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August 13th, 2008
02:40 PM ET

Meghan McCain's Blog; Not What You Think

Program Note: She’s candid, freewheeling, interesting, and maybe sometimes a bit too blunt. We go on the trail with John McCain’s 23-year-old daughter, Meghan. Watch Gary Tuchman's report Thursday, 10p ET

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/13/art.meghanmccain.jpg]

Gary Tuchman
AC360° Correspondent

 
John McCain can be described in many ways. Hip is not one of them.

But his 23-year-old daughter is a different story. Meghan McCain is out on the campaign trail with her father. And she is chronicling her campaign adventures with her eye on people more likely to watch American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance than one of her father’s campaign events.

Meghan has created a blog called mccainbloggette.com in which she offers a unique, unusual, and close-up look at her dad’s campaign and what takes place around it. She doesn’t talk about policy.

Instead, she dishes on people she meets, music she hears, shoes that famous people wear at her father’s rallies. She even documents all the food and snacks that are supplied on the campaign trail; from donuts to dinners from vending machines.

It is easy to dismiss this blog as shallow and inconsequential; but it is hard to stop reading it. We talked to Meghan’s mom about it for our story on tonight’s Thursday's AC360 at 10p ET. I asked Cindy McCain if she gets anxious before she reads the blog each day considering it is a bit risqué at times.

On the contrary she says; she and her husband look forward to reading it and are proud of their Columbia University graduate daughter. One message you get throughout the blog is this: Meghan McCain loves her father, and thinks he’ll make a great president.

Whether he’s hip or not.


Filed under: Gary Tuchman • John McCain • Raw Politics
soundoff (40 Responses)
  1. Renee in Seattle

    its funny how she talks about her fathers time as a pow. Wasn't he married to someone else at the time. If you want to know the truth about this man talk to his first set of children and they will be brutally honest I am sure. We are all over Edwards for his affair and this upstanding man McCain cheated on his wife and devorced her after a bad car accident with his children to raise. Why are they not smiling on the camp trail with him..because they know the real man and are being kept under lock and key..Tell the whole story of the man not just what you want us to know..be honest we are talking about values in our next POUS right.

    August 14, 2008 at 10:20 am |
  2. Lydia

    Did Meghan McCain really go to Columbia? I just finished reading some of her blogposts, and her syntax sounds like a 5th grader wrote it – definately not the level of what I hope Columbia would produce.

    August 14, 2008 at 10:09 am |
  3. Tony

    All politcally motivated.

    She may think she is a slick as her daddy, but not even close.

    John McCain is a bitter, angry, frustrated old man with old ideas. He is a Bush clone and America had better wake up to that fact before going to the polls in November. If not, and McBush should win, everyone who did NOT VOTE, or who votes for McCain had better stop whining, shut up and prepare for four more years of the Bush policies and a never-ending war.

    August 14, 2008 at 9:07 am |
  4. Pat

    In my view Meghan's Blog is just a Campaign ploy to offset Obama's popularity with young people. The blog shows how desperate John McCain is for votes. His campaign isn't about him. His campaign is about how he can keep ahead of Obama the front runner any which way he can and by any means. And he's already demonstrated the "by any means,' with his ads and attacks. Good luck with that strategy John. You are going to need all the luck you can muster.

    August 14, 2008 at 8:58 am |
  5. Jeff, New Jersey

    Is she still dating that Ron Paul supporter?

    August 14, 2008 at 3:20 am |
  6. JGM

    Oh barf. There is nothing news worthy with Meghan McCain.
    Is she the one that came up with the Paris/Britney ad dud?

    August 14, 2008 at 3:09 am |
  7. charles-alabama

    I have no problem with Meghan, she doing what any good daughter would do..Its her dad that I really liked a few years ago , that I have a problem with..He said he wasnt going negative..then he comes with that lame commercial featuring Paris and Brittney..He then tries to paint Obama as an elitest..while he ,his wife are worth a gazillion$$ and has so many homes he can't even count them, and not to mention a private plane??he says he is a common man..how could he pretend to know what the average american is going through right now..gas could be $10 per gallon and it wouldnt phase him in the least..he's had 26 years to do something and it seems as if he only cares now to get votes..
    ps. I am getting tired of seeing his wife(Cindy) with him everywhere he goes..today she had that sling on her arm..please, we know you support him ok ..enough already. what could he get done with her breathing down his neck??

