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Meghan McCain visits Art Museum

Wearing a star tattoo on her foot and election-themed jewelry, 23-year-old Meghan McCain took a tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday.

Meghan McCain (center) tours Art Museum yesterday. Besides campaigning, she's promoting her children's book, "My Dad, John McCain."
Meghan McCain (center) tours Art Museum yesterday. Besides campaigning, she's promoting her children's book, "My Dad, John McCain."Read moreRACHEL PLAYE / Staff photographer

Wearing a star tattoo on her foot and election-themed jewelry by hip designer Tarina Tarantino, 23-year-old Meghan McCain took a tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday.

The second-youngest daughter of Republican presidential nominee John McCain is in the area to promote her children's book, "My Dad, John McCain," and meet with local supporters.

"This is a hard time for our country," she said. "I really appreciate anyone who can take time out of their day to make a few phone calls for my father's campaign. The least I can do is thank them."

McCain was accompanied by swimmer Larsen Jensen, who won a bronze medal for the 400-meter freestyle in the Summer Olympics, as well as Jason Read, a rower who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Both are outspoken Republicans. Jensen was one of several Olympians who presented the National Anthem on the last day of the Republican National Convention.

McCain, who was an independent until 2008 and has described herself as socially liberal, has gained recognition for her blog, McCainBlogette.com, which boasts the tagline "Musings and Pop Culture on the Political Trail."

All interest in pop culture aside, McCain commended her father's campaign for not investing too much in celebrity support.

"I don't think someone like Bruce Springsteen should matter in a presidential election," McCain said, dismissing rumors that her father is planning an event similar to Saturday's Springsteen concert and Barack Obama rally on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a stone's throw from the museum.

"Our campaign is about real voters," McCain said.

A graduate of Columbia University who received her bachelor's degree in art history, McCain spent her time at the museum sharing her interest in art with the children of local supporters, who also got the chance to tour her father's campaign bus, the Straight Talk Express.

A room filled with Cy Twombly paintings based on "The Iliad" and painted in protest of the Iraq War seemed to hit home with McCain.

"I have two brothers in the military. I know what it's like to send a brother off to war," she said. "For me, it's about keeping them safe. I think my father and Sarah [Palin] are the ones to do that."