Local
Republicans Weigh in on Palin |
By Jorge Casuso
September 3 – With fewer than 10,000 registered
voters, they make up less than one-fifth of Santa Monica’s
electorate, and in a liberal city their views are sometimes considered
extreme and go unheeded.
They’re Republicans, and on the eve of the unlikely nomination
of a relatively obscure governor as their party’s first woman
vice presidential candidate, they were asked by The Lookout
to weigh in on Sen. John McCain’s surprise choice of Alaska
Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.
They touched on Palin’s position on abortion rights, her daughter’s
pregnancy and what her nomination shows about McCain’s leadership style.
Here are their thoughts:
Carole Curry, member of the Santa Monica College Board
for 27 years: I think it’s excellent. Being a governor
and being a mayor is pretty good experience
I’m a woman for choice, but I think she’ll be a spark for his campaign,
though I think it will hurt her among some women. Some Hillary (Clinton) supporters
will look twice.
I’m disappointed that the media is focusing on her child. It’s
totally a risk, but he (McCain) is one that takes risks, and he’s invigorated
his base, that’s for sure. The campaign, you kind of want to watch now
and see how it develops.
Robert Kronovet, Rent Control Board candidate and only
Republican running for local office: I think it makes the
ticket very exciting. She has administrative talents, she has multi-tasking
talents and represents a more future-looking sector of the Republican
Party when it comes to equality.
I disagree on her stance on abortion, but there is no perfect candidate and
no perfect party. She is going to certainly energize the ticket. Can she step
in if John McCain drops dead? The answer is yes, definitely. John McCain is
in many ways a maverick. It represents John McCain making decisions on his own.
Donna Alvarez, secretary of the Santa Monica Women’s
Republican Club and former City Council candidate: I like
it. I think it’s refreshing. She comes from a working family,
like so many of us who are struggling. I just seem to think that
you need someone that knows what it is to struggle.
I think it just proves how independent McCain is. McCain doesn’t fit
a mold. He goes with his gut reaction. (Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy)
proves how in tune (the vice presidential nominee) in with the world now.
John Bruce, businessman and lifelong resident of Santa
Monica: We’re going to have to figure it out. Did
they do enough homework before they selected her? It’s good
if you hit it right. It’s one of those things.
They should leave the family alone. If you start digging into families, where
do you stop? You’re picking a person, you’re not picking their family.
It’ll be interesting to see how far they dig and who’s doing the
digging.
Maria Sirotti, former president of the Republican Women’s
Club: I got telephone calls from my niece, and the younger
women are really enchanted by her.
She’s open, she’s bright, she’s beautiful and she can deliver.
She’s a very good image for the modern woman. She seems to be able to
do everything. She’s what we have, and what we have is just fine.
Eddie Guerboian, former Chamber of Commerce president and
local businessman: I think it’s a fine choice. It’s
a fresh concept. She’s a woman who knows what it takes to
raise a family. (About Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy)
That’s part of real life.
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