Americans’ interest in their presidential nominees extends to the nominees’ families. So when presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama’s daughters Malia, age 10, and Sasha, age 7, were interviewed this week by the television show Access Hollywood, many tuned in. Malia talked about how she gives her father tips to make him seem “cooler” to other children.

This interview might be the girls’ last: Obama later said he felt it was a mistake to let them be on television.

If their father is elected, Malia and Sasha would be the youngest inhabitants of the White House in more than 30 years, when Jimmy Carter brought his 9-year-old daughter Amy to Washington. Presidents are used to being in the limelight, but they often work hard to give their children as much privacy as possible. President Bush’s 26-year-old twin daughters Jenna and Barbara have had a good deal of privacy.

Presumed Republican nominee John McCain has seven children who rarely have been in the public eye. However, his 23-year-old daughter Meghan travels frequently on the campaign trail and has made a name for herself with her blog, McCain Blogette. The blog, which shares “musings and pop culture on the campaign trail,” is a mix of a serious examination of campaign issues and lightheartedness – former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was surprised to learn the blogette had written an entry about his shoes.

Of course, Americans also are very interested in learning about their potential new first ladies, Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama. For more, see “Presidential Spouses Play Important Role in American Politics.”