John McCain (Bad) Father of the Year

Quote of the day:

"I love and respect my daughter, and I appreciate the fact that she brings fresh views and ideas and we need that in our party. We don't always agree, and sometimes we have spirited discussions, and that is good in families."—Senator John McCain, Republican and full-tilt asshole, distancing himself yet again from his daughter Meghan McCain, who has distinguished herself within the Republican Party for advocating against some aspects of social conservatism.

You know, it would be one thing if they were in separate parties, but they're not. Meghan is still a Republican, and a pretty traditional one at that. She'd still fund bombs and defund arts programs, just like any good conservative. There's not a whole lot of light between them, and yet John takes every opportunity to say he disagrees with her—"respects" her, but disagrees with her—because it's still more important for him to protect his career in its dwindling twilight than it is to unconditionally support his daughter in the dawn of hers.

Here's a clue, John: First of all, you don't have to agree with her. Your career has never been dependent on pandering to social conservatives, despite your obstinate belief to the contrary. But, irrespective of that insistence, you don't have to say you disagree with her, every time you're asked about her. Say: "She's awesome, isn't she? I'm so proud of her." And if you're asked directly if you agree with her, say: "Oh, who cares if we agree or not? It's just so rewarding to see my daughter blazing her own path in the old man's business."

The advice is free, you cretinous jerk.

Melissa McEwan writes and edits the blog Shakespeare's Sister.

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