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Bad Republican: A Memoir
With the aptly titled Bad Republican , Meghan McCain expresses how it is to feel like you no longer fit in with your political party.
She tells of growing up the daughter of an American icon who shaped her life and details the heartbreaking final moments spent by his side. She recalls her (mis)adventures on the New York dating scene and brings us up to speed on meeting her now-husband. We hear her views on cancel culture and internet trolls as well as life backstage as the sole Republican at America’s most-watched daytime talk show—and why she decided to leave.
Revealingly, she relays the awkward phone call she received from Donald and Melania and where she thinks the Republican Party and the country go from here. And with surprising candor, she divulges why a miscarriage and the birth of her daughter have left her so fired up about women’s rights—even if that puts her at odds with her party.
Unsparingly honest, deeply relatable, and highly entertaining, Bad Republican is as personal as a story gets. It’s a memoir imbued with an unmistakable maverick spirit.
She tells of growing up the daughter of an American icon who shaped her life and details the heartbreaking final moments spent by his side. She recalls her (mis)adventures on the New York dating scene and brings us up to speed on meeting her now-husband. We hear her views on cancel culture and internet trolls as well as life backstage as the sole Republican at America’s most-watched daytime talk show—and why she decided to leave.
Revealingly, she relays the awkward phone call she received from Donald and Melania and where she thinks the Republican Party and the country go from here. And with surprising candor, she divulges why a miscarriage and the birth of her daughter have left her so fired up about women’s rights—even if that puts her at odds with her party.
Unsparingly honest, deeply relatable, and highly entertaining, Bad Republican is as personal as a story gets. It’s a memoir imbued with an unmistakable maverick spirit.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 26, 2022
19 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Meghan McCain
6 books50 followersDaughter of the 2008 Republican candidate for president John McCain. Meghan followed her father during his presidential campaign and accounted it on her blog.
She claimed to have voted for John Kerry in 2004. But changed to Republican in 2008.
Meghan also had a job in the media working for "Saturday Night life" and "Newsweek"
She claimed to have voted for John Kerry in 2004. But changed to Republican in 2008.
Meghan also had a job in the media working for "Saturday Night life" and "Newsweek"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 14, 2024
3.5 Stars This was a very hard book to rate. I nearly gave it 4 stars.
I like Meghan McCain and thought she was really good on The View. It seemed like it to me she has the hardest role, being the only Republican on the show, and this assumption was confirmed by this book. She worked VERY hard there.
I also like her inclusive attitude. She has friends from both parties, similar to her father. She is a Republican, but not a Trump Republican. She is conservative, but I found her to be quite sensible and reasonable in the book.
Finally, I loved her recollections of her father. She shared some very personal moments with him, including some of the conversations before his death. They were very close, and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to grieve in public view for a well loved statesman. Even those who did not agree with John McCain respected him and thought him a tremendous patriot.
The clip that was included of Meghan giving his Eulogy left me in tears. It was beautiful. That segment alone was breathtaking and worth the price of the audiobook.
I think that I’d have like to have heard more about her favorite interviews and episodes of The View, but that didn’t happen, so I knocked it a bit downward for that. She also sorta sounded like she was reading the audiobook, which I know everyone indeed does, but this sounded like it more than usual.
Other than that, it was a good book and I’m glad I read it.
I like Meghan McCain and thought she was really good on The View. It seemed like it to me she has the hardest role, being the only Republican on the show, and this assumption was confirmed by this book. She worked VERY hard there.
I also like her inclusive attitude. She has friends from both parties, similar to her father. She is a Republican, but not a Trump Republican. She is conservative, but I found her to be quite sensible and reasonable in the book.
Finally, I loved her recollections of her father. She shared some very personal moments with him, including some of the conversations before his death. They were very close, and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to grieve in public view for a well loved statesman. Even those who did not agree with John McCain respected him and thought him a tremendous patriot.
The clip that was included of Meghan giving his Eulogy left me in tears. It was beautiful. That segment alone was breathtaking and worth the price of the audiobook.
I think that I’d have like to have heard more about her favorite interviews and episodes of The View, but that didn’t happen, so I knocked it a bit downward for that. She also sorta sounded like she was reading the audiobook, which I know everyone indeed does, but this sounded like it more than usual.
Other than that, it was a good book and I’m glad I read it.
January 29, 2022
I have an “interesting” relationship with Megan McCain. I think she’s usually pretty insufferable, but for some reason I can’t help but be drawn into watching her. When she’s not talking politics, I do think she has a fun personality.
I know that she is an entitled, gun touting white lady, but oof did this book need an editor. It was so poorly written and many eye rolls were had. She painted herself in a terrible light. One moment she’s talking about being shocked she’s missed two episodes of the Kardashians and then she is trashing The View because she doesn’t want to be on a show where they talk about the Kardashians. Truly bizarre.
I did enjoy the moments written about The View and some of the comments on social media in general - but for the most part, Bad Republican is a major bust. Thank goodness it was so short.
I know that she is an entitled, gun touting white lady, but oof did this book need an editor. It was so poorly written and many eye rolls were had. She painted herself in a terrible light. One moment she’s talking about being shocked she’s missed two episodes of the Kardashians and then she is trashing The View because she doesn’t want to be on a show where they talk about the Kardashians. Truly bizarre.
