About 75 people came from as far as Rhode Island to Boston’s Commonwealth Pub at 138 Portland St. to watch the fourth Democratic presidential debate Sunday night and show their support for the John Kerry campaign.

Vanessa Kerry, daughter of Democratic presidential candidate and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Chris Heinz, Kerry’s stepson, spoke at the event.

The audience watching the debate in the bar cheered after each of Kerry’s responses.

Christina Tsafoulis and Kevin Patterson came from Brown University to watch the debate, as did Chris Caufield from Providence College.

‘I have a midterm tomorrow, but this is even more important,’ said Caufield, a member of Providence College for Kerry.

‘He’s doing a great job so far, he’s stressing his words and getting his points across while keeping a level head,’ said Dave Bresler, a member of Boston University for Kerry and College of Communication and College of Arts and Sciences senior.

‘Then you got Al Sharpton yelling and screaming,’ said Bresler, who is also chair of the Boston Intercollegiate Government, a group that has hosted Vanessa Kerry in the past, and the BU Student Union vice president for academic affairs.

‘In every election cycle, you have a choice, and I am continually impressed with Kerry’s performance, especially for Boston,’ said Union president Carl Woog, a senior in the University Professors Program, who added that he has supported Kerry since 2000.

Stephanie Wade, the chair and coordinator of Young Professionals for Kerry, said she believes in the importance of young people in campaigns.

‘We understand, especially as Democrats, and are open to, the views and opinions of young people,’ she said.

Vanessa Kerry is currently taking time off from Harvard medical school to help aid her father’s campaign. She discussed a plan unveiled by Kerry’s campaign last week to promote student community service in exchange for college tuition.

Kerry formally introduced his National Service Plan last Thursday. According to his website, the plan will give students the equivalent of their state’s four-year public college tuition in exchange for two years of community service. Kerry said he will set a goal within the next decade of enlisting 500,000 young people a year in Service for College. Also, the plan would create tax cuts for parents with children in college.

‘He’s targeting people my age … he thrives on young energy,’ she said. ‘The future of this country needs to return to idealism.’

Kerry said her father believes ‘education is the foundation of this country.’ She later added, however, ‘It’s not affordable anymore.’

Heinz, the son of Kerry’s wife Teresa Heinz, was also present to lend his support.

‘I think he’s doing well,’ he said. ‘It’s a tough format to step out from.’