Posted by
Cary Wesberry on Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:56:51 PM
A Virginia woman will speak to Republicans at their national convention in St. Paul, Minnesota next week. It's unusual because Christy Swanson always considered herself a Democrat.
Swanson's husband, Kip, is an Independent. The New Kent County couple brought a Filafry franchise about two years ago. Both of them are voting for Republican John McCain.
"If you have a deep fat fryer, I can service you," said Kip Swanson.
Kip collects used cooking oil from restaurants and turns it into biofuel. Christy keeps the books and networks. The couple quickly realized the unique challenges of owning a small business.
"There's no sick days, very little vacation. You have to worry about health care costs," said Kip.
Christy was planning to vote for Democrat Barack Obama, until she went to Washington in June for a summit of small business owners. Both Obama and McCain were invited. Only McCain showed up.
Christy liked what she heard.
"I didn't go running up to him like many did. I, you know, stayed back and said, 'okay, let me look at some other candidates here and do some research,'" said Christy.
The reasons to vote for McCain, she says, stacked up.
"The corporate taxes, the portable healthcare is huge," said Christy.
Now she leads "Virginia Citizens for McCain," a coalition of Democrats and Independents.
The McCain camp says there are millions of voters like Christy, which is why the polls are moving in his favor. Democrats say McCain represents the past, that Virginians ready to turn the page should vote for Obama.
The Swanson's encourage voters to do their homework before deciding on a candidate. Christy leaves Tuesday for the Republican National Convention, a Democrat the party faithful are happy to welcome.
How many more women who were rejected by the Obama campaign will vote for McCain-Palin this November? After the Democrat Party refusing to nominate Hillary Clinton who was the most qualified candidate on their side, and after Barack Obama choosing the worst possible running-mate instead of the intelligent choice of Hillary Clinton who won every state a Democrat must win to beat a Republican in the general election while acquiring 18-million votes; independent and Democrat women must be offended and feel cast aside.
Well come on over ladies! The water is just fine in the Republican Party today. Unlike the Democrat Party and Barack Obama, we don't ignore qualified and experienced hard-working women... we elect them!