I did enjoy the moments written about The View and some of the comments on social media in general - but for the most part, Bad Republican is a major bust. Thank goodness it was so short.
October 1, 2022
You have to be a REALLY bad Republican to be a Democrat!
Seriously, this woman is not a Republican or a conservative. She's pro-life and pro-second amendment and hates woke/cancel culture. Every other view of hers is extremely left-wing. I got catfished by this title into reading a Democrat manifesto.
Meghan: I'm for limited government!
Also Meghan: It should be legally mandated that all companies must have paid maternity leave!
So, I actually agree with her on the latter. I consider myself a right-leaning independent, but when it comes to social safety net issues, that's where I veer to the left. Nobody should lose their income while they take time to heal their bodies and care for their newborns. We should not punish people for starting families. That's the most un-American thing I can think of.
But like....it doesn't matter that I agree with the latter; it's a contradiction to the former, and it's a liberal belief.
That's fine. Who says Republicans can't have a few left-leaning beliefs? Most people are a mixed bag politically.
what isn't fine is being a bag that's 90% liberal and calling yourself a conservative. It's disingenuous and weird.
Like, I went through a phase where I called myself a Republican, but even being 70-30 (with about 70% of my beliefs being conservative) I felt too constrained by the Republican label. Then you have to explain "But on this and this and this, I'm actually more of a liberal" and that's just annoying. You can be more of an individual by saying "right-leaning independent" or "left-leaning independent."
Meghan is at best a left-leaning independent and at worst a Democrat. She's not a bad Republican, she's not any kind of Republican.
What sort of conservative woman has a male best friend? Oh, I know, everybody thinks men and women can be friends. Sure, they can be friends. Best friends? That's a level of emotional intimacy with a member of the opposite sex that a married monogamous conservative woman wouldn't have.
She also brings her male friends to her gynecologist appointments.....Not very conservative, and to be plain, trashy AF.
Your husband should go to the gyno with you or a female best friend. Bringing males with you that you are not married to is something an actual conservative woman wouldn't do.
Meghan is also a feminist. And okay, more and more conservative women are identifying as feminist. Fine. But she isn't just a "women can do anything men can do" feminist. She's a fainting couch, whine-and-cry, EVERYTHING IS VICTIMHOOD BECAUSE I AM POOOOR WIDDLE WOMAN! WAAAHHHH!
Yuck. I'm embarrassed to see anyone who identifies as conservative pull such absolute idiocy from the leftist idiocy handbook.
Anybody disagrees with her? It's because she's a woman. Asking her to explain her own positions on taxation and showing contempt when she can't back up her view? MISOGYNY! Right....because expecting women to know what they're talking about as political pundits is just so so scawy and mean.
This kind of crap is why I always say feminism is misogyny. This playing the victim crap makes women look weak as hell.
If I was a misogynist, I would use Meghan's book as a solid example of why women shouldn't be in politics (I actually think in many situations women excel in politics). Meghan can't deal with anyone questioning her or expecting her to know what she's talking about. That's just way too mean for her.
Literally, I cringed so hard at her anecdote of Reid College. Students asked her to explain her position and told her she didn't deserve her platform. That's hardly out of the realm of what's reasonable to say to a highly influential political pundit. She was a huge Karen and snapped at the event organizer for inviting her, because of what the people in the audience said to her. As if the event organizer can control the students in the audience. As if a free-speech advocate like her should want them to!
She cries a lot about snowflakes, but I've never seen a bigger snowflake. This book was one big whiney cryfest over every percieved slight she ever suffered.
And look, I went into this ready to be on her side. I remember watching her on The View years ago and getting upset on her behalf over how rude Whoopi and Joy were to her. I used to wonder why she remained on a show where she was so openly disrespected.
But my GOSH, Meghan comes across as the biggest crybaby Karen in the world in this book. She brags about telling off customer service workers. Way to come across as the privileged 1% trust fund brat you desperately don't want to be seen as. Who do you think is reading this? No, I'm not impressed that you were nasty to a hotel worker. I know you've never worked a customer service job a day in your life, having gone from an Ivy League university straight to television, but most of your readers HAVE worked this jobs, and no, we don't think abusing people in those underpaid positions is cool or badass. We think it's entitled and pathetic.
There are also way too many stories of Meghan trying to talk to people who don't want to talk to her. She talks a whole load of shit about Bristol Palin (all while boo-hooing that the women on The View talked mean about her and spewing platitudes about women supporting women) and then she goes on to talk about how she tried to go talk to Bristol at some event dinner and Bristol "ran away" from her. Lady! You don't sound like the protagonist here! You sound like a bully!
When the McCains and Palins were on the campaign trail in 2008, that's when Bristol got pregnant, and apparently-in her own damn words-Meghan stormed out to some staff member and demanded to know what was going to be done about Bristol's pregnancy.
A teenage girl gets pregnant and Meghan makes it all about her and DECADES LATER is talking crap about it in her book. Then the girl who got pregnant avoids her at a party. Like, sis, you're the villain. If this is what you're telling us, and you sound like so much of a mean girl in your own version of events, I'm wondering what we're not being told.
But here is the main point: she's not wrong for not wanting to talk to you! Stop trying to talk to people who don't want to talk to you!
