Meghan McCain and her mom are pro-gay marriage
Thank goodness for sensible daughters of conservative politicians: first Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter Mary and, more recently, the vocally pro-gay Meghan McCain. It just goes to show that political ideologies are not genetic.
Last week, Meghan joined the ladies of The View to discuss her book, and, most importantly, her continued support for the gay community. The daughter of Arizona Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, notorious for her staunchly opposite beliefs to her father, shared her previous involvement with the NOH8 Campaign and her thoughts on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
She spoke about gay rights as a “civil rights issue” rather than a party politics one, and asserted that “as long as there are people that are considered unequal in this country, I think that’s completely un-American.” The appreciative applause and cheers echoed the sentiment that gay rights have nothing to do with political beliefs.
Meghan went on to discuss her mother Cindy’s recent involvement with the NOH8 Campaign as well, gushing , “I’ve never been more proud of my mom.” Though they both received some heat from the Right, Meghan and her mother have always been supportive of marriage equality and made waves by taking a stand.
The conversation soon turned to John McCain’s recent support of DADT, to which Meghan responded, “Obviously I disagree with my father.” Even resident social conservative Elizabeth Hasselbeck commented, “It seems strange that people would not be able to be free in who they are as they’re defending our own freedoms.” It also seems strange, Ms. Hasselbeck, that you have the capacity to say intelligent things. Shocking.
Though Senator McCain is up for reelection, Meghan and her mother continue to show their support for gay rights, especially post-presidential election. Meghan stressed that there’s no McCain family drama and declared, “I’m living proof that I’m not brainwashed and there’s open dialogue in my family.”
You can watch a clip of her appearance on The View below:
I applaud the female McCains for freely expressing their support for LGBT rights despite pressure to mask their opinions. What do you think of their involvement?
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Simply put, I think it's
very much agree
Meghan McCain Rocks!
Good on her
I disagree with her on most political points quite strongly, but I totally welcome her arrival on the political scene ... she is the contemporary face of the "respected opposition" in politics, where historically you could have a strong and intelligent debate from opposite sides, but then go out to have a beer with.
The conservative movement and especially the Republican Party *shudder* have been co-opted by extreme ideologues, the kind for whom little things like reality, facts, logic, rationality and basic humanity ... not to mention civics and knowledge of how modern democratic societies actually, you know, work ... are merely things to be mown down with screaming, fear-mongering, and violence.
As an opponent to the conservative moment (hey, I own and love the labels liberal and progressive, and am proud to be such), it may seem surprising that I don't want the conservative movement to eat itself like it has been over the past few decades (when the christian social conservatives started to muscle in), but I really don't want that. Because a) they'll destroy the country with them, and b) REAL politics, IDEAL politics, the politics all us policy wonks and political geeks love, the politics of the "West Wing" that we dream of, is constructed through compromise, and people from all sides debating, arguing, and discussing in civility and intelligence to come up with the best solution.
ie "the respected opposition".
Meghan McCain IS that moderate voice speaking out to claim her party back. I have similar conservative friends, and like them, I would love to discuss politics with her, anytime, simply for the utter fun of it. It's no accident that she can easily take down the moronic likes of Elizabeth Hasselbeck, and the 'Tea Party' (scary reality-hating bunch that they are) because she's in a league above such.
Civil rights aren't just a liberal concern, and it's wonderful to see women like McCain speaking up and claiming their legacy.
Not to mention, damn but she is hot :)
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
This is pretty awesome.
Rebelling conservatives? Or at least their daughters.
אני קורא, אז אני פשוט צריך לשמוע אותך
How maverick-y!
I heart Meghan McCain
Like others, I do not always agree with her politically but I completely welcome her as a breath of fresh air on the political scene and read her blog at the DailyBeast. I have nothing but respect for her as she fights to bring the Republican party back to sanity and out of the backwaters of extremist, evangelical rhetoric.
There need to be more women in politics like her on both sides of the aisle.
Let's be honest
I'm not disagreeing...
Word!
Mary Cheney>>
Thank you! I was thinking what you wrote as I was reading the article.
Yep, Mary Cheney ...
... is a dangerous hypocrite. Frankly, I'm shocked that the author of this article complimented her in any way.
Read the Wikipedia page on her, if nothing else. Here's one tidbit: In her 2006 autobiography Now It's My Turn, Cheney stated her opposition to the amendment. However, at the time, she remained silent to support Bush's re-election bid.
Nice.
