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Meghan McCain is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage.

(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.

Cindy McCain traveled to Rwanda last year for ONE.

(CNN) – Cindy McCain and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will accept an award for the global anti-poverty group ONE in Washington Tuesday.

The organization is being given the Center for Global Development’s “Commitment to Development Award” for its outreach work during the 2008 presidential campaign. Daschle, along with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, chaired the group’s campaign-linked efforts last year.

McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, traveled to Rwanda last July for ONE.

The McCains decided against Mrs. McCain participating in Dancing with the Stars.

(CNN) - It’s official: John McCain is edging his way back onto the national stage — but his wife Cindy has opted to avoid the spotlight. Literally.

Speaking on CNN's Larry King Live Thursday, Sen. John McCain confirmed reports his wife had weighed the possibility of appearing on the hit TV show 'Dancing with the Stars.'

Those reports said Mrs. McCain was in talks with the show's producers late last year, and was close to being a contestant during the upcoming season.

The former Republican presidential candidate told King Thursday both McCains talked the opportunity over and decided against it. "Well, we discussed it, but we decided it just was not a good idea," McCain said. "You know, Cindy's on her second knee. She's had it replaced."

"It would have been very challenging," McCain continued. "But I'm proud of her work and charity around the world, Operation Smile, a number of other organizations - humanitarian efforts that she's involved in and is continuing to be involved in."

Mrs. McCain isn't the first politically-connected individual to be invited to appear on the show: Former vice presidential candidate Dan Quayle reportedly turned down a similar offer last year.

Watch Meghan McCain on CNN.

(CNN) - It was a long and grueling presidential campaign, but two days were particularly hard for Cindy McCain.

In an interview with CNN, daughter Meghan Mcain said the two worst days for her mother were Election Day and October 17 - the day the New York Times published a lengthy and largely critical profile of Mrs. McCain.

"The New York Times profile of her came out which I think was a hard day for everyone," Meghan McCain said. "It was a very, in my opinion, not a very good article. It was actually being used in journalism classes as an example of the poor profile on someone, no one ever interviewed her. And it was a very hard thing to read."

Watch the full interview

Watch Cindy McCain on Larry King Live.

(CNN) – Cindy McCain came to the defense of Gov. Sarah Palin Monday, telling CNN’s Larry King the media has unfairly criticized the Republican vice presidential nominee when it comes to her qualifications and her wardrobe.

"She's been an inspiration to women all over the world and absolutely I think she was treated very poorly in the press," Mrs. McCain said in an interview that aired on Larry King Live.

Mrs. McCain also disputed political observers who have said Palin has hurt the Republican ticket more than she has helped.

Watch: Cindy McCain defends Palin

"I have heard those – the quote ‘pundits’ that have said that. Those clearly are the pundits that perhaps are not on our side," McCain said. "Besides the crowds she gets, the inspiration, the – just her ability to get her message out, get our message out, she is a truly remarkable woman and I am just so glad that I know her."

But a new CNN/Opinion Research corporation survey released Sunday appears to suggest the opposite: 57 percent of likely voters questioned said Palin does not have the personal qualities a president should have. That's up 8 points since September.

When it comes to the now famous $150,000 wardrobe tab picked up by the Republican Party, Mrs. McCain said she thought it was a “very silly thing to be upset about,”with all that is facing the country right now.

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Cindy McCain criticized the media's coverage of her and her husband.

(CNN) - Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, decried the "viciousness of the media" Monday, days after the New York Times ran a front page story detailing her troubled history with prescription drugs and difficulty fitting into Washington social circles.

In an interview with Fox news that aired Monday night, Mrs. McCain said she thought the biggest difference between her husband's first presidential run eight years ago and his campaign this year was the media's attitude toward the Arizona senator's candidacy.

"What has really stunned me is the - quite honestly, is the kind of viciousness of the media on occasion," Mrs. McCain said. "In 2000 - there's certainly always been, you know, differences, and the - you know, the things that occur. But this has taken on a different tenor. And I don't know why and what's caused that, and I'm sorry for it because I think it turns a lot of young people off."

Cindy McCain's comments come a week after she accused Obama of waging the "dirtiest campaign" in U.S. history. On Monday, she also addressed the lengthy New York Times story directly, saying she has no plans to read it and has since received several messages of support.

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Cindy McCain released her tax returns Friday.

(CNN) – Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, earned close to $4.2 million in total income in 2007 and paid $1.1 million in taxes, according to her tax returns released late Friday by the McCain campaign.

Cindy McCain pushed to get cell coverage at the McCain ranch in Sedona.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – John McCain’s campaign is blasting a Washington Post report that the Arizona senator’s Sedona ranch got cell phone coverage this summer after a request from staffers for his wife Cindy.

The paper also reported the Republican nominee’s wife offered Verizon land for a permanent cell phone tower, which would benefit few besides the McCains, and that the company had then begun the expensive process to meet that request. Verizon abandoned the effort after the Post filed a request for Arizona records in Auugust.

McCain is a senior member and former chair of the Commerce Committee, which oversees the telecommunications industry.

