Meghan McCain is Redefining Republican

by Michael A. Jones January 19, 2010 03:16 PM (PT) Topics: Marriage Equality

Meghan McCainTeabaggers are definitely getting all the attention these days when it comes to the Republican Party. Look no further than Massachusetts, where Republicans have graciously told their candidate, Scott Brown, to shove a curling iron up Democratic nominee Martha Coakley's butt, or to Oklahoma, where teabaggers have prayed for Senate Democrats to die.

Talk about a civility FAIL. Is there any hope left for the Republican Party? Maybe some sort of superwoman? Or, well, at least a super Tweeter and/or blogger?

Enter Meghan McCain, the daughter of U.S. Sen. John McCain, who has grown tired of childish kvetching and teabaggers. She's ready to redefine Republican, and for her, that starts with increasing the number of Republicans supportive of marriage equality for gays and lesbians.

McCain is scheduled to speak at George Washington University's "Marriage Equality Week," scheduled for February 9. That is, unless a civil war among students breaks out. A student gay rights group is thrilled that she's coming. But a student Republican organization feels like they were duped. They wanted Meghan McCain to speak about the new face of the Republican Party, and now they're miffed that she'll be talking about marriage equality.

"Our executive board was told that Meghan McCain's primary focus would be her opinion on what it means to be a Republican," said a GWU college Republican. "We later discovered through her Twitter and subsequent conversations ... that she would be giving the keynote address for Marriage Equality Week." Cue Republican boos and hisses.

But that's just it. From McCain's perspective, her opinion of what the Republican Party should be about is enmeshed with supporting marriage equality. In fact, the student Republican organization was hoping Meghan McCain would speak under the banner of "Redefining Republican: No Labels, No Boxes, No Stereotypes." Given that frame of reference, doesn't marriage equality as a topic du jour make sense?

McCain herself probably said it best last year, in the wake of several marriage equality victories in states like Iowa, Vermont and (at the time) Maine. "Gays and lesbians are a vital part of our communities. They are doctors, teachers, firefighters, emergency personnel and neighbors. In this way, marriage equality is also about supporting good citizens and strengthening our communities."

Leave it to a party dominated by teabaggers to disagree with that sentiment.

Photo credit: progressive Republican

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.

Comments (26)

  • Edwin Bonilla
    Jan 19, 2010 @ 05:47PM PT
    Edwin Bonilla

    It's good that Meghan McCain supports the right of same-sex marriage. Too much attention has been given to Teabaggers, of which most are intolerant conservatives. There's room for LGBT rights in the Republican party although most in that political party are too conservative to see the greatness of equality for LGBT people. George Washington University will host a prominent supporter of same-sex marriage who is also Republican.

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  • Bryan Snowden
    Jan 19, 2010 @ 08:23PM PT
    Bryan Snowden

    I wish we had a few more Repbulicans like her, the family values/religous right/social conservatives took over the Rep. party at some point - and then 'the world went to hell in a handbasket' - pun intended.

    I'd be fine with social liberal/fiscal conservative Repbulican Party - free of the nanny state Dems (like the ones that want to tax Soda, and somehow legislate-away obesity in the country - and similar B.S. measures telling people how to live "for their own good" but against their will/choice. 

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  • William Stddart
    Jan 19, 2010 @ 08:56PM PT
    William Stddart

    What a refreshing breath of positive news.  Go on Meghan!  Being FOR the basic rights guranteed to all Americans, under already existing provisions of the Constitution, is NOT about being a Democrat or a Republican.  It's about being that kind of American who realizes that  the Constitutional lanugage guranteeing "the pursuit of happiness" is not for straights only.  Perhaps John McCain is not as bad as previously thought, if he produced some offspring like this.      Bill

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  • Charlie Reed
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 02:43AM PT
    Charlie Reed

    Meghan is Our brightest hope! So are the tea partiers! There ia not one plank of intolerance in Our platform! No matter how many time ignorant idiots keep repeating lies, lies never become the truth! We started under Bush protesting His idiotic bailouts and were shocked when Obama went even further! We are about small responsive government, plenty of "tea baggers" are pro gay marraige, pro choice, and and want government completely out of social policy.

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    • R B
      Jan 20, 2010 @ 06:23AM PT
      R B

      Mr. reed...

      While it may be true that at one time, republicans were the good guys, even you cant deny that in recent years theyve become idolators of hitler and/or the roman catholic poop...

      In any case, Im glad that NOT ALL republicans are repugnicons...

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    • Charlie Reed
      Jan 20, 2010 @ 04:02PM PT
      Charlie Reed

      Rev. certainly not idolaters of Hitler. Many fine republicans put their lives on the line do defeat him. Also contrary to masses' perception Hitler was adored by the left,,,, not the right, until the holocaust was proven. As for the right We always thought He was a monster! iknow this is incredible to someone who has not dug deep into 20th century history, but go ahead check it out! Our party needs work, but are you telling me thet democrats are perfect?