    August 14, 2008 at 1:18 am |
  8. Ebony

    I agree with Kristina! Why in the world would we really be interested in this! There are just too many things going on in this world that we need to be well informed about! How she supports her dad really just isn't that interesting or important especially since she isn't talking about policy! Be careful giving her too much coverage her own father just might accuse her of being a CELEBRITY like Brittany and Paris!
    Please let's cover something of substance!~

    August 14, 2008 at 12:30 am |
  9. mkuta

    McCainn's Infidelity

    CAn Meghan tell USA what she thinks about her father's involvement with Cindy McCainn before He was devorced to His First Wife?

    That was a mistrust that, I think, should not be heard from someone claiming to be a presidential candidate and a Republican Conservative!

    Story appeared in the Newspaper-NY am monday 8/11/08.

    August 13, 2008 at 11:58 pm |
  10. Lili

    If you vote for my dad, I will give you a baseball cap.

    August 13, 2008 at 11:39 pm |
  11. Alex

    Definitely would be one of the best looking first daughters in a while.

    August 13, 2008 at 11:14 pm |
  12. Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL

    I'd like to know more about McCain's first marriage and children. What happened there? Everyone says he cheated and then skipped out on his first wife for the millionaire barbie. Let's hear the dirt 360...............

    August 13, 2008 at 10:35 pm |
  13. Franky

    Ohhh, isn't that so nice? Her daughter doing good for her father. So young too......hmmm, 23, huh? LOL!!! Na'h, I'm just playing.

    But for real, just for her daughter, not now...

    August 13, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
  14. Rose from Southern Calif

    Please let get over who's blog can be the best, lets talk about the issues in hand like now Russia is a topic or China...now let get into the real world enough of this barbie doll world.

    August 13, 2008 at 9:34 pm |
  15. Annie Kate

    Hi Gary

    Looking forward to seeing you and your report tonight. I'm glad with this story you don't have to wade through chest deep water to get it.

    Meghan McCain sounds like a delightful 23 year old – so her blog isn't serious. Not everything has to be. She shows the campaign trail the way she sees it – and if that isn't serious and issue oriented then so what? Half the blogs on the internet aren't serious and issue oriented – she has the right to express herself the way she wants. People need to get over it.

    Annie Kate
    Birmingham AL

    August 13, 2008 at 9:12 pm |
  16. Pearl, Aurora CO.

    One more time people the site is a place for young people or anyone else to go, in order to get a feel for this generations idea of fun and frivolity.....Oh yeah Obama he's for the young people he has all their votes locked up, so who cares about a bunch of other young kids whom votes should count but they don't because they are for Mccain... So what do you care about his daughters blog stay the HELL out of the blog, keep up with Obamas young people, he relates to them Obama has done is share of drugs (according to what he has said about his youth).

    Yeah Obama he's a great role model him and his wifes parenting skills are on display in their own words they have said "it's no big deal to be with the kids during the day as long as she and Barack makes it home to tuck them in at night.". Unlike the rest of us that have no choice but to be away from our kids to earn a living what all of a sudden we want to pretend they too are not wealthy.
    And lets not forget as long as America supports her spouse Barack Michelle will continue to be proud of America, great way to teach your kids how to be a whole person...but we all know the truth, it's about their blackness not about them bringing America together.
    So let's give them the Parent of year award..

    McCain's sons are in the Military fighting for our country, lets go look them up and bring up something that they made peace with decades ago. You know fighting for the America Michelle Obama is finaly proud of. The America Obama left to go on his European vaction where he put us down to all that would listen. If you want to check McCain's family values check all of it. Decades have gone by, you Obama disciples want everyone to believe McCain's history just happened, you have the wrong man it's Edward with the current (mishap),
    it's Obama you have no idea about he might not have cheated on Michelle, but he cheats on Lady Liberty every day when he puts her down to advance his (BLACK) agenda.

    August 13, 2008 at 9:02 pm |
  17. K@KatchProFILMS

    I'd like to hear from Bridget.

    August 13, 2008 at 7:40 pm |
  18. Lilibeth

    Her blog is nice and light; maybe it’s meant to be just that. It’s OK, but I’m not that impressed.

