Republican Rep. Susan Molinari is just the kind of woman GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole has been turning off lately - a young, hip, pro-choice, working mother.
With support for Dole plummeting among female voters, the New York lawmaker was a logical choice to give the keynote address at the GOP convention next month.It also helps that Molinari is a team player who repeatedly has demonstrated her loyalty to the party and its congressional leaders. She was an early and enthusiastic backer of Dole's presidential bid.
"I don't intend to let him or the party down," Molinari said as she and her husband, Rep. Bill Paxon, R-N.Y., stepped off a flight at Washington's National Airport Tuesday, looking like the epitome of the 1990s upscale career couple.
Both Molinari and Paxon were wearing crisp, tailored business suits. His was navy, hers pale pink. He was carrying a child's car seat, while she had 2-month-old daughter, Susan Ruby, asleep on her shoulder.
Before her election to Congress, Molinari served two terms on the New York City Council, where she was the only Republican.
In Congress, Molinari has been conservative on fiscal issues and moderate on social issues, particularly abortion and gun control. Abortion opponents, who are certain to dominate the GOP convention, are clearly displeased with her selection.
"Sen. Dole's choice of Susan Molinari as a keynote speaker of the Republican National Convention could be perceived among some religious and social conservatives as the senator moving in the wrong direction for a crucial vice presidential selection," Christian Coalition executive director Ralph Reed said in a statement.
Abortion aside, Reed's strong response to Molinari's selection was somewhat surprising, given that she voted with the Christian Coalition 93 percent of the time last year.
Molinari sought to allay fears that she will use the spotlight Dole has given her to make the case for abortion rights, saying she doesn't intend to even mention abortion in her speech. "I don't think that's necessary," she said. "We've had our debate. We've come to a solution."
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Molinari said. "I don't really understand why there is such a fixation on abortion when it is only one issue."
Molinari was divorced when she married Paxon three years ago. Her congressional office declined to release any information about her previous marriage.
Together, the two members of Congress have become rising stars of the GOP. Paxon, 42, is chairman of the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, the party committee responsible for electing GOP lawmakers to the House. He shares some of the credit for electing the first GOP majority to the House in 40 years.
Molinari was elected Republican Conference vice chair last year. The post is a lower rung on the GOP leadership ladder, but a good spot from which to move up.
Despite her image as a moderate, Molinari has been an enthusiastic backer of the Contract With America, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave her a 96 percent vote rating on business issues. The League of Conservation voters gave her a score of 8 on environmental issues.
Molinari said she will focus her speech on Dole's "character, integrity and vision" and on why his election is critical to "rebuilding the American dream."