Kerry displays multi-generational appeal in SJ stop

The gap between older and younger generations has long been a problem for politicians, but Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has been commended for addressing and uniting both sides in his campaign.

Kerry's attempt to bridge that gap was reflected even in his use of campaign songs ranging from Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" to Outkast's "Hey Ya" at an appearance at San Jose State University on June 24.

"The focus is not just on the next election, but on the next generation," Kerry told an audience of more than 1,000 at the university's student union.

It's a theme Kerry continued in his speech, which acknowledged America's manufacturing and industrial history and reinforced Silicon Valley's position at the forefront of future digital and innovation frontiers.

Photo by Riannon Wheeler

"Technological revolution is the foundation of a 21st century economy," said Kerry, who promised a strong business environment that would create "not only new jobs, but whole new professions."

Vietnam veteran Robert Adams, who led the Pledge of Allegiance before Kerry's speech, said he thinks Kerry is "a very young thinker."

"There's quite a dichotomy of old vs. new," he said. "Even though Kerry is 60, he's bringing new ideas."

One of those ideas is a concentrated effort to extend cutting-edge technology to primary schools and high schools. Kerry's proposal to build the high-tech workforce of tomorrow begins with an investment today in math and science programs for children in grades K-12.

Kerry expects to fund his $30 billion plan through the development and auction of a nationwide broadband network.

The Kerry campaign recently got a boost from the endorsement of Lee Iacocca, retired chairman of Chrysler Corp., who was deeply involved in President George W. Bush's 2000 campaign.

Photo by Rhiannon Wheeler

Iacocca, who pioneered the development of the Ford Mustang in the 1960s and rescued Chrysler Corp. from bankruptcy in the '80s, commended what Kerry is calling "An Innovative Economy for a Stronger America."

That plan includes opening foreign markets to U.S. imports, eliminating capital gains taxes on small businesses, expanding government investment in research and ending special tax breaks for companies who ship jobs overseas.

Evan Low, a 21-year-old candidate for Campbell City Council who attended the Kerry rally, said that Iacocca's endorsement brought credibility to the campaign. "It showed that Kerry changed a particular influential individual."

Steve Preminger, chairman of the Santa Clara County Democratic party, said he thought the rally was a success. "It attracted a lot of curious people," said Preminger. "Kerry came across as charming and sensitive."

Low said that Kerry effectively played to both his contemporaries and younger supporters. "He engaged both students and adults," said Low. "People could see him with their own eyes, hear him with their own ears."

San Jose State student Laina Gaoteote, 22, attended the event with other students from her political science class at the urging of her professor. While she makes an effort to keep herself politically aware, she is not surprised few young people are following her example.

"The reason they're apathetic is that they think nobody represents them," said Gaoteote. "Nobody has in the past, or now."

But Kerry hopes to change that.

As the loud energy of U2's "Beautiful Day" drowned out the fading rhythm of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," Kerry's words resonated: "We just need to believe in ourselves - and in opening up the paths of progress, America will be America again."