Enter
Q&A
HUFFINGTON
06.24.12
many Americans as possible and
see why we’re so fucked up and
polarized right now.
In the book you come clean about the fact
that you’re for the legalization of marijuana. There’s even a scene where you get
high in New Orleans. Did you consider
leaving that out? I feel like it’s something that could benefit our country
economically. I’m not a pot smoker
— I haven’t smoked pot since then.
But if people are going to pay $15
dollars for this book, I should be as
honest as possible. The only reason
it was scary to include is because it
was just one more point for people
to think I’m not Republican enough
and use against me.
Have your parents read the book? My
father is not thrilled — at all. But
he does respect that I have a different audience. As misunderstood as
I feel by a lot of people in Republican circles, I really value the respect I have from college students.
Why do you think college students like
you? Young people can smell out
people who are pretending to be
someone else. Whether you love
me or hate me, I am who I am.
I’m not in my ivory tower doing
safe things because it’s conve-
nient. I’m almost jealous of people who can live like that. What’s
it like being guarded?
Where do you think that comes from?
My parents raised me to have opinions. My mom didn’t care what it
was as long as I stood up for what I
believed in. The problem is I’m one
of 20 girls who actually do it.
It’s scary to speak
out because everything can
be pushed back at you
and people will say, ‘you’re
a fat bitch, kill yourself.’”
You mean a lot of girls were encouraged
to have opinions but don’t actually voice
them? It’s scary to speak out because everything can be pushed
back at you and people will say
“you’re a fat bitch, kill yourself.”
I love what I do. If I’m not doing
things that are challenging, then
I don’t want to be here. A lot of
children that come from politicians’ families are rightfully fearful of saying controversial things. I
feel I’ve been given a platform and
I have used it wisely. I also know
that I could cure cancer and win