Scott County Republicans give McCain a standing 'O'

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By Mary Louise Speer | Friday, September 5, 2008 12:27 AM CDT | () comments

Andrew Link/QUAD-CITY TIMES Justin Hopkins, 17, middle, and his sister, Brittney, 15, both of Bettendorf, laugh during a short auction for fundraising of Scott County Republican Women during the Republican National Convention watch party on Thursday at Club MoKan in Davenport. Buy this Photo

Scott County Republicans came to their feet Thursday night as U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona accepted the Republican nomination for president.

But the talk among local supporters at a convention watching party at Club MoKan in west Davenport was about McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Palin “is just a plain ordinary woman (and) mom. She’s got a tough road ahead of her,” said Audrae Zoeckler of Davenport, and a former Mitt Romney supporter.

“We’re excited about Sarah Palin, let me tell you. That (choice) was a home run,” Ruth Johnson of Davenport said. “I think both of them are strong in their backgrounds, in their beliefs, in their actions and they’re not out for themselves.”

John Bishop of Bettendorf joined the crowd at Club MoKan. “I didn’t know much about Sarah before last night but she really impressed me,” he said.

Bishop describes himself as an independent who has voted both for Democrat and Republican candidates. As a Vietnam veteran and father and grandfather of two National Guardsmen, Bishop wants someone in the White House who will make sure veterans are treated right, he said.

One Bettendorf woman familiar with hosting campaign parties and watch parties out of her home was at the convention this week to see McCain and Palin give their acceptance speeches.

“This is a great thing for the Republicans. I think these two together are just going to be terrific for the country,” said Carrie Peterman, in a phone interview Thursday from St. Paul, Minn. “McCain is extremely inspirational, in my view. I believe this ticket is going to change American politics.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.