reading in 2011: book #5

dirty, sexy politics
by meghan mccain

this book came highly recommended to me, so i was eager to find out what the daughter of the former republican presidential candidate had to say.  from the very beginning, meghan mccain's strong views came out.  simply put, she is a republican who is disappointed with her party.  being more socially liberal, meghan mccain feels that the republican party of today is going backward and running the party into the ground.

while reading the book, a few quotes stood out.  i must say that it was refreshing to read something by a strong republican that resonated with me on many levels.  here are some excerpts from her book that i enjoyed. 

[on the topic of former president regan] 
"conservatives love to evoke him, using him as an example of whatever brand of politics they happen to be selling.  but what they seem to have forgotten is that moderates and democrats elected ronald reagan, not the far right."

[on today's republican party]
"rather than the party of openness and individual freedom, it is now the party of limited message and less freedom." 
"somehow, being a republican isn't a political decision anymore.  it is a lifestyle choice.  you have to look one way, think one way, and act one way."

[on the topic of gay marriage]
"it was my first serious conversation about this issue - and why the party of limitless freedom, self-reliance, and the individual couldn't wrap its mind around supporting it.   .....  I regard marriage equality as this generation's civil rights call to arms.  how can we claim this country is truly free when there are still citizens who are separate and not equal?"

[on religion and the republican party]
"i wondered what would happen to the party when the old people died off and the base consisted entirely of the christian right.  evangelicals are a well-organized group, and i have to admire their passion and resilience.  but this country was founded on religious freedom, not religious constraints."

[on conservative media outlets affecting the republican party]
"with the rise of hate radio, media bullies, and far right groups, the environment has become constrained and narrow.  these people are holding the party hostage..."

[on the future of the republican party]
"a new generation of americans will be growing up and reaching political maturity in the next twenty years.  and believe me, this amazing generation of passionate people...has more complicated views about church than it does about gays or premarital sex.  this is why the party needs to wake up to gay marriage being a civil rights issue.  wake up!"   "wake up to the wonderful melting pot of america, where people of all colors and backgrounds and lifestyles are eager to connect with a political system that wants them, and speaks to them."