Meg Whitman campaign spokesperson STRONGLY REFUDIATES change in theme. REFUDIATES! STRONGLY!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Former CEO Meg Whitman's new ad: is it time to "run California like a business"" -- or not?



In the wake of some tough weeks in the gubernatorial campaign, including the headline-grabbing issue of her former maid, Republican Meg Whitman has unveiled a new positive-themed back-to-basics ad -- almost an introduction spot -- in which the former eBay CEO says: "I know government isn't a business -- and it shouldn't be.''

The ad, which has begun running statewide, is called "Baloney.'' But does the stance touted by businesswoman Whitman in this spot suggest the Republican has stepped back from what's been a campaign mantra -- that "it's time to run California like a business?"

The former eBay CEO, in the spot, looks directly at the camera and talks about the principles of business and how they would make Sacramento more efficient.

She adds: "I'm on a mission to create more jobs, cut wasteful spending, and improve our schools. Let's get to work."

Among the times that Whitman has spoken out on the matter was in the March 16, 2009 edition of Fortune Magazine, that famous cover piece titled "Can Meg Whitman Save California?"

Wrote author Patricia Sellers: "As she watched the California economy's "devastating downward spiral," Whitman says, she became convinced that "it's time to run California like a business."

And as the Chronicle reported back then, Whitman also told a packed lunchtime gathering at the State GOP Convention in Sacramento in Feb. 2009 that it is "time to run California like a business" -- calling for slashing the state's workforce in an effort to ease the state's financial crunch.

We've checked in with Andrea Jones Rivera, spokeswoman for the Whitman campaign, who strongly refutes the idea there is any change in Whitman's theme.

"Her message has been crystal clear, and the langugage in that ad is almost exactly the same as what she's been saying all over the state since the primary -- that some of business efficiency and business principles need to be injected into government,'' she said.

"That's not what you're going to get from a 40-year career politician like Jerry Brown,'' said Jones Rivera. "He won't do anything but protect the status quo.''

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?entry_id=73945