McCain Blogette
What happens when the candidate’s daughter’s weblog is better than her dad’s?
A Meghan McCain’s weblogging efforts finally garnered media attention. The AP is the latest of series of stories including GQ’s weblog and lengthy profile in the Washington Post.
Her light offerings of fashion and pop culture bring levity to the campaign trail. Meghan combines that with her love for her father. That’s a good thing. It keeps politics in perspective, shows off John McCain’s humanity, and may even swing a vote or two.
I’ve been wondering how Meghan can cover her father on an independent weblog while being a part of the McCain entourage. The AP asked about the relationship:
Unlike the Romney blog, “McCain Blogette” is independent from the campaign. So independent, the campaign said it could not answer who pays for Meghan and her two friends to travel on campaign planes and buses. A spokeswoman for Meghan did not respond to inquiries.
Her weblog says, “McCainBlogette.com is owned and operated by Meghan McCain and is not affiliated with the John McCain 2008 Presidential Campaign.” The disclamer page partly reads:
This is my personal blog. It is not in any way affiliated with John McCain or the McCain for President Campaign. This blog reflects the views of mccainblogette.com and does not necessarily reflect the views of any other person or entity, and no other such person or entity is responsible for the contents hereof.
Meghan gets a ton access for not being affiliated with the campaign, and having three women traipse around the country isn’t cheap.
Expect the DNC to start making noise about “an appearance of impropriety” in 3…2…1….
I wonder what will happen when Meghan posted something that’s politically damaging or embarrassing to her father. I don’t think she’ll do it on purpose, but mistakes can happen. With Meghan immersed in her father’s travels staffers and advisers could step into offer suggestions. That would blur the line between no campaign affiliation. Already the campaign’s press department handles Meghan’s media requests and monitors interviews.
“Meghan McCain Has Offbeat Campaign Blog”
The disclaimer probably really means something along the lines of “I’d like to speak for myself, here. Please don’t nail my dad for anything I say.”
Personally, I think that’s fair enough: it isn’t like there isn’t fair disclosure on her informal association with the campaign.