Meg Whitman for Governor of California

News: State law enforcement union backs Whitman

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:08 -0700

News: MEGaWomen "Walk for A New California"

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:07 -0700

Last month members of our MEGaWomen coalition joined Meg at at the Westfield Horton Plaza in San Diego for the first "Walk for A New California." The energy among the group was phenomenal and Meg looks forward to participating in more mall walks around the state in the coming weeks!

News: Meg Whitman reaches out to California’s Jewish community with new coalition

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:06 -0700

Meg’s priorities for California are the Jewish Community’s priorities: restoring the state’s economic health by creating jobs, making government more efficient, and fixing the state’s public education system.

News: Excited voters greet Meg Whitman in Tuolumne County

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:05 -0700

On Saturday, Meg visited local businesses and took a walking tour of historic Columbia. Then she attended the county’s Republican BBQ, where she spoke to nearly 200 community members and told them that working together “we can turn California around.”

News: Excited voters greet Meg Whitman in Tuolumne County

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:04 -0700

COLUMBIA -- Chatter of Meg Whitman’s visit to Tuolumne County began long before she arrived.

Here in Columbia -- a former Gold Rush town nestled at the foothills of the Sierras -- voters had been eagerly waiting to meet the candidate for Governor who they believe isn’t like any other candidate they’ve seen before.

And when Meg visited Tuolumne County this Labor Day weekend, voters said they weren’t disappointed. She was everything they hoped their next Governor might be – personable, driven and passionate about changing the direction of this state.

“We wanted to come and meet Meg because I’m really excited about her chances and I’m excited about what she can do for the state,” said Carey Haughy of Columbia. “Our county’s a small county, and we’re honored to have her here.”

Meg’s visit to Columbia was just another step in her ongoing effort to meet voters in every corner of this state – Tuolumne County was the 49th county Meg’s traveled to on the campaign trail. She’s toured hundreds of businesses and she’s met thousands of voters who want to have a voice in California’s future.

On Saturday, Meg visited local businesses and took a walking tour of historic Columbia. Then she attended the county’s Republican BBQ, where she spoke to nearly 200 community members and told them that working together “we can turn California around.”

“We can make the Golden State golden again. It will not be easy but we can do this,” Meg told the cheering crowd. “And I believe this is about focus – doing a small number of things really well. It’s about leadership. It’s about being out in front and standing for things and bringing people together so that we can make this state great again.”

“Having a gubernatorial candidate running for election and visit our humble little community is big, it’s just huge,” said Gary Neubert, a Columbia business owner who helped plan the event, and who founded his own home-based business through eBay in the company’s early days.

“People are genuinely excited to see her, proud that she would come to Columbia and really grateful that she spent the time and looked people in the eye. She was real sincere about wanting to know what their lives are like and how she can possibly help them as Governor.”

News: Meg Whitman reaches out to California’s Jewish community with new coalition

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:03 -0700

Arie Lipnick had read about Meg Whitman’s tenure at eBay -- how she took a company with 30 employees to 15,000 employees, and grew revenues from $4.7 million to $8 billion.

But if you ask Lipnick what really jumped off the page, he’ll tell you it was how Meg built economic partnerships around the world, including Israel. As eBay’s CEO, Meg sought out technology leaders, including Israel’s Shopping.com and FraudSciences, which she brought into the eBay fold.

“Meg understands firsthand the value of the California-Israel relationship because she’s experienced it,” said Lipnick, who most recently worked for AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee.)

Now Lipnick is Meg’s Director of Jewish Outreach, and he’s helping launch the Jewish Community for Meg 2010 Coalition – just another step in Meg’s ongoing effort to reach out to Californians in every community.

“I think it’s about standing up and being counted,” Lipnick said. “This is a movement, and when you join Meg’s Jewish Community Coalition, it’s about saying, ‘I want to chart a new course. I want A New California.’”

California’s Jewish population is the third-largest in the world, only behind Israel and New York. Most recent figures put California’s Jewish population at more than one million.

Meg’s priorities for California are the Jewish Community’s priorities: restoring the state’s economic health by creating jobs, making government more efficient, and fixing the state’s public education system.

“Times are tough and no one is unaffected — every community is hurting,” said Dr. Irving Lebovics, a Los Angeles resident who’s a leader in Meg’s Jewish Community Coalition. “We need a Governor with a plan to get us back on track and I believe Meg Whitman has that plan.”

Over the course of her campaign, Meg has met with Jewish community members across the state. Recently, she met with Jewish leaders in Los Angeles at The Museum of Tolerance, where she discussed how she’ll work to restore prosperity to California. And she asked for their ideas, too.

