(CNN) - Meghan McCain is breaking her silence following a wave of media attention over a picture she posted on Twitter Wednesday night.
The revealing picture of herself in a tank top, which left little to the twitterverse's imagination, immediately drew harsh criticism from other tweeters, prompting an upset McCain to declare of the social networking Web site, "What once was fun now just seems like a vessel for harassment."
The 24-year old daughter of Arizona Sen. John McCain didn't address the matter in more detail on her twitter account Thursday, but in a new column on the Web Site The Daily Beast - entitled Don't Call Me a Slut - she lashes out at the national media's scrutiny of the whole flap.
Earlier: Meghan McCain runs into backlash over photograph
"I spent most of the next day thinking about what exactly was so shocking about the picture, why there was such an immediate and nasty overreaction," McCain writes. "After all, it's not like I was caught making a sex tape. I certainly didn't pose nude for Playboy. And I hadn't even exposed a nipple."
"To be honest, I don't feel that I have anything to feel ashamed of. I've always embraced my curves and will continue to do so," she added.
McCain also accuses the media of having a double standard, celebrating photos of attractive male congressmen with their shirts off while criticizing her.
Ultimately though, McCain says she's not ready to give up Twitter just yet. Rather, she says she'll just be "more judicious" in how she uses it.
Way to go Meghan! The Democratic Party would be wise to be wary of you. Brains and Beauty! I always admire your sense of youth and openness. It was a relaxed moment shared with the world. It's too bad too many people took it for other than what it was. Lucky would be the man next to you!!
It says an awful lot about the American Education system when a womans breasts are more important than what's in her head. Or in this case not much it seems. However, I feel so sorry for these Bible Thumping Southern Idiots. It was you, after all, who created Jim Jones and Michael Corresh plus any other sect that has come out of anywhere south of Mason Dixon. Any looney tunes fringe group seems to hatch in the South. So when Meghan McCain shows off her boobs this is the kind of stupid reaction from you folks. Just an uneducated pile of manure, all of you.
Americans are so uptight about sex, breasts and all that good stuff. You are modern progresive nation of adults, you should act like it.
Too bad...
The reason Meghan McCain is getting this attention is because of her father and her own desire to put herself out there as a public figure.
Which is all fine. I have no problem with the photo, either – she's a lovely young woman.
The problem is all these prudish GOP folks who want their women submissive and in a burkah.
I don't think that picture is all that scandalous. A lot of people need to get a life – which I guess goes without saying if they spend a lot of time on Twitter.
This isn't news..
I don't understand – it didn't seem that the media was the problem – wasn't it the people who signed on to follow her through Twitter?
One of the hazards of the public nature of social networking sites on the internet, Meghan. If you can't handle the comments find something else to do for entertainment.
This is not news. It belongs in the gossip/lifestyles section.
This whole thing is totally and absolutely IRRELEVANT!
All of this nonsense over a woman with curves wearing a tank top? Haven't we ever seen breasts before? Let's move on, people. Meghan has every right to be proud of her body - everyone should.
Meghan , Hang in there you are the real hope for the Republican Party, don't let the elitists and religious right judge you!!
There are some things that are appropriate and some that are not. If you want to do whatever you want, then do it from a Hollywood platform, not a political one. Maybe I'm "Old school" or "right wing" but I was taught that how you behave will directly effect how respected or NOT respected you'll be by others. I do not believe this photo is indicitive of someone vying for a politcal platform, it does not represent good judgement and certainly does not represent the image of someone I want vetting Washington on my behalf. If you want to be the voice of the people you must rise above the image of the people! When did we get to the point that we, as a Nation, accepted any behavior, judgement, or scandal from our elected officials? I agree with live and let live...but in contrast to someone acting on behalf of the people, live by a higher standard. If you want to be "normal" then be "normal." No one questions "dress code" at their place of employment. Why? Because dressing that way is reflective of whatever position you hold. If you're a lawyer you better wear a suit to court, if you're a construction worker, a hard hat. The same should apply to those in the political arena. You can't act like a regular 24 yr old, dress like a regular 24 yr old. You're NOT a regular 24 yr old. You're a public figure, stand on and CONTINUE to use a public political platform and seek the support of the people...act like it!
Everyone wants to make everything political! Her picture shows nothing more than I see every day teaching at a college. For those who are still wondering, yes, women have breasts. Imagine that.
Meghan is a very rare commodity at the moment – a spontaneous, likeable, and honest Republican. Imagine that!
What a crock of ka-ka. The only people complaining about this are the uptight, looking-for-any-reason-to-jump-on-the-hate-bandwagon morally-conceited fundamentalist nincompoops. I guess the WWJD bracelets are out of fashion now, or they just forgot what the letters stood for, or maybe they just delight in throwing the first stone.
You have nothing to be apologizing for Meghan the blasted media just loves to put anybody on the spotlight. Keep embracing your curves because you are one attractive woman.
So what if she took a pic that showed some of her boobs. She looks good. You all puritanical holier than thou republican religious wackos need to get a life. Leave the lady alone.
Amazing sexist double standard. So called Headline News stories show celebrities exposing much more skin. CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc, all posted pictures of the president without a shirt. Where are the woman's rights groups on this issue? This is absurd. McCain's picture was G rated, you see more skin in PG13 Disney cartoons designed for 8 year olds.
Everyone's saying leave poor Meghan alone. Well, I strongly disagree. She needs to be punished. Fly her to my town. I'll spank her pooper real good right in the middle of the town square.
Hey Meghan – welcome to the GOP of 2009!
Usually if you have to say you're not you are
Just goes to show you that the only thing Conservatives care about, is being right – not matter what the consequences. They would rather the entire world burn around them, than compromise with sane people. So much so they will go after members of their own political party (McCain, Meg. McCain, Powell, Graham, etc) thus destroying any credibility they have.
What a hypocritical joke this "conservative movement" is.
Has CNN put Rick Sanchez in charge of selecting topics for the Political Ticker? The news articles listed for comment lately seem to be extraordinarily stupid.
Meghan i would say do not worry about what people say! Who cares you know the truth and most people would agree with you, I believe you are a good person and I definetly would not loose sleep over their ignorant remarks!
Funny reading the posts from right-wingers blaming the left for the criticism. It really is an amazing ability to project one's negative emotions to another...
Limbaugh blames the President for him being dropped by the RAM buying group.
Funny how the right talk abut personal responsibility, but doesn't take any for themselves.
For the record, it's the CONSERVATIVES that are criticizing her picture, not the liberals... But the right shouldn't let facts get in the way of their opinions, because as everyone knows – facts have a liberal bias. LMAO