Cheney is clearly one of those people from a rich and powerful family who just happens to be gay. It probably doesn't, or at least didn't, matter to her how important marriage would be to so many gay people in terms of sharing health benefits, tax breaks, and other "goodies" -- because she's rolling in dough, power, and influence.
I think she is the example
I think she is the example of the generational gap involving GAY "awareness".
P.S. Not to be all "objectifying" but Meghan McCain is pretty sexy ;P
agree. on both points :P
agree.
on both points :P
It's not objectifying...
...If you fell in love with her brain first.
Me and mine loved reading her dispatches from the original "Straight Talk Express."
Then we saw pictures and we both "listed" her.
!
Win.
---
5, 6, 7, 8, God is good!
God is straight!
...Hey, that's good...
That's awesome.
Oh, come ON.
I understand what it's meant
*nods*
Yeah, I'm with you on this one ... I understand the imagery attempted, but having women silenced visually like that is just something I think pulls on a lot of historical and structural misogyny, and that bothers me.
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
Thank-you.
I understand what you (& Sarah) are saying.
BUT. I think the tape over the mouth is supposed to incite some discomfort, some uneasy feelings. From my understanding, that's kind of the whole point. It makes sense that we (as reasonable, forward thinking individuals) are uncomfortable and even upset by the symbolism of members of the LGBTQ being silenced or abused.
That said, I can't truly disapprove of any ad that draws attention to the misogyny (even though, as I stated before, a lot of men have posed for the same ad, with duct tape over their mouths as well), & discrimination that we & other minorities like us have faced.
The people before us who refused to be silent had to fight like all hell in order to be heard. Repeatedly & violently, bigots & homophobic parties attempted to shut them up & shut them down. To me, this project is an acknowledgement of what they went through, and what we are still facing today.
It's amazing to me, & a huge victory that the country you live in allows you to marry your partner legally. However, I do not live in an area where this is the case. I feel all too deeply the attempts at silencing that this project recognize & represents.
Oh, come ON.
Ugh, double post.
I like her!
I've never really read or seen a lot about Meghan McCain up until now, but I very much approve of what I see here. =) I read a statement she made on Larry King Live: "I, personally, am pro-life, but I'm not going to judge someone that's pro-choice. It is not my place to judge other people and what they do with their body."
By definition, isn't she pro-choice? Not every pro-choice person necessarily approves of abortion. The point is of being pro-choice is that you respect the right of every woman to make that personal decision for herself.
Anyway, props to Meghan McCain for her support of the gay community! & on a side note - she is quite beautiful.
Oh & one more side note. Despite Elisabeth Hasselbeck's brief shining moment of lucidity here, I would still like to bust her in the grill. Ugh. She is so nauseating.
*nods*
Totally, that's being pro-choice ... I mean, that's the essence of being pro-choice is that regardless of your feelings on whether or not you'd use contraception, emergency or otherwise, abortion, or any other reproductive service, you trust other women to make the decision that is best for them. I know plenty of women that are personally pro-life, but are politically pro-choice.
I'd say Meghan McCain is politically pro-choice (as any right-thinking person really should be), it's just that to openly say so in the modern Republican party, it would a death-knell for her career.
Oh, and I'm totally with you on Hasselbeck ... not that I would advocate violence, but damn if I can't totally empathise with the prolonged impulse ... her and Palin.
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
agree
Exactly.
Beyond that, the term "pro-life" seems a bit misleading to me - okay, extremely misleading, & completely inaccurate, for that matter - seeing as a great many so-called pro-lifers support the death penalty. (I also support the death penalty in certain circumstances, but I don't call myself pro-life, either.)
You're probably right about Meghan McCain being politically pro-choice. I guess my confusion stems from the fact that regardless of her family's political affiliation, if she feels that way, & also supports gay rights, then she is more liberal leaning anyway. Why not just go with a different party? It's not as if she seems to be dead-set on staying lumped in with her father or his politics at this point.
About Hasselbeck - & Palin (GAG) - I'm not personally opposed to violence in every situation if the ends justify the means. ;)
Well ...
It's in the nuance where her position lies (as any good position should), as while she is socially liberal (or possibly socially moderate is what she may call herself instead), her political positions on issues of small government, minimalistic economic regulation of the markets, low gun-control, less spending on social programs, etc, etc, etc, she's in line with mainstream conservative values (of course, I disagree with her vehemently on all these things, but that's a political discussion).
