CNN

Polly"...I think he got a lot of votes simply because he's black, ..."

This is the problem with "old, white" people. The second you think someone gets a vote for being Black you cry reverse racism, blah, blah, blah. But you had not problem with the dumb, white guy getting votes for 2 hundred years. You had no problem with the undereducated, unqualified, over-privileged white guy getting white voters to support him for no other reason then he looked like you.

The problem lies at your over confidence. You never had to work for anything. For centuries you mistakenly had a sense of entitlement. It made you lazy. Minorities may wear their pants around their ankles but they know how to work and compete. They have been doing it since the Chinese showed the Europeans gun-powder. Just remember your ancestors thought the world was flat. Without gun-powder, you would still be living in caves eating potatoes
It's the dawn of a new age, with a Black man leading the charge.
Get used to it, there's more where that came from – I guarantee.

For the record, Meghan: You are a Republican!!! Generally speaking ALL Republicans are conservative! So, I doubt you are EVER going to convince the American people, let alone the young people of America that there might be GOP moderates! If so, there are very few at this point in time! Republicans have represented CONSERVATIVES since the inception of the GOP! And certainly there are no MODERATE Republicans on Capital Hill!! The behavior of ALL of the GOP in Congress since President Obama took office certainly confirms this fact!! Their OP continues to be "Just Say NO" to any proposal that may come to Congress IF it is a Democrat who is putting it on the table!!

Why not "shut-up" and go spend some of your momma's money ?

One way that something might get done in Washington is if moderates/centrists from both sides make it happen.

The Conservative Right is poison not only to their 'party' but to the country as a whole. Never will the United States be ruled by an American theoretical bastardization of European Christianity.

Bush failed in the manner that he shot first, hit the wrong target and asked the wrong questions to the wrong people later.

No No NO!!!!!!!!!!!! This liberal windbag is NOT the future of the GOP.

I'll say it again. If her last name wasn't McCain, nobody would give her 15 seconds of airtime, but just because you do doesn't mean she speaks for the GOP.

Enough Meghan. Why don't you and Specter create your own party without trying to turn ours into something more liberal. Republicans will never succeed by trying to be like the Democrats. Unless and until they offer a more distinct choice – a conservative choice that is well articulated, they'll get beat like a cheap rug every time.

What the Republican party needs to to stop listening to people like Mush Limpnoid and his followers because their only message is hate. You can tell that Mush is back on the drugs just by the way he acts when he has an audience. All that bouncing around has damaged his brain...no, wait , that was already a problem!! lol

Charities like Catholic Relif, loacl missions and food banks, churches and United Way participants do alot more for those who need help than the government. In Government they are more worried for the Teachers Unions than they are the kids educations (look at the inner cities where more money is spent per student than in the suburbs or rural schools yet they are the worst schools in America) Government run health care is rationed already for medicaid, my autistic adult son gets 12 visits a year before he has to seek special authorization. The military which I did 20 years in is an HMO system now! There is more waste, fraud, and abuse with government money than with the charities systems.

I think the current Republican leaders have packaged their message very clearly...there's little doubt where they stand. If there are moderates in the party who believe the GOP has been highjacked by members with extreme positions then they ought to do more of what Meghan McCain is doing...speaking out.
And by the way, I think it's a bit disingenuous for Republicans in Congress to bay so loudly about spending. They didn't seem to make much noise when President Bush was spending the nation down the tube. Isn't it a bit hypocritical now?
Whether or not I agree with Meghan McCain isn't the point. I like what she's doing...trying to clean her own house first.

We need to remember that Rush, Hannity, et al are all entertainers who make their millions by hammering up anti-democrat rhetoric. They are radio actors whom play characters. They provide a healthy, non-violent outlet for angry Republicans who need to vent. In that, they actually provide a service to America. But still, they are only entertainers.

As far as the Republican party is concerned; they'll be okay. Conservatives, like liberals, are on the fringe and will never be represented by the mainstream. Conservatives do not make up the Republican party. They borrow some of the platform and massage it into something radical. Liberals do the same thing.

As far as bigotry, racism, and hatred; these fallacies are not germane to a given political party. All people behold these traits, period. As a black man, I witnessed plenty of racism from the Democratic party during the primaries between Obama and Hillary. However, I saw a nation vote for a black man in huge numbers. We're all a bit bigoted, including myself. It's just that some of us care to restrain it moreso than others. I think there are more people associated with the Republican party, as opposed to Democrats, that don't decide to restrain their prejudices so much. But again, we all have them.

As far as the future is concerned; some things will be a bit different, but the general sense of politics won't change. Assuming everything goes fairly well, Obama will win a second term. Some will like that, some won't, but it will happen. By then, America will grow tired of Democratic domination, and the Republicans (mainstream, not Conservative radicals) will again have their turn.

"Would that be "drivel rights"? "

Are you a complete and utter idiot? Do you have any sense of empathy, secular morality, or tolerance?

...Do you need me to define any of those?

Meghan – I like you.. but your problem isn't that the GOP message isn't clear. Frankly, it's CRYSTAL CLEAR: If you are Gay or a Minority – you're not welcome. If you sympathize with Gay's or Minority's, you're not welcome. If you would ever need a government saftey net to get back on your feet, you're not welcome.

