It's McCain vs. Palin, round two! Meghan McCain and Bristol Palin, that is. In response to the young Palin's somewhat confusing new role as an ambassador for teen abstinence, McCain has responded with a column arguing that the Republican Party is out of touch when it comes to sex and sexual education.

McCain acknowledges that Palin is her own person and not necessarily representative of her mother's party. But in her column, she asserts that the recent publicity surrounding Bristol only reinforces the GOP's unrealistic attitude toward all things sexual. To read her reasoning, read more.
McCain's main gripe: abstinence shouldn't be the only option offered to teens in place of actual education:
Here’s what I’ve never understood about the party: its resistance to discussing better access to birth control. As a Republican, I am pro-life. But using birth control and having an abortion are not the same at all. Actually, the best way to prevent abortions is to educate people about birth control and make it widely and easily accessible.
She admits that abstinence is the only foolproof way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and STDs, but — and this is a big "but" — it only works if teens practice it. If they choose not to, they may find themselves lacking understanding about "all the issues they face if or when they have sex — physically and emotionally."
So whose side are you on, McCain's or Palin's? Do you wish they'd both just stop talking about it, or, as young women, are they precisely the ones who should be?









Martick Jewellery
Yumi
Make Up For Ever
Is this even a question? McCain is using logical arguments as opposed to "Uh... um... because you just should."
1I'm a Democrat, and I just love Meghan McCain. She's speaks so well for herself and our generation, though I disagree with her political philosophy. Keep speaking the truth!
2I really like what I hear Megan McCain saying (never thought I'd like ANYTHING about a McCain). I haven't heard her speak, but I've read some of what she's saying and doing and I've gotta say, I'm impressed. She seems like she's aligned much closer to the center rather than an extreme, and while I may not agree 100% with her, I appreciate that. Bristol Palin kinda seems like she's saying what someone else *AHEM* wants her to say, and doesn't seem to be able to think on her feet as well.
3The more I learn about Meghan McCain, the more I like her. I may disagree with her on somethings but overall she is a great voice for the young Republican generation.
4Meghan McCain > Bristol Palin.
She seems to have the better head on her shoulders. $10 says that everything Bristol has said about abstinence being good/bad has to do COMPLETELY with her mom's campaign for vice president and for president next election. First appeal to the Dems, now to the religious right.
Meghan seems much more centrist, logical, and just plain smart and honest.
5amen Meghan McCain. believe and do what you want as long as you have all the facts -- education is freedom!
6I'm a democrat too, but I really love Meghan McCain. She's a really smart young woman who stands firmly on what she believes & speaks with intelligence. You guys should read her blog!
7I'm a male, and a moderate, and I agree with much of what's been posted before me. I like Meghan McCain a lot; she tends to voice views with which I agree.
8I'm on McCain's side on this one. Telling teens to not do something "just because" is stupid. If you want to prevent teen pregnacy you need to give teens options to actually prevent pregnancy. I fully support easier access to all kinds of birth control as well as education.
9I'm rolling with the majority. I am liking McCain more and more now. She seems to be reasonable and level headed
10Definitely on McCain's side. She's much more realistic. Hopefully in the upcoming GOP revolution they'll reevaluate their condoms=evil stance.
11I love Meghan McCain! You can say what you want about her dad, but he obviously did something right in raising her. She learned to think for herself and that is so important.
12I actually wouldn't mind seeing her as a member of The VIew panel instead of Elizabeth Hasselbeck. She is very interesting to listen to. I think she's far more objective than any female conservative under 40 on tv today.
13I'm a Democrat, by the way.
14"I actually wouldn't mind seeing her as a member of The VIew panel instead of Elizabeth Hasselbeck."
Oo I like that idea!
15I'm a Democrat, but I really admire Meghan McCain. She is a very smart young woman who is not afraid to speak her mind - but to do it in a very reasonable and logical way. The more I learn about her, the more I like her. Bristol Palin, on the other hand.....I don't have much to say about her.
16Eh, this is a "whatever" fight to me. I'm a Dem and I don't care that much. We need comprehensive sex ed, that's a given. Though Meghan McCain's making much more logical arguments, and well Bristol Palin is...*ahem*.
I wouldn't mind seeing a debate between them.
Just a side question b/c I'm curious: has Bristol actually defined herself as a Republican/conservative? I know people probably expect her to be because of her mother, but I haven't heard her say anything about her politics.
17I agree with Meghan McCain. I think BOTH abstinence and the regular sex ed should be taught in school. Give teens both sides of the story and let them evaluate for themselves.
18Wow, is that unanimous? Amazing! I like Meghan McCain, and the Repubs would be wise to take notice.
19P.S. Who thinks Bristol is probably on the Pill now, while preaching abstinence?
I agree with HoneyBrown, I would like to see her on the VIEW. (I'm a DEM).
20She's not really a conservative... she only changed parties cuz poppa mccain was running on the republican ticket for prez. either way she's a breath of fresh air.
21I think Megan McCain needs to realize that she probably isn't a Republican.
You can't argue against so many of the Republican values and be a Republican - that makes you an Independent who leans right.
Gay marriage and the approach to sex in schools are huge points in Republican traditional values - by completely going "Democrat" on these issues or even leaning left on these issues, she makes herself an independent. I am pretty sure, should the Republican party embrace all these suggestions she offered, they would lose more support than they would gain.
22I saw Meghan on the view the other day talking about this and agree with her. I think every teen should be given all the info about protecting themselves. Bristol's reasonings are so dumb every time. "its wrong don't do it" but of course she couldn't even follow that advice.
Sexuality is human nature, you can only say no so many times until you finally give in. And hopefully when you do you use protection
23I agree with Megan McCain. Teaching kids about abstinence is unrealistic; we all have hormones and parent and the school should teach children about how their body works, the important of birth control, the consequences of unprotected sex, and that sex is a big responsibility. Teaching to be abstinence and that it is not realistic nor healthy, sex is important. And for those who believe that is not the schools responsibility to teach those kids about sex, it is, as a society we are responsible to prepare our children for adulthood the best way we can, and sex being a big part of adult life, its our responsibility to inform them about the consequences and about our bodies. I'm a democrat by the way
24I completely agree with Meghan McCain. Sex education is vital to the health of young adults that may or may not experiment sexually. It's all about having options as opposed to only having abstinence as THE choice, which is not realistic. I can't believe Bristol Palin is fighting for abstinence-only sex education. Ha, this coming from a young teen unwed mom is pretty pathetic.
25You can't compare them, it's 19 vs. 24! Of course Megan McCain is more articulate
26I completely agree with Megan McCain-- age or not, if you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, then you know whether or not you have a point. Bristol Palin is simply regurgitating talking points (just like her mother) and not being realistic.
27I'd be on McCain's side, IF I supported Republicans. But I don't. Anyway.. talking and providing sex ed to young people is much better than supporting an inexistent abstinence.
28It' s great she speaks out. Awesome.
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