(CNN) – Log Cabin Republicans are getting some support from the McCain family.
Cindy and Meghan McCain will make an appearance at the gay rights organization's four day convention in Washington, which kicks off Thursday night.
"Of all the causes I believe in and speak publicly about, this is one of the ones closest to my heart," Meghan McCain, a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage, wrote in the Daily Beast this week. "If the Republican Party has any hope of gaining substantial support from a wider, younger base, we need to get past our anti-gay rhetoric."
Steve Schmidt, former senior strategist for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and manager of Arnold Schwarzenegger's gubernatorial reelection campaign in 2006, will also be in attendance. Schmidt will be speaking about the 2008 election and the GOP's comeback agenda.
In an interview Thursday with CNN, LCR Spokesperson Charles Moran said the organization is lobbying New York Republicans to help pass the same-sex marriage law championed by the state's Democratic Gov. David Paterson.
"We have people on the ground, we're identifying our bases of support, looking at our polling, looking at our research, so that we can be ready to assist the marriage coalition in New York with targeting those crucial GOP votes," Moran told CNN.
The group is also working on identifying the Republican players who will serve as the face of their organization's mission.
Moran citied Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Mormon Republican who has called for the adoption of civil unions, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who acknowledged that gay Republicans have a place at the party's table.
"These are the types of leaders and luminaries within the Republican party," Moran said. "The party must move forward and regardless of where you are in the conservative spectrum, you definitely can be conservative and an openly gay Republican in this political climate."
"We don't just talk the talk but we actually are providing the boots on the ground, we're making those calls, and we're loyal Republicans," he said.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
the reason why the GOP will not come back in years is because this branch of the party will repeatedly be shot down by the rest of the party
Watch out for those extremists in your party and your all set. Though I myself couldnt imagine voting for a Republican for a very very very long time after the behavior ive seen and am still seeing. Who knows what the future holds, maybe their childish mentality will finally be more accepting of reality and alot of the things Americans face that they've ignored for so long. Whatever the case they need BIG changes.
Uh, oh, Meghan you stepped in it this time! However, I must commend you, because you did this knowing full well that Lush will throw down the gauntlet to get at you.
We Dems may have trouble with you in the future since you come across as a rational repub.
Nah, the comments from the neo-cons on this blog that are about to rip you to shreds will never change before they all die out!
Then we better keep an eye on you!
She should be excommunicated from the GOP for sticking up for equality. Disgusting.
I'm a proud Gay American and moderate-conservative and I am happy that the McCains have donated their time to this event. Meghan is exactly right-if Republican ever hope to expand the party, they need to adopt a more open approach for gays & lesbians, racial/ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented minority groups.
uh oh, shaft, rush and the other GOP rank and file that the repug senator and reps answer to wont like this
they have been deliberately ignoring that gay people exist for some time now
The LCR's have always really confused me. Today, they had their spokesman on CNN and when pressed to name Republican elected officials who supported them named John Huntsman and Michael Steele. I'm not familiar with Huntsman's attitude, but I do recall Steele saying that it would be "crazy" for the GOP to moderate on gay marriage and also said, regarding allowing civil unions in lieu of marriage, "what's the difference?"
Imagine this was a group of Muslim Americans and they supported a party that didn't want to allow Muslims to marry or even get civil unions. It's just mind-boggling. But I'm happy they finally got some real support. Meghan is really trying to drive a new direction for the GOP. We'll see if anyone follows.
How come some moron always gets on here and says "WITH ALL THE NEWS GOING ON THIS IS ALL CNN CAN POST" like this is the only story on the ticker or on CNN. Don't they know that line stopped being clever the first time it was used. If you have nothing to say how about saying nothing. Enough about amoeba brains.
This Meghan is either a plant or a closet Democrat. I bet she didn't even vote for her Father.
One of my best friends, my mother, and many of her friends are Republicans and support gay marriage. I'm independent and support equality for all - even if you don't like gays they are citizens and deserve (and will have) the same rights as everyone else. That's reality.
Hats-off to Megan - there might be hope for that party yet.