However, if you're Religous and feel that everyone should live up to your faith's ideals – please come on in. If you're wealthy, and would like to have better tax breaks then those who make 1/10th of what you do – please apply (we'll get you in quickly!). If you are interested in building up a giant wall along the south border to help us appear to be against illegal immigration (but we'll figure out how to still get them in so you can continue to illegally hire them for your company), please join us!

Ohh.. and if you're interested in starting a new war with Iran, and not being bogged down with diplomacy to avoid it – you don't have to apply at all – you're automatically in!

Sadly Megan – that is the message of the GOP – and there are only a handful like yourself who wish that it wasn't.. Your voice isn't loud enough to drown out the majority (Rush gets a microphone everyday.. not just a twitter account!). If you were running the party, i'd be much more likely to listen – but i'm a democrat, and so I know where i'm suppose to stay.

She is a whole lot more viable than that moron in Alaska!!

If the GOP wants to win back voters they can start by getting rid of John (fake tan) Boehner and Eric Cantor. They are still the problem and not men enough to get the hell out of they way.

The Republican Party had its rein last term with Bush! After, a downfall of the economy and a roller coaster stock market the Republicans deserve what is being put on the table. But, not saying that Obama is doing any better. Once Again, we gave the money to wrong people who created this mess in the first place! Because of that we have companies like General Motors and Chrysler, which are the backbones of the country, diminshing its existance. Now that Chrysler is laying off more people, the banks are now holding the money for themselves. No loans, means no help! Also, the government gave insurance companies like AIG, who used the money for bonuses and vacations, while just around the corner homeless shelters are crowding. When You are building a building, you start from the foundation and work your way up to the roof. You dont start your way from the roof and down to the foundation. Building is 60% of the country and 20% car industry. If we give credits for all kinds of home improvements and cars it will stimulate millions of jobs. This is what I mean by starting with the foundation. I have been out of work for 5 weeks and I just have a couple of questions for both parties!

Where did all the money in this once thriving country go?

How many people Lost Their Jobs and Are Not getting Unemployment Any More and If they have Found a new job?

How many owners of small businesses have no work and are living off the savings that they have?

Making excuses up wont satisfy me, JUST give the money to the PEOPLE! Stimulate the country the right way!

Meghan Im afraid its a little too late and Bohner,Bachman,Steele and The Leader Limbaugh aint having it!

Meghan, it is the POLICIES, not the delivery.

A lot of younger folks are open minded and don't like the GOP agenda of fear, hatred, division, and militant religious extremism. Adopt mainstream American positions like: pro-choice, pro stem cell research, pro-euthanasia, pro gay rights/marriage equality, pro religious diversity, pro peace/consensus, pro compassion for the poor, pro-animal rights, pro-Constitution... and then your party will attract younger people!!!

As long as you remain a party of hateful Southern White religious fanatics, you will never regain my vote.

" I don't think older generations are "in" to it and frankly I see too many things I don't like about it- increase in gangs, drugs, guns, wearing pants down to their knees…" That is why they are called young people, it is what they do they bring changes and we the older generation are NOT supposed to agree.

At 58 I recall vividly, when men started growing long hair, ditching Perry Como for the Beatles, our parents went BESERK! We did not do it to aggravate our parents, just crew cuts and Peggy Lee were "old" news.

Now about the sagging pants comment, with a 40 inch waist my pants sag and I am in total fear that while walking in Wally World they will drop and expose my lily white, hairy butt and my red thong(sorry, if you are reading this for searing that image onto your retina)!

Keep up the good work Megen. I am a democrat but if you ran for office i just might be inclined to support you. The GOP is wrong for not taking you seriously. You have a bright future ahead of you! keep it up!

She is sweet, and seems to get part of their problem, but I think that their agenda is what the new generation dislike. People are becoming more open minded, and want to see more fairness in the world. Republicans can't offer that, they represent the past and have a very hard time thinking about the future, look how they are responding to the Obama Adm. , they don't know how to compromise...

The only reason she registered as a Republican (from an Independent) during the campaign was because of her father running. I think deep down she knows she's not a Republican

Dyed-in-the-wool Republicans may not like hearing what Meghan has to say. They may try their best to cut her down. And perhaps she can deliver her message better. But the core is you need to be listening to people like her if you ever want to win the White House again (and I do mean ever, as I'm seeing the same sorts of signs with the GOP that I saw with the Progressive Conservative party in Canada after they were wiped out by the Liberals in the 1990s. The PC party no longer exists. Granted, another small-c conservative party is now in power – but they had to retire the decades-old PC brand in order to do it.

#1. who cares what she thinks, spoil little rich girl, and she can't identify with the young people she is suppose to be speaking for.
2. she needs to either take her meds or get diagnosed ... she flips back and forth too much.

Who is Meghan & why do we care?? In my opinion, she is only 24 and has nothing valid to say. She probably has not worked a day in her life and has no clue about the working American population.

The package is not the problem, the contents inside are the problem. The republican ideals are history, this America has no place for hate and fear. This America understands the constitution, and actually has studiers of it in the White House. The problem is not how pretty you dress it up, the problem is that the insides are still pure hate! Until the right stops listening to hate mongering LOONS like ann coulter and rush limpball, they have ZERO chance of being relivant again.

Mehgan, goodness knows you are trying. Just how do you suggest you repackage "baby killers"? How 'bout "dolly zappers" or "fetus fighters"? Then there's the issue of civil rights for gays. Would that be "drivel rights"? Like they say you can put a vlevet dress on a pig, but it is still a PIG. Good Luck Mehgan. My suggestion is go to talk to Arlen.