“I will fight for every vote, and I’ll make sure that every California community is involved in my plan to rebuild the state -- even traditional Democratic constituencies like the Jewish community,” Meg said. “I'm so excited about our Jewish outreach program because if we’re going to move this state in a new direction, it’s going to take all of us.”

In the coming weeks, Lipnick, along with other Jewish coalition leaders, will be recruiting supporters across the state. They’ll reach out to community members in synagogues, Jewish business groups, Jewish charitable groups and other organizations. Meg often likes to say that her campaign is about the power of many – what we can do together, none of us can do alone. Meg says this is Californians’ opportunity to stand up and be counted.

“In every election, politicians say it’s the most important election of your life,” said Boris Feldman of Palo Alto, a leader in Meg’s Jewish Community Coalition. “But if we don’t change something dramatically in the state, we’re going to go bust near-term. This is not about our grandchildrens’ future. This is about right now.”

Feldman said Meg has the track record and the skills needed to move California forward. Her plan is one that every Californian can unite around, because it’s rooted in common-sense solutions and efficient business practices.

He added: “What I’m hoping is that by reaching out to the Jews of California, Meg’s campaign can get them to say, ‘Let’s weigh this woman on her merit and ignore whether it’s an ‘R’ or ‘D’ after the name.'”

Press Release: In Case You Missed It: Small business choice for Governor is Meg Whitman

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:02 -0700

CUPERTINO - This morning, Fox & Hounds published an opinion editorial written by John Kabateck, the California Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business. The article highlights that Meg is the only candidate who has met a payroll, run a business and understands what it takes to create jobs here in California. While Meg recognizes the importance of small businesses in California, Jerry Brown's record in politics and his lack of effort to respond to the NFIB shows that not only does he not understand small businesses, but also that he thinks spending time with small business owners is a waste of time. Read the whole article below:

Fox & Hounds: Small Business Choice for Governor is Meg Whitman

By John Kabateck
California Executive Director, National Federation of Independent Business

The nonpartisan National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Save America's Free Enterprise Trust announced its endorsement of Meg Whitman for Governor. NFIB made this endorsement after balloting our nearly 20,000 members about which candidate we should support for Governor - and the choice was clear.

Meg is the only candidate who has run a business, created jobs for California and signed the front of a check. She has the track record, commitment and vision that we know will transform today's Sacramento mindset from heaping huge new burdens upon Main Street to one that will finally provide struggling small businesses the incentives and support they so desperately need.

Meg believes innovation and entrepreneurship should be encouraged, not penalized. She recognizes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and as Governor, she will make certain California government gets out of the way of small businesses and creates the conditions for them to thrive.

In stark contrast, her opponent Jerry Brown is a lifelong politician who has not created jobs - instead, he increased the size of government and the deficit when he was governor last time.

We should point out that both candidates were invited multiple times to speak to and meet with members of NFIB. Meg met with our members while Brown declined on two separate occasions. In addition, Brown did not return his candidate questionnaire to NFIB while Meg did. Is anyone else wondering what he's trying to hide?

As governor, Jerry Brown supported raising taxes by more than $7 billion. And as mayor of Oakland, he campaigned for increases in property taxes of $500 million. Under Brown's tenure as Governor, California was ranked by an independent study as the second to worst state in the country to locate a business because of excessive regulation.

California has to start producing jobs again, and Meg Whitman has the proven skills to lead the effort. As CEO of eBay, she was instrumental in building a community of entrepreneurs and innovators and she helped create tens of thousands of small businesses and job opportunities for people in the Golden State. As she runs for governor, Meg has laid out a clear philosophy that calls for reduced taxes, less regulation and responsible government spending.

Her plan includes a job-creating tax-cut strategy that is affordable and achievable. Meg will eliminate the $800 fee that new business start-ups are currently required to pay - indeed, what she deems a "stop sign" to entrepreneurship in our state. She will eliminate the "factory tax" that manufacturers pay on the equipment they buy to manufacture their goods. And she will eliminate the state tax on capital gains so that retirees and middle class investors can keep more of their own money.

Meg Whitman is a proven leader with the track record and plan that will pull California's small businesses and working families out of the deep, deep hole we are in. Jerry Brown, on the other hand, will keep on shoveling with reckless abandon.

That's why it comes as no surprise that the National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed Meg Whitman for Governor, and why we are so proud to join in supporting Meg's plan for returning our state to prosperity. You can learn more about Meg's plan by going to www.megsplan.com.

