‘Dr. Phil’ books the contenders

Voters have already gotten a good look at the presidential nominees’ offspring this summer, for better or worse. How the now-grown children turned out the way they did is up next, as the campaigns move into the realm of daytime television with stops at “The Dr. Phil Show” in coming weeks.

Appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2000 proved an effective way for the campaigns to reach female voters. This year, talk host Phil McGraw, whose daily show reaches an average of 7 million viewers, offered an hour for each candidate and his spouse to discuss parenting issues, from how they felt about spanking to the burden on children who have parents in public life.

While nonpolitical in tone, the interviews could have decidedly political implications for voters who look beyond platforms to character issues.

The interview with President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, taped at their Crawford, Texas, ranch in July, will air Sept. 29. The interview with Sen. John F. Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, will be broadcast Oct. 6.

In Los Angeles, “Dr. Phil” airs at 4 p.m. weekdays on KNBC.

McGraw, who just published a book called “Family First,” was joined by his wife, Robin, during the interviews.

Show executives declined to release transcripts but said the topics ranged from how the Bushes disciplined twins Jenna and Barbara, to the challenges the Kerrys faced in blending two families. Sen. Kerry was divorced; his wife was a widow. Between them they have five children.

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-- Elizabeth Jensen