I wonder if Meghan knows and understands the Republican party's PLATFORM. That is, everything they believe or don't believe in.

Or does she just have a warm fuzzy feeling in her tummy when she calls herself a Republican.

Meghan, hopefully you read these comments. Please consider that when you speak of less spending, that the money belongs to ALL Americans and that is there to be USED if it is necessary. Not to be held in trust accounts for Republicans who will figure out some way to get their hands on it.

About "smaller government," we have a huge country and someone needs to help control it. Do you have a better suggestion than WE the PEOPLE doing the controlling? Otherwise known as a government.

When the people take their eyes off the ball, the Republicans have a tendency to mess things up.

Who care what she says? Why are the media giving her any ink at all? She's just a politician's daughter. What has she done to IMPROVE this country? And she can't even put together decent sentence...dangling participles...where the heck did she go to school?

And what about the comment that she doesn't think the message is either good or bad...what the heck does that mean?

Aaahhh.... if she's the future of the Republican party, it's gonna be lost for sure.

Does anyone, Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Libertarian, think that Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Beck, Ingraham, and others of their ilk will go quietly into the night? Obama's victory has so incensed and confused Republicans that they no longer even bother to pretend to cover up their true colors. The bigotry, hatred, hysteria, and mindless panic of those on the right, evidenced by statements like "liberals want to silence Palin because they are afraid of her", reveal a deeper truth: the party that combined a sense of entitlement, the "southern strategy", and disrespect for the constitutional rights of minorities and women has lost all grip on reality. The GOP is not currently capable of effectively purging itself because it is led and populated by a die-hard group that is incapable of reason. Anyone who doubts this just needs to consider the abortion, stem-cell, gun-control, or creation versus evolution debates.

Unfortunately for America, a severely weakened opposition is never good for a democracy. The Libertarian party will not attract significant numbers of moderate Republicans because the negative association with 'liberal' is too deply ingrained in the Republican psyche. Ditto for Independents, this too conveys negative images of excess free-spiritedness. The Democrats need to be really wary of becoming too strong; there is real danger in unchecked power.

Ms. McCain joined the Republican party less then a year before the election simply to stop the outfall what would have happened. Since then she seems to think she is a real member of the GOP and reflects their values, when in fact she views and values show she is still the same liberal Democrat as before, just that she is registered as a Republican now.

Of course she has the media promoting her hype 100% instead of reporting the facts, so she has nothing to worry about.

McCain claims that the Democrats package their message better than republicans, and there's a reason for that: Democrats aren't trying to package a bag of manure and turn it into a sache.

I laugh at how serious all you Democrats are acting.. .. like you're so concerned about the Republican party. mm hmm.

You would think that such keen thinkers as you all are would realize your party is controlled by Wall Street bankers and hedge funds and international currency speculators and other types of globalists.

But nah.. that would shatter your delusion that you are the only smart people around.

Democrat gone Republican, It feels good

You're not 'dirty moderates,' you're 'dirty Republicans' who are responsible for our economic crisis, a false war, judicial activism, doubling the national debt, rampant corruption, hypocritical statements and continuing to lie about your failures.

Republicans are republicans...what else can you say? One of the reasons Obama was so successful besides the fact that he did a super job of using every resource available to humankind (which any saavy, intelligent candidate SHOULD do) he DID get to the heart of the matter for most everyone in the country, he was talking about stuff that ACTUALLY matters to american citizens not just droning on about the same old crap! In my opinion everyone had just grown accustomed to listening to the same old BS spewage from BOTH partys and america collectively stopped listening YEARS ago. Obama got up there and said what was on our minds actually and for the first time in decades people cleared the cobwebs, and sat up and took notice! We stopped and listened and weighed out or choices instead of robotically going into the polls and checking the box of "the party you have always checked" he made america actually think about what there pen was doing, and the first timers say to themselves "maybe it DOES matter if I vote.." Until the GOP can come to terms with the fact that its 2009 not 1909 and its just not acceptable in this day and age to dictate what a person does with THEIR body, and that there IS and SHOULD be a separation of church and state, and that no, you do not have the right to deny someone the pursuit of happiness by telling them who they can and cannot marry. These are all basic and human rights that ALL americans are entitled to thats what has been fought for, our freedom as indivuals. I just dont see it happening, but kudos for Meghan McCain for trying! The longest journey starts with a single step....

With the same old retreads, following the leader Rush. the umbrella is very small.
If you don't fit under the umbrella with all of Sarah's skin heads and Ann's hate mongers then they want you either to agree with them or out.
My guess is the circular firing squad will keep shooting until all are dead

Unfortunately, any change the Republican party makes over the next four years is bound to be cosmetic only. Too many egotistical ideologues among what passes for leadership in the current GOP and a surprising willingness to dignify the garbage spewed by right wing talk radio means they are doomed through the next election cycle. Because the only thing the GOP currently understands is the need to win at all cost, the political botox and cosmetic enhancements they are currently contemplating will only result in further grotesque disfigurement of an already really ugly group. Remember "compassionate conservativism" and "contract with America"? I'm really curious to see what new sloganeering Newt and the good ol' boys will come up with next time. Four years is too short a time for these moribund morons to genuinely change.

