Q&A: 10 Questions for Meghan McCain

Meghan McCain writing a book about politics wouldn't surprise most people; after all she's the daughter of a man who ran for president in 2008. It's who she wrote the book with that might raise some eyebrows.

In "America, You Sexy Bitch," Meghan and comedian and actor Michael Ian Black travel the country in an RV and talk to Americans of all walks of life (even Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff) about the state of politics in the country. Taking turns narrating, the two political polar-opposites attempt to give readers a look into what life is in America today, no matter which side of the aisle you stand on.

In the interview with McCain, I learned more about her love of Hunter Thompson, her evolving ideas on political issues (including the legalization of marijuana),the state of politics in this country, and her "brotherly" friendship with the very liberal Black.

You and I both love Hunter Thompson. Do you find it hard to reconcile his work, which was very critical of Nixon, and the Republican establishment in general, with your own views?

Meghan McCain: I read "Fear and Loathing on The Campaign Trail" in high school and it completely changed my life. That and meeting Tabatha Soren, from "MTV News," when I was 14 were the two experiences in my life that showed me the world of politics from an entirely different perspective than I had ever been exposed to. I don't dictate my tastes in artists, musicians or writers based on their political beliefs. I mean, who would do such a thing? I just love Hunter S. Thompson's writing style, his approach to life and politics and I just find his perspective and writings extremely entertaining and inspiring. I love people that don't fit into orthodox societal norms and are outcasts or misfits, obviously Hunter fits into that category so that probably adds for my love for him and his work.

Your chemistry with Michael really shows in the book, but what was your exit strategy if the two of you hated each other?

McCain: Oh lordy, there was no exit strategy. We sold the book, signed the contracts and rented an RV. We were of the mindset that even if we ended up hating each other it would be good material for the book. It ended up being a pleasant surprise that we got along so well. I call him my liberal brother I never wanted. We fight like brother and sister, except I don't fight with my actual brothers.

What's the most shocking or surprising thing you learned or discovered on the road trip?

McCain: I was shocked to find how many people identify themselves as independents. I was also shocked at how many Ron Paul supporters we met. I don't understand how that man isn't the nominee just going off of the people we met on the road last summer.

What surprised you most -- or least -- about working with Michael?

McCain: What surprised me most about Michael is quite frankly what good friends we have become. We came into each other's lives for a reason and I think we both have learned a lot from one another. Michael makes me crazy and we definitely still have our moments and our fights but it's nice to be putting out a book with someone and go out and show it to the world knowing I have a partner in crime that 100 percent has my back and will defend me to the end, as I would him. It's nice. What surprises me least about working with Michael is how confused and weirded out people are by our friendship. No one gets it, sometimes I don't even get it so it doesn't surprise me that other people wouldn't.

You speak often, both in the book, and in interviews about how you're on a mission to bring the GOP into the new era, to bring more, dare I say, "progressive" ideas to the party. Do you think in 20 years you'll still be fighting that fight, or have you considered a move to the other side of the aisle, a la Senator Arlen Specter, if they don't?

McCain: Listen, I'm never becoming a Democrat. Ever. I could never; the core values the Republican party are built on are the values and doctrines I adhere to and believe in. If anything, some of my views sway more libertarian than anything else. Twenty years from now I really hope not only the Republican party but the world of politics itself is a lot more civil and welcoming. I have almost completely lost faith in the last generation. Look where they have led us? My generation is the generation of communicators. We have no other option other than to work together to solve problems.

Your writing is compelling because of how open you are about your life. You don't hide a lot of details, or at least it doesn't come off that way. Do you think this openness would affect your viability as a candidate somewhere down the line?

McCain: Well, thank you, first of all. My catharsis in my life is through writing about my experiences. I love people. I love talking to people, sharing stories and learning from one another. I am brutally honest almost to a fault, but I can't help it. It's just who I am. The only reason why it seems so bizarre and foreign to people that I am so candid is because most children and family members of people in politics are extremely guarded. I think what is wrong with politics today is that there are a lot of people who were planning on running for office as a teenager and dictated their life planning on becoming a senator.

Are there any political beliefs that you held before the trip that maybe have changed or softened since?

McCain: My perspective on the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana really came to full form on this trip. I was living in Los Angeles right before we went on the road and I don't want to give too much away from the book but by the end of our journey I elected to come out and publicly support marijuana legalization in this country.

Being born into the Republican establishment has given you a unique insight into politics, but what do you think about comedians, like Michael, or Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart that comment on politics, what makes their perspective important in public discourse?

McCain: I think satire and social commentary by comedians is as important to politics and the commentary from pundits. Comedians also have a street cred with young people that most politicians and pundits simply don't. Politics can be scary and ominous to a lot of people and I think using the medium of comedy is extremely relevant to the world of politics, especially right now in 2012. I am always trying to reach the audience of people jaded by the world of politics. I have never been interested in preaching to the choir or the already converted. I want to get the people who hate politics and feel disillusioned by it. Working with a comedian makes the material a lot more fun and accessible to people outside the beltway.

Did you catch any of "Game Change" [the HBO film about Sarah Palin and the 2008 presidential election]?

McCain: I watched like 15 minutes of it. It was too creepy to watch the entire thing.

How do you think we can get more people in their 20s and even younger involved and passionate about politics?

McCain: In my opinion, the problem with the world of politics is that it seems very closed off and elitist to a lot of people. If you don't fit a certain mold, in either party, there is this attitude that your opinion isn't relevant. I think we have to start reaching out using different mediums and different voices. I have a lot of hope for the future though. I am an eternal optimist, especially when it comes to the future of America.

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