Democrats for McCain

LYNETTE'S COMMENTS AT A MCCAIN-PALIN RALLY

Crowded house: Thousands listen to Senator John McCain at a Republican 
rally in Fairfax, Virginia.

This is the text of my speech at the McCain rally on September 10, 2008:

My name is Lynette Long. I am a feminist, a mother, a Democrat and an 
ardent Hillary Clinton supporter and I am voting for John McCain and Sarah 
Palin on November 4.

After the last Democratic Primary was over and it was clear Senator 
Clinton was not going to get the Democratic nomination, myself, and a 
small group of Clinton supporters met with Senator McCain and Carly 
Fiorina. I personally explained to Senator McCain that women comprise well 
over half of the population, yet you will not see a single picture of a 
woman on paper currency or on a single coin in circulation. Women are 
underrepresented in every branch of government and there has never been a 
female president or vice president. I personally asked Senator McCain 
loudly and clearly to choose a woman for the Vice Presidential slot and to 
increase the number of women in the cabinet and on the Supreme Court. 
Senator McCain listened respectfully to my request. Little did I know then 
that he heard me and the millions of women of this country who have gone 
unrepresented in the Executive branch of government for far too long.

When I made similar requests of the Obama campaign, I was laughed at by 
the canvassers outside my home, told there werent enough qualified women 
by a member of his Finance Committee, and asked by a member of a policy 
committee why I was making such a stupid request. Gender is the most 
fundamental human characteristic. The first comment made when a child is 
born is either, Its a girl or Its a boy. From that second on, boys and 
girls live in parallel universes in the same culture. You cant learn what 
it is to be a woman, unless you are one. You cant have a government 
essentially devoid of women that knows whats best for women. You cant 
legislate for women, without women.

By choosing Governor Palin as his running mate, Senator McCain 
acknowledged that two men can never know what it is like to be a woman, a 
mother, a daughter, a sister - things Governor Palin knows all too well. 
Senator McCain chose the second only bi-gender ticket in American history 
reinforcing his image as a maverick. Choosing a vice-president, was the 
first significant decision Senator McCain and Senator Obama had to make. 
Senator Obama talks about change but picked a running mate who is part of 
the Washington establishment. Senator McCains actions speak for 
themselves.

I have given my loyalty to the Democratic Party for decades. My party, 
which is comprised primarily of women, has not put a woman on a 
presidential ticket for 24 years. My party was disrespectful to all women 
when they refused to nominate my candidate, Hillary Clinton, for president 
or vice president, even though she received more votes than any other 
Democratic or Republican candidate in history. My party stood silently by 
as Hillary Clinton was eviscerated by the sexist attacks of the mainstream 
media. My partys candidate was mute when Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father 
Pfleger openly mocked Senator Clinton from the pulpit of Trinity United 
Church of Christ. My partys candidate was silent when the rapper Ludacris 
released a new song calling Hillary a bitch. Neither my party nor its 
candidate has demonstrated in this election that they hold women in high 
esteem. And yesterday, I understand Senator Obama personally said, You can 
put lipstick on a pig, and its still a pig. Well, Mr. Obama, calling girls 
names is something fifth grade boys do and I dont want a fifth grader 
running my country.

I might not agree with Senator McCain and Governor Palin on all the 
issues, but I dont agree with any candidate on all the issues. But in 
Senator McCain and Governor Palin, I find two people with personal 
integrity and a love of their county --- individuals who not only talk the 
talk but walk the walk. I can work with that. I will vote for 
McCain-Palin. In fact, Ive decided to try to win one vote a day for the 
McCain-Palin ticket. My new personal mantra is, A vote a day, keeps Obama 
away.  I urge all Clinton supporters and McCain supporters to do the same. 
Thank you.

http://www.lynettelong.com/