So, this is why I tend to think she would align with conservatives/Republicans instead of Democrats (of course, not that the Democratic party actually are even remotely left/liberal) ... but then, I might be wrong, after all, I supported Hillary :)
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http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/
I understand all of these points.
However, something tells me that Meghan McCain probably isn't necessarily conservative on those issues you mentioned. I haven't researched her stances on most of them in any great depth, but... well, call it a suspicion.
Even if she is conservative leaning on, say, gun control, I still hold that she could easily align with the Democratic party (which, as you mentioned, isn't actually that liberal in the true meaning of the word/inclination). There are politicians who run with the Democratic party who favor lower gun control, and even lean more conservatively on other issues, social and economic (the death penalty is one example which leaps immediately to mind).
Concerning Hillary: I never supported her, for the same reason(s) that many Republicans didn't support McCain. First and foremost, I am uncomfortable with "flip-flopping," words in place of action, and name dropping to bring about the results and/or support you need at that particular moment.
Nothing is Black and White
She
came to my university (in Ohio, a swing state) during the primaries. I admit I was hesitant at first, but I was impressed with the way she handled a few of the hot-headed democrats who attacked her father. She did not mention her views on gay rights at the time because her reason for visiting was to campaign for her father. But she certainly spoke very eloquently and I honestly didn't see any of her father's influence in her at all.
She's great. I know many young Republicans who feel the same way as her. Perhaps in the future the Republican party will take on a new image.
Love her
As a lesbian & former US soldier...
love her
meghan mccain
I think it's great
good for her
i dont know much about her or what her position is..i did catch a glimpse of the episode when she cohosted the view...but i do think its great that she is speaking up for equality AND against her father. i mean, she's not dissing her father or anything...all she's saying is she disagrees with him ...and u know what? she's allowed to!!! (hate children who follow their parents..only to not "shame" them).
also curious to hear more remarks on her and her position, but also on Mary Cheney cause i didnt even know Cheney had a lesbian daughter....(news doesnt quite travel to us canadians as easily lol.)
I completely agree with her
I completely agree with her that it's a civil rights issue and not a political party one and have been saying so all along. If I had to consider myself something I'd consider myself a Republican (*dodging rocks*). Really I just try to choose the lesser of two evils.
There's lots of mean things that parties can say about each other, but usually they feel the exact same way in regards to the other.
dodging rocks
Perhaps if the Republican party can grow a little and show some initiative like Meghan McCain is doing, there will be less rock throwing and disgust. It's not necessarily the more conservative views that get this party in trouble, it's the members adding in personal views, religion, etc. The rest of the world interprets personal ideology for political ideology (like Meghan McCain being pro choice but saying she would personally choose a pro life stance). Our personal views often influence political ideology, but for a public figure, there is a line that has to be drawn as to what to say and what not to say.
It would be nice to see more younger Republicans like her in the world.
Um, you pretty much just
Um, you pretty much just proved my point. Each side can call each other disgusting, stupid, dumbasses, need to grow and show initiative. And when the one side is thinking that they are being progressive (not in the political sense, necessarily) the other side usually thinks they are just being more of a dumbass, etc. This is why I don't get riled up when it comes to political stuff anymore, because usually there's no end in sight.
This is another spot that we differ on. I'd rather have the politician give their personal views, as I believe most of their political views should have foundation in their personal opinion. I don't know how someone could promote or go with something that they themselves don't even believe in (except for some occasions, I'm sure). That would be a doormat. I don't want a doormat as a politician. I'd rather have someone stand up for what they believe in. If what they believe in is really stupid, in my opinion, then all the better for me that they expressed that because then I actually know what they are thinking and will have a more informed opinion on whether I want to vote for them. How often to politicians that are running for office promise something to the people that they'll do it when they are elected? How often do those promises not come through?
Thanks for the rock! I'll put it on my shelf.
P.S. sorry you wasted your first post on me.
First of all, I wasn't
call me paranoid...
but i'm a little unconvinced as to the motives for miss mccain. i can't help but wonder if the mccains sat down to dinner and came up with meghan as an answer to this riddle: how does a conservative politician gain the support of the younger demographic (which proved to be so powerful in the last presidential election), while still keeping to his publically declared values that his über conservative followers love him for?
How disappointed they will be!
Thank you for the article
It's nice to see AfterEllen writing a positive article about conservatives. We don't all agree with each other on every issue. There are many fiscal conservative like me that are socially moderate or liberal. Just like the left, the right doesn't share one brain.
