Rayes: Palin will draw female vote, connect with Mainers

Kevin and Karen Raye, a Perry couple who are both prominent in Maine Republican politics, both said they were impressed with John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Karen Raye, Maine’s Republican National Committeewoman, said Palin will help McCain with the female vote. She said Palin is a “maverick and a reformer”

Kevin Raye, a state senator, said Palin can connect with Maine voters.

The Rayes are currently in Minneapolis preparing for the Republican National Convention.

They initially supported Rudy Giuliani in the presidential primary. Karen Raye said she would have liked to see Giuliani as vice president, although he was never in the running. She does see Giuliani playing some other role in a McCain administration.

In what is considered a traditional blue state, many believe that McCain can win the 2nd Congressional District, which would award him one of Maine’s four electoral votes.

When she introduced her family and noted that she was a snowmobile enthusiast, Kevin Raye said that proved: “Sarah Palin, is the type that can resonate with Maine voters.”

Kevin Raye also noted her work battling corruption in Alaska.

“She’s obviously a reformer,” Kevin Raye said. “She came into a situation and ferreted out corruption. She’s the perfect running mate for John McCain.”

Palin’s gender makes a difference, Karen Raye said, especially after Democrat Hillary Clinton put “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling” during her primary bid.

“There are a lot of women who are not with McCain, and this makes a difference for women all over.”

Karen Raye couldn’t address Maine specifically, but said Palin will help McCain all over.

“McCain’s Straight Talk Express just found a copilot,” Karen Raye said.

McCain announced his choice the day after his opponent Barack Obama took the spotlight with his acceptance speech in Denver.

“It was a brilliant stroke, he didn’t waste any time getting it out there,” Kevin Raye said. “Yesterday he extended the courtesy to Obama, and today he took a bold step. I was just extremely impressed.”