MINNEAPOLIS -- Even before John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his presidential running mate, Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams predicted the election in Colorado would come down to women.

Women between the age of 30 and 50 in south suburban Denver, to be exact, Wadhams told The Wall Street Journal.

Fiscally conservative and socially liberal - in that order - they proven to be the swing voters who've helped put former Republican Gov. Bill Owens and U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Loveland) in office, but also backed Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver), the Journal stated.

McCain is well-suited to grab these voters this year, Wadhams told the Journal, thanks to his emphasis on fiscal responsibility and strong stance on national security.

Plus, Wadhams told the Journal, "these voters are really moved by the energy issue" and -- like McCain and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer - support increased oil drilling.