And while Kerry was still reluctant to refer to her father as “the nominee,” she didn’t hesitate to criticize the Bush administration’s handling of many areas, particularly Iraq.

“We threw out 40 years of diplomacy with what we did in Iraq,” said Kerry, who added that while her father voted in favor of the initial resolution to authorize war, he regarded it as the “toughest vote he has had to make.”

Kerry’s passion for her father and commitment to the campaign apparently struck the right note with the audience, which included a significant number of people sporting “John Kerry 2004” stickers and pins.

Sandra M. Kim, a student at the Graduate School of Education who called herself “very non-political,” said Kerry’s presentation was appealing.

“She had quite a presence,” Kim said. “I’m definitely going to look more into his [John Kerry’s] platform.”

—Staff Writer Jeffrey C. Aguero can be reached at aguero@fas.harvard.edu.