Meghan McCain, Rachel Maddow Interview: Meghan Talks Feud With Ann Coulter, State Of GOP (VIDEO)

Meghan McCain, the 24-year-old daughter of Senator and former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, has thrust herself deep into the struggle for the future of the Republican party. She argued in a lengthy interview on "The Rachel Maddow Show" that the GOP, a party which she "loves," needs to become more moderate and reach out more, especially to younger voters.

McCain's most recent shot in the battle for the GOP's soul comes against conservative bomb-thrower Ann Coulter, who she called "offensive, radical, insulting, and confusing all at the same time" in an article for the Daily Beast. McCain believes that Coulter is the poster-woman for the most extreme elements of the Republican party, elements that evidently are damaging its health, and McCain thinks she can be the poster-child for the more moderate faction.

McCain says she can speak so candidly about the GOP because she's "not running for office" and "will never run for office." McCain also says: "I know I've become controversial and my statements are controversial, but I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was important. Period."

The interview is quite wide-ranging and it's worth watching the whole thing. Both segments are below.

Part 1

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Part 2

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Comments

[junebuggy9]

08:37 PM on 03/24/2009

Check out this BOLG I came across on PsychologyToday.com. It is about Meghan's weight: http://blogs.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-big-questions/200903/meghan-mccains-opinion-does-not-count

[Dianedp]

10:54 AM on 03/19/2009

What "feud"? Meghan McCain slashed out at Ann Coulter; without provocation, she called her ''offensive, radical, insulting and confusing". And let's not forget a "train wreck". I'm no Ann Coulter fan, and I agree with Meghan's statements. But to call a personal attack that the other person doesn't respond to a feud is ridiculous. However, it did get Meghan the press she''s seeking.

[thrugreeneyez]

12:58 AM on 03/19/2009

Megan jump ship while you still can! It's not too late to leave the Republican Party! All that' s left in your party are the hateful extremists like Rush their spokesperson so if you want moderates you will have to find a new political party.

[rfa3232]

08:28 AM on 03/17/2009

The GOP should use her, she has a gift

[captainindustry]

02:49 AM on 03/16/2009

Is Cheeny's daughter still a lesbian??

[woodstein76]

03:54 PM on 03/15/2009

Considering Meghan McCain as an intelligent Republican spokesperson proved difficult for me. Witnessing McCain's appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show helped change that. As a gay, biracial man raised to be Republican, I anticipated a typically shrill and conservative young woman. However, McCain actually made sense.

Just so we clear, becoming a Log Cabin Republican is not in my future. The part of Lincoln, which clings to the Emancipation Proclamation as a recruiting tool, has done nothing for met since. Well, the late Ronald Reagan--one of its patron saints--did paint the entire African-American race as welfare royalty druing his failed 1976 presidential campaign. But I digress.

McCain acknowledged the GOP is not as diverse as it should be. She also pointed that it has not made much of an effort to be more welcoming people, particularly with more moderate views. McCain said what Republican leaders refuse to admit. The party has been kidnapped and continues being held hostage by the Religious Right and Rush Limbaugh.

Appointing Michael Steele as Republican National Committee was nothing more than lip service to the notion of diversity. Steele apparently is only expected to be seen and not heard.

[BikeFreak]

03:39 PM on 03/15/2009

I am no fan of Megan McCain, but I must admit that she talks with more poise and sense than most "leaders" of the Republican Party.

I think this is a girl who will be going places.

[jeplanet]

07:51 PM on 03/14/2009

Overall; very impressed.

[coastalcarla]

10:42 AM on 03/14/2009

I think it shows her intelligence when she admits what she's ignorant about. If more Repubs admitted that they didn't know everything, and quit spouting BS, maybe they'd be more popular. Extreme people like Coulter and Limbaugh need to be shouted down by these younger, more moderate Repubs, if the party is going to survive. I don't wish for the demise of the Republican party - I just wish they'd join us in the 21st century, and quit acting like grouchy old men, shouting "Get off my lawn!" all the time.

[grf67]

05:25 AM on 03/14/2009

McCain should ignor the fundamentalist nazis in the republican party. She is much smarter and more attractive than any of them.

[aristippe]

10:59 PM on 03/13/2009

like her father she readily admits to a little understanding of economic. Kinda funny

[Boadicea]

08:26 PM on 03/13/2009

Meghan is the face of the Republican Party that used to be, before the Christian fascists got ahold of it. It's the Republican Party I was active in and felt proud to be a part of for 40 years. It's the Republican Party that believed in privacy in personal matters, and that included sexual orientation and religious faith. It's the Republican Party that cared about the workers just as much as they cared about the CEOs.

That Party is long gone. I wish Meghan luck, but I don't hold out much hope for returning the Republican party to a sane political, not religious, party.

[metogamekun]

10:36 PM on 03/13/2009

I think they could use your help in rewriting their platform.

[handyallen1]

05:29 PM on 03/13/2009

if she is a republican i could be one what happen to our country?

[Dogwithoutaleash]

12:43 PM on 03/13/2009

I don't hate Meghan McCain. I fact I think she has a good message. My problem is all young people who think they are extra smart or savvy just because they are young. She mentioned several times that she is only 24. Well, tht is sweet, but that means that you are less wise and not more wise about the world in general. Yes, spread your message because it is a good one, but don't chalk it up to being young. In reality, you are really nothing special.

Another point was Rachel's comment about Tim Pawlenty. Being a Minnesotan, I know very well what kind of a person he is. He is hardly the moderate Republican that people think he is. I know that he is youngish looking and pretty attractive, but he is really one of the most hyper-partisan Republicans that I know. Everything with this man is a left vs right issue. He is definately not moderate.

[ObservantDem]

09:53 AM on 03/13/2009

Very good interview from both Meghan and Rachel. This is a perfect example of the tone of discussion we need to be having not only on the talk shows but with our family,friends and neighbors about important issues. Well done A+