Kathy Swan speaks at Republican women's meeting at Southeast

Eighty-eight years have passed since women gained suffrage rights, but reform is still needed, Kathy Swan told a group of about 140 Republican Women on Wednesday.

"Would a male candidate, who has a child with special needs, be criticized for running for office and not staying home to care for the child? ... Why is it that a strong, courageous, intelligent, creative man is admired, but a woman is called a witch?" she asked.

The prominent businesswoman and Republican spoke to an audience made up mostly of College Republican women and a handful of undecided voters at Southeast Missouri State University. The event follows a weekend party hosted by the Cape County Central Democrat Committee that targeted women and a women-only event promoting Barack Obama by actress Ashley Judd two weeks ago.

"We always have an event for women, but this year is a big deal with Gov. Sarah Palin being on the ticket," said Lucas Presson, president of the College Republicans. More than twice the number of people attended than Presson had expected.

Swan focused on the character traits of the candidates in her speech. She praised Republican presidential candidate John McCain's military service and bipartisanship, saying the "reformer" shows "integrity and character."

Swan also promoted Kenny Hulshof, a congressman running for governor, particularly emphasizing his Southeast Missouri roots and understanding of "small Missouri towns."

While discussing vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Swan underscored the historical nature of the election and its importance to women. "Let's make history for each other, for our daughters and for their daughters," she said.

Some Democrats have accused McCain of passing over vice presidential candidates with more experience or competency to attract former Hillary Clinton supporters to the Republican ticket and to potentially make history.

"There are so many people that want to see something different in office. Regardless of whether he picked her because of the way he believes in her or because she is a female, I think he made a smart choice either way," said sophomore Tiffanie Atherton, who has voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates in the past but supports McCain and Palin this election.

Atherton said she admires McCain's military experience and Palin's "strong" attitude. She also likes that Palin faces "real" family issues, including having a child with Down syndrome and a pregnant teenage daughter.

Swan concluded her speech by saying, "It's much more than lipstick. It's about support from family, commitment to each other, commitment to our country/state, integrity and character and 'walking life.'"

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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