I'm Voting for McCain... And Yes, I Wrote the Us Weekly Cover Story

"Shame on you for writing that article! Shame on you!!!"

"I'm calling you because what you wrote is so politically slanderous. I'm shocked that a woman would do that. You are a disgrace to your gender and your country."

"Yeah, great story. You and your freak publisher. Just quit writing those kinds of stories. It's stupid, it's demeaning. People aren't as stupid as you think they are. Get a different job."

These bon mots are just a sampling of the messages recently left on my home answering machine. Seven others simply hung up. I didn't receive this many phone calls on my birthday. But everyone has a birthday; I was the only one to have a byline on the much-scrutinized Us Weekly story about Sarah Palin. That was me who explained the Alaska governor's grandma predicament, outlined her poor judgment traveling while having contractions with her fifth child and detailed her political controversies. And the whole experience left me reaching for my bottle of extra-strength Tylenol and wishing I had a flask in my office. Call it the latest side effects of being a John McCain supporter.

It's true. I am the Elisabeth Hasselbeck of Us Weekly. During our spirited office debates, it's up to me (along with the office's outnumbered Republicans -- hey, it's New York City) to defend the old man from Arizona, while the Democrats cheer for Barack Obama like he's a Jonas Brother. For months, I've touted McCain's vast experience and his economic policies without a trace of postmodern irony. (The credit -- or, uh, blame -- mostly lies with my parents, the only conservative Jews in Detroit). My take on his VP pick? "I think she's fascinating!" I chirped to my editor in chief early on September 1. "She's a mother of five and she hunts!"

A few hours later, Palin announced that her 17-year-old daughter was knocked up. All I could do was shake my head and sigh at the realization that the original "mom under attack" angle was going to change into a far-more tantalizing story -- and rightfully so. Rule No. 1 when running for the second-most important position in the free world: Never allow yourself to draw comparisons to the Spears family. The day only grew more frustrating as the revelations trickled into my inbox: The vetting process was rushed... Palin got her passport last year... wait, she called her former opponent what?! Oy.

The facts were out there, and there was no way to sugar-coat them. All I could do was address the relevant issues -- and, most importantly, remember the readers' needs. We're a magazine that thrives on babies, intriguing women and scandals. For this particular week, our potential vice president just happened to fit the bill. (Sorry, Angelina).

As I typed away in my cramped Manhattan office, I never expected the article to become a Fox News rallying cry (the jeers were all the more perplexing given that so few people had even read the piece beforehand). Nonetheless, despite the baby-mama dramas -- and the stinging phone calls -- I still feel that McCain would make the best president. And, no, I'm not ashamed of myself. Beep.

Comments

[factcheck13]

Does anybody realize that Sarah Palin still took the $250 million...they just changed the earmark from the "bridge to nowhere"...to a general fund...

Look it up...she took the MONEY!!!

[POTUS2008]

Anyone who voted for Bush owes me, the country, and the world a personal apology, and anyone thinking of voting for McCain can go ahead and begin working on their apology as well because it is just a rerun of the same brutality and hateful policies of Bush.

[rini]

You do realize that Palin could become president. Her agenda is to remake our country as a purely Christian nation. Religious discrimination would have governmental support.

You do realize that Palin does not believe in evolution or climate change. She does not believe in the science that gives us life saving medical care and technology.

You do realize that preventing abortion with birth control education is of no concern to her. Abstinence education is the only method she is ok with. Well, we can see how well that worked in her own family. She has no concerns regarding starvation, violence and disease caused by overpopulation.

You do realize that McCain and Palin are bought and paid for by big oil and have no concern for the average American. This is evidenced by their policy positions and their actions, again and again.

Good luck with your choice, Mara. I'm not buying four more years of the same failed policies. Maverick????? don't make me laugh.

[GatoPreto]

Would you be so kind as to please share with us how exactly you defend the old man from Arizona?

[Ephemera]

I just listened to a clip of John McCain on the campaign trail. He would have a lot more credibility to me if the words he spoke weren't outright lies. I understand wanting to win....I DON'T understand getting up in front of a group of people and saying things that just are not true, and which have been shown to be untrue. Go to http://www.factcheck.org/ -- all of us need to question our candidate and call them on it when they distort the facts or just outright lie.

[huffmama]

Thank you Mara!!! And US Magazine, for not using the reality show celebrity script on Sarah Palin -- she has not won a slot on reality series -- the reality show fiction has now been taken over by the Republican machine, to convince American women that they too can walk down the runway. Please continue to show who this candidate is -- she is an Apprentice!!! Not ready for primetime, but possibly has a future with her own Fox News show.

[Spinsterina]

Mara:

I hope you'll explain to us why you believe McCain will be a better president.
Do you feel it is your "role" as the Republican in the office to support him?
I'm seriously interested and very curious. Please share more with us...

[DCinFrance]

Then, given your support to this vast experience that, incidentally, aided and abetted those that brought this country to its knees by selling it off to China to fund a war based upon lies--and those lies being promoted by none other than your candidate of vast experience, could you please articulate for me why he should have my vote. I have one condition. Your arguments may not include anything to do with the democratic candidate for president.

[Labelmonkey]

People really must stop using the phrase 'baby-mama'. Seriously. It's embarrassing.

[neurologymatters]

At least you admit it. Now go enroll in the military before McCain drafts you. Yup Yup!

[wolfgangmo]

Are you kidding. SHE won't be drafted. She is rich and white.

