Chrissy Gephardt said she was disappointed with the turnout when she spoke to only a handful of students Thursday at the Memorial Union.
The daughter of 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, she said she encouraged more involvement with her father's campaign.
"Dick Gephardt has the best chance against [George W. Bush] because he has got the experience and the strong track record," she said.
Organizers for the speech said Dick Gephardt was unable to make the trip because he was campaigning in Iowa.
The Associated Press reported that recent polls have shown the Missouri congressman to be in a close race with former Vermont governor Howard Dean. Both are counting on a win in the Iowa caucuses slated for Jan. 19.
Gephardt said she quit her job last June to fully devote her time to her father's campaign, and she has been traveling across the United States to inform people of her father's platform.
"My dad has probably the boldest and clearest plans among the candidates, including health care and education," she said.
She added that she thought his health care plans are designed for every American in the country and are affordable and accessible.
She also said her father's plans for education are among the strongest. If elected president, Dick Gephardt plans to double the amount of Pell Grants available to students, increase access to financial aid and make tuition tax-deductible.
"College is becoming unaffordable for people, and my dad feels that it is wrong," Gephardt said.
Gephardt also addressed gay and lesbian rights and said her father supports civil union among gays, adoptions for gay parents and gays in the military.
"My father told me that when he was in congress, the Republicans shot down hate crime legislation," said Gephardt, who is gay. She added that her father didn't know why others would vote against that legislation.
Among the small crowd was "Students for Gephardt" organizer Darnell Calhoun. The broadcasting junior said he is passionate about Dick Gephardt's campaign because of his stances on education and that Gephardt has a good chance of winning the election.
"I appreciate that he wants students to get higher education and make that more possible," Calhoun said.
Calhoun started "Students for Gephardt" in October, but he said the support has been growing slowly.
"I am trying to use word-of-mouth and e-mail to get students out there and look at what Gephardt has to offer," he added.
Reiterating the importance of involvement, Gephardt said it's essential that the young community move President Bush out of office and Gephardt in.
"[President] Bush has sent our country into the wrong direction in so many ways, and if he is re-elected, I don't know if I can even live here for another four years," she said.
If President Bush is re-elected, Gephardt said she might have to move to Canada.
"At the end of the day, what we want is a Democrat in the White House," Gephardt said.
Reach the reporter at pamela.j.coffman@asu.edu.
