When your father is running for the highest office in the land, there a few things a girl needs to pack for the campaign trail: (1) a dress that never wrinkles, (2) comfortable shoes and (3) a sense of humor. "No, I'm not dating Ben Affleck," deadpans John Kerry's daughter Vanessa, 27, as she storms through Iowa fueled by candy, almonds and five cups of coffee a day. "We broke it off after we had a three-headed baby."
Over in New Hampshire, sister Alexandra, 31, is wearing out her Pumas stumping for her dad, filming a campaign documentary—and coping with male admirers. "I was giving one speech, and a guy walked by the podium...and handed me a note. It was a dinner invitation." (She declined.) Meanwhile, President Bush's twins, Barbara and Jenna, 22, are hitting Republican rallies in swing states. "We have become quite accustomed to minivans," they e-mail PEOPLE from the road. "We have actually found ourselves saying, 'No, the minivan last week in Ohio was much cooler than this one.' " They, too, have a fan base. "They're pretty cute," says a college guy at a Missouri GOP event. "And that's the only reason we're here." The twins aren't letting it go to their heads. "Neither of us will have time for dating until after Nov. 2. The main guy in our lives right now is our dad!" they say.
This year that enthusiasm might make a difference. "Daughters, wives, even vice presidential candidates don't usually have an impact on how people vote," says Ruth Mandel, director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. "But in a race this tight, anything can have impact." No wonder all four girls have recently visited eight key battleground states—sometimes more than once—attending scores of campaign events on behalf of their dads. The heightened level of involvement is smart politics. "Daughters personalize their fathers," says presidential expert Carl Sferrazza Anthony. But no matter who wins in November, all four women can agree on one thing: They won't be running for office themselves. "When it's over, I'll give my father a huge hug," says Vanessa. "And say, 'Way to go! Now I've got to go and do my thing.' "
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