    Lilibeth
    Edmonds, Washington

    August 13, 2008 at 7:34 pm |
  19. Melissa, Los Angeles

    Meghan's blog shows us pictures of what it's like to follow a presidential candidate around from her point of view which is interesting in the sense it's like looking at your friends travel pictures. Other than that her blog does nothing more to convince me why her father should become the next president.

    I really would like to hear from McCain's first wife and children as to what they think of McCain. These politicians like to trot their families out so why not the ones they abandon?

    August 13, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
  20. CaseyJ - Palm Springs, CA

    The kids of the candidates aren't running for office and I could care less how spoiled or inocuous any of them are. It's not my business nor should it be significant enough for AC360 to bother with. Let's get to the meat. Focus...focus...focus...

    August 13, 2008 at 7:24 pm |
  21. Susan

    My, you liberals sure are judgemental and hostile for a group that advocates free speach and tolerance of others! This is precisely why mainstream American doesn't buy into what the left has to say... pure and simple hypocrisy!

    August 13, 2008 at 7:19 pm |
  22. Tammy, Berwick, LA

    There's nothing wrong with the site. It's her perspective of the campaign and her life. She obviously loves her parents, and that's a good thing to see in a potential first daughter. She's obviously intelligent, and that's also a good thing to see in a potential first daughter. The Bush twins have their own style. Chelsea has hers. The Reagan children had and continue to have theirs (from both of President Reagan's marriages I might add and the world didn't collapse). Caroline Kennedy has hers. And Meghan seems to have hers as well. I look forward to watching this report tonight.

    August 13, 2008 at 7:19 pm |
  23. Riley

    I'm sure McCain's wife and his former wife are both "Proud to be an American," always! Unlike Michelle Obama! You foks are very childish to bring up McCain's marriage. You probably don't have a happy family life of your own and are trying to rail on someone else to make your life seem better!! Sad for you! 🙁

    August 13, 2008 at 7:03 pm |
  24. Kristen-Philadelphia, PA

    Sorry I just don't see how Meghan McCain's blog about food, designer shoes and music will help win some younger voters for McCain. As a young person myself (22) I am very much concerned about the economy, the war, health care, education. It baffles me that we have all these issue’s yet no real solutions and this is what we talk about. People keep underestimating the youth vote and that is why historically we do not come out and vote. Talk to us like adults. Meghan McCain's blog is not going to win any votes for her dad he did not have already.

    August 13, 2008 at 6:56 pm |
  25. Susan

    Gary:

    I am looking forward to your reporting on Meghan McCain. I have viewed her blog a couple times. It is nice to get a different view on
    Senator McCain through his daughters eyes.

    I am sure that if Senator Obama's daughters were older, they too would be blogging for their dad.

    Susan
    Phoenixville,PA

    August 13, 2008 at 6:23 pm |
  26. EJ (USA)

    Wow Timothy Beauchamp – Please tell us how you really feel. : )

    Tough questions.

    August 13, 2008 at 6:14 pm |
  27. Aron Smith

    Is she going to teach kids to forget their mom? How can she just forget her mom but save a good spot for her step mom in her book? Is she remembering her dad because he is politician or nominee for the president? Meghan, you know mom is the biggest thing in this world and don't forget her.

    August 13, 2008 at 6:06 pm |
  28. Jennifer

    Ask Meghan why she didn't mention her half sister or step brothers that were actually living through McCain's POW experience in her book. Ask her why she never mentions them in her blog, as she ocassionally does talk about how proud she is of the siblings from her father's marriage to her mother, the Senator's second wife. Ask her why the photos on her blog crop out the siblings from the first marriage. Just curious.

    August 13, 2008 at 5:47 pm |
  29. deborah, OH

    Gary, nice to have you posting. I get kind of worried about where you are 'wading around'!
    I agree with Jenny from Georgia (USA). Can we hear from McCain's children with his 1st wife? And get their 'take' on the candidate.
    I understand, from what I have read, that his 1st wife has quite a story to tell. Just wondering.

    August 13, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
  30. Patty Harris

    I just wonder how some of these people can turn something fun and entertaining into something so horrible as some of these bloggers have done. What is happening here? I no longer read the blogs on the main CNN site nor do I watch CNN as much as I used to. I cannot believe how cruel and evil some of the people are about anything that is put on there. If they don't agree why can't they just say so without being so rude and crude. It's disgusting.

