Meet the candidates' kids
Posted: Friday, January 18, 2008 3:02 PM by Sam Singal
Filed Under:
Notes from the field
By Maria Menounos, NBC News contributing correspondent
I flew from New York (having finished my duties on the Today Show Wednesday) to Columbia, South Carolina to interview Sarah Huckabee and Meghan McCain. I had been efforting the candidates' kids for a few weeks and finally started getting responses.
I sat with Sarah Huckabee in the boardroom of the Courtyard Marriott. The conference room was a mini-headquarters of sorts for her, her brother David, and a few campaign staffers. She was definitely tired, but she managed to give us a lot of time.
The candidates' kids have been very visible in this campaign, more so than we’ve ever seen -- and all in very different roles. Sarah is the national field director for her dad’s campaign and Meghan chose a less official role-- she started a blog to document her journey for those curious about the process. Both have chosen very public roles unlike the less-public Chelsea Clinton.
Why? I think we live in a time where there is unprecedented access to information, via the Internet and sites like YouTube and My Space. In this particular campaign, that access is helping connect these candidates with the masses, particularly, the younger voters. It humanizes the candidates and allows the public to see real moments... and to see that campaign kids are kids just like us. The young people relate to other young people, allowing a better connection with the parent. It may be the reason why so many are interested and engaged in this race than previous races.
When Sarah walked in, she was busy putting out fires already (something about pro wrestler Ric Flair's car not showing up or something). Flair was attending a campaign event on behalf of Sarah's father. Her brother and I told her to just go “Woooooo” and all would be fine. (For you non-WWE fans: that’s Ric Flair's signature).
After my interview with Sarah, I asked her a few things I didn’t get a chance to during the interview. We had a moment in the hallway, so figured, why not? I asked her why she thinks her dad is the best candidate and why he would make the best president. She said she watched him make decisions with the people’s best interests in mind. In Arkansas, he was criticized from time to time for making decisions his party didn’t agree with. She says he always makes decisions that he believes are in the people’s best interest. She went on to tell me that he got criticism for launching his campaign too late in the game, to which she says, he felt he was elected to be governor of Arkansas and didn’t want to take away from the work he was doing there.
My interview with Meghan was great. I really love the fact that her dad hasn’t tried to stifle who she is. She has been stereotyped because she’s blonde and likes fashion…. and isn’t trying to be something else. She isn’t trying to be what we have come to expect of the candidates' kids (i.e. the preppy outfit-wearing daughter). She is very fashion-forward with her Louis Vuitton bag and says she shouldn’t be judged because she reads US magazine and wears trendy items. Those things do not define who she is. She also reads The New York Times and is well versed in politics and important social issues. Her biggest point: Why can’t you be both? Why can’t you be into pop culture and politics? She is 23. Shouldn’t she be allowed to enjoy her youth and still be a smart young lady? (I happen to think so. I’ve gotten a few looks before on the plane for reading US magazine and those quickly go away when I switch over to Newsweek. People always want to place you in a box; "you’re into fashion or fun, so you can't be serious." That’s just not true.)
Interesting Sarah factoids:
Video: More on Maria's interview with Sarah Huckabee
-Sarah told me that she and her family were the ones who convinced her dad to run for president. “The rest of my family was on board before my dad was. We all kind of pushed him and were like ‘You’ve gotta do this’.”
-She also said, (and this was a total surprise to me), that her dad was a huge fan of "The Sopranos." I love that a Baptist minister loves "The Sopranos"!
-Dad is also really into doing his own laundry…. even on the road.
-I asked her if at any point she thought, “Oh, this is a lot!”
Before I could finish she said, “Oh, everyday”. But she loves it and realizes this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
-The campaign family's favorite show (meaning the staffers') is "Entourage."
-I also thought it was interesting that she connects with some of the other candidates' kids. For example, she mentions emails that have gone back and forth between her and the Romneys where they congratulate each other or say stuff like "Your dad did great tonight" or "Tell your dad to be nicer to my dad…ha ha."
-Sarah’s favorite movie star? Kevin Costner.
-Worst punishment? Being grounded for a month and a half--though she wouldn’t reveal why!
-Biggest issue facing our country? Education.
Interesting Meghan factoids:
Video: Click here to watch more of Maria's interview with Meghan.
-She said the criticism she hears about her dad that she hates the most is comments on his age.
-She and her dad are very superstitious. She reads The New York Times and was an Art History major at Columbia University.
-If dad were to become president she says she would probably blog in the White House. She says she’s curious about what it's like to to be the “first family” and would wanna give a peek into their world and wants to “humanize” the White House.
-Meghan’s favorite movie star? Sienna Miller.
-Who else? Dita von Teese and Chloe Sevigny.
-Favorite movie? "The Big Lebowski" and "Some Like it Hot."
-Worst punishment dad laid down? She said he was a softie and that mom was the disciplinarian!
-Favorite childhood memory? Dad took her to the MTV Awards.
-Biggest issue facing our country? The environment.