Read it at Fox & Hounds here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Statement from Meg Whitman in response to Steve Poizner's endorsement

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:01 -0700

CUPERTINO - Please see the following statement from gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman in response to California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner's endorsement:

"I'm grateful to have the support of Commissioner Steve Poizner. Steve and I have a shared belief that we must improve California's business climate, cut government spending and fix the state's public schools. I appreciate that Steve is backing my campaign, and look forward to winning the support of all Californians who share my vision for making our economy stronger and our government more accountable."

Meg Whitman, Republican nominee for Governor

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Whitman announces Jewish Community for Meg Coalition leadership

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, today announced the leaders of her Jewish Community for Meg Coalition. These leaders are working with Meg to engage voters in Northern and Southern California.

"Our campaign is building strong support in the Jewish community because I'm committed to delivering results, creating jobs and turning California around," Whitman said. "My campaign's Jewish coalition is made up of respected leaders who share my deep concern about the direction of our state, our economy, and want to make a change for the better."

"Times are tough and no one is unaffected - every community is hurting," said Dr. Irving Lebovics of the Los Angeles Orthodox Jewish community. "We need a Governor with a plan to get us back on track and I believe Meg Whitman has that plan."

The leaders of the Jewish Community for Meg Coalition include prominent California business leaders, doctors and members of the Bay Area Jewish community, the Los Angeles Jewish community, the Orthodox community and the Persian Jewish community. They are introducing the Meg Whitman Campaign to community members in synagogues, Jewish business groups, Jewish charitable groups and other organizations.

To learn more about the coalition, click here.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the coalition, click here.

The Jewish Community for Meg Coalition is one of 14 coalitions organized by the Whitman campaign. For more information on Meg's coalitions and how to join, click here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Whitman Campaign response to Jerry Brown's first TV ad

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - The Meg Whitman for Governor Campaign today released the following statement and fact check in response to Jerry Brown's first campaign ad. In the ad Brown attempts to re-write his record:

"After 40 years in politics protecting the status quo, it's no surprise that Jerry Brown is kicking off his campaign with a misleading historic renovation of his own record. After 8 years as governor, he left California with 11% unemployment, 1.3 million people were unemployed and the state faced a $1 billion deficit. He left the state 'flat broke and flirting with bankruptcy.' Jerry Brown is the last person we can trust for 'major change' in Sacramento."

- Andrea Jones Rivera, Meg Whitman 2010

BACKGROUND

BROWN CLAIM: "HE CUT WASTE, GOT RID OF THE MANSION AND THE LIMO; BUDGETS WERE BALANCED."

Brown left California With A $1 Billion Deficit And The State Was "Flat Broke And Flirting With Bankruptcy:

But When He Left The Governor's Office, The State Budget Deficit Was Over $1 Billion. "[[In 1982,] The budget surplus had evaporated into a deficit of more than $1 billion and the state's general fund reserve had fallen from nearly $2 billion to zero. The unemployment rate, worsened by a national recession, had risen to a record high of 9.9 percent." (Jane Gross with Katherine Bishop, "The 1992 Campaign: Candidate's Record," The New York Times, 4/5/92)

Brown Left California With A "Full-Blown Financial Crisis." "By 1983, when George Deukmejian replaced Brown in the governorship, California had a full-blown financial crisis on its hands. There was a billion-dollar-plus hole in the state budget, no reserves to cover it and the state's bond rating slipped a notch to AA-plus." (Dan Walters, "Big Bond Fight Reaches Ballot," Sacramento Bee, 10/15/84)

Brown Left California "Flat Broke And Flirting With Bankruptcy." "Brown had been so preoccupied with advancing himself politically, running twice for the presidency and once for the U.S. Senate, that he neglected his job. He left the state flat broke and flirting with bankruptcy and Deukmejian's first job was to deal with the crisis." (Dan Walters, "Deukmejian At Midterm," Sacramento Bee, 1/3/85)

Under Jerry's Administration, The California Budget Grew By 119%. "How much has state spending grown during the eight years of the Jerry Brown Administration? Brown's first budget totaled $11.5 billion in 1975, and this year's total is $25.2 billion - an increase of some 119 percent." (Ed Salzman, "Has California Launched A National Health Revolution," California Journal, 8/82)

BROWN CLAIM: "FOUR BILLION IN TAX CUTS."

