Goodluck From Across the Aisle
An excerpt from Meghan McCain’s speech before the Log Cabin Republicans:
“I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people’s lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.”
While I don’t ascribe to the same political ideology as Meghan, I wanted to take a moment to wish her luck. The party leadership would be wise to listen to her; young people are diverse, politically complicated, and still up for grabs. The Republican party as it stands right now has no chance of winning them over with teabagging and cries of socialism. Those tactics represent politics at its worse and are incredibly damaging for a party that’s already perceived as being divisive and exclusive.
Young people responded to an inclusive message in 2008 and Meghan is right to want to tap into that. After the images that resulted from last weeks protests, I can’t help but feel relieved to hear an inclusive voice on the right. We should be able to have a politics that while comprised of competing viewpoints operates within a respectful climate.
I wish her, and RINOS like her, nothing but luck as they fight for the future of the Republican party.