I'm not gay and couod care less if someone else is. This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue. This has to deal with the narrow views of religion vs. the evolution of society and culture. Someone mentioned earlier that gay couples are higher educated , more financially responsible and its true. This has become a civil rights issue.
We can compare this to how Blacks. When blacks began to stand up for equal rights, the majority did whatever they could to hold them back. Hoses, lynches, segregation, etc. This is the exact same thing in a different time with different people. Gays don't choose to be gay, they just are so whats the problem wit someone being happy and being themselves. Its not contagious.
My question would be to anyone anti-gay is what if the gay person is religious. What happens then? I know for a fact that not every Christian is perfect. It says in the bible so again whats the problem?
I have to agree with Mississippi Mike, the Republican base will never accept gay marriage or rights in this lifetime. I listen to Meghan McCain whenever I get the chance and to me she sounds more like a very moderate Democrat, she'd have an easier time persuading Democrats to lean more center then the Good Ole' Boys of the Republican to lean an inch left. Lost cause.
M. McCain seems to be touching all of the issues that will bring attention to her and make her believable. There is an underlying agenda here. Yesterday it was Schock, the young Republican Rep. Now her again. She started leaning towards CNN because most Liberals blog here...I see clearly...There's nothing blurring my vision. They are up to something....Individually and collectively...Or maybe their paranoia is rubbing off on me...
I love how outspoken and "straight talking" she is, but what part of her is actually a republican?
Meaghan in 2020? She's already better than Palin
Hello Meghan:
This liberal Democrat thinks you are pretty cool! I love your independent, gutsy thinking–you are my kind of maverick.
Even though I didn't vote for your Dad, I still greatly admire him a person
and his service to our country.
Warm wishes from Colorado
It's 2009 & we're still discriminated against & victims of hate in America, the Land of the Free & Home of the Brave. America is guilty of this, Democrats & Republicans alike. This is the first time I've read these messages and I'm surprised by the amount of democrats who do nothing but hate on other people. Do you work? Question really is, where were YOU during the past 8 years? You did nothing, just as Obama did nothing by voting "present". His people died for the right to vote and he DID NOTHING! Did you have any tea parties? Get a job & start paying taxes. It's as though Wright's congregation fills up these message boards. Stop complaining and join us working Americans – the Republicans! Go Sarah! We love you!
Looks like Meghan has found her dads straight talk (no pun intended). Too bad gramps caved in to his handlers and kept her quiet during the campaign. He might have fared better on election day with a reasonable Republican like Meghan by his side.
Brian, NJ April 16th, 2009 5:44 pm ET
"It is not the governments job to decide who goes to hell and who doesn't. The government does not belong in the bedroom. A real Republican would feel this way.
These people that are against gay marriage, what are they afraid of, what are they trying to stop? Gay people will continue to be gay and to live with the one they love. Why not afford them the same legal rights."
It's not the legal rights that are in question, it is the definition of marriage. I don't think most Republicans have problems with civil unions affording all the same legal rights, but to define a gay relationship as a marriage gives it a moral legitimacy and sanctity that I think many people are still not comfortable with. I must be behind the times, society has been pushing gayness for a long time now, but I'm still not ok with gay "marriage".
Any type of Love is better than any type of Hate!
I always laugh when I see Republicans whining about smaller government and saying they want the government out of people's personal lives. Then they turn around and want to tell us who we can sleep with, who we can marry, how we can die, and what we can choose to do with our bodies. Then they wonder why they have no credibility.
Pete said it all.....I applaud these ladies, but are they doing this just to get more votes? (i don't care either ways) I have always said that republicans, who are self-proclaim champions of morals, are the most bigoted of the two parties. They easily forget the most basic rule: The Golden Rule. Yet on sunday they clutch tightly to their bibles.
They decry any thing that serves the interest of other Americans when it does not serve theirs. Selfish bunch!!
I se nothing on these blogs but liberal hate comments–back to the real news at fox.
As soon as the republicans realize that their social agenda is poison the sooner their fiscal policies will gain credibility.
perhaps one day i'll have a candidate to vote for who shares my values: socially liberal and fiscally conservative.
here's to hoping!
oh her father must be so proud of her....we did not vote for gay marriage here in arizona and it is likely that it will never happen....