She does the same thing with some guy named Mark (I guess he wrote some book that was relevant to her family, I'll admit, I know nothing about him, but in her own version of events, she sounds completely in the wrong). She and Mark are backstage at Fox and even though they have both talked crap about each other, she says she doesn't want to be rude (I'll get back to that in a minute). So, she says hi to him. He doesn't answer her. She thinks he didn't hear her, so she says hi again. He again doesn't say anything. So she does, "Do we have an issue?"-Lady, if you just wanted to be polite, then why would you keep haranguing a man who doesn't want to talk to you?
So, he rightfully tells her off, and she goes full crybully and screams and wails misogyny, and it's all very annoying.
I went into this book ready to be on her side, because the women on The View were always so mean to her. I came out of this just absolutely annoyed and hoping she decides to have more babies and leave political punditry forever.
Meghan also comes across as a huge narcissist. When her dad gets his cancer diagnosis, she responds by going, "You won't be around for so many things! You won't see me get married!"
Like....is literally everything about you? That's a disgusting self-centered response. Then her boyfriend busted in and proposed to her, becoming the Ken to her Karen and ignoring that a man was dying to make it about themselves.
Oh, and for a feminist, she is incredibly judgmental of other women.
There's also this part where she talks about how ridiculous cancel culture has become and how everyone has to walk on eggshells, and as an example of this, she tells a story of a man at Fox who told a "joke."
A woman in the elevator asked what floor he was getting off at and he said "the lingerie floor."
Um....where exactly is the joke? I'm a gross old man making a sexually-charged comment that makes no sense to a woman who is trapped in an enclosed space with me?
Meghan slammed that woman for reporting that absolute creepery to HR.
Much feminist very pro-woman.
And can you tell me how a supposed conservative was so much harsher on the Jan 6th riots than the Chaz/Chop situation? A number of my liberal friends brought Jan 6th to me like some gotcha moment. Like "You've been criticizing the BLM riots, what about THIS? Huh? Huh?" And I said, "I condemn it?....duh."
Obviously condemn the Jan 6th riots. But way more people died in Chaz/Chop. More people died in Chaz/Chop than were killed in police custody in all of 2019 and 2020. Meghan didn't even mention this. She went with the typical leftist talking points of "looting" "property destruction."
This book was an absolute train wreck. While I liked Meghan okay before reading this, I now find her absolutely insufferable. She's an entitled self-centered Karen and it reflects in her book.
Seriously, this woman is not a Republican or a conservative. She's pro-life and pro-second amendment and hates woke/cancel culture. Every other view of hers is extremely left-wing. I got catfished by this title into reading a Democrat manifesto.
Meghan: I'm for limited government!
Also Meghan: It should be legally mandated that all companies must have paid maternity leave!
So, I actually agree with her on the latter. I consider myself a right-leaning independent, but when it comes to social safety net issues, that's where I veer to the left. Nobody should lose their income while they take time to heal their bodies and care for their newborns. We should not punish people for starting families. That's the most un-American thing I can think of.
But like....it doesn't matter that I agree with the latter; it's a contradiction to the former, and it's a liberal belief.
That's fine. Who says Republicans can't have a few left-leaning beliefs? Most people are a mixed bag politically.
what isn't fine is being a bag that's 90% liberal and calling yourself a conservative. It's disingenuous and weird.
Like, I went through a phase where I called myself a Republican, but even being 70-30 (with about 70% of my beliefs being conservative) I felt too constrained by the Republican label. Then you have to explain "But on this and this and this, I'm actually more of a liberal" and that's just annoying. You can be more of an individual by saying "right-leaning independent" or "left-leaning independent."
Meghan is at best a left-leaning independent and at worst a Democrat. She's not a bad Republican, she's not any kind of Republican.
What sort of conservative woman has a male best friend? Oh, I know, everybody thinks men and women can be friends. Sure, they can be friends. Best friends? That's a level of emotional intimacy with a member of the opposite sex that a married monogamous conservative woman wouldn't have.
She also brings her male friends to her gynecologist appointments.....Not very conservative, and to be plain, trashy AF.
Your husband should go to the gyno with you or a female best friend. Bringing males with you that you are not married to is something an actual conservative woman wouldn't do.
Meghan is also a feminist. And okay, more and more conservative women are identifying as feminist. Fine. But she isn't just a "women can do anything men can do" feminist. She's a fainting couch, whine-and-cry, EVERYTHING IS VICTIMHOOD BECAUSE I AM POOOOR WIDDLE WOMAN! WAAAHHHH!
Yuck. I'm embarrassed to see anyone who identifies as conservative pull such absolute idiocy from the leftist idiocy handbook.
Anybody disagrees with her? It's because she's a woman. Asking her to explain her own positions on taxation and showing contempt when she can't back up her view? MISOGYNY! Right....because expecting women to know what they're talking about as political pundits is just so so scawy and mean.
This kind of crap is why I always say feminism is misogyny. This playing the victim crap makes women look weak as hell.
If I was a misogynist, I would use Meghan's book as a solid example of why women shouldn't be in politics (I actually think in many situations women excel in politics). Meghan can't deal with anyone questioning her or expecting her to know what she's talking about. That's just way too mean for her.
