Politics & Government

Ann Romney, Cindy McCain Campaign for Mitt in McLean

Their campaign message Saturday morning was targeted to women voters.

Ann Romney, standing under the gazebo roof in McLean Central Park Saturday morning with a group largely made up of women, stressed that her husband cared about women and would take care of them if he is elected president on Nov. 6.

Romney campaigned for her husband in Virginia on Saturday. The state's importance in the presidential race seems to grow as Election Day nears. "It's all about Northern Virginia," said Virginia-based GOP pollster Whit Ayres, in an interview Friday with CNN's John King. "So many people have moved into Northern Virginia, particularly from the Northeast -- Democratic areas -- that they've turned a solid red state into a purple state."

Ann Romney's first stop was McLean Central Park on Saturday morning, where she spoke to a group of several hundred Romney supporters who turned out for the rally. The campaign did not have an official estimate of the crowd size.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's a different time. There is a desperation from women," Romney said. "They grab my hand and whisper to me, 'Please listen to us. We are so afraid.'...This economy left behind more women than men...We are here to help. We are here to make your lives better and your children's lives better."

Cindy McCain, who campaigned for her husband, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., when he ran for president in 2008, campaigned alongside Ann Romney in McLean on Saturday.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"(Ann Romney) believes in this country. She believes in all of you and, most importantly, she understands where you are coming from," McCain said during a brief speech.

Several other Republican women spoke at the event, too, including Virginia Del. Barbara Comstock; Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington state; former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao; Oakleigh Ryan, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan's sister-in-law; and his older sister, Janet Ryan. 

"My brother is a very concerned, compassionate, committed person," Janet Ryan said. "He's not going to do anything to hinder his own daughter's dreams."

Romney and McCain are scheduled to appear at noon Saturday in Chantilly for another rally.

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