Meghan McCain‘s full speech:
Thank you all for having me here tonight. I am thrilled to be able to speak to you this evening to share some of my experiences from the campaign and observations on where our party is today. And I’m proud to tell you there is a special role for the Log Cabin Republicans to play in our future.
The last two years of my life have been an amazing series of moments. Some sad, some thrilling and others mesmerizing. I want to tell you about some of those moments as well as the ones that are yet to come.
I have been humbled by the outpouring of support that I received during the campaign. The tumultuous ride of my father’s quest for the Presidency has been well chronicled. In October, 2007 I launched the site McCainB’ogette.com. I chose to do my part in telling the campaign’s story from my perspective for a variety of reasons.
First and foremost, I realized my Dad would always have to deal with people perceiving him as “too old” to be President. I know what you’re all thinking… WHY would anyone think that? As with many things, reality is sometimes so different from what people perceive. I know my father better than anyone. And if he could have a 23 year old wiseass like me as a daughter, then that certainly doesn’t make him too old. Someone had to tell the nation that, and I was up to the challenge. Second, I have been a child of politics since the day I was born. As you can imagine and have seen, politics can be a nasty sport. And between you and me, many of the people in this business tend to take themselves entirely too seriously. I wanted to break out of that. I wanted people to see the normal aspects of political life. From the messy motel rooms to the steady diet of doughnuts and Red Bull. From the moments of endless energy to the quiet times you share with family and friends. And from the times of incredible pride to the ones where the world around you seems like it’s unraveling in a storm of insanity. I wanted to give people a first hand look into an experience few ever have seen.
And finally, I wanted to be me. That perhaps was the most challenging reason of all. I have been fortunate to have been blessed with two amazing parents who have led lives motivated by helping others. But I am also my parents’ daughter. I have my mother’s grace under fire. And I have my Dad’s “heartburn-inducing” ability to say what he thinks almost whenever he wants. The person who stands before you is not confined within the mold of what a daughter of a Republican Presidential candidate “should” be for some. And that’s OK. Our world is not confined by molds and neither should our nation.
That’s what I saw for fourteen months on the campaign trail. Of course it wasn’t all that you might expect. My hair stylist, Josh Rupley who is here tonight and a proud new member of the Log Cabin Republicans, joined us on the trail for the last few months of the campaign. I was not prepared for the uptick in date requests I received via email during that time. And I mean date requests for Josh, not me. His presence really seemed to cause quite a stir on the site and we still get a huge kick out of it.
That brings us to today. I honestly did not expect my personal journey in politics would become more interesting since election day. But that’s exactly what has happened. It took months for the campaign highs and lows to subside. When 2009 began, I had a fresh outlook on life and decided to pursue writing. I still wanted to focused on that delicate blending of Republican politics and who I am and what I think. I was thrilled to be asked to write for Tina Brown’s website The Daily Beast. My most notorious article to date was entitled, “My Beef with Ann Coulter.” Ok, so much for being delicate. What’s happened since has been unexpected, humbling and motivating.
I did not expect my frustration with what I perceive to be overly partisan and divisive Republicans to cause a national incident. And no, I’m not that engaged with myself to think it was even that much of an incident. People in our country have much more important issues to deal with on a daily basis. But the experience did reinforce what I learned on the campaign trail in some major ways. I’ll summarize them in three points:
1. Most of our nation wants our nation to succeed.
2. Most people are ready to move on to the future, not live in the past. and
3. Most of the old school Republicans are scared shitless of that future.
You know the old problem. Political discussion just breaks down into bickering and fighting instead of solving. And Republicans have a tendency to get way too hung up on words. I’m not just talking about the occasional profanity. When someone says they “hope the President succeeds” they say it with the hope that the country gets better, the economy improves and people can feel safe, confident and free to live their lives as they choose. And may I add in full equality with each other. I believe most people get that, and more people are getting it everyday.
I believe most of our nation wants our nation to succeed. I feel too many Republicans want to cling to past successes. There are those who think we can win the White House and Congress back by being “more” conservative. Worse, there are those who think we can win by changing nothing at all about what our party has become. They just want to wait for the other side to be perceived as worse than us. I think we’re seeing a war brewing in the Republican party. But it is not between us and Democrats. It is not between us and liberals. It is between the future and the past. I believe most people are ready to move on to that future.
We know a party that was thriving at one point on a few singular issues cannot see long term success. Even worse, we’ve seen how it has contributed to some serious problems in our nation and world. Let me blunt, you can’t assume you’re electing the right leaders to handle all the problems facing our nation when you make your choice based on one issue. More and more people are finally getting that.
