Meghan McCain to speak on Dirty sexy politics at ULS

Students hoping for a behind-the-scenes look at politics won’t have to go any farther than the Marshall Student Center’s (MSC) Oval Theater tonight, as the University Lecture Series (ULS) presents a speaker whose love of punk rock is only matched by her love for a strong national defense.

Meghan McCain, daughter of the 2008 Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. John McCain, will speak about her book “Dirty, Sexy Politics” and her life following her famous father on the campaign trail.

“I am concerned about the environment,” McCain said, according to the ULS website. “I have a tattoo. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican.”

Her book delves into her experiences during the months before the presidential election, as she stole campaign signs in New Hampshire, got a taste of the nightlife in Nashville and had a strange encounter with Laura and Jenna Bush at the White House.

“I am really hoping that Meghan offers us a new perspective to the Republican Party and that we can hear her stories about being with her dad as he was running for president,” said Catlin Layton, ULS programming director. “I think those will be really interesting stories.”

McCain graduated from Columbia University with a degree in art history and joined her father’s campaign after interning at Newsweek and Saturday Night Live.

She is also known for speaking her mind and her rebellious streak.

According to The Huffington Post, McCain was scheduled to speak at Juniata College in Pennsylvania on Sept. 23, but she cancelled the lecture due to “several unforeseen professional responsibilities.”

However, those responsibilities were later questioned when she posted on her Twitter feed that she was headed to Las Vegas.

“First real time off in months – was (going to) rest up for phase two next week of my ‘Dirty Sexy Politics’ book tour,” McCain tweeted, according to the Post. “But headed to sin city with my favorite crew of sinners instead … Viva Las Vegas baby.”

The Post reported that McCain would reschedule her lecture with the school when their schedules would not conflict.

For Paula Canlas, a freshman majoring in biomedical science, McCain’s resume and experiences set an impressive example for students.

“She seems like a very empowering woman, and I think that’s exactly how every woman should be,” Canlas said.

Kristie Gerber, director of Student Activities, said about 300 to 400 people are expected to attend the event, which is open to the public.

“We are hoping for a good turnout, and I am assuming she will do a great job and we will be pleased with the end result,” she said.

ULS program director Nicole Kummer said McCain will be paid $7,500 in student-paid Activity and Service fees for the lecture.

Doors for the event open at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will last from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A short question-and-answer session and a book signing will follow. McCain’s book is currently sold at the on-campus bookstore, but it will also be available for purchase before and after the lecture.