Girl talk before business

John McCain was in Wisconsin on Friday to talk about women in business.

But the talk wasn’t all business. J&L; Steel Erectors Chief Executive LouAnne Reger, the host of the event, told the crowd of more than 500 people, most of them women, about her two divorces, losing weight and a recent Nordstrom shopping trip.

Then it was Cindy McCain’s turn. The best way to lose 30 pounds, she said, was to campaign. As proof, she cited her pants, which she said were now two sizes too big. Keep in mind that Vogue reported that she wears size 0 Lucky Brand Jeans -- not the kind of detail likely to inspire empathy.

Before the session began, attendees were serenaded by a barbershop quintet wearing American-flag ties. The song list? “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “A Bicycle Built for Two” and “You Raise Me Up” (dedicated to women who have been “touched by cancer”).

By the time it was John McCain’s turn, he looked relieved to get the mic.

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-- Maeve Reston