Literally, I cringed so hard at her anecdote of Reid College. Students asked her to explain her position and told her she didn't deserve her platform. That's hardly out of the realm of what's reasonable to say to a highly influential political pundit. She was a huge Karen and snapped at the event organizer for inviting her, because of what the people in the audience said to her. As if the event organizer can control the students in the audience. As if a free-speech advocate like her should want them to!
She cries a lot about snowflakes, but I've never seen a bigger snowflake. This book was one big whiney cryfest over every percieved slight she ever suffered.
And look, I went into this ready to be on her side. I remember watching her on The View years ago and getting upset on her behalf over how rude Whoopi and Joy were to her. I used to wonder why she remained on a show where she was so openly disrespected.
But my GOSH, Meghan comes across as the biggest crybaby Karen in the world in this book. She brags about telling off customer service workers. Way to come across as the privileged 1% trust fund brat you desperately don't want to be seen as. Who do you think is reading this? No, I'm not impressed that you were nasty to a hotel worker. I know you've never worked a customer service job a day in your life, having gone from an Ivy League university straight to television, but most of your readers HAVE worked this jobs, and no, we don't think abusing people in those underpaid positions is cool or badass. We think it's entitled and pathetic.
There are also way too many stories of Meghan trying to talk to people who don't want to talk to her. She talks a whole load of shit about Bristol Palin (all while boo-hooing that the women on The View talked mean about her and spewing platitudes about women supporting women) and then she goes on to talk about how she tried to go talk to Bristol at some event dinner and Bristol "ran away" from her. Lady! You don't sound like the protagonist here! You sound like a bully!
When the McCains and Palins were on the campaign trail in 2008, that's when Bristol got pregnant, and apparently-in her own damn words-Meghan stormed out to some staff member and demanded to know what was going to be done about Bristol's pregnancy.
A teenage girl gets pregnant and Meghan makes it all about her and DECADES LATER is talking crap about it in her book. Then the girl who got pregnant avoids her at a party. Like, sis, you're the villain. If this is what you're telling us, and you sound like so much of a mean girl in your own version of events, I'm wondering what we're not being told.
But here is the main point: she's not wrong for not wanting to talk to you! Stop trying to talk to people who don't want to talk to you!
She does the same thing with some guy named Mark (I guess he wrote some book that was relevant to her family, I'll admit, I know nothing about him, but in her own version of events, she sounds completely in the wrong). She and Mark are backstage at Fox and even though they have both talked crap about each other, she says she doesn't want to be rude (I'll get back to that in a minute). So, she says hi to him. He doesn't answer her. She thinks he didn't hear her, so she says hi again. He again doesn't say anything. So she does, "Do we have an issue?"-Lady, if you just wanted to be polite, then why would you keep haranguing a man who doesn't want to talk to you?
So, he rightfully tells her off, and she goes full crybully and screams and wails misogyny, and it's all very annoying.
I went into this book ready to be on her side, because the women on The View were always so mean to her. I came out of this just absolutely annoyed and hoping she decides to have more babies and leave political punditry forever.
Meghan also comes across as a huge narcissist. When her dad gets his cancer diagnosis, she responds by going, "You won't be around for so many things! You won't see me get married!"
Like....is literally everything about you? That's a disgusting self-centered response. Then her boyfriend busted in and proposed to her, becoming the Ken to her Karen and ignoring that a man was dying to make it about themselves.
Oh, and for a feminist, she is incredibly judgmental of other women.
There's also this part where she talks about how ridiculous cancel culture has become and how everyone has to walk on eggshells, and as an example of this, she tells a story of a man at Fox who told a "joke."
A woman in the elevator asked what floor he was getting off at and he said "the lingerie floor."
Um....where exactly is the joke? I'm a gross old man making a sexually-charged comment that makes no sense to a woman who is trapped in an enclosed space with me?
Meghan slammed that woman for reporting that absolute creepery to HR.
Much feminist very pro-woman.
And can you tell me how a supposed conservative was so much harsher on the Jan 6th riots than the Chaz/Chop situation? A number of my liberal friends brought Jan 6th to me like some gotcha moment. Like "You've been criticizing the BLM riots, what about THIS? Huh? Huh?" And I said, "I condemn it?....duh."
Obviously condemn the Jan 6th riots. But way more people died in Chaz/Chop. More people died in Chaz/Chop than were killed in police custody in all of 2019 and 2020. Meghan didn't even mention this. She went with the typical leftist talking points of "looting" "property destruction."
This book was an absolute train wreck. While I liked Meghan okay before reading this, I now find her absolutely insufferable. She's an entitled self-centered Karen and it reflects in her book.
June 29, 2022
*Actual rating 3.5 stars*
This book was going to be a 4.5 star rating, and then I read the chapter on The View. The writing style didn't captivate me the same way. Also, the way McCain used to rip into guests for writing these books, and while it was just a chapter, she did the exact same thing.
Overall, I liked the book and it did feel like she was reading it to me, which I liked. She offered some really interesting perspectives that I hadn't thought of. I do think overall the book is worth a read!
This book was going to be a 4.5 star rating, and then I read the chapter on The View. The writing style didn't captivate me the same way. Also, the way McCain used to rip into guests for writing these books, and while it was just a chapter, she did the exact same thing.
