Gay marriage and elephant wallpaper

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Meghan McCain challenged American University students Wednesday night to join her in questioning what it means to be a Democrat or a Republican.

The daughter of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told a full house in the Mary Graydon University Club that Republicans need to welcome fresh ideas and reject the belief that there is a set mold every member of the party must fit into.

“I’m saying, make room for me and evolve with the times,” she said. “I’m asking the Republican Party to stop being so stubborn and closed minded.”

McCain identified herself as a “progressive Republican,” a term she said she had to come up with all by herself. She defines it as being a Republican who leans toward the left on social issues such as gay marriage, which she firmly supports.

“I know there are lots of us around,” she said. “There are probably some of them in this room. People who love the rep party with all their heart but feel some of its noblest ideals have gotten lost in all the noise and name calling.”

After growing up in a house with elephant wallpaper in the bathroom and a U.S. senator cooking burgers on the grill outside, people often think McCain has been a Republican since birth, she said. However, she originally registered as an Independent and voted for John Kerry, D-Mass., in 2004.What secured her identity as a Republican was traveling on the campaign trail with her father after graduating college in 2007.

“All of a sudden I realized I loved politics and the Republican party more than I could have ever imagined,” McCain said.

McCain is a self-described straight, Christian, pro-life, Republican who believes in gay marriage, which has opened her up to the accusation by critics that she is not Republican enough. She is also a woman, which has opened her up to accusations that her “ass is too fat” and her hair “is too blonde,” she said.

McCain said she fights back against the critics who personally attack her by leading through example.

“Politics doesn’t have to be disturbing and dirty,” she said.

At the end of the speech, McCain opened up a question and answer session.

Alex Margolis, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, asked the first question.

“I think you’re beautiful,” he said, continuing to ask her out for coffee, dinner or drinks.

McCain’s response? “Um…sure, why not.”

A member of the Women and Politics Institute later challenged this interaction, asking McCain if it was difficult to be constantly judged on superficial attributes. McCain answered that she has gotten used to being treated in that manner.

“I think it’s sad,” she said. “I do. And I don’t think it’s my fault.”

In answer to a question about the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell policy,” McCain said she thinks the policy is archaic and decreases national security by rejecting qualified individuals on the basis of sexual orientation.

Another AU student asked McCain how she reconciles being a gay marriage supporter with having the last name of McCain.

“If my last name was Hitler…” he said, and did not finish the sentence.

“I don’t reconcile everything,” McCain answered. “I live my life….I’m just trying to make a difference with what I’ve been given.”