Meghan McCain Joins Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry

Meghan McCain, the political commentator and daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, has joined the leadership committee of Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, the group working to build on the growing support for marriage equality expressed among young conservatives.

Freedom to Marry, which launched the initiative this past summer, announced the new appointment in a news release. McCain currently serves as an MSNBC contributor and columnist for the Daily Beast. She became vocal about her support for marriage equality after her father's presidential run in 2008.

"I'm thrilled to join the Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry, who believe, as I do, that we don't have to choose between conservatism and marriage for all committed couples," said McCain in a statement. "I look forward to spreading the message that the tenets of family, personal freedom and responsibility point the way toward a GOP that fully embraces the freedom to marry."

Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry aims to show the bipartisan nature of marriage equality by providing a platform for conservatives, Republicans and Libertarians under the age of 44 who believe marriage equality "fulfills basic conservative values of responsibility and community, as well as limited government and individual freedom," according to a news release about the group's founding. The leadership committee also includes Margaret Hoover, the political commentator and great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover.

The group sponsored activities this year at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, but delegates adopted a platform staunchly opposed to marriage equality. Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry took out a full-page newspaper ad challenging Family Research Council president Tony Perkins, who authored the platform language.

Republican support is critical to the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, the legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the measure last year but the Republican-controlled House continues to defend DOMA in the federal courts.

Recent polling indicates that 49% of Republicans between the ages of 18 and 29 support marriage equality, according to Freedom to Marry.