The McCain campaign defended the request. "Mrs. McCain, like many Americans in rural locations, was interested in receiving cell service, and there was none in the vicinity of their cabin," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers told the paper in the story, which appeared on its Web site Wednesday.

"Mrs. McCain's staff went through the Website as any member of the general public would - no string pulling, no phone calls, no involvement of Senate staff. because she is married to a senator doesn't mean she forfeits her right to ask for cell service as any other Verizon customer can.

"The McCains went through the process that is available to anybody who subscribes to one of these cell phone companies to inquire about getting service."

Cindy McCain is getting tough on Obama.

(CNN) - Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, appears to have sharpened her attacks against Barack Obama on the campaign trail in the final stretch of the race for the White House.

One day after she told a Tennessee newspaper Obama is running the "dirtiest campaign in American history," Mrs. McCain criticized the Illinois senator for voting against a bill to fund troops in Iraq, a regular line of attack from her husband’s campaign.

“The day that Senator Obama cast a vote not to fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body, let me tell you,” she told a Pennsylvania crowd before introducing her husband and Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin.

“I would suggest Senator Obama change shoes with me for just one day. I suggest he take a day and go watch our men and women deploying," she also said, to boisterous cheers from the campaign.

The vote Mrs. McCain is referencing came in May of 2007, when Obama was one of 14 senators who voted against a war-spending plan that would have provided emergency funds for American troops overseas.

He, like many Democrats, was pushing for an end to the war in Iraq, and the legislation included no provisions for that. Before that vote, Obama did support and vote for a funding proposal that included a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq - a troop funding bill McCain opposed.
A CNN fact check deemed the charge that Obama voted against troop funding "misleading."

Read CNN's fact check on that vote

Cindy McCain is getting tough on Obama.

(CNN) – Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, appears to have sharpened her attacks against Barack Obama on the campaign trail in the final stretch of the race for the White House.

One day after she told a Tennessee newspaper Obama is running the "dirtiest campaign in American history," Mrs. McCain criticized the Illinois senator for voting against a bill to fund troops in Iraq, a regular line of attack from her husband’s campaign.

“The day that Senator Obama cast a vote not to fund my son when he was serving sent a cold chill through my body, let me tell you,” she told a Pennsylvania crowd before introducing her husband and Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin.

“I would suggest Senator Obama change shoes with me for just one day. I suggest he take a day and go watch our men and women deploying," she also said, to boisterous cheers from the campaign.

The vote Mrs. McCain is referencing came in May of 2007, when Obama was one of 14 senators who voted against a war-spending plan that would have provided emergency funds for American troops overseas. He, like many Democrats, was pushing for an end to the war in Iraq, and the legislation included no provisions for that. Before that vote, Obama did support and vote for a funding proposal that included a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq - a troop funding bill McCain opposed.

A CNN fact check deemed the charge that Obama voted against troop funding "misleading."

Read CNN's fact check on that vote

Cindy McCain said Obama is running a dirty campaign.

(CNN) - Cindy McCain lashed out at Barack Obama Tuesday, telling a Tennessee newspaper the Illinois senator has waged the "dirtiest campaign in American history."

The comments came hours before her husband, Republican nominee John McCain, was slated to square off with the Illinois senator at the second presidential debate, and are among her harshest to date of her husband's rival for the White House.

Speaking to the Tennessean, Cindy McCain also said her husband would use Tuesday night's town hall forum as an opportunity to correct what she suggested were misleading statements from the Obama campaign.

“What I have found is that it’s necessary to make sure the American people understand what we have to say, what we stand for as a husband and wife, and what we will do for the American people if we’re lucky enough to be elected,” Mrs. McCain also told the paper.

Both presidential campaigns have stepped up the intensity of their attacks, with only four weeks remaining until Election Day. The McCain campaign raised Obama's past relationship to 1960's radical William Ayers over the weekend, prompting the Democratic nominee’s campaign to unleash a 13-minute documentary Web video Monday detailing the Arizona senator’s involvement in the Keating Five scandal.

In an admitted effort to turn the dominating narrative away from the nation's ailing economy, McCain’s campaign also launched a new offensive against Barack Obama's trustworthiness Monday, releasing a new campaign ad that asks "Who is Barack Obama?", and tells voters the Illinois senator is 'lying' about his record.

Cindy McCain criticized media coverage of the campaign.

(CNN) –Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, criticized the media at a weekend fundraiser, telling supporters that the hosts of The View “picked our bones clean.”

"In spite of what you see …in the newspapers, and on shows like The View - I don't know if any of you saw The View yesterday, they picked our bones clean - in spite of what you see, that's not what the American people are saying and what they are believing," said McCain, in a recording obtained by ABC News. "They are now seeing a clear difference with these candidates, and they are seeing who is going to make the best president, and that's why we're pulling ahead."

Earlier: CNN's Bill Schneider on Cindy McCain's tough tone at the GOP convention

John McCain had a tough exchange with the hosts of The View during a recent appearance, during which he was pressed on the credentials of running mate Sarah Palin, claims in his campaign ads that co-host Joy Behar called “lies,” and how many houses he and his wife own.

