Meghan McCain is promoting her new book Dirty Sexy Politics as shown by recent appearances on Rachel Maddow [two segments on "The Interview"], Jon Stewart [after it covered a search for the next justice ... in Staten Island] and a write-up in the NYT. The article portrayed her as a cheery open-minded optimist:
Her goal for the book, she said, is to “inspire people who feel disconnected from the political process,” particularly people her own age. “I’m friends with people that probably would describe themselves as socialists and people that are much more conservative than I am,” she said. “I can always find a middle ground.” ...
“I’m pro-life, but I’m pro birth control. I am also pro being realistic about the kind of world we live in.” She supports marriage equality for gay Americans, she added, because, “I have friends who are gay, and I’d like to go to their weddings.”
She says she loves the Republican Party, self-tested herself and determined she was a 8 of 10 (support of cap/trade policy hurt ... must have been when her dad didn't support it, but who knows?) but is upset at the extremism of her party today. Not surprisingly, MM is glad her dad won the primary: "My father hasn’t changed. The media bias has." Some of the comments were not supportive on that point. After all, he shift to the right seemed rather apparent and on this subject, who is she to talk about bias? But, on the other hand, maybe he always was a "whatever gets me elected" hypocrite. I'm not sure that is what she meant though.
The Maddow interview was nice and all -- RM clearly likes her energy and so forth, and I can see why -- but it was not really totally honest. Yes, she admitted that she disagrees with her dad on DADT. But, if MM (she seems like someone who would have a nickname like that) is all for moderation and honesty, she has to be faced with basic questions in these interviews. The party isn't moderate now. Does she support various hard right, unmoderate (divisive) candidates that are running now? Is her loyalty to the party kneejerk on that front?
A true moderate, like um Lieberman (who she wanted to be McCain's v.p.), would be willing to vote for the other party if the alternative was lousy. And, what about being pro-life? What does "being realistic" mean? Does that mean she realistically (is it only that?) aware that it still must be a woman's choice? Pro-life or not? And, if the candidate is not so supportive on such basic things, would she be willing to vote for the other person? Where is her line?
I think she honestly is trying to be a voice for young Republicans and those interested in politics in general, who are socially liberal on many issues, but if Meghan McCain is going to kneejerk support Republican tools (or any such people) who want to force women to have children even if their mates and religious advisors agree that they need not or to amend the Constitution to bar same sex marriages, she's still sort of part of the problem.
She is lying to herself. She is no 8 of 10 as the party is now set up and if she wants to reform it, I'm supportive. But, that includes some tough love, and some bluntness that these interviews are likely to often avoid. When it comes to her own dad, it's somewhat okay to give her a pass. Who is totally unbiased about loved ones? But, in general, not so much.
I will try to read her book when it comes out and get back to you on it.