Meghan McCain may be the future voice of the republican party but the RNC Gestapo will soon see that she is silenced.

Meghan McCain may be a "graduate of Columbia University" (as if somehow that lends authority to the garbage that she spews), but she is inarticulate, can't write, and has no brain. She mistakenly believes that the GOP's problem is that "the Democrats package their message better." It's not about "packaging" a message, Meghan. It's that the American people have heard the message of the Republicans - the "old principles" of reducing help to those in need, tax cuts for the wealthy (such as herself), and the need for torture "to keep us safe" - and we repudiate it. Instead, we embrace Democratic principles: that we are a nation of "we" not "me," the importance of social safety nets (including a “public option” for health insurance and ultimately “single payer”) as well as rebuilding the middle class (which has been destroyed under Republican rule), and ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share of the taxes. The differences between these two messages are profound, and Americans' commitment to the Democratic message has nothing to do with superficial "packaging." The American people made their choice in November: we embrace the Democratic message of honoring our social contract with one another, and reject the Republican "trickle down" message of tax cuts for the wealthy while shredding the social contract and destroying our country in the process. Look where Republican rule has brought us: to the brink of ruin. You can put lipstick on the "old principles" of the GOP and pin a big fat bow on it, but it's still a stinkin' pig.

Meghan McCain is right, the GOP is wrong if it thinks the solution is to attract younger voters with technology and marketing gimmicks.

The GOP is in denial about the fact they lost a lot of older voters to Democrats in the last election as well.

In order to fix their party, the Republicans need more than a makeup job, they need to modernize their ideology as well.

We need an economically conservative, socially liberal party that is not beholden to the Radical Right. Whether that comes from influencing the Republican party or starting a third party is another question.

I hear some members of the Republican party describe their overall philosophy and think it sounds like mine. Then I see what they actually do in office and I move back to the Democrats.

Sorry, Meghan, but the problem is the party of NO is an umbrella, it needs to be a tent a Big Top tent. You are correct though, that the rabid right does look down on moderates and none, other than you, are fighting back, so good luck, as youth is always optimistic! With time you will tire of the hopeless battle and end up switching sides like the other moderate Specter. The rabid right neo-cons hate moderates they are RINO remember? The "new" NCAC was being protested by the rabid right during the unveiling of the "new" GOP. So, in time you will leave and they will continue to drink the Greedy Old People's prune juice!

Lots of luck getting the repub platform to appeal to 20 somethings. The party of NO has proven time and again, they would save a 4 cell zygote, but very quickly ship the 20 somethings of to be killed in their war machine used to spread their version of "christianity" and democracy to the entire world

First @ Willy Brown..."The difference between a "moderate" and a socially"liberal" is that one had a GED and one has High Scholl diploma." Judging by your grammer and spelling, it seems that you don't have either. Now, I swear, I am so sick of seeing this woman's name in the news. She is like Sarah Palin, she will not go away. The GOP talks about doing things differently, but let's face it, when you have people like Jimmy Swaggert, Rod Parsely, John Hagee and Pat Robertson pulling the strings, the rest are forced to dance. These people use God as a weapon to scare the uneducated. Maybe what the Romney and the McCain crew need to do is start out in the midwest. Hold townhall meetings in those rural churches and maybe for once i can turn on the TV without seeing them.

Meghan's cool but she needs to distance herself from the Republican Party altogether. The Party is dead; killed off by amoral and corrupt political opportunists unconcerned with anything but their own personal agendas.
Go Libertarian, Megan. It's the future of conservatism.

all this girl does is add more hate to the republican party, the Obama girls could talk with more intelligence than mccain.

I think Obama represents what is "in" with the younger generation. If you look at how they are dressing these days, tatoos, and the music they listen to...it's kind of like what someone said about "black being in." I don't think older generations are "in" to it and frankly I see too many things I don't like about it- increase in gangs, drugs, guns, wearing pants down to their knees...but it is hard for older generations to understand this unless they have kids I guess. Maybe Meghan McCain can help the Party somehow understand what it is kids are in to- it's probably just the typical rebellion- "they don't want to be told what to do" kind of thing. I think he got a lot of votes simply because he's black, and maybe because he got out and played basketball with the kids, which is not a reason to vote for someone, but a lot of the younger kids probably identified with him on that. How many of the kids today know about Vietnam and John McCain's story? How about his relations with the Vietnamese? I know for sure McCain had my town's vote and my state, but Obama got more of the black population out to vote in the metropolitan areas. I believe this was a race thing. I can understand why the black population would support him, but I don't think he was a better choice, nor more qualified. Seemed like their was more wrong with him as a Presidential Candidate. I think we should focus on what this country was founded and built on and teach kids why this is so important to them and to future generations. Most of all, they may not realize how lucky they have it. The moral values of society are declining as people's rights become more important. Teach them not to misuse and to respect the freedom that is theirs. I think freedom is being taken for granted these days.

She speaks well, but so far she hasn't done anything yet. Therefore, don't fool yourself, she can't be a "future", unless republicans want to fail again....She is just a good "talker"...

obambi,
"most of these people blogging here are liberals–beware of their advice."
____

What is that supposed to mean? Clearly the "advice" from and for the Republican Party has gotten them nowhere so far. And using "obambi" as your screen name just shows your prejudice and resistance to reality. Why don't you offer some constructive comments? We will all listen, even if we don't agree.

