“I Dream I’m My Father”

John McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain has become a bete-noire for many conservatives. The 24-year old seeks to gain publicity and a role in Republican politics by imitating her father’s “maverick” role. Her tactics have certainly gained her the former goal, as she is a frequent guest on various overtly liberal programs (such as MSNBC talking heads) and more covertly liberal ones (such as the legacy media’s morning shows). But those same tactics are not likely to gain her prominence in party politics. Following her father’s footsteps in poking fingers in the eyes of the conservative base is more likely to cause exile than access.

There are some other problems with her approach. John McCain’s inspiring history as an American patriot and hero gave him a degree of cover for his maverickness. People might gnash their teeth, but forgive him some of his lack of political couth and his willingness to treat his Democratic opponents with respect but insult his Republican allies. But such an analogy to Obama foreign policy, that is, “Respect and talk to your enemies, ignore and berate your allies,” is not a workable proposition for someone who is generally viewed as an over-privileged rich kid of few no accomplishments. Being seen as the Paris Hilton of politics does not indicate a lot of political capital.

Moreover, Ms. McCain has not brought a lot of substance to her style. While she may try to advertise her repeated scolding and belittling of her fellow Republicans and her crush on President Obama as a youthful edginess, her substance only exposes her youthful ignorance. Unlike her father who, especially recently, seems to have found a way back to his conservative roots of the 80s (though one may be forgiven a certain suspiciousness about how long that will last), her own policy positions are either downright liberal (same-sex marriage) or shallow and confused (most other things). She does appear to be “pro-life,” though it is not exactly clear why.

But lack of substance on the issues of the day is not even the most annoying thing about her. That, other than the aforementioned figurative eye-poking, is her lack of political maturity. She has opened a Twitter account and is busy tweeting. She has cited her greater number of Twitter followers as evidence that her message more resonates with younger people and therefore is better for the Republican Party’s future than that of various conservative columnists, best-selling authors, or politicians. Even if that were remotely plausible as a claim in general, a look at the substance of her Twitter postings must dispel that notion quickly. Her proclamations of delight in sexual intercourse, tattoos, and men, and her similar speculations do not attest to a degree of advanced political or philosophical sophistication.

So now Meghan is on to bigger pastures, a book. Given her infatuation with President Obama, maybe she’ll call it “I Dream I’m My Father,” or “Am I Audacity or Hope?”

Dr. Zero at Hot Air seems to have obtained an early galley version of a chapter from Ms. McCain’s new book. Don’t say you weren’t warned.