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    • R B
      Jan 20, 2010 @ 07:52PM PT
      R B

      Nope.

      Im just pointing out that no matter where your party stood originaly...They aint standing there now except for a few exceptions like miss mccain.

      For the record...I aint democrat...Im an independant.

      Also for the record...There aint no such critter as perfection...At least not on this physical plane of existance.

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    • Charlie Reed
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 03:32AM PT
      Charlie Reed

      Rev, on those points we agree. On rebublicans being racist, I have never met even one in 56 years. Democrat racists, I could name three outspoken racist democrats I work with right now. I would never tell my father that someone thought he was a hitler idolator. Considering what that man sacrificed for this country it would break his heart.

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    • R B
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 05:35AM PT
      R B

      Mr. reed...

      If we agree on those points then why are we arguing ?

       

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    • Charlie Reed
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 10:18AM PT
      Charlie Reed

      discussing! Rev. discussing! We don't agree totally though. I think democrats are disgusting racists to cowardly to say so, and I have never met a republican that spouts racism to me even the most private situation. You apparantly have met no racist dems and have met racist repubs. What can I say, different experiences.

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  • Charlie Reed
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 03:06AM PT
    Charlie Reed

    I should disclose honestly that there are people in our group that believe in marraige for heteros only, but the percentage of those versus tea partiers who think government has no role in social decisions, is smaller than the democratic party. One other misconception (or likely a lie) is that the tea parties are republican. We are angrier at the republican partys' swing to the left than the democratic partys' march to totalarianism. We expect that from the democrats! There are plenty of democrats in our group. What we are folks is people trying to be heard, You are just not used seeing it from our side. get used to it! Also folks, We vote! We will vote for Your rights in the midst of you lieing about us and trying to drag us down!

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  • Charlie Reed
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 03:10AM PT
    Charlie Reed

    Sorry, I meant the percentage of people who have any (any) any  role in social decisions is smaller than the Democratic party!

    WE WANT NO ROLE IN SOCIAL POLICY!!! DAMN! GOTTA PROOF READ!

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    • Bryan Snowden
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 12:54AM PT
      Bryan Snowden

      Pardon me, but are you saying the the 'tea party group' is becoming something other than the "party of angry malcontents & misanthropes"? Or are they an oxymoronic  "Non-partisan Party" whose only real connection is they don't like the Democrats OR the Republicans currently in office?

      I ask because I've seen several such groups that seemingly can't even agree amongst themselves on many issues - including social issues. They very much want to have the final say on several "social decisions", to the point they're out in the streets protesting over them. Yet, when asked about being both Social Conservatives AND Fiscal Conservatives = = they claim to be most concerned & angry about "big government" and "government spending".

      It seems like the 'tea party' groups are all about "throw the bums out", But after that - they agree on very little and begin the same sort of political infighting that we've see in Washiginton D.C. this last year.

      I think Meghan McCains actions represents a good start - and a change in the repbulican party away from the direction they 've take n for so many years... AWAY from the "moral majority"(minority), "family values voters", the predominance of right-wing "evangelicals" - that can't seperate their theology from their politcal philosphy.

      Do I expect her to do a 180 and withdraw her support from her Repbulican friends, family, & peer-group... Because of her opposition view on ONE social issue?

      Nope, and you shouldn't either - you might Really want her to boycott Repbulicans on "moral grounds" - but (IMHO) thats a very naive expectation. You're setting yourself up for dissapointment, AGAIN - change doesn't come fast, easy, or in big satisfying chunks... it (normally) happens one small step at a time.

      I'm happy to see young Ms. McCain make a small step like this and I can only hope she makes more of them in the future!

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    • Charlie Reed
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 03:45AM PT
      Charlie Reed

      Bryan, yes! free thought is encouraged! scary huh!? We are not a party. We are group of people from every walk of life screaming we do not like what you are doing." You are hearing what you want to hear. There are a lot of Obama voters with Us. This tradition of protests is American as it gets. You had no problem when the left protested. The only violence at our protests is when the seiu thugs beats up some poor old man.

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  • R B
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 06:27AM PT
    R B

    McBrainless may suck big donkey dicks...And he does BUT Im glad his daughter has her head screwed on right...At least as far as equality goes.

    Megan McCain rocks...And she aint bad looking either...

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  • J Harris
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 11:06AM PT
    J Harris

    I appreciate Meghan McCain voicing her support for LGBT rights, but the problem is she is still supporting GOP candidates that are anti-LGBT.  How is this helping a cause she claims to be so adament about?  I would really like to hear her thoughts on this.  How does one claim to support marriage equality and gay rights, but continue to support/champion candidates that stringently work against those causes?? 