It couldn't be more plain that America needs a truly viable third party, which is where Meghan McCain would fit. It's not possible to make the Republicans "cool again", because the last time they were was under Lincoln. They are an exclusive, 99% old-white-man's club, and everyone knows it. It's been my feeling for years and it still stands that the vast majority of dissatisfied Americans are really Libertarians and don't even know it. Look into the Libertarian party and if you think it fits your political leanings, consider voting Libertarian next time. The Democrats and Republicans have held power long enough.

When did she become the spokesperson for the Republican Party? She had very little to say during the campaign and just stood, smiled and waved. Today, her opinions have very little substance and she hasn't brought anything new to the table that hasn't already been addressed. Maybe the Republican Party should listen to her after all, she has tons of experience.

VinceP1974:

Your view of humanity is skewed. When in history has it been appropriate for a group of people to EVER stop fighting for their rights?

Should the original Europeans that settled Eastern America have given up during the Revolutionary War?

Should Black Americans have given up at any time during their incredibly long stuggle for equality (which, thanks to folks like you continues to this day)?

Should Women have given up on their struggle for equality (another group still not fully equal in every state)?

Should Homosexual people give up when they are not given equal rights as those enjoyed by Heterosexual couples?

I say NO, they should not give up. This country was founded on fighting for what you believe in. The Constitution clearly states that all men are equal and I would expect no person to "settle" for anything less. And in case you were wondering, I do not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, I hold no bias to any one side in particular.

@Lane Tucker: Young people voted for Obama because he stood for a new generation, and not because he promised free college – what an insult.
... and this is exactly what old republican do not get.
Meghan 'get's it. And they should listen carefully to what she is saying.

If the Republican party were more like Meghan McCain, more of us would have voted Republican. But alas, you have these Neo-Cons like Jeb Bush (not another Bush...PLEASE!) and Newt Gingrich (3 marriages) waiting in the wings for us to forget about what George W. and Cheney, Rumsfeld and the whole pro-torture, hawkish clan did to America. Then there are the whacko types like Bachman and Palin who see Socialists and Communists everywhere! It surprised me to read here that people criticize CNN for giving Meghan time, for many of us feel you are too hard on Obama. By the way, what's with all this grading of Obama? Maybe, we the viewers, should be grading the reporters! As for me, I say, "More power to you, Meghan!" You get an "A" from the teacher.

Is it just me are others sick of McCain clan getting on the tube every which way but loose? Ms. McCain has too much time on her hands, maybe she should get a job (like ordinary folks) and donate her earnings to charity (because we know she doesn't need the cash) instead wasting time speaking out on matters she has no clue.

She is going to be the new Maverick.

After numerous years of voting Repub, this past year I voted Democrat as the Reps have gone so far to the right, they don't listen to their moderate members. I'm pro-choice, fiscal responsibility, somewhat of a tree-hugger, etc. and the Repubs just listen to their far-right people. I want very little to do with the Repubs right now. Their "god" is Rush Limbaugh. He wouldn't win if he ran for dog catcher.

most of these people blogging here are liberals–beware of their advice.

Meghan is right and all the right wing, stubborn, bigoted fascists in the repugnican party will continue to try to silence her....the comments here prove that the old guard repukelicans don't want to change, and only want to be a party of straight, white, "christian", male, rich, elite, discriminating, intolerant "americans". They don't want to change with the times. They only want to continue their greedy, self-centered policies, exclude anyone without a few million in the bank, rape & pillage the economy and environment, take away the civil rights of a huge group of people, waste BILLIONS in Iraq & Afghanistan. They are obsolete and haven't realized that the rest of the country is moving on to the future without them.

I am fiscally conservative and consider myself socially moderate since I am pro choice for rape, incest, life of the mother, disabling health of the mother (not I can't handle a baby) or the first trimester but do not think the tax payers should pay for it. I agree with the republicans more than democrats on small goverment, school choice, tort reform, cut welfare to corporate and individuals, gun ownership, personal responsibility, and most of all a strong defense. I thought Bush should raise taxes to pay for the wars and the deficit but not for more social welfare programs. If Obama raises income taxes and energy taxes (cap and trade) they need to be raised on everyone, not just the rich and middle class. Maybe the 40% who do not take pay income taxes would not have their hands out for more money from government? (Not, they think America owes them a life that includes cell phones, cars, video games, computers, nice new homes, multiple color TV's with HBO, and money to spend on their own bad habits)

Meghan has to realize something, if you care for those less fortunate or you have a conscience you cannot be a part of the republican party, it just is not allowed. You have to be a dirty scumbag neo conservative right wing nutjob to be considered a Repug, case in point, if you do n ot look or sound like scumbag limbaugh who now controls the GOP (Greedy Ole Pigs) or no brains at all Blondie Coulter you are not accepted as part of the mad Rush of ignorant Repugs. Your problem is you have to much intelligence and too many brains for the party your father belongs to, the party changed during the Bush Cheney era, when only lieing, thieving, disgusting bigots were allowed to be repugs, now even your father is not one of the group, only morons like Sarah Palin are allowed as their true leaders. The Republicans as a party are dieing, we are only witnessing its final dieing breathes because they are so non inclusive and only want it their way or no way at all. The Republican party is at its end, now it is only a group of hatred filled bigots and neo con nutjobs, only more Limbaughs need apply, good riddance to the gisgrace of the USA.

