Fiorina's new role trades on time at HP

"My leadership at HP has been completely validated by the results HP posted the day after I was fired until today," Fiorina said in a recent interview. "Leadership is about making tough choices, and I think I recognize that in others. That's what attracts me to John McCain -he's a leader."

HP recently cracked $100 billion in annual sales for the first time, and has recaptured the title of the world's No. 1 personal computer seller from Dell Inc., an achievement helped by the addition of Compaq and the operational changes made under the new chief executive, Mark Hurd.

"HP hasn't looked so bad since she left -it was a little stain on her reputation in that she wasn't as successful as she wanted to be, but she's still pretty damn successful," said David Brady, professor of political science and leadership values at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

"Presidential elections are different from internal battles with the old family (at HP). A lot of time's passed since then. I don't see it as a problem."

Fiorina, who splits her time between her homes in Silicon Valley and Washington with her husband, Frank, is quiet on the topic of her political aspirations.

Right now, Fiorina says her priority is helping get the candidate's message out.

"I remember what it feels like to be a secretary and the challenges of working people," Fiorina said. "I understand how you create jobs, I understand why jobs leave, I understand how business works, I think I understand how the economy works. I think all of those perspectives are valuable."