratic front-runner Sen. John Kerry visited the University on Monday to rally students.

Vanessa Kerry, a third-year medical student stressed the importance of voting and political activity.

“It sounds cheesy but we are the future,” she said. “It’s the truth. Bottom line.”

Kerry believes many students do not vote because they are disillusioned and think politics don’t work.

“I am frankly pissed off about a lot of things going on in the world,” she said. “[But] by coming out in large numbers, we send a stronger message that we are not happy how this president in running things.”

Throughout the speech Kerry attacked President Bush with names like “lame-duck” and said that if he is re-elected it will be another four years of free mandate.

“Bush just creates slogans, and then doesn’t fund anything,” she said.If elected, Kerry plans on creating 300 new jobs, investing in schools by rolling tax cuts for the wealthy, and phasing troops out of Iraq.

Through Vanessa, students were able to learn about the personal side of Kerry that they otherwise may not have seen.

“He listens,” she said. “When we are at the dinner table he asks my friends questions and is interested in what their position on issues are.” Like many fathers and daughters they do disagree, but he is always willing to hear her out,” she said.

“He fights for things he really believes in,” she said. “We don’t have money on our side, but we have truth, justice and understanding, and that is how we can win.”

Emulating her father’s style, Kerry refused to leave the University before answering every question.

“She had a good balance between political professionalism and collegial jargon,” freshman, Mike LaFemina said.

Junior, Christina Cipriano agreed, “Surprisingly she was very candid for speaking on behalf of her father,” she said. “I expected her to rattle off things that have been said before, but she spoke very openly. She had a really great character.”