Am I sensing a Palin v. Meghan cat fight brewing? I can't wait...

Meghan, your party is dominated by racists and theocrats. There is no room for people like you, or your father for that matter, in the current rotten incarnation of the GOP.

I'd suggest you re-register as an independent.

Wow, there is so much hate in these comments, from both sides. Y'all are the reasons things don't change. The hate just goes on and on and on. Meghan, since you have the opportunity to have your voice heard, don't be silenced by the haters and the cynics.

No one is providing a better perspective for the GOP right now than Meghan McCain! The GOP followed the religious right of the party, lost their fiscally conservative message under Bush, and is no longer in tune with America.

I keep hearing the talk shows bashing Obama and Meghan McCain. The entrenched conservative members still don't get it. The definition of insanity is "continuting to do the same thing over and over, expecting different results." Until the GOP changes its tune it is doomed to represent the Southern evangelicals and the closed minded citizens of this country.

The only way to reform the GOP is for you dirty moderates to expunge the "filthy neo-con pigs" from the party. They have control, so that's not going to happen. So, your only recourse is to leave the Republican Party and form your own. Only 20% of the American public no identifies as "Republican," so now is the time to abandon the fatally flawed GOP and strike out on your own. The party has been doing everything in its power to purge itself of moderates and liberals for 20 years now. Congratulate them for their success, leave, and let the party die from its self-inflicted wounds. The GOP has no future with its current leadership and un-American ideology. Most of us in this country are moderates and neither the GOP or the Democrats have much use for us. We need our own party.

The way back for the Republican Party is for it to embrace its Conservatives and Libertareans. I dont know what a 'moderate' Republican is.

I want Extreme Republicans. Extreme in the defense and the honoring of the Constitution. Of Federalism. Of Liberty.. With a restoration of Federalism that would tamper the Social Conservatives that everyone has inflated into this Menace that really doesn't exist.

Those are the essentail building blocks of the Republican Party that I know. I am not interested in looking back at the mistakes made (and there were many... which is why I am Indepdnent and not a Republican.)

And one other thing. I'm sick and tired of having to care about this or that minoirity group's feeling of unfairness. With all that is going on int he world, gay marriage is at the bottom of my liist of things that conern me.

Meaning that, it's counter productive to the Pro-Gay-Marriage side to keep harassing me about it becuase it's making me be against it because of thier inability to let it go for a while. You have your civil unions. now shut up for a while. so that the 20 other crises can be dealt with.

And Megan, you're 15 minutes have ended a long time ago... Go get a job or something.

If Meghan McCain is the future of the Republican Party, they have a chance to win back my vote. If they persist with their illogical, supersitious, anti-science, anti-environment, anti-economy, anti-middle-class, anti-America – pro-global-corporate, faux-pro-religious plank, they can count moderates like myself out forever.

In my opinion Megan McCain is one of the few Repugs with any sense. She's willing to fight the battle, good for her. She's in for a long up hill battle. I feel the Repugs need more of the younger generation to speak up and help her carry the message. So far, not many of those. I hope she will keep pushing along.

Wow, talking about getting both parties up in arms. . great job Meghan, this is the best thing for the GOP get everyone talking, stir the pot! Stop finger pointing and and see exactly what needs to be done. I am a moderate Republican, and finally someone is actually reaching out from within the party to us and saying it is ok, although I have always known this and freely express myself, but I am far from a Democrat and I make that know also.
But this is great that you have the party's squawking. . I mean isn't that was Obama did, got everyone talking???
Communication it what needs to happen

Meghan McCain does have the right to voice her opinions. The very wide right should really listen to her. She is young and in tune with the young voters. She hears what people are saying. She has the right to say what she feels the GOP should be heading.
Most of the GOP's don't listen to what people are telling them. Hearing what Jeb Bush said that Majority of the American People believe the way they do, I beg to differ, majority of the American people voted for Barack Obama.

@Scott,

Her name is Meghan... not Cindy Cindy Cindy... Cindy is her mother!

I think the people saying the MEghan is the wrong messenger needs to check themselves.

You lost the last election, and you are losing a lot of ground in the public opinion. And when someone on your own side says 'look we have a problem', you tell them to shut up?

Hey, that is good for me. I am all against the pro-christian moral police attitude of 50 years ago that the GOP basically purveys, so as long as you are in chaos, I am fine. BUT, I would be fine working with sensible people who can understand more than one opinion.

So, whenever you guys and gals are ready to listen to other people, start making notes. Other than that, I'll be watching you in Loser's Row.

Good luck Megan. The Republican party seems to have sold its soul to the fiery rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. It's much more emotionally satisfying to rant and blame others but it is intellectually bankrupt. Megan is saying "let us reason together". But the party can see no reason to do so.

Meghan McCain speaks for many younger Republicans that are sidelined by their own Party, the Media and common misconceptions. Where does a socially liberal Republican fit in? Right now, no where! The Republican Party is no longer the GOP, but it can still be relevant if it concentrates on core issues such as State Rights and combating Federalism. For example, I'm pro – choice but believe Roe v Wade is not constitutional, the Federal government has no say in the matter – it is a state issue. However, a Constitutional Amendment could be added making it a Constitutional Right to have a choice.

Good luck with that Megan...the old boy rich white man party of NO aint having it.