Simply embracing technology isn’t going to fix our problem either. Republicans using Twitter and Facebook isn’t going to miraculously make people think we’re cool again. Breaking free from obsolete positions and providing real solutions that don’t divide our nation further WILL. That’s why some in our party are scared. They sense the world around them is changing and they are unable to take the risk to jump free of what’s keeping our party down.
What I am talking about tonight is what it means to be a new, progressive Republican. Now some will say I can’t do that. If you aren’t this and that, then you’re clearly a “Republican in Name Only.” Also affectionately known as a RINO. Suggesting the notion that one can be faithful to the original core values of the GOP while open to the realities of our changing world has really hit a chord with people. And it seems to be the next, natural stage of the journey I’ve been traveling.
It would be easy to say my generation views politics very differently from others. Maybe we’re more progressive, socially liberal or just hate arguing in lieu of actually solving the problems at hand. But what I’ve learned though my experiences is that these feelings are not contained to one age group. They’re the growing beliefs and desires of people of all ages, races, genders, faiths, persuasions and political parties.
So tonight, I am proud to join you in challenging the mold and the notions of what being a Republican means. I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people’s lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.
If there is one thing that gives me hope about the future of our party and the role you and the Log Cabin Republicans can play in it is this: there’s never been a better time to speak out. People are listening. And, they’re more open minded than ever before. Maybe it’s because they’re worried about the future. Maybe it’s because they’re so disenchanted with the past. It’s probably a little of both.
But know this – the moment to make a difference is now and I am proud to share it with you. America’s best days are ahead of us. And we will show our nation that we will get there together.
Thank you again for having me speak tonight. And thank you for all you are doing to help make a new Republican party a reality. Thank you.
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The soundbite you’ll keep hearing out of Meghan McCain‘s speech in front of the Log Cabin Republicans is that “old school Republicans” are “scared shitless” of what the future holds for the conservative party. Her quotable snippet has already been repeated by the mainstream media, gay media, and gay websites. It’s laughable that nobody is challenging her assumption.
For all her do-gooding cheer and Twitter-friendly verbiage, McCain’s arguments — the one with Laura Ingraham aside — often fall flat. We’ve previously agreed with her sentiments (i.e. a party that supposedly promotes small government shouldn’t be proselytizing in the bedroom), but the daughter of fallen presidential candidate John may be as out of touch with the GOP as she accuses them of being with American culture.
Speaking at LCR’s annual convention on Saturday in Washington D.C., McCain told the crowd: “I believe most of our nation wants our nation to succeed. I feel too many Republicans want to cling to past successes. There are those who think we can win the White House and Congress back by being ‘more’ conservative. Worse, there are those who think we can win by changing nothing at all about what our party has become. They just want to wait for the other side to be perceived as worse than us. I think we’re seeing a war brewing in the Republican party. But it is not between us and Democrats. It is not between us and liberals. It is between the future and the past. I believe most people are ready to move on to that future.”
While the GOP may have some legwork ahead to get up to speed with Web 2.0, its core strategy and agenda in American politics and culture remains as true, and as powerful, as ever. Yes, Barack Obama is in the White House. Yes, the Congress and Senate are controlled by Democrats. But McCain fails to recognize those phenomenon are not simply because America’s culture is changing, but because the Bush administration and anyone connected to it so bungled the American Dream over the last eight years, anything that was not Bush became preferable.
This won’t last.
And even if it does, we shouldn’t, at this moment, expect it to. Obama and the Democrats have four years, and possibly eight, to make their case that their way is the right way. But young McCain is silly to think the rest of America will rally behind progressive causes simply because that’s what’s en vogue right now.
A large, voting sect of America still believes in “traditional values,” an umbrella term for core conservatism. They hate the president. They think Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank need to exist stage left. And they don’t see what was wrong with Bobby Jindal’s rebuttal speech. These people are invisible to McCain, but not to elected officials or those hoping to enter office.
Back at the LCR convention, McCain continued: “We know a party that was thriving at one point on a few singular issues cannot see long term success. Even worse, we’ve seen how it has contributed to some serious problems in our nation and world. Let me blunt, you can’t assume you’re electing the right leaders to handle all the problems facing our nation when you make your choice based on one issue. More and more people are finally getting that.”
Alas, “more and more” is not a concrete data point. While it could be argued each successive generation grows a little more tolerant, a little more progressive, a little more liberal, it could also be argued Red America grows a little stronger, a little more resolvent, and a little more influential. Parse the numbers a certain way, you’re bound to get the result you’re looking for. Which is exactly what McCain is doing. To her own, and her cause’s, peril.
