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Why I Love Bikers
Heather Brand Photography
Today I’ll be riding a Harley at the Sturgis Biker Rally in South Dakota—with the very same bad-asses who helped reinvigorate my dad’s campaign when it needed it most.
So many memories of my father’s political career, especially the two times he ran for president, include bikers. There is something about bikers and biker rallies that makes me feel particularly patriotic and—dare I say it?—Republican.
Let me start from the beginning. I have been going to political rallies since I was a young child. If you delve far enough into the depths of Google—and look at pictures scattered throughout my parents’ house in Phoenix—there is photographic evidence of this. At many rallies, I can remember bikers being in the parking lot and at events outside. One of my favorite things about my father’s political rallies is when bikers show up and my dad asks them to rev their engines—it gets the crowd and my father pumped. You can’t understand it unless you’ve been there. The sound of a Harley’s engine revving just makes me feel so… American.
My dad got on stage and made a speech in front of 150,000 screaming bikers, which I still think is much cooler than 250,000 screaming Germans.
I don’t know if all Republicans feel this way, but I give credit to bikers for a lot of my father’s success as a candidate, especially in the dog days before the Republican primaries. If you recall, there was a point a few summers ago when the odds of my father becoming the nominee were grim, and as a result, what was left of the campaign put together the “No Surrender Tour.” Joining the tour was a biker group called Rolling Thunder, an organization of bikers that rides in honor of veterans, specifically to bring awareness to POW-MIA soldiers. I remember thinking that even if the campaign was soon going to be under, what a way to go out: with bad-ass American bikers following the bus to every stop. I could tell the sound of the Harleys was energizing my father. I still love the Rolling Thunder, and they were active and present throughout the rest of the campaign.
The organization Bikers for McCain ended up being one of our most successful supporters and, I admit it, my favorite. During the election, there was a time when then-candidate Obama went overseas for a European tour. I remember watching him speaking in front of 250,000 screaming Germans. It was not a good moment: the now-president and his campaign acting as if he had already won, and the feeling was felt on the road. After Obama’s speech, our next big event was at the Sturgis Biker Rally in South Dakota. It became my favorite memory from the general election, and my favorite campaign stop of all time. My dad got on stage and made a speech in front of 150,000 screaming bikers, which I still think is much cooler than 250,000 screaming Germans. Everyone felt invigorated again, pumped. It felt much more relevant and, yes, more American to stand and give a stump speech in front of a crowd of bikers. Later, when I went on my own small bus tour through Ohio, my favorite events were attended by—you guessed it—Bikers for McCain.
After the election—in fact, I believe it was the very next day—I vowed that I would go back to Sturgis, and that is just what I will be doing: riding for veterans and speaking on behalf of my family, our military legacy, and our love for the biker community. I couldn’t be more proud and excited. I am honored to be continuing my family’s relationship with the bikers of America. And I still think it’s more bad-ass than speaking in front of a political group.
Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
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Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
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Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
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Meghan McCain is a columnist for The Daily Beast. Originally from Phoenix, she graduated from Columbia University in 2007. She is a New York Times bestselling children's author, previously wrote for Newsweek magazine, and created the Web site mccainblogette.com.
TheRuralJuror
There's nothing I love more than reading badass columns about badass Meggie McCain's badass family and all the badass stuff they do in their badass lives. They are badasses!
mredder4
Mavericky badasses, don't forget.
tonyjenson
I would hate to think John McCain's legacy would clouded by a campaign's choice of Vice President. Senator John McCain is a Maverick.
I disagree with McCain on a lot of issues, but Sen. McCain is a true statesman, a statesman in the tradition of Sen. Kennedy on the Left.
John McCain is the "Loyal Opposition" that our system of government demands. I only wish he replaced Mitch McConnell as Minority Leader.
msln123
I read your column, because i think its funny- i laugh at you not with you.
your father lost the campaign, so regardless if 150,000 bikers are cooler then 250,000 Germans, Obama was liked better- you need to get over it- i am so tired of republicans like you defining what America is, it only seems to be something "republican" i know PLENTY of bikers that would not even begin to consider voting republican. that have respect for woman's rights, gay rights and accept all Americans regardless of there race, color and gender choices. your ignorance and shallow mindedness reminds me of another republican women, what was her name oh yeah we call her how we won the election palin! thank your father again for his brilliant choice in running mate.