Conservatives still believe that they are a "silent majority." So they don't see the need to win over those who disagree with them

When Republicans speak of "Purging" the party, they are using a Stalinist term to kick out anyone with an independent thought or idea. There are only 2 "moderate" Republicans left in Congress.

The GOP, with someone named Toomey leading the howling pack, want to "Purify the Party." America is too diverse to be "pure" anything unless we are purely Americans.

When does the GOP want to take out the first Amendment for everyone but those who are brain-dead and cloned to think like their "glorious leader" ???

Great ideas for the GOP. I see they have appointed some folks to try to revitalize and reshape the party. Unfortunately, they are doing it with the same folks with the same tired ideas. If they truly want change, they have to do what the Dems did. They changed their outlook, their party leaders, mostly their candidates. They went with young, they went with bold, they went with new ideas. The most important thing is that they thought "out of the box". I doubt the GOP will ever do that with the relics that are still leading the party.

This woman needs to shut up and CNN needs to stop covering every her everytime she opens her big mouth. She is doing the liberals their work for them and to stupid to realize it unless she is wanting to help them. Her dad is no conservative and that's one reason he lost; the conservatives could not get excited about him. He is nothing more than a liberal democrat himself.

Maybe instead of believing the garbage that spews from the mouths of Limbaugh, Hannity, and the like, the Republican party needs to look at actual data. The idea that most Americans are Christian, pro-life, pro-guns, and pro-war is simply not backed up by the data. Most Americans are none of the above and at best one or two only.

Similarly, most Americans are not against the government. The same media members who scream about "the liberal media" scream that the government can't do anything right. Clearly, though, Americans want a government to have a hand in how things run, which is a major reason we have the Democrats in power now.

“And it’s not that I think that our message is neither good nor bad ..

That's the point Meghan. There are NO messages other than negative. There are NO ideas. There are NO solutions.

True, Pres. Obama did an awseome joj of getting his messages out.
He used every imaginable resource, but he had/has messages. He had/has ideas. He has clear and consice thoughts for the people, because he is OF THE PEOPLE!
Until the GOP gets rid of the old, archaic thoughts and actions they'll keep going down... in flames!

Ms McCain, there is no such thing as an inclusive GOP. There never has been. It has always been the party of status, elitism, and looking back to "the good old days" as a model of the ways things should be in the future. To the party's power base and brain trust (i.e. Limbaugh, Rove, Cheney, et. al.), "centrist" and "moderate" ARE dirty words. This has been the gospel truth spewed from AM radios for the last 20 years, and FOX News for the last 15 years. To compromise is to fail. To fail is unforgivable. Things in the GOP will never change until the old guard dies off.

A voice in the wilderness soon to be snuffed out by the regulars in the Repugnican party.
Hey, Meghan, there are some people who share your ideals, their called Democrats

Yeah, the Republicans should put that turd of a message into a prettier package and then everyone will eat it up...

She's got an uphill battle if she wants to rinse the hate out of the majority of Repugs.

How long before she's muzzled and shoved into the basement?

The rabid kooks on the far right won't tolerate her public statements for long.

America, listen carefully to Meghan McCain. As a lifelong moderate Republican who has voted (successfully) for at least five past Republican Presidents, I broke ranks in '08 and voted (gasp!) for Mr. Obama, feeling that the Republican party has stopped being a compelling voice of America's great silent majority. Is it now the voice of the new American fringe? Exclusionary, elitist, selfish... extremists? I HOPE NOT but am fearful of what I have seen.

Get back to the center, fellow Republicans, and I will return with my votes. Until then, show a little respect to the sitting President and stop criticizing his every move on TV. It makes us look like the party of classless whiners, and is garnering us no new votes.

Keep up the good work, Ms. McCain!

I, too, believe that the Republican party should be more inclusive, but I believe that Megan McCain is not the one to be speaking for others.

Fine if she wishes to speak for herself, but, unfortunately, she comes across as a very immature young woman – even for her age.

She is very attractive and well spoken, but I get the impression that she needs to grow up a little. I'm afraid all the publicity she is receiving is going to her head.

Not only does the Republican party need to me more inclusive, but it needs to quit harping on things like abortion. Every person in this country has the right to believe whatever they wish, but some people have gone overboard on the things that they are making political.

The Republican party is not the party of no, but, finally, the party of common sense. The democrat party, very unfortunately, has become the party of memory lapses and nastiness.

Read a little more, Megan, about the past and help people of your age group to mature more and you will be well on your way to being a very good representative for the republican party.

“Let’s not underestimate the people of America."

And there in lies the problem. The Republicans never considered the American people, let alone underestimated them or listened to them. The Republicans have not been about the people for a very long time, they have been about rich corporations and their rich good-ol-boy buddies.

The facts are Republicans do not like government, how can you govern the people and the nation if you do not like government.

Look at what Jeb Bush left behind in FL. It's a crime. These people think they can do what ever they want when they want without regard of the very people that allow them to be there. They do not care about you or me they care only about themselves.

To me Republicans are selfish greedy individuals.

I LOVE Meghan.

why? why why? Every single time Meghan makes a comment cnn posts it on their website. I don't understand why you care so much!!!! Please someone tell me. I have to know why it matters?