Not going to happen. Drafts are for minorities and poor people. I believe the military leadership would refer to them as fodder.

[coffeeinamrica]

Dear, Young, Mara -
You would be doing your country, generation and gender a huge favor if you use facts and diligent application of common sense to guide you not crafted images that appeal to your emotion and 'feel good.'
Your choices: Elderly Washington insider who couldn't change politics as usual. is hot-headed, erratic unpredictable. His pick for #2 may be sassy, working mom, but no significant experience working with large, difficult legislature or running a huge enterprise. No knowledge or personal contact with other countries in our global, intertwined economy.
Then you have the opportunity of a lifetime:
A vigorous, young, law professor who has always worked to improve lives of those usually forgotten, and generate interest and participation in the voting process - makes our country stronger. He is intelligent, thoughtful and keeps emotions in check while campaigning or evaluating policy. Talk about character! Can you imagine having to have made the adjustments that he has had to in childhood, changing schools, different countries, new language and culture, being bi-racial in America, being separated from your mother at age 11? His VP is a well-known, hard working senator, proud father of successful grown children, free of scandal and a 'real person' not afraid to speak like one instead of scripted and phony?

The choice isn't just yours, it affects ALL of us. We can't go back to the 1950's. We need a new way to operate in the world. Choose wisely!

[fruitonthevine]

That is THE best description of 'who is Obama' I've seen. You get it!

[Nim]

It couldn't have been said any better.

[wolfgangmo]

Bravo. Brava. Bravo.

This post has been favorited.

[Jazz42]

I completely agree.

[MSB]

I find it remarkably easy to believe that a writer for US Weekly could be supportive of a ticket as pathetic and dishonest as the current Republican offering.

Thanks for living down to my expectations.

[elizaW]

She can support McCain because she's smart enough to know he's not Bush. It's a Democratic ploy to associate McCain with Bush but Washington insiders know that John McCain is his own man. He may be a conservative but he's smart and honorable.

[MSB]

Your post is complete nonsense.

There is NOTHING honorable about McCain. He betrayed every meaningful position he ever took so that he could secure the nomination. Perhaps you should look into his past.

Also, he voted with Bush 90% of the time. I guess he is just 90% of the man Bush is.

[Whatazoo]

Am I the only one here who thinks that Mr. Obama is trying to build a legacy as the greatest black man ever to have lived, rather than trying to be the best president ever to have taken office?
I whole heartedly believe that there is a hidden agenda with Mr. Obama, and the american people aren't first and foremost on it.
And, oh, by the way, all you labor union brothers and sisters ( IBEW here) Sarah Palin's hubby is a union iron worker. I like that, and think it would carry some weight to the top.
No need to bash, just my opinions....

[DCinFrance]

An evidently uniformed opinion based not upon fact, but a suspicion of a hidden agenda.

[jeniferdaniels]

I believe that you are...think about it - why would black folks still continue 'hate on him' if that were true.

[cuttyshark1]

Whatazoo,
"I whole heartedly believe that there is a hidden agenda with Mr. Obama, and the american people aren't first and foremost on it."

What agenda would that be...becoming president? That wouldn't be a secrete since he's been running for the office for the past year in a half

In addition, [ and this is just my opinion also] these statement's, to include the mailers going around suggesting that Obama's a "closet muslim" , and Obama is a "Manchurian Candidate" are just coded way's of saying that "Obama is not like us"...And wasn't that the whole intention of the Republican convention?

btw, I thought Palin's husband was a "stay at home dad"? The story keeps shifting day by day but the fact's will come out.

Union member's should fear a McCain/Palin ticket because it will mean an expansion of NAFTA , the distruction of america's manufacturing base, and the continuation of job loss, 85k as of last week. I grew up in a union household, both my parent's were life long member's. Outside of his mebership what type of work has Palin's husband done in support unions?

[exhale09]

And please enlighten the rest of us. What exactly is the hidden agenda you believe Obama has?

"To build the legacy of the greatest black man ever to have lived"? Well, I'll play your silly game for a moment. In order to do that, wouldn't Obama actually have to accomplish some actual GREAT things?

God forbid we give him the "opportunity" to do that!

In addition, Barack Obama is BOTH from African American decent, and European Caucasian decent, born in the United States of America which makes him an AMERICAN just like you and me.

[gnorrfa]

wouldn't the two work together? obama the greatest black man to have lived would be the best president to have lived. does it really matter that sarah palin's "hubby" is a union iron worker?
maybe your enthusiasm would diminish if he were an active union organizer?

[noo]

Too bad this election is simply a celebrity war for you. For the rest of us common-folk, we actually have to worry about what the candidates will do about the economy, the Iraq war, and health care. But I'm glad for you that you have found the personalities you like. For me, I am sticking with the party and the candidates that will make my life more bearable, Obama and Biden. Hope the issues are not overshadowed by the RNC's recent gimmicks.

[ezvu]

Good for you, vote away. I am not voting for mccain cause of lies, misinformatin, hypocrisy, war mongering, foreign lobbiysts, arrogance, temperment, disasterous judgments, cold war mentality, ultra right agendas, pro wars, pro guns , no right for a woman subjected to rape...... I dont like to see our youth guarding eastern european borders, our tax money goes to rebuild countries of those aggressors and therefore encourage their behaviours....mccain top priority is to pick a fight with russia. We should resolve our issues with russia peacefully while there is still time, we need them to be able to resolve world crisis such as north korea and Iran. economics, health care , deficit are also non issues to mccain, he thinks they will work themselves out.