Overall, I liked the book and it did feel like she was reading it to me, which I liked. She offered some really interesting perspectives that I hadn't thought of. I do think overall the book is worth a read!
July 17, 2022
My son gave me this book and I honestly don’t know that much about Meghan McCain, although I do admire her father. I’m a liberal leaning centrist and I was hoping for some thought-provoking counterpoints to my own political beliefs. What this book is, instead, is 200 page whinge about all the ways people have hurt her feelings or not been nice to her. If you are a big MM fan you may find that interesting…. Just don’t read this book seeking to gain any political enlightenment or understand her policy viewpoints.
June 18, 2022
On my pile of books to read are ones written by intellectual giants like Michael Parenti, Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, Albert Einstein, Huey Newton, Clarence Darrow, and Alexandra Kollontai. Yet for some reason I've just spent some of my valuable finite time in this existence reading 200 pages written by Meghan McCain.
July 5, 2022
Meghan gets a lot of bad press, some inexplicable flack, and yes, some deserved criticism. The thing I enjoyed about this book is she doesn't hold back, even when she is in the wrong. Lol. But I admire her voice in an environment of crazy stress on "The View", and I do love her unwavering adoration of her pops, John McCain. I'm glad I gave it a shot and read the copy my friend lent me. Definitely not a typical memoir.
February 16, 2025
I really liked the first few chapters but then it just got way too political and less memoir
May 22, 2022
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I have such a love-hate relationship with Meghan McCain. I always admired her dad, John McCain, as one of the few good Republicans. I was excited when she was offered a spot as co-host of The View. Even though I'm afraid I have to disagree with her on pretty much anything, I still felt she was an important voice. We all know it became apparent pretty quickly that she behaves like a child when she doesn't get her way in a debate and refuses to grow as a person. This book mainly was her playing the victim, but she still makes some good points. They are few, but they are there. This book also would have been a lot better with a more thorough editing job. I'd give it 2.5 stars.
May 15, 2022
It's an easy an quick read and I generally love a memoir but I was just... bored. I felt like there was no substance or gravity to this which was peculiar given she discusses parenthood, her father's illness and death, her career and other topics with potential. I feel like I would enjoy engaging with her over a cup of coffee or wine, but this medium was not engaging. It felt repetitive without feeling complete. Good storytellers craft depth and dimension and this oddly felt flat.
May 16, 2022
Refreshing book and gave me some insight as to what she is all about- overall a so-so read - cannot say i walked away with it profoundly moved
June 11, 2023
I am not American however, because I know a little bit about American politics, I was interested in picking up this book. Full disclosure on that, I added this book to my amazon list at full price, then bought it on sale for $8. As you can see, I was interested but did not feel the need to read this right away.
Prior to this, I read Cindy McCain's book (again, got on amazon for $5). While I enjoyed Cindy's book, I did disagree with many of her views on certain subjects. But, in my opinion, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. As long as you can back it up, I will listen to anyone. That is what I felt about Cindy's book. Her book was more about her life before she met her husband, John, then their life together, including their political ideals. Meghan's book however, I found to be different.
First off, it is a quick read, only 200 pages. I did find it hard to put down but, that could just be me. If you think you are picking up this book to hear all about Meghan growing up privileged with a father in politics, think again. This book is less about Meghan's journey to who she is now, and more about who Meghan is now. I kind of missed that in her story. I wanted to know more about what it was like growing up with her family involved in politics; how did it impact her, how did it shape her views, what kind of life did it give her. She briefly touches on her time in Columbia, then her work life following that but no much about her actual childhood. That was one of the reasons why I gave this book a four. Actually, I wanted a 3.5 but I rounded up. I wanted to see how Meghan came to be, not how she is now. I feel like that was missing here.
One thing I did like about Meghan's book was her views on politics now, including her feelings on Trump. As a Republican, you would think she would be a Trump supporter, at least I did. I assumed it was your duty to support whoever was the leader of the party. However, Meghan is very open here about not being a Trump supporter, and how she thinks he has impacted the entire country. She does not hold back on her thoughts, which I appreciated. She also does not hold back on many of her politics views which, like it or not, are her views and she is entitled to them. Is she right on every view? Probably not but, I respect that she holds her convictions on some things, and admits when she has been wrong in the past.
Meghan talks a lot about her time on "The View". I found this account to be very interesting because, recently, I read Garcelle Beauvalis book and I found similarities, especially around the conflict on the show. I do not think there is ever a reason to bully someone. You can work differently, you can have different political views but, you should always respect the other person's point of view. I did not get the sense that Meghan's views were welcomed, or appreciated during her time on "The View". In the end, she left the show for her sake, and I admire her for that. She did not stay for the money, or the exposure. She said enough was enough, and left. She does note here that, financially, she had this choice while many others do not. I liked that she included that. Meghan is a privileged white woman and, in my opinion, she is aware of that. Yes, some of her political views reflects her privilege but, that is all she knows, that is how she was raised. Maybe being a mother in this day and age will change some of those views but, maybe not. In the end, I felt like Meghan presented herself as who she is here, whether you like her or not.
