WireTapMag.org

March 24, 2008

Megan McCain and the Blogettes

Our friend Mike Connery over at Future Majority and author of the recently published book Youth to Power has spent much time criticizing John McCain, presumptive Republican Presidential nominee, for the lack of his campaign's outreach to youth save his daughter's blog which is packed with iTunes playlists, make-up tipes, and all around fluff.

One rip recently came post this USNews piece in which Mike said:

"In terms of the media narrative, I suppose that it's inevitable that events featuring the candidate's children get more coverage, particularly for youth vote stories. These stories have a natural news hook and they are easier to understand and report than a complicated field strategy. In some respects, it is a win for youth advocates whenever these stories are published, as they can provide positive media coverage for young voters in the campaign. Yet at times such 'celebrity' outreach can be merely a cloak covering up a lack of youth organizing within the campaign. Youth outreach isn't a media event, and campaigns should hire professional youth organizers, not punt the job to their children. And while I'm talking about the Presidential candidates here, this is a lesson that is just as true at the state and local level."

I couldn't agree more that a campaign should hire professionals to do this kind of work. Its unreasonable that youth outreach should come at the hands of the child of the candidate and only at her hands. Where I disagree with him is in the celebrity factor of Megan McCain. I think many campaigns like to highlight their children in efforts to connect with youth - you see this with Chelsea Clinton being used in the Clinton campaign flanked by several celebrities in tow. So maybe thats the baseline for the mistake.

Where I see Megan McCain and the Blogettes differ is once you look past the fluff. And believe me ... there is a lot of fluff you have to look through to find the gems. And she's upfront about that not being a place for serious policy and ideas for social change.... so perhaps we should forgive her there. The point is, I don't think its meant to be the youth outreach program. But maybe the GOP thinks that is their youth outreach and that's where the disconnect is.

One main thing she did do was in her March 10 post about her weight. It seems many people have been making comments about her "body shape."

" It recently reached a ridiculous level when someone handed me a business card for a plastic surgeon and suggested I needed liposuction. I am proud of my curves and have always loved my fuller figure, as should every woman who is not a size "0". I want to be a positive role model for my little sister and all of the other young women who read my blog and help perpetuate a more positive image for women, regardless of their body size. I feel empowered to tell everyone that it's important to maintain a healthy weight that works for them -- not everyone is going to be model thin, nor should they expect to be."

Lets be honest here... Megan is not fat. Nor is she a dog. She's quite pretty, and she, as Mike points out "talks and writes like a regular person and not a Stepford Wife in-training." What she is doing is single handily taking on the idea that a young woman who is in the Republican party can be a strong and outspoken one and tell everyone to take a flying leap. She may very well be the most positive role model in a party that isn't known for its inclusion of non-traditional women, and the example of the future of the Republican party.

Instead she shows a young perspective with unfettered access to a Presidential campaign and all that it entails. She has professional photographers and professional video people who follow her and, according to one reporter that travels with McCain, they evidently have experience because "they get their shots and move out of our way."

I agree that its not responsible for one person to be taking on Republican youth but I don't think that's what her goal is. I think this is just meant to be her experience and her own view with all the fun and worts involved. I don't think its trying to do more. Regardless, the technology is organized and well done, and her inside look is no where near as "campaign approved" as Mitt Romney's five brothers... thank goodness.

• Posted by Ally Klimkoski at 12:16AM on 03/24/08
• Comment Now
• Email