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

April 18, 2009 10:33 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:

090418_mmccain
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

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.

"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."

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."

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."

To signal her brand of New Age Republicanism, she interspersed references to her tattoo, black clothing, and gay friends in a section of her speech that was otherwise devoted to her political priorities.

"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.

To read Meghan McCain's entire speech click here.

ABC News' Ferdous Al-Faruque contributed to this report.

April 18, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (82)

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Meghan- Glad someone can stand up and speak the truth- I am an independent- I did not vote for McCain or Obama , but if Repubs want my vote and many independents like myself in the future they must get themselves together - its ok to have more than one leader and I am not including Rush- get a leader maybe even Palin that has some of the Obama charm and strong ideas- like less government- no more bailouts etc- stop the debt- healthcare for all but NOT socialized healthcare where the govt tells us what our treatment and medcine will be

Posted by: Angela | Apr 18, 2009 10:58:20 PM

Meghan who? Her only claim to fame is who her father is, which is not saying much since he picked some nobody from Alaska as his running mate. No one would ever have heard of Palin in the lower 48 if he hadn't been dumb enough to pick her.

Posted by: John | Apr 18, 2009 11:11:35 PM

I'm not a Republican anymore, but I not afraid of anything on this earth, especial some dyke. Just remember hatchling of McPink, Republicans like me voted for Obama rather than support your father.The Republican party can be the same as the liberal Dem's, We will start our own Ron Paul party, we sure stuck it to your dad, and I loved paying back the Republican party for eight years of Bush.

Ex Republican

Posted by: RGeier | Apr 18, 2009 11:17:39 PM

Who are the old school republicans? Libertarian types or people that like to threaten and bomb other countries? Ron Paul is the answer as far as I am concerned.

Posted by: Huh | Apr 18, 2009 11:41:06 PM

Daughters of politicans opinions matter more than OURS!?! What's next comedians pawning themselves off as Ahem "journalists/reporters?" OMFG!!! McCain and Garafalo can both go suck... on a LEMON!!! ENOUGH!!!

Posted by: hmn | Apr 18, 2009 11:49:14 PM

Ron Paul indeed. I wonder what Meghan's take is on the one man with ultimate credibility in DC.

Posted by: antenian | Apr 18, 2009 11:53:18 PM

meghan, you have a great father. and you are a real advocate for of his did. and we all love ur father, and you of course. keep the good work anyway..

Posted by: Ted | Apr 19, 2009 12:01:21 AM

Republicans are the most frustrated Americans right now because all of the polls suggest that a majority of Americans support president Obama on most of his policies. Obama is doing a great job and the Republicans don't know which way to turn..I AM LOVING IT! Ha Ha..after the Republicans have destroyed our country for eight years..Obama is a breath of fresh air

Posted by: Stanley | Apr 19, 2009 12:31:30 AM

do you wanna come up to canada to be our prime minister?

Posted by: whatever | Apr 19, 2009 12:39:00 AM

Angela-Medical care for all IS socialized medicine by definition. RGeier-yea you really stuck it to Mcain by voting for A SOCIALIST. you also screwwed the country just to feel good. That means you are just as responsible for everything he does that hurts this country. When your kids and grandkids are paying 80 percent taxes thanks to Obama you can proudly say "I helped him do this to you" way to go.

Posted by: Chris Nie | Apr 19, 2009 12:41:18 AM

McLiberal spawned? how could that even be possible?

Posted by: ThereGoesTheCountry | Apr 19, 2009 12:59:43 AM

Boo!!!!!

hahahahahaha

Posted by: Omentum | Apr 19, 2009 1:04:20 AM

I hope Texas secedes... followed by every other state except VT, CA, Mass., NY and you guys can have Fl. and D.C.

I think the rest of the HEART&SOUL Land would do just fine without you freaks.

Posted by: ThereGoesTheCountry | Apr 19, 2009 1:05:22 AM

Chris Nie- You are the definition of what Meghan McCain said when she referred to "Old School Republicans", scared sh**l**s of the future.
Meghan McCain- you are the change that the Republican party needs, why can't they all think like you? You can still be Republican yet favor small gov., gay marriage, etc.!

Posted by: agnosticsocialist | Apr 19, 2009 1:09:09 AM

he folks, don't shoot the messenger.

Aaaahhh! What a great time to be an American!!!!
sweeeeeett!!!!!

Any rightwinger with any leftover tea? A nice cup of tazo chai would be nice right now as sit back and relax as I am amused by the republicans make fools of themselves.

aaaahhhhh!! yes this is great.

Posted by: Omentum | Apr 19, 2009 1:10:01 AM

I see a bright political career ahead for meg. honesty gets my vote.

Posted by: Omentum | Apr 19, 2009 1:12:06 AM

BRAVO to Meghan! She has earned our respect. It is good to see and hear a sane voice in the midst of the shatters and noise of rightwing wackos and racists and losers of the Republican Party.

Posted by: Dr. Sam | Apr 19, 2009 1:18:30 AM

We Republicans lost an election, not our minds and not our core values!

A marriage is between a man and a woman!

It is evil to kill an unborn child!


Capitalism is still the best economic system!

You earn a day's pay for a day's work!

Without a strong military, everything else is moot!


The Republican Party stands for these values.

Posted by: Greg | Apr 19, 2009 1:55:30 AM

Really? Ron Paul? Ron Paul is a bigot. Ron Paul is an anti-semite. Ron Paul's idea of monetary policy is to make new money. If Ron Paul is the answer, you're asking the wrong questions. Meghan's speech is interesting when juxtaposed with Steve Schmidt's speech. It shows me that maybe the Republicans weren't so anti-gay as they made themselves out to be.

Of course, they were also to spineless to say they weren't anti-gay, so they let the Palin-Huckabee-Jindal-Limbaugh wing of the party continue to demonize Americans in the pursuit of votes.

Posted by: Really? | Apr 19, 2009 1:55:58 AM

Once again this proves that the quickest way for a republican to gain attention in the media is to criticize the republican party. Many have found this before including Colin Powell. Meghan don't be deceived, they love for the moment and drop you like a hot potato later. Surely the must be something you agree on which you agree with the republicans... just try to trot that out and see the reception you get from your new friends.

Posted by: Terry | Apr 19, 2009 2:01:18 AM

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