The Florida Federation of Republican Women today took an unusual step and predicted an election day surprise in the women's vote in Broward and Palm Beach Counties partially based on what they are calling the unknown "Hillary - Palin factor".
"Despite the millions Obama is pouring into Florida, we predict an unexpectedly large turnout for the McCain/Palin ticket in some of Florida's most traditionally liberal voting counties, including Broward and Palm Beach. Will Republicans win these counties outright? Maybe not, but McCain certainly will come closer to 50% than any Republican has before and that will be history making in itself," said Linda Ivell, president of the FFRW.
Ana Gomez Mallada, FFRW Secretary and Broward resident agrees.
"After the primary, we were greatly concerned about the numbers of loyal Republican women vowing to cross over to cast a history-making vote for Hillary Clinton in the General Election. While our women do not line up philosophically with Senator Clinton, she is a strong, intelligent woman and after all, women don't always agree with our own male Party leaders. The 'Hillary factor' was of great concern to the FFRW, especially in liberal leaning counties.
"When Obama failed to recognize Senator Clinton's clear national referendum and chose Biden - a man who did not capture even one percent of the vote in either county - it sent an unmistakable and disappointing message to women voters of all parties. Women are poised for women's leadership in the White House in 2008. The addition of a strong leader like Governor Sarah Palin provides this opportunity. McCain's Independent record clearly balances the more conservative-leaning Palin in the minds of these women," Gomez-Mallada said
Both Ivell and Gomez-Mallada agreed that the prediction is not scientific but based rather upon their unprecedented personal contact from Democratic and Independent women, a careful analysis of the Presidential Preference vote in which centrist John McCain handily won both counties and a healthy dose of women's intuition.
"In this historic election cycle, our calculation is certainly as meritorious as the current polls. We have never seen anything like this election with women quietly coming together across party lines. It is very empowering," Ivell said.
Palm Beach and Broward counties voted almost identically in the Presidential Preference: Hillary Clinton was the overwhelming winner with approximately 60% of the vote while Obama trailed with 27% and 32% respectively. John McCain was the clear winner, as well, with approximately 40% of the vote followed by Romney in the 20's.