Watch John McCain get grilled on The View

Cindy McCain criticized media coverage of the campaign.

(CNN) –Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, criticized the media at a weekend fundraiser, telling supporters that the hosts of The View “picked our bones clean.”

"In spite of what you see …in the newspapers, and on shows like The View - I don't know if any of you saw The View yesterday, they picked our bones clean - in spite of what you see, that's not what the American people are saying and what they are believing," said McCain, in a recording obtained by ABC News. "They are now seeing a clear difference with these candidates, and they are seeing who is going to make the best president, and that's why we're pulling ahead."

Earlier: CNN's Bill Schneider on Cindy McCain's tough tone at the GOP convention

John McCain had a tough exchange with the hosts of The View during a recent appearance, during which he was pressed on the credentials of running mate Sarah Palin, claims in his campaign ads that co-host Joy Behar called “lies,” and how many houses he and his wife own.

Watch John McCain get grilled on The View

Cindy McCain spoke about her husband at the GOP convention Thursday night.

St. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - Cindy McCain praised her husband, Republican presidential nominee John McCain, as "someone of unusual strength and character" in a speech to the Republican National Convention on Thursday.

"You can trust his hand at the wheel," she said, adding: "But you know what - I've always thought it's a good idea to have a woman's hand on the wheel as well. So how about Gov. Sarah Palin!" Delegates erupted in cheers at the mention of McCain's running mate, the governor of Alaska.

Cindy McCain said her husband's run for the White House "is not about us. It's about our special and exceptional country."

She called Americans the most generous people in history, and said "our hearts are still alive with hope and belief in our individual ability to make things right if only the federal government would get itself under control and out of our way," prompting cheers from the delegates.

Full story

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - Cindy McCain is delivering an oddly partisan speech -– it goes from humanitarianism to partisanship in the blink of an eye. It’s an unusually partisan and ideological speech from a prospective first lady.

Watch: Cindy McCain describes her husband as a source of 'strength' and 'inspiration'

She is making a positive case for her husband too: the idea is to reclaim his image as a maverick from 2000.

They do have a lovely and impressive family –- an undeniable political asset.

Cindy McCain spoke Thursday night in St. Paul.

(CNN)–Cindy McCain is giving a long, personal speech - as did Michelle Obama. And she's doing a fine job, as did Michelle.

I don't think even Hillary Clinton gave such a long and substantial speech on behalf of her husband in 1992. We have entered a new era in politics, and Michelle and Cindy are a big part of it.

Watch: Cindy McCain's entire speech Thursday

I will note that Democrats have not attacked Cindy the way Republicans have attacked Michelle. Even mild-mannered Mitt Romney bitterly and unfairly attacked Michelle last night.

Attacking the wife is clearly a Republican thing - recall how Bush supporters smeared Cindy McCain during the 2000 South Carolina primary, then how they bitterly attacked Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2004. It's a classic double standard and a typical Republican philosophy: do as I say, not as I do.

Cindy McCain's sons joined her on stage Thursday night.

CINDY MCCAIN: Thank you everyone.

John and I are so proud of them and so happy to have them here with us tonight.

Nothing has made me happier or more fulfilled in my life than being a mother.

But while John and I take great joy in having been able to spend time together this week as a family, our hearts go out to the thousands of families who have had to leave their homes once again due to devastating weather.

It is not only our natural instinct to rally to them, to lift them up with our prayers and come to their aid, it is also our duty to our country.

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Cindy McCain will speak Thursday.

(CNN) – The Republican National committee has released excperts of Cindy McCain's speech Thursday night:

On Americans' duty to their country:
"That duty is what brings me before you tonight. And it's much larger and more important than just me or John or any of us: It's the work of this great country calling us together – and there is no greater duty than that, no more essential task for our generation - right now."

On John McCain's character:
"It's going to take someone of unusual strength and character – someone exactly like my husband – to lead us through the reefs and currents that lie ahead. I know John. You can trust his hand at the wheel."

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Prospective VP nominee Sarah Palin, first lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain met in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday. (Photo credit: McCain campaign)

Mrs. McCain and first lady Laura Bush addressed the Republican convention Monday.

(CNN) - First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain addressed the Republican National Convention Monday evening, delivering abbreviated remarks due to Hurricane Gustav.

Watch: "We are all Americans," says Mrs. Bush

George and I were planning to come to enjoy this convention to have a really good time," Laura Bush said. "And we would have been here tonight speaking, but, of course as we all know, events on the Gulf Coast region have changed the focus of our attention. And our first priority now, today, is to ensure the safety and the well-being of those living in the gulf coast region.

Joining Bush on stage after a video message from four governors of states affected by the storm, Cindy McCain, wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, urged delegates to help with hurricane relief.

Watch: Cindy McCain calls for hurricane aid

"I would ask that each one of us commit to join together to aid those in need as quickly as possible," she said. "As John has been saying for the last several days, this is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats."