Talking with the Head of Kids for Kerry
TFK Kid Reporters chat with Ilana Wexler about her convention speech and how kids can get involved
TFK Kid Reporters chat with Ilana Wexler about her convention speech and how kids can get involved
 |
 |
TFK: What inspired you to start 'Kids for Kerry?'
Ilana Wexler: Last summer I went on a five-month trip with my family to Central America and Europe during the time of the war and every person we met was very friendly but of course asked where we were from and we said we were from the United States and they’d go, “Oh, of course, we know where that is! But what is this whole war about? We don’t get it. And we think the President could be doing a better job handling it.” And I knew what they meant. I knew I had to do something about this because this country was very unsafe, something could have happened to it. And people are just looking up to me kind of like, get out there, do something!
|
 TFK Kid Reporters Avery and Lily interview Ilana Wexler, founder of "Kids for Kerry." |
Ilana Wexler: I was absolutely shocked! Shocked! It was last Wednesday morning and I was eating my breakfast and the phone rings and it was her! And it was like, okay, this is her accent, but it can’t be her! I was absolutely shocked the rest of the day and I still kind of am.
TFK: How did you go about starting Kids for Kerry?
Ilana Wexler: I wanted to start 'Kids for Kerry' to show children that they can have a voice in this election even though they can not vote. It’s a great thing to be able to go to his (Kerry's) events and see him speak but I’ll never get to vote for him on the ballot and show that I really respect what he cares for. It’s up to the future, we are the next generation, and I want to be able to show kids that we can all make a difference.
TFK: What did you do to prepare for your role in the convention? Did you write your speech?
Ilana Wexler: I did write my speech. I do have a stump speech on my computer so I change it every time (I speak). It was a lot of work to prepare for this. I practiced (my speech) with my parents every night and thank God! Otherwise, it wouldn’t have come out right, but it was great!
TFK: So who have you met at the convention so far?
Ilana Wexler: When I was backstage, I did meet Howard Dean, it was kind of amazing. And then (I also met) Ted Kennedy. And then I saw Teresa Heinz Kerry and Chris (Heinz).
TFK: Were you nervous before you made your speech?
Ilana Wexler: Yes, I was very nervous. I’m actually making another speech today at a Teresa Heinz Kerry event. So I’m kind of nervous about that one, but it’s going to be great.
|
 Ilana Wexler speaks to delegates at the Democratic National Convention. |
Ilana Wexler: Right now it seems that people are expecting a lot from me because I’ve just spoken in front of millions of people and I’m trying to figure out what’s next. John Kerry is actually coming to California in a few weeks, so I’m going to be working at the John Kerry headquarters and I’m going to be helping plan the event and everything like that so that’s the main focus right this minute.
TFK: What’s the most effective thing you’ve done so far during the campaign?
Ilana Wexler: I think fundraising. It really shows a lot that children are actually getting out there because when adults see children fundraising they go, 'Geez, I wasn’t going to vote in this election, but now, I’m going to vote!'
TFK: What can kids do to get make a difference in this election?
Ilana Wexler: They (kids) can go door to door, they can stand on sidewalks, or they can go to markets or to malls. What I like to do is go to the swing states and do this because that is where we need the help.
Lily Wasserman