Andre Heinz, Kerry’s stepson, speaks at CSU
Andre Heinz, presidential candidate John Kerry’s stepson,
encouraged students to vote and discussed Kerry’s campaign platform
on the Lory Student Center Plaza Thursday afternoon.
Heinz stopped by the Plaza as part of his Next Generation Tour.
The bus tour included stops at colleges and universities around
Colorado including University of Denver and University of Northern
Colorado.
Heinz, 34, who previously worked as a consultant for The Natural
Step, an international environmental organization that works toward
global sustainability, is now the leading spokesperson on
environmental issues for Kerry’s campaign.
Heinz spoke for approximately 15 minutes about jobs, college
tuition, education, health care and the war in Iraq. Specifically,
Heinz encouraged students to vote, citing the close margin of votes
in Florida during the 2000 election.
“That’s one of your dorms,” Heinz said.
Heinz promoted Kerry’s support for more straightforward college
loans and the Service for Education program that would provide full
tuition to students who participate in two years of community
service during college. Also, students who work part-time while
attending college would receive $2,000 per year to fund their
education.
“Today, the quality of your education is determined by your
parents’ income level,” Heinz said. “(Kerry/Edwards) wants to fix
that.”
Heinz criticized President Bush’s tax cuts, saying that the
biggest breaks go to the top income bracket.
“People who make over $200,000, like me, would be more than
happy to give a little bit more to you and to our men and women in
Iraq so that they can have something worth living for and fighting
for,” he said.
Heinz also criticized the war in Iraq, calling it a “horrendous
mistake.” He discussed America’s dependence on oil and its possible
connection to the war.
“Are the men and women dying in Iraq because of oil?” Heinz
said. “That shouldn’t even be a question.”
The environment was another issue that Heinz discussed, naming
hybrid cars and wind power as environmentally friendly technologies
the Kerry/Edwards campaign supports.
The CSU Young Democrats coordinated Heinz’s stop at CSU, and he
took questions from audience members following his speech.
“(The Kerry/Edwards campaign) came to me with the idea,” said
Ashleigh McBeth, president of the CSU Young Democrats and vice
president of Colorado College Democrats. “I thought that the
student body would be excited and welcoming.”
Security at the event was tight, as security personnel were
present and the CSU Police Department was notified, McBeth
said.
Many students who attended Heinz’s speech felt he brought a new
point of view to the campaign issues.
“It gives a different perspective to have someone this close to
the candidate talk about the issues,” said Doug Knight, treasurer
for the CSU Young Democrats and a senior political science
major.
Others were impressed by his proactive approach to Bush.
“I thought it was a positive, upbeat message for America,” said
Ryan Bailey, a freshman German major. “It focused more on what
Kerry/Edwards wants to do, rather than what Bush has done
wrong.”
While the Plaza was crawling with Kerry/Edwards supporters, a
small group of Republicans gathered at the back of the crowd during
Heinz’s speech.
“I think this is an interesting opportunity for students to be
informed on one side of the issues,” said Chuck Fogland, president
of the College Republicans and a junior political science
major.
However, some Republicans were dissatisfied with Heinz’s
speech.
“I was unimpressed,” said Jesse Mallory, state chairman for the
College Republicans and a senior political science major. “He
didn’t bring anything new to the table. It was a sub-par stump
speech.”
Regardless of who was listening, Heinz wanted to get one
non-partisan point across.
“I can only hope that during the next four years, regardless of
who is president, that the American people will continue to be
involved by letting their voices be heard,” Heinz said.
Teresa Heinz Kerry, Heinz’s mother and John Kerry’s wife, will
be speaking at the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom at 5 p.m.
today.
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