Local GOP gathers to support ticket

Members of the Lee County Republican Party met at party headquarters Thursday evening to watch the Republican National Convention and share their views on the new John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket.

Rod Herring, chairman of the Lee County Republican Party, said the ticket surpassed expectations.

“Both of them have the track record of being a little outside the box,” he said.

McCain worked with Democrats, when he didn’t have to, Herring said, and Palin cleaned corruption out of the Alaska governor’s office.

“She has such a track record of anti-corruption, combined with McCain’s long history of integrity,” he said.

Others at the viewing party were also singing the praises of the ticket.

“I think it is an extraordinary combination,” Dr. Jim Witte, an AU professor and member local GOP executive board, said. “It does a lot to dispel that the Republican Party is a male bastion.”

Women are very influential in Republican politics, he said.

“Gender is not a credential. She brings a portfolio of credentials,” he said. “Balance that with McCain’s experience. If McCain is a Beltway insider, Palin is not.”

He noted Palin’s executive experience as head of a state government.

Lee Vanoy, chair of the Lee County executive committee, said Palin adds freshness to the ticket.

“I think it made the ticket,” she said. “I don’t know when I’ve been so impressed with the experience, the poise ... I can think of so many words to describe her.”

She was also impressed with her pro-life stance.

“She’s proven the value of life and she’s taught her children the same values,” she said, referring to the decision by Palin’s pregnant daughter to have her baby even though she is still in high school and Palin’s choice to have a child with Down syndrome.