Prior to this, I read Cindy McCain's book (again, got on amazon for $5). While I enjoyed Cindy's book, I did disagree with many of her views on certain subjects. But, in my opinion, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. As long as you can back it up, I will listen to anyone. That is what I felt about Cindy's book. Her book was more about her life before she met her husband, John, then their life together, including their political ideals. Meghan's book however, I found to be different.
First off, it is a quick read, only 200 pages. I did find it hard to put down but, that could just be me. If you think you are picking up this book to hear all about Meghan growing up privileged with a father in politics, think again. This book is less about Meghan's journey to who she is now, and more about who Meghan is now. I kind of missed that in her story. I wanted to know more about what it was like growing up with her family involved in politics; how did it impact her, how did it shape her views, what kind of life did it give her. She briefly touches on her time in Columbia, then her work life following that but no much about her actual childhood. That was one of the reasons why I gave this book a four. Actually, I wanted a 3.5 but I rounded up. I wanted to see how Meghan came to be, not how she is now. I feel like that was missing here.
One thing I did like about Meghan's book was her views on politics now, including her feelings on Trump. As a Republican, you would think she would be a Trump supporter, at least I did. I assumed it was your duty to support whoever was the leader of the party. However, Meghan is very open here about not being a Trump supporter, and how she thinks he has impacted the entire country. She does not hold back on her thoughts, which I appreciated. She also does not hold back on many of her politics views which, like it or not, are her views and she is entitled to them. Is she right on every view? Probably not but, I respect that she holds her convictions on some things, and admits when she has been wrong in the past.
Meghan talks a lot about her time on "The View". I found this account to be very interesting because, recently, I read Garcelle Beauvalis book and I found similarities, especially around the conflict on the show. I do not think there is ever a reason to bully someone. You can work differently, you can have different political views but, you should always respect the other person's point of view. I did not get the sense that Meghan's views were welcomed, or appreciated during her time on "The View". In the end, she left the show for her sake, and I admire her for that. She did not stay for the money, or the exposure. She said enough was enough, and left. She does note here that, financially, she had this choice while many others do not. I liked that she included that. Meghan is a privileged white woman and, in my opinion, she is aware of that. Yes, some of her political views reflects her privilege but, that is all she knows, that is how she was raised. Maybe being a mother in this day and age will change some of those views but, maybe not. In the end, I felt like Meghan presented herself as who she is here, whether you like her or not.
February 2, 2023
This book is kind of a mixed bag. I think that Meghan McCain could be a fun person to hang out with every now but would get annoying after a while. Here are my thoughts:
I appreciate her sharing about her pregnancy and how open and honest she is about her experience with postpartum anxiety. I very much appreciate her advocacy for paid parental leave and for working mothers. I enjoyed learning more about her relationship with her father and her openness about dealing with grief after his death. Her eulogy for him is beautiful and I admire that she was able to give it in the midst of her sorrow.
For most of the book, though, she comes off as whiny and playing the victim. She airs a lot of grievances but doesn't seem to do a lot of introspection. She spends a lot of time talking about her time on "The View." I know I don't know what went on behind the scenes and I agree there were moments on air where others did not treat her well, i.e. when Joy Behar said she did not miss McCain when she was out on maternity leave. However, as a person who watched "The View" regularly while she was on it, I found a lot of McCain's behavior to be immature. She frequently acted like a toddler having a tantrum. She doesn't really acknowledge this. She also acts like she is the only Republican to ever be on the show and that isn't the case. She also comes off as hypocritical. For instance, one moment she talks about how she can't believe she has missed episodes of the Kardashians after giving birth and the next she says she didn't initially want to join the "The View" because they talked about things like the Kardashians.
Listening to her narration of the audiobook, I feel like she sounded bored reading it. Like she can't wait to get it over with. A little more enthusiasm, especially for happy moments would have made it better. Also, even though she acknowledges it, she could do with cutting down the amount of times she says "my father."
Overall, it is interesting to hear from someone whose views differ from my own on a lot of things but could have been better written and read.
I appreciate her sharing about her pregnancy and how open and honest she is about her experience with postpartum anxiety. I very much appreciate her advocacy for paid parental leave and for working mothers. I enjoyed learning more about her relationship with her father and her openness about dealing with grief after his death. Her eulogy for him is beautiful and I admire that she was able to give it in the midst of her sorrow.
For most of the book, though, she comes off as whiny and playing the victim. She airs a lot of grievances but doesn't seem to do a lot of introspection. She spends a lot of time talking about her time on "The View." I know I don't know what went on behind the scenes and I agree there were moments on air where others did not treat her well, i.e. when Joy Behar said she did not miss McCain when she was out on maternity leave. However, as a person who watched "The View" regularly while she was on it, I found a lot of McCain's behavior to be immature. She frequently acted like a toddler having a tantrum. She doesn't really acknowledge this. She also acts like she is the only Republican to ever be on the show and that isn't the case. She also comes off as hypocritical. For instance, one moment she talks about how she can't believe she has missed episodes of the Kardashians after giving birth and the next she says she didn't initially want to join the "The View" because they talked about things like the Kardashians.
Listening to her narration of the audiobook, I feel like she sounded bored reading it. Like she can't wait to get it over with. A little more enthusiasm, especially for happy moments would have made it better. Also, even though she acknowledges it, she could do with cutting down the amount of times she says "my father."