We can’t fault the girl for trying. But it’s McCain’s brand of passive ignorance that lets us stand SHOCKED by the passage of Prop 8.
McCain’s full LCR speech follows.
GranDiva
Nonetheless, Meghan makes for good news copy, so naturally she’s being lionized in the media. Ah, well.
The Gay Numbers
She fits the “Brothers and Sisters” version of Republicans that do not exist anywhere except in media narrative.
Michael W.
And the new guard, according to Meghan, are Republicans like Aaron Schock, who can deliver the conservative message “better than her father ever could” because he’s half his age and has an iPod and a six pack. Meanwhile he’s the same old pig underneath that lipstick.
Dabq
I think its great she is calling them out for the hate and intolerance, but, to the rank and file, her voice will never be heard and even she isn’t going to touch the real hot button social issues. Schock, he is stuck in 1960 with is backwards ideas, and, not as hot as he and some seem to think he, just a doofus with that dopy smile that some think of as charming.
Geoff
Although I think it’s great MM is saying these things, I agree with the article 100%, “This won’t last”….and anyone who underestimates the Republican Gay Hating Agenda is going to be sorely surprised.
We tend to snatch the little victories for celebration and crowing but then become just as apathetic as before….anyone remember Prop 8????
Bruno
While I agree there will always be a large socially conservative base, that base’s foci are changeable over time. I think she may be right in that their stubbornly anti-gay, anti-Obama (read: anti-black in hiding) stances don’t fly with MOST of America’s youth, even if some Aaron Schocks still exist. The pendulum may swing back to the right, but I think the next Republicans in power won’t be as socially conservative as their parents, and I applaud Meghan for her insight. It’s just gonna take awhile for the hard right to accept the news.
BrianZ
Well, given that the country has an observable tendency to pendulum between liberal and conservative I would agree that “this won’t last”.
What I disagree with is the idea that moving away from these hot-buttons social issues makes for a “progressive” or “liberal” agenda within the Republican party. Every generation has had wedge issues and gay rights appears to be currently on the way out after a relatively short stint in play. Abandoning these wedge issues does not make a Republican progressive and more than embracing them makes a Democrat a liberal: they are POLITICIANS and will do/say whatever is required to get elected. Slavery, women’s right to vote, abortion, the threat of Communism were/are all wedge issues: Where do they rank today?
Oh, and “traditional values” is an Evangelical Christian buzz-word, not a Republican catch-all for core conservatism (which you obviously don’t understand). The Evangelicals and other Christian groups were courted by Republicans as an untapped, large-ish voting block with ideals that could be exploited to assist the Republicans in gaining, and maintaining a majority in Federal and state offices.
I agree you can spin the numbers any way you want, just as you can parse your words in a blog.
I don’t believe we are in a position in our fight for equal rights that we have the luxury of turning away anyone who would lend their voice to ours. And that doesn’t mean buying the cow just to get some milk.
dgz
Japhy, i think it’s funny that you think she — born into a role as a Republican insider — is ignorant of the issues that are just beginning to trouble the surface of the party.
The crux of her argument is that there is no monolithic entity of “Republicanism.” They’ve just been really good at whipping; forcing everyone into the Big Tent. There is a *huge* divide between the predominantly fiscal and the mainly social conservatives, and it’s a rift that often splits down the Mason-Dixon. This stems from the race-issue defection of the Southern Democrats that began in 1964.
Seriously, Japhy, i’m not saying that you should brown-nose everyone who voices support for our community. But automatically belittling Miss McCain doesn’t contribute to your journalistic credibility, either. Am i a personal fan of the GOP? no, but your “us vs. them” articles are played.
TANK
DGZ: “OH LAWDY ME OH MY, MIZZ MCCAIN, YOU SHO DO LOOK AWFUL SOMETHIN’ PERTY IN THAT DRESS TOOOODAY! GOOD TO SEE YOU IN CHURCH THIS MORNIN’!”
Her “argument” blows. The republican party’s dying, and she can’t save it. Sarah Palin speaks to them, whereas this let’s be friends b.s. speaks about what someone would like them to be.
InExile
Funny how Meghan McCain is speaking up for marriage equality and our new administration is mute.
dgz
@TANK: you’re so right. that’s exactly what i said. and thanks for the racism, it really lends strength to your argument. /sarcasm
TANK
Well, it’s a nice summary. Racism?! DGZ, are you sure you aren’t the one who filed that complaint about huckleberry finn? LOL!