I wonder, will you be offering yourself to the wet T shirt contest at Sturgis as your father offered your mother last year?
allstonian
That was badazzzzzzzzzzzzz...
hithere3
your comment is made of pure win
crashtestDummy
hey dork meir
there are lot of different riders
the ones who missed high school or passed that grade are the food and
fodder of republican wars
republican youth are shipped off to war to die for their republican masters
the educated riders?
uh uh
the article calling bikers a base
are the difference between have and have nots
in this case
its a difference of education
republicans use the uneducated to gain traction and bodies to fight wars of
economic gain
fuucin users...
AlexandraJordan
I would just like to say to you, crashtestDummy, that not all Harley riders are uneducated, and, frankly, I find it insulting that you think all of them are. My father has ridden Harley's all his life and has his master's degree in engineering. For some, a Harley (which gets around 54 mpg, by the way) is an economical way to commute to work. So don't you dare say that Harley riders are uneducated.
This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--crashtextDummyandyi99
Maybe just asses?
SugarMuffin
Would you enjoy Harleys with no mufflers screaming past your home all day and all night? Would you like to have to turn your TV up so loud your ears bleed just to hear it over the Harleys? What happened to respect for other people and the place they call home? If Harleys are the new Republican party, I'm just not there.
Maur33n
Hahahaha. I literally "lol'ed" when I read your comment, The Rural Juror. I second that!!
rahrah
I'm happy for you Ms. McCain, and I'm sure the bikers will be pleased to see you.
chrismcathens
I dont know Miss McCain about your fathers rallies but first not all bikers are republicans to use in such maner to make a point and second I trust you understand that all bikers first of all are bikers and not political driven machines to use in anyones interset.
doko84
she actually gets paid to write this crap?
sauce21
I was wondering the exact same thing. Also, is there an editor for these things, or is it just kinda throw some shit at the wall, and hope something sticks?
RRoseH1
Seriously! Is this an example of what is referred to as writing? Every entry is boring and ridiculous. I think she's a wannabe politician.
tonyjenson
And what were you doing 2 years out of college?
soitgoesjen
lol, you know she would never be a columnist on TDB if she weren't Sen. McCain's daughter. Hell, she never would've even gotten into Columbia.
tankertodd
I would love pictures of Meghan on a bike to accompany this!
oldpunk
Wearing her colors of course , not so much Sons of Anarchy more Sons of No Hope.
Ritarita
Each piece
Gets progressively
More boring.
I think you might be headed
To the hot dry reality of
Overexposure Meghan.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
tankertodd
That's racist. I will flag.
atwork
that's a stretch. i will flag.
BullMoose
Please don't insult white trash by comparing them to this creature.
Fredocanada
right and bikers (and republicans) are never racist
Artist50
The difference between the two "rallies" is that 250,000 showed up to see Obama speak and your Daddy just showed up to speak at group already assembled of 150,000 bikers. They didn't show up to hear him speak.
Old-Hippy
and as we use to hear. . . . " And That's the way it is " . . . .
PS, I ride a bike and I am a Biker . . You put pretty girls, lots of booze, and you can get a BIker Rally ! ! No big deal. The big deal is getting the authorities to allow it ! !
Konchster
Exactly 150,000 drunks and then offered his wife up as Miss Buffalo chip last years winner got naked and distributed oral sex
AlexandraJordan
Thank you for this. That's the perfectly exact difference.
mredder4
"My dad got on stage and made a speech in front of 150,000 screaming bikers, which I still think is much cooler than 250,000 screaming Germans."
Ms McCain, your articles used to be pretty much free of this snide GOP elitism. It made them interesting to read, since it was an attempt by a conservative to raise the level of discourse. So why are you descending now into the digs and subtle (or not-so-subtle) insults involving the standard Republican targets of Europeans?
I'd take any German over any biker any day. The German is more likely to be employed, educated, and open-minded.
(Disclaimer: I was born in Germany to Air Force parents and am of German-American descent.)
mrsatlas
I will never understand why Republicans think they are somehow "more American" or why it's a bad thing for other countries to like our President. When will the fact that they lost force them to shut up and change things within their own party and stop insulting the winners? BTW, great post.
downbytheriver00
True, they would be more likely to be employed, educated, and open-minded... but they would also do some weird fashion shit like wear a green tie with an orange shirt (and none of it would be cotton or wool), or wear pentagon shaped glasses with a slight blue tint. (just a joke!)
Rdschenkel
Another article by the Self-Hating Republican Meghan McCain!