Overall, it is interesting to hear from someone whose views differ from my own on a lot of things but could have been better written and read.
June 2, 2023
Unlike some of the other reviews here, I really enjoyed reading about who Meghan McCain is, not just as the daughter of John McCain, but how she sees herself as a new mother, wife, career woman, friend and a proud American conservative. She does a great job at illustrating how some of her opinions may not quite fit into the perfect mold of what a Republican should believe in (a la how every Republican MUST be a Trump-loving supporter). I also appreciated how she went through her honest experience while a co-host at The View and the flack she took from some of the other co-hosts and ABC executives there, simply because of her party affiliation. At the end of the day, Meghan is a proud conservative - she loves and respects the flag, as well as what her country stands for.
The sacred bond she described in regards to her relationship with her father throughout her life up until when he was dying from glioblastoma was emotional to read through. The pivotal moments leading up to his death, specifically the scene when they moved him outside, was hard to get through at times (literally because I had tears blurring my vision) but so beautifully written. I thought that this memoir was amazing and really captured wholeheartedly what it’s like to be a millennial conservative woman in today’s America.
The sacred bond she described in regards to her relationship with her father throughout her life up until when he was dying from glioblastoma was emotional to read through. The pivotal moments leading up to his death, specifically the scene when they moved him outside, was hard to get through at times (literally because I had tears blurring my vision) but so beautifully written. I thought that this memoir was amazing and really captured wholeheartedly what it’s like to be a millennial conservative woman in today’s America.
December 23, 2022
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the book - I have a love hate relationship with Meghan McCain, I am not a conservative by any means, however I agree with her about making sure to hear both sides of the table on issues, and thus I often find myself drawn to her.
The last 3 chapters of this book were what dropped the rating from a solid 4.5 stars to a 3.5, I found some of her proclaims to be hypocritical i.e. her writing about her co-host on the view in such a ‘bashing’ style when she has expressed her frustration at this very thing being done by others. I also find certain views expressed on the ‘good’ changes which have come out of the Trump era to be positively stomach-churning including labelling Coney Barrett a ‘hero’ in any respect - though this may be just my own view.
Overall, I respect Meghan’s outspoken nature, and willingness to explore both sides. Moreover I was deeply moved by her love for her father which was evident even outwith this memoir, and can even find comfort in her words with regards to the passing of my own father - I remain drawn to her as a different, and in my opinion necessary viewpoint.
I enjoyed the book - I have a love hate relationship with Meghan McCain, I am not a conservative by any means, however I agree with her about making sure to hear both sides of the table on issues, and thus I often find myself drawn to her.
The last 3 chapters of this book were what dropped the rating from a solid 4.5 stars to a 3.5, I found some of her proclaims to be hypocritical i.e. her writing about her co-host on the view in such a ‘bashing’ style when she has expressed her frustration at this very thing being done by others. I also find certain views expressed on the ‘good’ changes which have come out of the Trump era to be positively stomach-churning including labelling Coney Barrett a ‘hero’ in any respect - though this may be just my own view.
Overall, I respect Meghan’s outspoken nature, and willingness to explore both sides. Moreover I was deeply moved by her love for her father which was evident even outwith this memoir, and can even find comfort in her words with regards to the passing of my own father - I remain drawn to her as a different, and in my opinion necessary viewpoint.
March 21, 2022
Early on in her memoir, Bad Republican, Meghan McCain cites the two most impactful occurrences in her life – the death of her father, former Senator John McCain, and the birth of her baby, Liberty Sage. Beyond that, the book is a series of whining regurgitations of hurt feelings and things that made her cry. A painful interview with Seth Meyers. Hurtful run-ins with Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg. A nasty exchange with Jeanine Pirro. Complaints about someone who lived in her building, the children of Sarah Palin, Steve Schmidt, Nicole Wallace and, well, you see the pattern.
McCain said she wrote this book because she believes her Republicanism is often used as a cudgel against her. If she indeed wrote the book to take a stand in defense of her political positions and those of the 70+ million voters who cast their ballots for Republicans in the 2020 presidential election, she missed the mark on attempting to do so in a personal memoir.
There is much repetition in this memoir but it’s a fast read. If you are looking for a politically savvy tale of the late and much respected Senator McCain’s daughter who herself is a politically polarizing figure, you may be disappointed.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ and BenBella Books/Penguin Random House for supplying a DRC for this independent review.
McCain said she wrote this book because she believes her Republicanism is often used as a cudgel against her. If she indeed wrote the book to take a stand in defense of her political positions and those of the 70+ million voters who cast their ballots for Republicans in the 2020 presidential election, she missed the mark on attempting to do so in a personal memoir.
There is much repetition in this memoir but it’s a fast read. If you are looking for a politically savvy tale of the late and much respected Senator McCain’s daughter who herself is a politically polarizing figure, you may be disappointed.
Thanks to Edelweiss+ and BenBella Books/Penguin Random House for supplying a DRC for this independent review.
July 1, 2022
I will never know Meghan personally but it seems like I've always had a love-hate relationship with her. Her persona, her politics, her general demeanour have always left me wondering what makes her, her.