    August 13, 2008 at 5:29 pm |
  31. Jolene

    Gary: I think you pretty much summed it up in your post. The site is cute and humorous but not somewhere I'd go to learn about McCain's stance on the issues or policy. She appears to be genuine. Let's face it, she majored in Art and frankly that's how she has decided to express herself on that blog. With all that being said, I did find it somewhat entertaining, especially seeing the campaign from her eyes. Just gives you another perspective is all.

    Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

    August 13, 2008 at 3:55 pm |
  32. Caren in Los Angeles/soon-to-be Boston

    Ok Gary, I gotta say, you really got my attention here. I'm a Democrat and am definitely voting for Obama, but I just had to take a look at her site, and I must say, I like it. I think it's actually pretty cool to see everything through their eyes as opposed to what the media shows us usually. I wish Obama had something similar. It'd be cute if his daughters did the same thing! I think some people need to just relax a little bit and let go of the hate. It's just a blog, just like AC360 or Paging Dr. Gupta.

    August 13, 2008 at 3:51 pm |
  33. Timothy Beauchamp

    One more question for Meghan. Does Meghan think politicians who are most likely to support ideas of "traditional marriage" have the most to hide? I know that Larry Craig, David Vitter, John Edwards and John McCain are all strong advocates of traditional marriage, yet none of them were willing to adhere to the "rules" of traditional marriage. Does Meghan think that is a case of projection?

    Oh, thats right, Meghan doesn't want to talk about policy... uh huh.

    August 13, 2008 at 3:35 pm |
  34. Timothy Beauchamp

    Does Meghan think its elitist for her family to own more than nine houses? Last I checked, her mother and father couldn't remember how many homes they owned. How does Meghan get along with her half siblings from John McCain's first marriage to Carol McCain? Does Meghan see any parallels between the affairs of John Edwards' and John McCain considering both of them cheated on their sick wives? Is Meghan embarassed her mother and father might have committed polygamy by getting their marriage license before John McCain had legally divorced his crippled first wife, Carol? I know these are tough questions but when you put yourself out there in the public limelight, these kind of questions are bound to be asked and answers demanded by the American voter. Especially when Meghan's father says he is such a strong advocate of "traditional marriage." There is nothing traditional about polygamy.

    August 13, 2008 at 3:25 pm |
  35. Jenny Rome Georgia

    What of MCCain's children from his first marriage. The one he walked out on for Cindy Lou.

    August 13, 2008 at 3:17 pm |
  36. Presley from Michigan

    I looked at her Bloggity Blog, it was a sanitized nothingness.
    A bunch of pictures, big woo.

    For a 23 y.o., I was expecting more.

    And hip and McCain should only be related if replacement surgery is involved.

    XXO

    August 13, 2008 at 3:07 pm |
  37. Christie - Scottsdale, AZ

    Ughh. Are you serious? I'm fast forwarding through this segmant on tonight's episode. This girl is typical AZ, surface, surface, surface. I am a Republican voting for Obama. He is part of a state that actually has quality to individual life. AZ has great weather and amazing geographical features but every day life here is shallow and crime ridden. What has John McCain done to improve that?

    August 13, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
  38. Michelle Fonthill Ont,Canada

    This is obvoiusly an attemtpt to attract younger voters.I really don't care to know about her taste in music or whatever designer shoes she's wearing at her father 's camapign events .This is not what this election is all about at least when Chelsea Clinton was on the campaign trail with Hillary she proved to be a really knowlegeable and at least focused on the issues that effect the voters at the polls .This girl is just on hand to make John McCain appear yoounger than he appears that he's a man of the people he's keeping it real !

    Michelle

    August 13, 2008 at 2:56 pm |
  39. Cindy

    Gary,
    Great hearing from you again. I thought they'd lost you somewhere out in polygamyville or somewhere! LOL

    I have seen Meghan's blog and I see nothing wrong with it. It's the typical twenty something thoughts and rambles. Nothing new. The only difference is who her dad is and who all she gets to meet because of it.

    I do think that she can help her dad. Not every teen or twenty something is a Dem even though they want you to think that! So she can do him some good in that department.

    I don't know too much about Meghan so I'm looking forward to your report.

    Cindy....Ga.

    August 13, 2008 at 2:54 pm |
  40. Kristina

    Has everyone at CNN lost their mind? Why aren't you people talking about anything that matters? Who cares how shallow Meghan McCain is? Talk about something that matters for a while, because that would be incredibly shocking.

    August 13, 2008 at 2:47 pm |