Meghan McCain: 'Old School Republicans' Are 'Scared S**tless' of the Future

By GottaLaff

Meghan McCain (left) was applauded by Len Olds of the Liberty Education Forum (right) during a speech to the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2009.
Ferdous Al-Faruque/ ABC News

MegMac said what?!

John McCain's 24-year old daughter told the Log Cabin Republicans on Saturday that "old school Republicans" are "scared s**tless" of the future in a speech calling for a new brand of Republicanism.

That's stating the obvious, because the old brand sure isn't working.

"I think we're seeing a war brewing in the Republican Party," said Meghan McCain. "But it is not between us and Democrats. It is not between us and liberals. It is between the future and the past."

I smell a faulty assumption here. How can there be a fight between the future and the past when there is no future for them? Oh my. Was that too pessimistic?

She summed up what she learned while campaigning for her father 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."

McCain described her politics as being "faithful to the original core values of the GOP while open to the realities of our changing world."

Will the Rushpublics accept naughty words and harsh criticism coming from a self-described liberal thinker? A female self-described liberal thinker? Sigh. If only she were black, she'd be a shoo-in for the next RNC chair.

Without ever explicitly discussing her support for gay marriage, she signaled her affinity with the gay rights group by stating her support for people living "in full equality with each other."

McCain, who recently signed a book deal with Hyperion, told the Log Cabin Republicans that she was proud to join them in "challenging the mold and the notions of what being a Republican means."

Next, she emphasizes her kewlness. She does that a lot on Twitter, too. She also bulletins her eating habits, which I've never quite understood. Moving on...

"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," she said to wild applause.

Oh noes! I wear black! I have lots of gay friends, too! Does that make me a Rushpublic? I better tell Mr. Laffy. He doesn't know he's one either.

MegMac's entire speech is here.

Ex-McCain aide to call for gay marriage support

If they were smart, they'd listen to him. But you know how that goes...

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Steve Schmidt, a key architect of John McCain's presidential campaign, is making his first public return to Washington a bold one.

Schmidt will use a speech Friday to Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, to urge conservative Republicans to drop their opposition to same-sex marriage, CNN has learned.

"There is a sound conservative argument to be made for same-sex marriage," Schmidt will say, according to speech excerpts obtained by CNN. "I believe conservatives, more than liberals, insist that rights come with responsibilities. No other exercise of one's liberty comes with greater responsibilities than marriage."

Schmidt makes both policy and political arguments for a Republican embrace of same-sex marriage.

The Missing McCain

By GottaLaff

The other day, I posted about Meghan McCain's support of same-sex marriage. Now we see she's joined by another family member. However, one lonely, isolated, out-of-touch McCain is, you should pardon the expression, missing in action:

This year's Log Cabin Republican Convention, Thursday through Sunday, is starting to look like a McCain presidential campaign reunion. As the Republican group bids for support for gay marriage and the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, two members of John McCain's family and his former campaign chief will be lending a hand. Both wife Cindy McCain and daughter-blogger Meghan McCain will be featured at a reception at the home of former Rep. Jim Kolbe, an Arizona pal who's gay. And Meghan will be featured, along with former Rep. Tom Davis, at the convention's national dinner Saturday night. [...] [Steve] Schmidt recently endorsed gay marriage.

Oh Gramm-pa? Gra-a-ammpa.....?

::cricket, cricket::

John McCain—not slated to attend—has normally said that most issues gays are pushing are for state governments, not Washington, to handle.

McCain May Unveil Veep to Limit Obama Bounce

By Paddy


Really, what kind of bounce does McCain expect in picking a VP especially if it's Magic Underwear Man™ ?

The New York Times examines the timing of announcing running mates and notes that while Sen. John McCain has limited choices compared to Sen. Barack Obama, the August calendar also presents an opportunity for him.

"The Democratic convention ends on Thursday Aug. 28, and the Republican convention begins the following Monday. What better way for Mr. McCain to squash whatever lift Mr. Obama receives from his convention than to announce his choice for running mate just as Democrats are folding their tent in Denver? It would knock Mr. Obama to the back of the stage and give Mr. McCain a nice little lift going into his own convention. And yes, Republicans say that is something that is under very serious consideration in the McCain camp."

The Enron Loophole

From last night's Countdown.

Breaking- Obama To Opt Out Of Public Financing

Oh, the howls will be starting about now. But you know what? No one cares. Seriously, no one cares a single bit. The R's will slaver and whine and this will be given beacoup more coverage than McCain's own public financing law breaking, but it's a non-starter. The regular person doesn't understand it and whether or not Obama takes public financing isn't going to bring the troops home or buy an extra gallon of milk. Obama would have been insane to take public financing anyway, he's got the perfect money machine all set up already.

OBAMA OPTS OUT OF PUBLIC FUNDING The Illinois Senator makes the announcement Thursday morning in a video sent out to his supporters.Says the reason is because the system is “broken” and McCain and the RNC will be fueled by contributions from lobbyists, PACs.

“So join me. And declare your independence from this broken system and let’s build the first general election campaign that’s truly funded by the American people. With this decision, this campaign is in your hands in a way that no campaign has ever been before.”

Log Cabin Republicans may not endorse McCain

By GottaLaff

Via Marc Ambinder:

Inclusive leader? Maybe... maybe not:

Voting Record

• Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)

• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)

• Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)

• Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)

• Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)

• Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)

• Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights. (Dec 2006)