TANK
I’m not defending obama, either…there’s no defense. But that doesn’t mean that what this paris hilton of politics says is an accurate reflection of HER party.
strumpetwindsock
@TANK:
That’s funnier than Amos and Andy, TANK.
But I think the satire would have been more effective if you stole his name, registered it in lowercase, and actually posted pretending to be him…
Just like you did to me (in uppercase) right here:
http://www.queerty.com/hillary-clinton-is-mute-on-iraqs-gays-lets-give-her-something-to-talk-about-20090419/comment-page-2/#comment-149886
dgz
@TANK:
comment 12: if you don’t see the racism in your comment, then i really can’t explain it to you. if that wasn’t your intent, then i’m sorry — but it’s definitely in the effect.
13: all she’s saying is that current demographic trends show that the GOP is doomed (in the long run) if they continue to pin all their hopes on social issues alone. japhy thinks she’s wrong, i think (and hope) that she *might* be right. that’s it, the end.
TANK
@strumpetwindsock:
I didn’t steal your name…and insult myself…and then insult myself again….LOL! You shameless idiot. You’re just desperate for attention. Hey, if it makes you feel better to call it racist, I’m not going to stop you. The cost is the further trivialization of the word.
TANK
comment 12: if you don’t see the racism in your comment, then i really can’t explain it to you. if that wasn’t your intent, then i’m sorry — but it’s definitely in the effect.
As I asked, are you sure you’re not the one who complained about huck finn being racist? Because you sound like you would…like you just don’t…understand things…big messages, complex themes…not that that was even a complex theme…but you didn’t get it.
13: all she’s saying is that current demographic trends show that the GOP is doomed (in the long run) if they continue to pin all their hopes on social issues alone. japhy thinks she’s wrong, i think (and hope) that she *might* be right. that’s it, the end.
That’s all the republican party has going for it.
dgz
@TANK: are you really comparing your offensive parody of *me* to one of the greatest works of American literature? wow. just wow.
TANK
@dgz:
No…try again.
dgz
@TANK: “That’s all the republican party has going for it.”
EXACTLY. that’s why they lost — and that’s why she’s telling them that they need to change.
Chitown Kev
@dgz:
That’s not racism, that hillbilly talk!
TANK
@dgz:
But..the only people who support them are hill folk…who are bigoted…they can’t change now. The entire machine was built around these types of tactics, and it’s backfiring. Saying that they need to change seems to misunderstand who they are.
Chitown Kev
@dgz:
Or it’s “Uncle Tom” talk, one of the two.
Chitown Kev
@TANK:
Would y’all chill, please. I recognized that INSTANTLY as hillbilly talk. True, there are some African Americans from the south that do sound like that but that has more to do with regional and class differences, not race…Chill.
TANK
@Chitown Kev:
Exactly, either unky tom or hillbilly talk. I’ve seen the simpsons, so I know that hillbillies talk that way. FUCK YEAH! PD! “I” “AM” “BULLET PROOF”!
Mister C
And the SOUTH is and will always be the SOUTH!
Hillbilly or not!….LOL
As for
Meyhem McInsaneOOOPS I meant Meghan McCain. It seems more to me that she is trying to validate TheLost Castigated RethugaylicansOOPS I meant The Log Cabin Republicans.It’s all for naught personally. Because if this was the case. She would have broke ranks and made this clear “during” the campaign and NOT in hind sight. Her and Steve Schmidt. And if his sister weren’t Lesbian (Schmidt) that is. Do you really think he’d be for Gay Marriage?????
Just sit back and think about it.
Chitown Kev
@TANK:
Well, I’ve actually heard hillbillies and rednecks speak. The Simpsons?!?! WTF?
And Tank, whatever you’re having, put it down.:)
Brendan
this is funny, right?: http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e72/brendandavis/Picture3.png
Steve
A number of Republicans recently have said that the party should support equal marriage rights. In addition to Meghan McCain, Steve Schmidt and Christine Todd Whitman have both announced their support recently. Support for equal rights is, truly, a traditional conservative position. The small-government ideology holds that government should not make decisions about peoples personal relationships.
These recent announcements give “permission” to other republicans to actually think for themselves on this issue. We can expect some other republicans to break ranks and vote for equal marriage. It will only take a few to swing the New York Senate. After the logjam breaks, other states and the federal government will follow.
InExile
Looks like Meghan Mccain is showing true LEADERSHIP on marriage equality. Isn’t it a shame we have to look to Meghan McCain instead of our President! Maybe in the next election we should support Meghan McCain for President?
