Red Hat Society lady from Virginia Beach is all about McCain

September 25th, 2008 at 10:46pm Chuck Sweeny

Sue Allen of Virginia Beach, Va., is one of those “Red Hat Society” ladies who are over 50 and have a sense of adventure.  “We go out to eat, go to movies and we love to travel.”

Allen and her friends have just returned from Branson, Mo., where they saw several country-themed variety shows. Now Allen is waiting in Chicago’s Union Station to board a train back to Virginia. She’s a nurse at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va.; her ex-husband was a career Navy man.

Who will get her vote for president?

“McCain,” she says emphatically. “My number one reason is that he was involved in the military for many years. I don’t think Obama has the experience. My three daughters are staunch Democrats, but I like McCain. He made a very good move when he chose Sarah Palin for vice president. She’s a strong female.”

But Allen doesn’t necessarily agree with her candidate on the war in Iraq. McCain once said American forces may need to remain in Iraq, in some capacity, for 100 years.

“Get ‘em out of the sandbox,” she says. “Sandbox,” Allen explains, is military speak for Iraq and Afghanistan. “I think we need to support them and get them home. I don’t really think either candidate is going to get them home faster.”

I asked her about the financial crisis. Allen said she’s got some savings, “and I think, am I going to lose those dollars? But I try not to dwell on this stuff.” And just like that, she changed the subject, describing the series of buses and trains she’s been on during her “America By Rail” tour.

“It’s my first trip by train. I’ve been very pleased. “

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