BTW, with the exception of Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo, I would have preferred any Republican Nominee for President Other Than your father.
contrary55
So will you be wearing hot pants and acrylic high heels or chaps and topless?
Bikers are fun for a few laughs and they have made MIA's their cause The best thing they have done is drown out the protests of the crazy Wichita preacher and his family at soldiers funerals. But they are often prejudiced, drunk, and appallingly ignorant. I say this as a person who also enjoys a bike rally now and then and I have been to Sturgis and Red River and several others. Their politics is one of the least attractive thing about bikers though.
LitaMarieH
Agreed. Guns and Bikes are a blast. It's the people that glorify them that are awful to be around. Just like people that glorify knitting. Or scrapbooking. Or swinger's parties. Yeah, it's cool..now stfu.
Old-Hippy
Megan in Acrylic High Heels and Topless??? . . . now I might even go for that !
maryblair
Do you really mean that? Ick.
MariosRight
Second that. If she wants to play biker, she should pay her dues. Show her rack at Sturgis!
BullMoose
I thought the Supreme Court banned that Westboro nutcase from protesting? Why is he not jailed when he shows up at the next funeral?
LitaMarieH
??Yeah biking is a blast. I think "Duh" is the word I'm looking for. I don't understand what I was supposed to get out of this article....? Meghan, you're cool, and I understand what you are trying to do, but please try to give us something intellectual, something that we didn't know before. One would think that you've learned alot about politics and philosophy in your years, having hung out with some very high-profile, high-opinioned people. Telling us about how awesome guns and motorcycles are...well....yeah, they are. But I don't want to read articles that just briefly state the obvious. Give us something with depth...becuase I'm super bored. All you're doing at this point is feeding the stereotype of the GOP. Tell us something we don't know. Convince us.
sauce21
"My dad got on stage and made a speech in front of 150,000 screaming bikers, which I still think is much cooler than 250,000 screaming Germans."
So we've reached a point in this discussion, where it's simply, my dad is better than your dad. Wait im sorry, not only is your dad better than mine, but he's cooler too! good for you. good for him. nobody cares.
Am I taking crazy pills, or is this not the most useless drek? I wish TDB would actually pay her to stop writing.
rainchild
agree 100% , i actually thought she was refreshing when i saw her on Bill Maher show, but this article was pure garbage
teejay1324
Meghan, it's pretty clear that you being a Republican, and love people who love being Republican. Whether they're bikers, live in NYC, gay, whatever we all get it.
You would be better served using this space to promote your thoughts on what the GOP should be doing right now with national issues.
Where is your stand on healthcare reform? Where is your stand on the closing of Gitmo and what to do with it's prisoners? Where is your stand on the path our foreign policy has taken with Obama in office? Where is your stand on the failure of the stimulus to stimulate??
If I had this space with all these readers I would be unloading my stands on national issues every single week from now until next spring and then I would roll out support for Republican candidates who agree with you or whom you agree with on these issues.
And finally have you ever considered your not a Republican? If you listed your take on all issues and then compared it to Republican, Democratic and Libertarian beliefs you might find that you are indeed not a Republican. And there is nothing wrong with that.
But please make some statements on the issues, something more relevant than bikers.
atwork
meghan's thoughts: "my dad is john mccain. i am young. i am republican. more young people should be republicans. i even like gay people, too. blacks are OK. but not europeans. my dad is john mccain) what's wrong with republicanism? do YOU like taxes? all i know is that my daddy (john mccain) and his rich friends pay them, and i've never seen anything from it. i'm too rich. because of that, i bet no one in america benefits anything at all from anything governmental. young republicanism! my dad is john mccain."
you can find all of these views, repeated ad nauseam and in poorly structured prose, in the every one of the dozens of same-thing-again articles she's written here.
sorry ms. mccain. i was really pulling for you for a while. but i haven't heard anything new or constructive or, arguably, intelligent, from you in a long time i've given up.
CarrieCouldBe
At the age of 24 (25?) Meghan is still so terribly attached to the apron strings of both her mom and her dad. Her dad is super-duper famous, though, so I'm sure she likes him best!
teejay1324
Does she even read these comments anyway? On ESPN.com some of the guys will actually read the comments and reply back, makes you feel like you can connect with the writers a lot better.
She get's a lot of negative comments on here, some nicer than others but never seems to respond...just another piece of advice for her.
Thank you.
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