I find it funny how many on this site are adamantly opposed to putting other members of the LGBT community in a box as far as sexual identity. They absolutely rage against putting a sister lesbian or bisexual in a box with a label on it. Yet, when it involves someone that identifies themselves as a conservative, the members bring out the knives. They claim John McCain equals Pat Robertson.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Hate me because I'm with your girlfriend." -The Ki
grey matter
i find it funny that the modern stereotypical conservative view (as depicted in the media) has such strong opinions on the personal lives of americans, such as their choice to procreate, to marry, etc. however, the original conservative view emphasized little government involvment in the individual's life. this is why, although i believe in the old values of conservatism, the human rights beliefs of liberalism, and the dance/music of "anarchists" :-P, i consider myself a part of the "caroline party."
Amen!!! to both of
Amen!!! to both of you!
glad I didn't have to word it myself.
You gotta give Dick Cheney
You gotta give Dick Cheney some credit for being in favor of gay marriage. He probably wouldn't have been hadn't one of his daughters been gay herself but it's still something that instead of being too proud and concerned with his career (as other Republican fathers have), he changed his position publicly.
And I'm pro Meghan McCain all the way, I was pretty suspicious at first yet it really seems like those are her views, that she's setting the tone for an electoral bid somewhere down the line. I'd personally like to see that.
As for her father potentially trying to appeal to the younger, more socially liberal crowd, there may be some truth to it unfortunately, however I don't exactly see it the same way as you, Caroline. John McCain has always felt way more liberal allegiances than his party's base. He advocates stem cell research, has comprehensive views on abortion, the environment and a lot of stuff in that vein (well... bar his recent U-turn on DADT which I'm still kinda bitter about) Maybe he's had to polish this side of him to convince GOPers he was worthy of them (in the wake of purity tests and everything) and is glad that his original opinions are still expressed through his daughter (although she clearly has a mind of her own)
I don't know, I guess I don't like to see McCain portrayed as a die hard conservative when it wasn't always the case.
Also, her position on abortion appears pretty much similar to mine. I probably wouldn't feel morally comfortable with it myself, nevertheless I want the option to exist for other women because it feels like a fundamental right. Things are complicated, and the McCain family constantly acknowledges that. It's hard not to go to the extremes, not to bow down to manichaeism.
________________________
"I know it hurts. But it's life, and it's real. And sometimes it fucking hurts, but it's life, and it's sorta all we have." Garden State
The ad should make you uncomfortable...
It is supposed to bother you. The image of men and women, especially women, with tape of their mouths is meant to upset you, it is meant to make you uneasy and question why they have tape over their mouths. We should all be uncomfortable and upset by the imagery of others being silenced and delegated to the "back of the bus."
And it definitely has lights of mysogny and masochism in it, as it is meant to...again, the point is to drive it home that "gay rights" is about civil rights and equality under the law for all.
I think it is great that both mother and daughter posed for the ad, especially the mother. I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice to make to publicly oppose her husband on such a hot topic, when he is up for re-election. Good for them all, and good for John McCain for graciously accepting the fact that his family don't necessarily agree with him.
As to politicians, no I don't believe that a politician's own personal beliefs should necessarily be mixed up in politics. IMpossibly, true. Politicians are servants of the people. They are the spokesperson for the people. They are supposed to vote and act accordingly as the people deem. Naturally, it isn't really like this anymore. But if a politican is pro-life, but the majority of his constituents ask him to vote "pro-choice" on a bill, it is his CIVIC DUTY to vote "pro-choice." That is the political system this country was founded upon. He isn't doing his job if he refuses to vote according to his people, but by his own conscience.
Once upon a time, the people had the power, not a select few have the power.
Miss McCain could be the face of the new Republican Party. She is a moderate, who doesn't seem to let her personal beliefs and choices impinge too much on her politics, i.e (pro-choice/pro-life) She might be someone we should all keep our eyes on. And that wouldn't be too hard to do. :)
No H8.
It also seems strange, Ms. Hasselbeck, that you have the capacity to say intelligent things. Shocking.
Although I disagree with the majority of the things Hasselbeck says it doesn't mean she's not an intelligent lady. Just because someone believes something or thinks something that you don't, no matter how upsetting their opinion may be, doesn't automatically make them stupid.
Interesting article. I'm proud of Mama McCain.
Mother/daughter power
I love it when people surprise me! Thanks Meghan and Mom McCain!!
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