[Opinion] The Children of Presidents

One characteristic of the U.S. campaign trail is that the atmosphere is bright and exuberant. It is akin to a pop star’s concert. The expressions on the faces of the audience are bright, and many people appear in hats and clothing covered with catchy phrases. People bring various props, adding to the joy. Another characteristic that differs from Korea is that many of the presidential candidates’ children are present.

At the Democratic Party’s National Convention held in Boston on July 29, it was his two daughters who introduced the party candidate Senator John Kerry. At the Republican Party’s National Convention held in New York on August 31, U.S. President George W. Bush’s twin daughters introduced their mother, First Lady Laura Bush. They told funny anecdotes about their parents and family, displaying their love for their parents and the family’s close bond. They often join their father on the campaign trail. Furthermore, they make an appeal for votes, campaigning at universities and participating in events which gather young voters. It is even part of the campaigning for President Bush’s daughters, who usually shun the press, to appear in an interview with the magazine “Vogue,” popular among young females, showing off their exquisite fashion sense.

The fact that the children of presidential candidates appear on the campaign front illustrates the intensity of the competition. It was probably taken into consideration that they are all young women in their twenties and thirties, with a good chance of winning the hearts of young voters. Moreover, anecdotes on their relationship or episodes with their parents satisfy the voters’ curiosity of the candidates’ private lives and display their human side. However, this does not mean the children carry out a secret mission on their fathers’ part or yield a massive influence in the campaigns. On the contrary, there are instances when many point out that their speeches were not particularly good.

In most cases, children of the president or a presidential candidate in the U.S. usually lead ordinary lives. In contrast, it is tragic that children of former Korean presidents are unable to lead ordinary social lives for various reasons. With many of the former presidents’ children currently serving time or having served time behind bars, it is regretful to hear that yet another son of a former president has been summoned by the prosecution.

Kwon Soon-taek, Washington Correspondent, maypole@donga.com