VIDEO: Meghan McCain Named Co-Host of ABC's THE VIEW

Today, live on THE VIEW Meghan McCain was welcomed to the Hot Topics table as the newest co-host of ABC's award-winning talk show. As the daughter of Senator John McCain, she was propelled into the national spotlight at an early age and has become a powerful role model for women. She is a strong, respected Republican voice and is passionate about a wide range of topics from women's and social issues to marriage equality. She joins the panel alongside moderator Whoopi Goldberg and co-hosts Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Paula Faris. McCain has also been named contributor to ABC News where she will make appearances on all programs including "Good Morning America" and "This Week."

Watch McCain's first appearance as official co-host on today's THE VIEW below:

"I'm honored and proud to be part of such an iconic show with a diverse, smart, strong and interesting group of women," said McCain. "I've been a fan of the show for many years, so taking my seat at that table is definitely a career highlight!"

"Meghan is smart and well-informed, with passionate opinions that will create a new and exciting dynamic at the table" said senior executive producer Hilary Estey McLoughlin. "She has a unique perspective and life experience that will bring a fresh, multigenerational voice to the show. We know she'll be a great addition to 'The View.'"

Most recently, McCain served as host on FOX News' "Outnumbered." In 2014, she hosted the late-night news program "TakePart Live" on Pivot TV. She launched her genre-busting docuseries "Raising McCain" on Pivot in 2013 which followed the outspoken McCain on the road, talking to unexpected experts and everyday people exploring a range of topics from bullying and feminism to sex overload and the death of romance, among others.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, McCain graduated from Columbia University with a degree in art history with ambitions to pursue a career in music journalism. She completed internships at Newsweek and "Saturday Night Live" before joining her father's 2008 presidential campaign where she launched an award-winning blog that quickly gained an avid readership. She soon propelled onto the national media scene as a columnist for The Daily Beast and an MSNBC contributor.

A New York Times best-selling author, McCain wrote and published her first book, "Dirty Sexy Politics: A True Story," followed by a children's book, both of which were inspired by her time on the campaign trail during her father's presidential run. McCain's most recent book, "America, You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter to Freedom," recounts her 2011 cross-country road trip with liberal comedian Michael Ian Black.

Celebrating Season 21, "The View" (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT) is the place to be heard with live broadcasts five days a week. Hilary Estey McLoughlin serves as senior executive producer with Candi Carter and Brian Teta as executive producers. "The View" is directed by Sarah de la O.

For breaking news and updated videos, follow "The View" (@theview) and Whoopi Goldberg (@whoopigoldberg), Joy Behar (@joyvbehar), Paula Faris (@paulafaris), Sara Haines (@sarahaines), Sunny Hostin (@sunny) and Meghan McCain (@meghanmccain) on Twitter.

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