Ex-HP chief Fiorina becomes a force in McCain campaign

Ex-HP chief Fiorina becomes a force in McCain campaign

06/01/2008, 10:31     [Chicago Tribune]    

By John McCain's own admission, the economy isn't his strong suit. The ace up his sleeve may be a polished corporate executive ranked six times as the most powerful U.S. businesswoman, who is also among the most controversial.

Carly Fiorina, 53, who ran Hewlett-Packard Co., the largest U.S. corporation headed by a woman, joined McCain's bid for the Republican presidential nomination in March 2007, sticking with him even as the campaign faltered. This March, as he clinched the nomination, she reaped the reward and was appointed chairwoman of Victory '08, the public face of and force behind Republican efforts to keep the White House.

McCain, the senior senator from Arizona, last week praised Fiorina for playing "a vital role in the leadership of my campaign," saying he's particularly "grateful" for her economic advice.

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