Comments on: Vanessa Kerry Wins Fulbright Grant

By: McGehee

McGehee — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 12:55:00 +0000

Technically, DW, Vanessa could buy the equivalent of what the Fulbright scholarship gives her, which is much more substantive than buying, say, a medal that looks just like an Olympic gold medal. That said, I'm aware that a lot of people are faulting her for accepting the scholarship, and I don't see the reason for reacting that way.

By: PoliBlog

PoliBlog — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 20:01:13 +0000

Vanessa Kerry: Fulbrighter
Congrats to Vanessa Kerry for being awarded a Fulbright Grant. And I concur with James Joyner, the issue of such a grant is more than one of money, it is an academic competition and there is a prestige factor that is beyond money.

Further, there i...

By: The American Mind

The American Mind — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 19:13:53 +0000

Kerry: Fullbright Scholar
In the running subplot of the election, Kerry Sisters vs. Bush Twins, Vanessa Kerry scored a major accomplishment. "Kerry Daughter...

By: dw

dw — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 18:50:51 +0000

There are three different programs: One for grad students, one for academics, one for teachers and administrators. All have the same purpose -- get Americans out to study abroad and build academic ties and mutual understanding. They are all administered by different organizations, though.

They're still hard to get. 1/4 of applicants receive one. Saying that someone with V. Kerry's money could just buy her own is like saying she could just buy her own gold medal instead of competing for one in the Olympics.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 18:27:27 +0000

I know lots of very poorly connected academics who got Fulbright grants, including PoliBlog's Steven Taylor. I presume this is a somewhat different program, since they're merely going to school abroad rather than engaging in cutting edge research, but one presumes the process is similar.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 18:22:08 +0000

The State Department web page on the Fulbright Program says that applicants are

chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential

Based on those people of my acquaintance who've been accepted for the program and those who've been rejected it has appeared to me that political skills and contacts are valued more highly than academic credentials. If this is a "competitive" program, so be it. Isn't there some program or other by which we could induce all of the Kerrys to leave the country? ;-)

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:55:03 +0000

I am, however, slightly amused that Vanessa went to Vietnam.

But was she in Cambodia? heh.