Attmay
@TANK: The Shitsons? That’s the best you can do? That decrepit POS cartoon hasn’t been funny or watchable in a decade. Have you ever set foot in the South or talked to Southern blacks?
@InExile: The GOP clearly nominated the wrong McCain last year.
strumpetwindsock
I think the last thing any progressive American would want is the death of the Republican Party, You want them wounded but still around to suck votes from right-wing whackjobs.
If the GOP goes down (I seriously doubt they will… and I’d wait eight years at least before publishing that obituary) it’s nothing for the right wingers to move into the Democratic party. Don’t they have a bloc there already?
What is the incentive for the Democratic Party (as a whole, I mean) to adopt any centrist or left-centrist policy? Much of it is to be seen as distinct from the Republicans, certainly not out of the goodness of their hearts. If the Republicans are out of the picture what is to stop the Democrats from moving to the right to solidify their voting base?
TANK
@strumpetwindsock:
Your mind seems very open…disturbingly open, in fact. Do you know what a third party is?
TANK
You know that third parties have typically been prevented from achieving any influence because winner take all, which favors two parties in an indirect democracy…duverger’s law (look it up). What this MIGHT imply is that the wingnuts…will be relegated to third party status.
TANK
@Attmay:
You don’t like the simpsons? You’re wacky. I haven’t watched the simpsons in a long time, short round, but I wouldn’t go that far… I think your type’s (slow witted) better off just calling me a racist…even though that’s not true.
strumpetwindsock
@TANK:
I might just be a bit more familiar than you, since I live in a country with a strong third (and fourth) party, so I have seen how centre-left parties can move back and forth depending on which way the wind is blowing.
The question is do you in the states really want to have to build a fledgeling party from the ground up when you get kicked out of the only house you’re welcome in. Good strategy if you want equality to come in two generations or so.
I take it you’ll just be posting under your own name today, and not trying to impersonate me any more?
TANK
@strumpetwindsock:
It wouldn’t seem it. YOur analysis seems clueless, in fact, of the existence of third parties. Almost like this is the first time you’ve ever heard of them. You don’t understand what third parties are in the u.s., either, or apparently, that the GOP is all but doomed to third party status in the next five or six years if they continue (and they will) on this path of attracting fringe viewpoints.
strumpetwindsock
@TANK:
Even though McCain got over 45% of the popular vote?
Our Conservative Party was reduced to two seats (out of 350) in the early 90s. They now hold minority power with close to 150 seats.
And my real point is that right-wing and left-wing movements are not tied to any party. If the GOP dies they’ll just move into the Democratic Party like they have in the past
We have a provincial “Liberal” party in British Columbia which is actually run by a bunch of neo-cons, so names don’t mean anything .
(except my name of course. It belongs to me and you have no right to use it)
So obviously no, I don’t have a clue what I’m talking about.
You can start gloating after your mid-term elections in six years.
Attmay
@TANK: Fuck you and the horse you rode in on. I happen to love “The Simpsons” and despise what it’s become. A pathetic shell of its former self.
And you are a racist (even though no racist would admit to it, which is part of the problem). I have lived in the South almost all my life. I have heard the speech patterns of natives. They don’t talk like Henry Higgins.
TANK
@Attmay:
Am I a racist, you feckless, desperate trog? Please, tell me why I’m a racist. Apparently I’m a racist here, because I classed someone’s effete defense of meghan mccain’s appraisal of the future of the republican party; and indirectly, validating her assessment of what it is today as uncle tomism. To call that racist is…well, it takes a mind so literal daily life must be awfully difficult to negotiate.
TANK
@strumpetwindsock:
That’s because no other choice was viable. They won’t just move to the democratic party, but to other parties, breaking up the current duality. Many republicans, if the republican continues on this path, will defect to the libertarian party. Others will go to the democratic party, and yet others will form splinter groups, or stay where they are, greatly reducing their overall effectiveness.
strumpetwindsock
@TANK:
Yes, but it is surprising how desire to get elected can make people forget their differences.
Our Conservative Party split into little pieces too 18 years ago.
Guess what? When they realized they could never get elected they shoehorned themselves back together into a party that was even further to the right.
Powerbrokers naturally go where the power is, not to fringe parties. Without a viable Republican Party where are they going to go but the Dems.
But I don’t think the GOP is going anywhere. A schism, even a major one like you have now, does not spell absolute destruction.
Both of our largest parties have feuding camps in their ranks and they manage to put the knives away at election time.
But who knows… you may be right. But we won’t know anything until at least six years from now.