Kathleen Kennedy Townsend on the 2000 Democratic Convention

(CNN) -- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is the eldest child of the late Senator and
U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Mrs. Ethel S. Kennedy and is
Maryland's first woman lieutenant governor. She is chair of the Cabinet
Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, which consists of nine cabinet
secretaries and the attorney general. Before becoming lieutenant governor, Mrs.
Townsend served as deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department
of Justice.

Chat Moderator: Welcome to the Allpolitics chat room, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Townsend.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Hi! I'm glad to be here with you!

In-Depth Coverage of the Democratic National Convention

Chat Moderator: Your uncle, President John F. Kennedy, inspired a generation to serve their country by serving in government, the space program, and the Peace Corps. What can Vice President Gore do to inspire another generation of Americans in a similar way?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: He can certainly continue to expand the Peace Corps and AmeriCorp and the Police Corps, which gives college scholarships to the right young people who promise to work as police officers. He can also develop a teacher corps, which would be highly trained, highly motivated people, young and old, who commit themselves to working in our public schools.

Chat Moderator: Why isn't Vice President Gore doing better among women voters?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: The vice president will do much better among women voters when women get focused on this election. Right now, women are taking care of their families, working hard and have not concentrated on the issues. But after the convention and in the fall, they will. Traditionally, women want specific answers to how we'll improve elder care, what we'll do about prescription drugs and how is MY child's education going to be better. Al Gore has answers to those questions. Women will be convinced by them.

Question from MacCloud: Are the Republicans trying to be Democrats on the outside?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Absolutely. I watched the convention. I heard about a legacy of inclusion and thought, "Did I miss the Democrats?" But American voters won't judge by just the show. They want real answers. This convention will give solutions, programs and policies.

Question from Phantasm: Ms. Townsend, Robert Kennedy was the last senator elected from New York as a non-New Yorker. Do you think times have changed since the -0s? Will Hillary Clinton have a harder time trying to convince the citizens of New York that she represents them?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: I think, as my father said, you choose someone who represents you based on your vision for the future, not who has lived in the state the longest. New Yorkers want good representation, someone who understands their issues -- and that's Hillary Clinton.

Chat Moderator: Is the Democratic Party still the party of new ideas?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Yes, yes, yes. We have innovative ways to reduce crime, such as our hot spots initiatives, which focuses our efforts on our high-crime areas; coerced abstinence, which requires parolees and those on probation to undergo drug testing; and initiatives to increase achievement in schools by setting high standards and holding teachers and administrators accountable. As a result, our party has to be the party of hope, which means new ideas, new solutions and new answers.

Question from Jeff-CNN: Joe Lieberman is more closely aligned to George Bush than he is to Al Gore on some issues -- it appears. Aren't Democrats doing the same thing the Republicans were perceived to have done at their convention?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Joe Lieberman is NOT more aligned with George Bush on issues. The Republicans just want you to believe that. Joe Lieberman stands with Gore on protecting Social Security, enforcing gun safety, etc. There's a big difference.

Question from Scot: Don't you think the Democrats run the risk of being too specific at the convention, as in 1984?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Not at all, because what we have to show is that we are not based on rhetoric. The Republicans have already stolen that. We need to show that we have substance behind the words.

Question from Hank: Do you believe we, as Americans, are overtaxed or undertaxed?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: I think that it depends a little on what state you're in. In Maryland, we reduced income tax by 10 percent and reduced over 20 business taxes, and we have a strong economy.

Chat Moderator: Currently, Republicans control 30 governorships, 23 state House chambers and 23 state Senate chambers. What do the Democrats need to do to reclaim some of these positions?

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: We have to get our positions out, we have to register voters and we have to organize.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us, Lieutenant Governor Townsend.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend: Thank you for your interest and concern with politics. It's a pleasure to talk to you, and I look forward to doing this again.

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