I was working out yesterday at X-sport in Saint Charles. While running during my grueling grind, I saw Wolf Blitzer interviewing Lady Forester de Rothschild. I switched the channel only to hear that she endorsed Republican presidential nominee John McCain on Wednesday.
Speaking to members of the media at the Capitol Hill Club, Rothschild denied that Clinton had any influence over her endorsement decision, stating that the two have not spoken since before the Democratic National Convention in August. Rothschild said her endorsement decision was a personal one and one that came after consideration of the vice presidential picks and convention performances.
"I really think that they [McCain and Palin] will bring the bold, bipartisan, centrist change we need in Washington," said Rothschild. Wow I thought....another well spoken, educated intelligent woman joining the ranks of McCain/Palin. Wild actually.
Rothschild went on to cite specifically McCain's record in the Senate as a primary influence in her decision. She said in such an important election, where economic and foreign policy issues are on the forefront, she considers McCain the best choice. "John McCain will look for the best solutions to America's problems. He is not an ideologue and he is not beholden to special interests." Rothschild said she hopes her decision to publicly endorse McCain will give like-minded Democrats the confidence to follow suit.
Rothschild says that Palin's conservative beliefs don't concern her. "I am pro-choice and I am sick and tired of Democratic party using the choice issue using it as a noose around womens' necks," Rothschild said. "Bush has been president for eight and we still have every right to choose what we do to our bodies."
Holy cow....was this wild. While the announcement may raise eyebrows, those following Rothschild through the course of the primary are less than shocked by her deference. While still working on Clinton's behalf, Rothschild said of Obama to CNN in July, "frankly I don't like him. I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him."
During her tenure as a Clinton fundraiser, Rothschild brought in more than $100,000 for the campaign. A lifelong Democrat, Rothschild served on the DNC's Platform Committee, a position she said on Wednesday that she will now abdicate.
Still, her party loyalty is not lost. Quoting Reagan, Rothschild mimed, "I didn't leave the Democratic party, the Democratic party left me." Like I said earlier...she's a bold powerful woman. She sure has a lot of guts. And, she is still maintaining some of her liberal mentality. When asked if McCain really invented the Blackberry, Rothschild retorted without hesitation, "No, that was Al Gore."
Blitzer said "you're going to get it from a lot of people on the left. Rothschild said....I've been getting it from you for years....you're far worse Wolf." Wow.....and the story moves on. It'll be interesting to see where all of the fallout lands. Kudos for a strong american woman who doesn't let a party dictate the way she needs to vote. I'm a patriot myself. I love when she said she loves her country more than her party. I think that she's a patriot as well.
