January 19, 2010
GWCRs pull funding of Meghan’s Speech
Looks like the purpose of Miss McCain’s talk was misrepresented:
The GW College Republicans have withdrawn their financial support from Meghan McCain’s upcoming appearance at GW, after claims that the Allied in Pride president was not forthcoming about the topic of McCain’s speech.
Michael Komo, president of Allied in Pride, told The Hatchet last week that McCain would be appearing as the keynote speaker of their annual “Marriage Equality Week” in February, but the CR leadership claims they were not aware of this when they were asked for their financial support. McCain, an outspoken advocate for gay rights, is the daughter of former Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.
“Our executive board was told that Meghan McCain’s primary focus would be her opinion on what it means to be a Republican,” Rob Noel, CR public relations director, said. “We later discovered through her Twitter and subsequent conversations with the SA and [the Graduate School of Political Management] that she would be giving the keynote address for Marriage Equality Week.”
A link to The Hatchet article was posted to McCain’s Twitter page, prompting McCain to tweet, “Yes, I am the keynote speaker at George Washington University’s “Marriage Equality Week” next month. Can’t wait, very honored to be asked!”
Komo, a Student Association senator, acknowledged that he did not say McCain would be appearing during Marriage Equality Week when he spoke to the CRs at their executive board meeting.
“I didn’t technically say it’s Marriage Equality Week,” Komo said, calling the slip “completely unintentional.”
“I didn’t even know this could be an issue,” he said. “I would never think to disclose or withhold that information.”
The GSPM Student Association was similarly surprised to hear their event, which was meant to be a discussion about the future of the Republican Party, was severely narrowed by Komo’s characterization.
“The first thing we knew about marriage equality was when it was written in The Hatchet,” said Jamie Baker, president of the GSPM SA and also a Student Association senator.
Perhaps this was an innocent mistake, but I doubt it. Whatever. I’m still looking for tickets. Anyone wanna help a sista out?
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