Candidates’ Kids Series: Sarah Huckabee and Meghan McCain

When Sarah walked in she was busy putting out fires already - something about Ric Flair, the pro wrestler’s car not showing up or something. Her brother and I told her to just go “woooooo” and all would be fine (for you non WWE fans-that’s Ric Flair’s signature).

After my interview with Sarah, I asked her a few things I didn’t get a chance to during the interview because our time was limited. We had a moment in the hallway – so I figured, why not. I asked her why she thinks her dad is the best candidate and why he would make the best president. She said she watched him make decisions with the people’s best interest in mind. In Arkansas, he was criticized from time to time for making decisions his party didn’t agree with. She says he always makes decisions that he believes are in the people’s best interest. She went on to tell me that he got criticism for launching his campaign too late in the game, to which she says, he felt he was elected to be governor of Arkansas and didn’t want to take away from the work he was doing there.

I ventured into the world of video blogging for the first time with Sarah who also had never done it before so please forgive the lame quality! I will get better. I promise!!  We had fun with it though.

My interview with Meghan was great - I really love the fact that her dad hasn’t tried to stifle who she is. She has been stereotyped because she’s blonde and likes fashion…. and isn’t trying to be something else. She isn’t trying to be what we have come to expect of the candidates’ kids, the preppy outfit-wearing daughter. She is very fashion forward with her Louis Vuitton bag and says she shouldn’t be judged because she reads Us Weekly magazine and wears trendy items. Those things do not define who she is. She also reads The New York Times and is well versed in politics and important social issues.

Her biggest point was, 'Why can’t you be both?' Why can’t you be into pop culture and politics? She is 23. Shouldn’t she be allowed to enjoy her youth and still be a smart young lady? I happen to think so. I’ve gotten a few looks before on the plane for reading Us magazine and they quickly go away when I switch over to Newsweek. People always want to place you in a box - you’re into fashion or fun, so you can’t be serious. That’s just not true.

Interesting Sarah Factoids:

-Sarah told me that she and her family were the ones who convinced her dad to run for president. “The rest of my family was on board before my dad was. We all kind of pushed him and were like, ‘You’ve gotta do this.’”

-She also told me, which was a total surprise to me, that her dad was a huge fan of “The Sopranos.” I love that a Baptist minister loves “The Sopranos!” Politicians….they’re just like us. Ha ha.

-Dad is also really into doing his own laundry….even on the road.

I asked her if at any point she thought, “Oh this is a lot?” Before I could finish, she said, “Oh, everyday”. But she loves it and realizes this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The campaign family show - meaning the staffers, etc. - is “Entourage.”

I also thought it was interesting that she connects with some of the other candidates’ kids. For example, she mentions e-mails that have gone back and forth between her and the Romneys where they congratulate each other or say stuff like, “Your dad did great tonight,” or tell your dad to be nicer to my dad…ha ha.

-Sarah’s favorite movie star?  Kevin Costner

-Worst punishment? Being grounded for a month and a half-though she wouldn’t reveal why!

-Biggest issue facing our country? Education.

Interesting Meghan Factoids:

-She said the thing she hears the most about her dad that she hates is the criticism about his age.

-She and her dad are very superstitious. She reads The New York Times and was an Art History major at Columbia University.

-If Dad was to become President she says she would probably blog in the White House. She says she’s curious about what it’s like to be the “first family” and would wanna give a peek into their world and wants to “humanize” the White House.

-Meghan’s favorite movie star? Sienna Miller.
Who else? Dita Von Teese and Chloe Sevigny.

-Favorite movie? “The Big Lebowski” and “Some Like it Hot.”

- Worst punishment Dad laid down? She said he was a softie and that mom was the disciplinarian!

- Favorite childhood memory? Dad took her to the MTV Awards.