    Take for example Scott Brown in MA.  Meghan tweeted on 1/19 (6:58 AM) "Let's give it up for Brown today in Massachusetts, hope he can pull it out!"  However, Scott Brown voted over 25 times against marriage equality, even when 3/4 of the legislature and many MA Republican legislators stood with us. He doesn't support the Transgender Civil Rights & Hate Crimes bills. He opposes repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell". He opposes repealing the "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA).  He's even ridiculed LGBT parents as inadequate.

    So answer this for me Meghan:  how are "Redefining Republican" when you're supporting a teabagger homophobe like Brown?  Actions speak louder than words, Miss McCain.  You can talk all you want about marriage equality, until I see you DO something about it, I'm calling you a liar.

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  • Charlie Reed
    Jan 20, 2010 @ 04:06PM PT
    Charlie Reed

    He does support civil unions though. Not enough true, but maybe open enough that he can be swayed?

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    • R B
      Jan 20, 2010 @ 07:55PM PT
      R B

      Perhaps but even so, mr. harris does have a valid point...

      Actions do speak louder than words.

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  • Charlie Reed
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 03:36AM PT
    Charlie Reed

    Agreed, he needs evolvement. I did not vote for him on this issue. I, like most was trying to let our president know that we are not happy with the sudden expansion of govternment. Waste of time though He does not get the message. He actually blames Bush for Martha losing!

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  • Crystal Del Bosque
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 07:07AM PT
    Crystal Del Bosque

    This story may be ambiguous to some but it is such a moving force to read. To know that after all the hateful speeches and rhetoric bashing GLBT people and their relationships, that their would actually be a rainbow on the other side!! Oh how cool is that! It kind of make me tear up, reminding me of all the constant & hateful debates against Republicans and right-wing extremists in college. Sometimes it would get so overwhelming and painful that people can actually be so cruel and legitimize it through their misconstrued perception of true love through faith and the ideals of a hypocratic party. It was horrible feeling such dissent and resentment towards another person because of their beliefs against GLBT people. But now, this movement and transparency by Mrs. & Misses McCain gives back a little bit of my faith in humanity & our understanding of one another's lifestyles.

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  • Sophie O'Conner
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 11:59AM PT
    Sophie O'Conner

    This is a disgusting column in the sense that it reeks of dishonesty, and I'm sure the writer knows it.  If you have to distort facts in order to make a point, then you fail as a writer and as a thinker. 

    Re Meghan McCain "redefining Republican"....How exactly do you think McIdiot is going to go about doing that?  Getting lots of attention does not translate into having lots of power.  She's a moron and everybody knows it (except for other morons).  She has no power, no influence, and never will.  Meghan's living in a fantasy world, and so are all of the people who think she's going to make a difference.

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    • R B
      Jan 21, 2010 @ 08:29PM PT
      R B

      Apparently she aint as powerless as you think...

      She indirectly got you to comment against her...Didnt she ?

      But just out of curiosity, in what way is she living in a fantasy world ?

      How in your opinion is she without power ?

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  • Sophie O'Conner
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 12:04PM PT
    Sophie O'Conner

    This is a disgusting column in the sense that it reeks of dishonesty, and I'm sure the writer knows it.  If you have to distort facts in order to make a point, then you fail as a writer and as a thinker. 

    Re Meghan McCain "redefining Republican"....How exactly do you think McIdiot is going to go about doing that?  Getting lots of attention does not translate into having lots of power.  She's a moron and everybody knows it (except for other morons).  She has no power, no influence, and never will.  Meghan's living in a fantasy world, and so are all of the people who think she's going to make a difference.

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  • d reeves
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 01:31PM PT
    d reeves

    Meghan McCain is THE reason I've become a Republican. I am so sick of my former party's (Dem) blind adulation of Obama and now all the "it's the Republican's fault" mantra that I found a lot of comfort in McCain's words (Meghan, that is). I believe in fiscal conservatism, moderate social issues, and deregulation. I'm against abortion, but for keeping the government out of my life. I'm pro-military. I'm also for gay marriage. There are no pretty little boxes, but McCain's redefinition of the Republican party is where I feel at home....because it certainly isn't with the modern Dems, liberals, progressives, or the old-school Republicans.

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  • Ryan McFlustered
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 08:26PM PT
    Ryan McFlustered

    "Like, Oh My Gosh, I am a Republican and I am totally down with like gay marriage. Like, when I see my stylist Tom and his partner of 20 years I think to myself, gosh, they have sex in the butt and historically that has been morally bad, but my boyfriend likes to have sex with me in the butt so I completely understand the pain they endure for true love! I am like, almost a gay man, and I am totally Republican, and now that I can have endless corporate sponsorship, I might as well be the next President, Paris Hilton!"

    Dear Yankee, you are not a party, you chose to pick a side, it is not your identity, it is your ego.

    Be independent.

    XX

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  • Ryan McFlustered
    Jan 21, 2010 @ 08:31PM PT
    Ryan McFlustered

    poop!

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