The book was surprisingly candid and insightful. I enjoyed the conversational style and informal turn of phrase. Whether her version of the goings-on at #TheView are accurate or not, it's clear she has been through an emotional rollercoaster since 2018. The memoir allowed one to see through her eyes briefly, after that you get to decide on how it makes you feel and what you decide to believe.
Even today, the online vitriol for Meghan is incessant, just scroll through your twitter feed and you'll see . But no matter what your view, your political ideology or personal beliefs ~ demanding respect is not toxic or being mean. Everyone deserves it. Even self-proclaimed Bad Republicans who are part of TV History
The book was surprisingly candid and insightful. I enjoyed the conversational style and informal turn of phrase. Whether her version of the goings-on at #TheView are accurate or not, it's clear she has been through an emotional rollercoaster since 2018. The memoir allowed one to see through her eyes briefly, after that you get to decide on how it makes you feel and what you decide to believe.
Even today, the online vitriol for Meghan is incessant, just scroll through your twitter feed and you'll see . But no matter what your view, your political ideology or personal beliefs ~ demanding respect is not toxic or being mean. Everyone deserves it. Even self-proclaimed Bad Republicans who are part of TV History
August 31, 2023
McCain raises some great points in her memoir about maternity leave, the toxicity of media and the press, and the fact that many on both sides of the political spectrum feel abandoned by their parties, which have become rather extreme. Her sense of voice is strong in the narrative, and it truly felt like it was written from an authentic place. Some of her anger is incredibly raw, and she seems to still be working through a lot of frustrations with various public figures and journalists. I respect that as part of her journey, but I think she tries to sell herself as being over it and having moved on, whereas the text tells a different story. I appreciated how often she notes her privileged status to keep things in perspective. She and I differ quite a bit politically but I respect her opinions and would have actually liked to learn more about them in this book, as it does not go too deep into those.
May 24, 2022
I like Meghan McCain's writing style. It's conversational with a strong narrative voice. She's unapologetically herself, even when she knows that's reason enough for some people to hate her. She's not afraid to be raw (crouching on all fours vomiting off a deck after her father passed) or to call out nonsense on both sides of the aisle. My biggest complaint (if you can even call it that) is that I wanted more. More Meghan. More stories. More in-depth into her thoughts and feelings about life. But, I can see why she'd be reticent to do that after all the trash that's been spewed about her in the media.
July 16, 2022
It was a bit all over the place and not really about what the description says. Before I saw this title I didn’t know Meghan McCain existed, so I’m not sure if that colors my view or not. I was looking forward to a book from a political insiders view of the Republican Party and that’s not really what this was. It was more about her dad and how her dads passing affected her, as well as a list of people who were mean to her and her family. She talks about not being a “snowflake” but you wouldn’t know that from this book.
The good thing is that it was a very short quick read.
The good thing is that it was a very short quick read.
August 15, 2023
I feel like she should of waited years after her Dad passed away to write this book. She is so angry, I get it, but at the same time I felt like all she did was complain. She says she doesn't want to come off a brat, but she seemed out of touch with the reader. The book wasn't horrible, but it could have been better. I wouldn't recommend this book to my conservative republican friends (I am an independent).
June 10, 2022
I don’t agree with the same views as Meghan something about how she is passionate about her politics and how much she is a family oriented person, I can relate on this with her, this book I couldn’t put down at all I recommend it to anyone maybe it will help you understand who she is without the political stance.
September 12, 2022
I like this book and I like Meghan McCain. I think she's pretty cool. She's very open about very personal details of her life and I understood where she's coming from. She's right that social media is a swirling cesspool of awful folks saying awful things. The world would be a much better place if folks would be more kind.
August 4, 2023
Being a native of AZ I follow the Mccains as much as I can. A republican my self; I don't agree with everything we are labeled as as Meghan shares. I love her boldness, her braveness & her willing to share her story with the world. This is a great read. It will make you laugh, cry & want to hug Meghan.
Read
July 31, 2022Less about being a “Bad Republican” (the tittle that grabbed my attention and made me get the book in the first place) and more about reminiscing about her tumultuous years on The View and anecdotes about her family. Blah.
December 30, 2022
An interesting look into the life of a woman who both parties keep at arm's length. The memoir reads like pages directly from her journal where she pays no mind to if you love or hate what she has to say. Topics include motherhood, creating a personal voice apart from the last name recognition of her father, her role as a caretaker, and her simultaneous fearlessness to identify with her party no matter her frequent dissenting stances. Agree with her views or not, Bad Republican offers an intimate snapshot of someone caught in between political factions.
January 6, 2023
I love her and I love the book. My only problem with it is it could be a longer book. I read it in two days. I just couldn't stop.
I don't really like that many Republican people and she's one of the very few that I do.
I don't really like that many Republican people and she's one of the very few that I do.
June 30, 2023
I find Megan to be a bit insufferable and she tends to complain a lot. I saw this at the library and decided to pick it up. She talks a lot about her father (not surprised), her time on the view, and of course her politics. Also, being a new mom.
December 23, 2024
this book was a quick read with some good stories but mostly it was typical meghan pontification. she is so far gone from her original politics in this book and she is even worse four years later. stick to her older books, they were so much better.
May 23, 2022
Many bad reviews for this 1! I loved it& I love Meghan!! Sorry Not sorry
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