Meghan McCain: Sarah Palin Brought 'Drama,' 'Panic' To 2008 Presidential Campaign (VIDEO)

In an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), dished about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, her father's running mate during the 2008 presidential campaign.

The younger McCain referred to Palin as "a Republican feminist," but wouldn't say whether she would vote for Palin if the she runs in 2012.

The insights come as the 25-year-old political daughter releases her new book "Dirty Sexy Politics," which offers a unique glimpse into life on the campaign trail as well as her take on the political trajectory of the Republican party.

Here's an excerpt of the one-on-one that went down between McCain, a Daily Beast columnist, and GMA host George Stephanopoulos:

Stephanopoulos: You write about her quite a bit in the book, you say there are a lot of things you like about Sarah Palin, but you also point out that she snubbed your mom's efforts to reach out to the Palins, that she wasn't much of a team player. You talk about doubts at the end, where you thought she actually hurt the campaign.

McCain: Yes, but I do clearly state at the end that we did not lose because of her. And, I'm speaking out now because I do have conflicting feelings about her. I mean, she brought so much momentum and enthusiasm to the campaign.

In her newly-unveiled book, McCain writes about the darker side of Palin's presence on the 2008 campaign. When Stephanopoulos asked about an excerpt highlighting the "drama, stress, complications, panic and loads of uncertainty" the Alaska governor brought to the political operation, McCain responded: "It's true, I mean a lot of things happened, but I think that's how campaigns are in general, no matter who comes."

(Click here to read an excerpt of McCain's new book "Dirty Sexy Politics" on ABC's Web site.)

WATCH today's GMA interview:

Comments

[ZenSufi]

07:24 PM on 09/02/2010

Now that's some drama for your Grizzly momma.

[Everardo Malagon]

01:22 PM on 09/02/2010

I think sarah should just come out with the truth instead of just trying to cover it

[feed the enemy]

01:41 AM on 09/02/2010

"There's less here than meets the eye." — Tallulah Bankhead

[CommanderChe]

10:00 PM on 09/01/2010

I still can't wait until Meghan loses 15-20 pounds and gets on the cover of Maxim or one of those magazines. She is a pretty girl who is in the wrong business. Ok i'm just messing around but she is severely underused, she could appeal to a lot of young people but it seems like the republican establishment hates her guts. She might as well just make it official and become a Democrat, maybe she is waiting until her dad retires or passes on.

[Truth In Voting]

05:31 PM on 09/01/2010

Well if she's trying to reach conservatives and тeatards, it's not very efficient to wrap her message in the conservative Kryptonite form of a book.

[MoeJava]

03:21 PM on 09/01/2010

.....a republican femnist?
.
this is a republican woman who does all the shopping cooking cleaning, and then lets her republican man take all the credit for a well fed family and clean household
.

[LolaP]

02:38 PM on 09/01/2010

why doesn't she just admit she's a democrat..

[cdouglas]

12:58 PM on 09/01/2010

What is a "republican feminist"? Is that similar to an honest crook?

[I-love-to-ride26]

01:12 PM on 09/01/2010

I think it might just be a republican woman who works outside the home?

[LolaP]

02:35 PM on 09/01/2010

i think so.. very 1950's..

[montn2]

12:27 PM on 09/01/2010

Personally I think she held back on attacking sarah -- bet there is a lot more to tell ---

[dax49]

11:20 AM on 09/01/2010

she was back tracking like a big dog ( pun intended) on fox last night

[sistahfriend]

11:00 AM on 09/01/2010

I think her dad should of retired and she should have ran for his senate seat. I believe she will be the future of the Republican party once they realize how silly they've been.

[EndTheEcho]

12:31 PM on 09/01/2010

Got be 30 years old for Senate.

[theseusofaustralia]

01:15 PM on 09/01/2010

it's also funny how none questions if she is educated or wise enough for the position lol. Why dont americans care if their politicans are suited for their jobs.

[suemj]

10:51 AM on 09/01/2010

I know the bond between father and daughter is the strongest, but Megan needs to get out of denial, and reveal herself as the true Democrat that she is!

[JavaManiac]

10:12 AM on 09/01/2010

She brought enthusiasm????... Only by her divisiveness and innuendo.

She also brought a high level of stupidlty and controversy.

[sarac]

10:48 AM on 09/01/2010

You are so right. I've been on this earth a long time and never have I heard someone in the political/public eye make more grammartical errors than Palin did. My 8 year old niece can speak better than the Tundra Tart.

[I-love-to-ride26]

01:12 PM on 09/01/2010

And the really crazy thing is that when we point out this lack of basic knowledge, we are criticized as being elitists! This is playground logic they have!

[theseusofaustralia]

01:15 PM on 09/01/2010

umm bush? bidden? really?

[Ylmaz Kaba]

10:00 AM on 09/01/2010

Believe me that day is coming and the book will not be a flattering portrait.
http://mercimex.wordpress.com

[Okiemama]

09:41 AM on 09/01/2010

I am waiting for the day when Bristol Palin writes the book about her mom. Believe me that day is coming and the book will not be a flattering portrait. (Kind of like "Mommy Dearest")

[Imhotep40]

12:34 PM on 09/01/2010

I don't no about that, look at Cheney's daughter still doing her father's bidding to seek his approval . . .

Remember the relationship between Sarah and Trig vs. Bristol and Trig will probably keep Bristol quiet over the long haul.