Republican presidential hopeful John McCain received support from several prominent women in business Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota - including his top economic advisor and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Carly Fiorina.
Fiorina pledged that John McCain will balance the budget by 2013, painting him as a staunch fiscal conservative focused on individual liberties.
"In this historic election we have a clear choice between two very different government and philosophies but we also have a choice between rhetoric and promises and a lifelong commitment to services and reform," she said.
McCain is "prepared" for the presidency, Fiorina said.
"I know John McCain - he understands that government's highest calling is to unlock and unleash the determination and creativity of every single American," Fiorina said. "He believes that every American should have an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream."
Fiorina stated that McCain will demand that the federal government will "be transparent and accountable to the American people." McCain will subject every agency to a review, she said, posting the results on the internet for Americans to see.
She also praised John McCain's choice of a running mate with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
"John McCain has the knowledge, the guts, and now in Sarah Palin, the partner he needs to actually get it done," she said, referencing the need to change Washington.
Fiorina focused on McCain's strong stance on foreign policy, stating that in terms of Iraq "John McCain will bring our troops home with victory and with honor."
"And John McCain will not negotiate with brutality and he will never shrink from calling evil and aggression by their names," she added.
Concluding her remarks, Fiorina said that McCain "will do the tough things and he will do the right thing."
Fiorina's remarks followed those by Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of online auction company eBay (EBAY). In her speech, Whitman focused on business interests in the election, she highlighted the support that the Arizona senator has for small business, noting his promise to cut business taxes if elected.
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