Wrong. The reasons McCain gives "moderating" the GOP is the very thing that has them in this situation: They became RINO's and conservatives punished them by firing them. To resurrect, they must stop paying lip service to the Reaganism that put them in power and practice what they preach. Becoming "socially liberal" means becoming a democrat.

Never fails, the "losing" party always comes through with a "we need to rebuild our image" stint.. The democrats did it when they lost to Bush the first time, and "Lost" to Bush the second time.

Nothing new to see here... move along..

In my ideal world, the two major parties would be the Democrats and the Libertarians. Whether and how much the government should get involved in the economy is a valid debate with good points on both sides.

But I hope the Republicans are destroyed when it comes to the social issues. Meghan is correct. The Republicans are going to lose badly on issues like gay marriage. The younger generation sees banning gay marriage as little more than outright discrimination.

Megan and John,
If you want an inclusive party join the Green Party or the Democrats the Republicans have the same mentality as the Taliban. Destroy what you don't agree with. They have no place in a democratic society but we have to be tolerant ignorant otherwise we become like them.

Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are Patriots. They are just filthy politicians. Both parties are corrupt, and they cannot be fixed. We need a elected and appointed officials to defend the Constitution and a mechanism for the people to "recall" them from office when necessary. Impeachment is an ineffective tool, with the fox guarding the hen house.

Cindy, Cindy, Cindy. You just don't get it. You don't. The GOP party has been in a culture war since the late 60's & early 70's...before you were even born. Do some research on this topic and all the pieces start to fall into place on how your "beloved" party got to where they are today. Start with Jerry Falwell. Things really are as bad as they seem because the religious makeover of the GOP has been 40+ years in the making.

As long as Jeb Bush,Steele,McCain,Limbaugh, McConnell,Cantor,Palin,Jindal,Romney,Pawlenty and Rudy Giualini are around the Republican Party it will be GARBAGE as usual so let me say this as clearly as i can to Meghan McCain -It's time to quit POLITICS and look for a playmate and some TLC.

"National Council for a New America"? I don't want a new America. I love my country. Shouldn't it be the "National Council for a New GOP"?

Good for her. Too bad for the GOP that Republican moderates like her won't get much media coverage and will be drowned out by far right-wing radio and talkshow hosts. Maybe they might stand half a chance in the upcoming midterm elections if they paid more attention to her message.

Given the numerous insulting, derogatory statements made by Megan McCain about people that do not agree with her...if she is considered a "moderate," she is proof positive of how true moderates and/or centrists are considered second class people in the Republican party.

Need we recall the hoops John McCain was forced to jump through on this most recent election?

Meghan McCain is the future. Period.

Saying anything to appease the impulses of the masses is unwise. You have to back your claim with actions. That's what made presidential campaign and current presidency of Obama successful. He have given all Americans an opportunity to sit at the table and contribute to a living and breathing government. He has challenged Americans much like JFK..."ask not what your country can do for you...ask what can I (you) do for my country.."

Folks are getting quite tired of Meghan McCain, CNN.

Ummm megan,your leader 's of your party are the diry ones,the american people saw that and voted em out and now disfunctional.The only thing they want to care about is power and that has made for a lost party that is lost and dieing of thisrt in the middle of the summer at noon with no shade.So intill they learn listin to everyone in america and not just those who kiss thier perverball you know whats and get away from the wack jobs that now influence the party(putting it farther into a downward spiral).You'll really need to stop and listen to the music and get the beat of all in this country and not just those shouting hate and decet the loudest.After all we are america, not just lobbyiest's and perfict peopleYou and yours .Really need to stop and think about starting a new party that cares about more than limiting freedoms and impossing morals.It's all about America and the land of the free.So get going on some new positive ideas and maybie will leand you an ear and a voice,but tell then we are deaf,dump,and blind to your insane brand of polotics.

You gotta love Meghan for standing up to her party's bullies, but eventually she will see the light and realize she's a Democrat, as just about every other Northern and West Coast Republican invariably does. Meghan, your party is the antithesis of an "umbrella party." It hates all minorities and out-spoken women, and it is - by its very nature - an exclusive party for White, Anglo-Saxon, male, Protestant-Christians (and closeted gay preachers). Once you get over the "Democrat" label, you will join us, just as I got over the "Socialist" label and became an "out" Socialist as Capitalism proved itself to be a complete fraud that rapes and pillages the masses while using public money to cover its private-sector losses (which, ironically, is a socialist-based mechanism, but its being applied to the "free market," which in turn operates only when under strict government regulation, whicha again in turn is a socialist mechanism– see the dizzying spiral forming?)

There was a time when I wasn't affiliated with either party, back in the days when the Republican party was about small government and not the Great White Christian party. I eventually signed on as a Democrat despite my reservations because the GOP just seems to have utterly lost any sense of respect for the Constitution or separation of Church & State in the past decade.

If there were more Republicans like Meghan with a voice in the GOP, I might be forced to reconsider my position.

Sadly, it's more likely that the GOP voices will be immediately denouncing her as an airhead blonde bimbo who shouldn't open her mouth the first chance they get.

Responding to Mehgan McCain: The young people voted for Obama because he promised to give free college education and etc. and he was very convincing with his speaking abilities...but there is no way he can produce.

The difference between a “moderate” and a socially“liberal” is that one had a GED and one has High Scholl diploma.

She is the future of the Republican party, if it is going to have a future. I'd consider voting for a Republican if (s)he were socially progressive but fiscally conservative.