You know that thing people sometimes do where they insist they are not a certain thing and in so doing incriminate themselves because literally nobody asked?
Well, conservative commentator Meghan McCain has done that with being a "Karen." She wants you to know she's not one, so much so she wrote a whole column about it.
Big "I'm not a racist, but..." energy.
The comments come in an election day column McCain penned for the notoriously sensationalist right-wing British tabloid The Daily Mail in which she laments the plight of downtrodden White women who've been vilified as "Karens" by liberals—or something.
It's a pretty incoherent piece--McCain careens between condemning "Karens" to reclaiming them with a speed that'll give you whiplash--but that seems to be the gist.
And naturally, she resorts to the most easily predicted move of all—calling the whole "Karen" thing racist against White women. Because of course the heiress daughter of a United States Senator and former presidential candidate is the victim.
As you might guess much of the internet was nonplussed.
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail We've heard you for years. You're definitely a Karen.\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
McCain—who as she never stops reminding us is the daughter of late centrist Republican Arizona Senator John McCain—began her column by lamenting how what she claims used to be called "Soccer Moms"—White, middle class, suburban women with children who "wanted what was best for their families" and voted accordingly—were rebranded "Karens."
She described "Karens" as White women who "[call] the manager" and have "public meltdowns" often "directed at people of color" which is as good a definition as any. McCain agreed such behavior is unacceptable.
But after admitting the reality and repugnance of the "Karen" phenomenon, McCain quickly pivoted to painting it as nothing but a left-wing smear campaign.
"[A]ll of a sudden, women voters went from a respected voting bloc to a group to be despised."
McCain refrained from explaining why the "Karens" inspired such ire and instead did what "Karens" love to do—called the whole thing racist against White women.
She wrote:
"But can you imagine any other racial group in America being given a label in 2022? Repulsively, White women have become a legitimate target of left-wing ridicule."
Hey, you said it was legitimate, Meghan, not us!
McCain went on to say Tuesday's midterm elections would be the “revenge of the ‘Karens’,” warning Democrats were going to lose big because:
"A huge percentage of ‘Soccer mom/Karens’ will be pulling the lever for the GOP."
McCain's column went over really poorly with a lot of people on Twitter.
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail You are literally the biggest Karen on the planet\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail The country is literally blowing up and this is what you write about - in a sexist newspaper no less\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@Cfaf2022 @MeghanMcCain @DailyMail No Meghan, please, keep lecturing us on how to be respectful to women voters\u2026\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail Unless they act like one I'm old enough to remember your party calling certain women Welfare Queens.\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail Thanks Karen mccain.\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail And while you're addressing women's and name calling please address the two times Impeached one term president calling the speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi an (ANIMAL) at a rally in ohio last night with a cheering crowd. \ud83d\ude44\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail Ah yes\u2014-the privileged white woman voting GOP because of a temporary increase in gas and food prices \u2014-over the civil rights and liberties of those not privileged. GOP removing women\u2019s autonomy and LGBT equality\u2014but sure temporary high gas prices are MUCH more important ..ok\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail but, don't vote for a woman, according to your husband, right girlboss? https://t.co/37mfhYjvB8\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
\u201c@MeghanMcCain @DailyMail You kind of are a serious Karen nutmeg\u201d— Meghan McCain (@Meghan McCain) 1667909465
McCain may be disgusted by Democrats, but her siblings are taking the more respectful and decent approach that her father might have taken if he were still around.
\u201c@MichaelArt123 At least Karen, I mean Meghan McCain didn\u2019t show up. She\u2019s too busy rage tweeting.\u201d— Michael Grossman (@Michael Grossman) 1667855761
John McCain's sons John and James have been campaigning for Arizona's Democratic candidate for Senate Mark Kelly, not the far-right MAGA Republican, Blake Edwards, beloved by Arizona's "Karens."
Perhaps Meghan's brothers can explain the phenomenon to her at Thanksgiving in a couple weeks.