CNN: "California State Taxes Went Up While Brown Was Governor, Not Down":

CNN Reporter Brooks Jackson: "[[voice-over] But Brown himself is running New York commercials containing claims that are incomplete, debatable, or just plain wrong." 1st Narrator: "[[Brown campaign advertisement] He cut taxes for working people." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 3/31/92)

• CNN's Jackson: "[[voice-over] Wrong. California state taxes went up while Brown was governor, not down. In 1974, the year before he took office, state taxes amounted to less than $6.50 of $100 earned. Inflation pushed state taxes up to nearly $8, helping create a tax revolt. Brown then supported cuts, but even so, state taxes were still higher in 1982, his last year as governor, than when he began." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 3/31/92)

CNN's Jackson: "Brown's ad says 'honesty for a change.' [on camera] That's a sly implication that Clinton is dishonest, but what about Brown's honesty when he tells New Yorkers he cut California taxes that really went up." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 3/31/92)

BROWN CLAIM: "WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES."

When Brown Was Governor He Was "Largely Disinterested In The Schools":

"Jerry Brown Was Largely Disinterested In The Schools And Allowed Them To Languish, Without Adequate Financing Or Political Support." (Dan Walters, "State Has Lost High Tax Rank," Sacramento Bee, 12/10/84)

"History Will Continue To Be Unkind To Brown, One Suspects, For His Neglectful Treatment Of Public Education. As The Product Of Private Schools, Brown Simply Had No Innate Understanding Of Public Schools. And His Almost Total Lack Of Administrative Follow Through On Even Those Causes He Supported Will Continue To Nag His Image." (Dan Walters, "Jerry Brown's New Turning Point: Age 50," Sacramento Bee, 4/3/88)

Under Jerry Brown, "California Slipped From 18th To 31st Nationally In Per Pupil School Financing." "Public education fared poorly in the Brown years, even before the stringencies of Proposition 13 and a series of court rulings that altered education spending formulas. Mr. Brown threatened early to squeeze school budgets to inspire 'reform.' When asked what he had in mind, the Governor said, 'I don't know yet' and never clarified the issue. California slipped from 18th to 31st nationally in per pupil school financing." (Jane Gross With Katherine Bishop, "Brown Opened Doors But Failed To Build Coalitions," The New York Times, 4/5/92)

BROWN CLAIM: "ONE-POINT NINE MILLION NEW JOBS CREATED."

Brown Left California With Record High Unemployment And Had "Half A Million More People With No Jobs":

When He Left The Governor's Office, California Was Facing Record Unemployment. "[[In 1982,] The budget surplus had evaporated into a deficit of more than $1 billion and the state's general fund reserve had fallen from nearly $2 billion to zero. The unemployment rate, worsened by a national recession, had risen to a record high of 9.9 percent." (Jane Gross with Katherine Bishop, "The 1992 Campaign: Candidate's Record," The New York Times, 4/5/92)

At The End Of His Term (December 1982) The Unemployment Rate In California Was 11%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics)

• In December 1982 There Were 1,341,536 Unemployed Californians. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics)

CNN's Jackson Criticizes Brown's Claim On Creating Jobs. 1st Narrator: "[[Brown campaign advertisement] Created over two million new jobs." CNN's Jackson: "[[voice-over] Not the whole story. California did have 2.3 million more jobs when Brown left office, but it also had half a million more people with no jobs. In short, population grew faster than employment, partly because a national recession pushed California's unemployment rate up to nearly 10 percent during Brown's last year. It was 7.3 percent before he took office." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 3/31/92)

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

News: CalChamber announces endorsement of Meg Whitman for Governor

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:01 -0700

Press Release: In Case You Missed It: The Fresno Bee on Brown's Latino outreach

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Cupertino – Today Jim Boren, editorial page editor of The Fresno Bee, published an article on The Bee’s website discussing Jerry Brown’s “political indifference” toward Latino voters and his continued refusal to accept an invitation to participate in the Univision debate in Fresno. Read the full article below:

The Fresno Bee: Jerry Brown Should Be A Shoo-In With Latino Voters

By Jim Boren

The fact that Democrat Jerry Brown had to hold a news conference the other day to tout his Latino support is one more indication of his slippage among that key part of the California electorate. Brown's support among Latinos shouldn't even be an issue. But gubernatorial rival Meg Whitman has been aggressively courting Latino voters, and it appears that many are turning her way.

On Thursday, Brown was forced to call in Hispanic elected officials and community activists in Oakland for a campaign rally. Brown, the former governor who made dozens of key Hispanic appointments during his tenure, shouldn't have to be scrambling for Latino support.

But his poltiical indifference during most of the gubernatorial campaign has alllowed Whitman an opening among Latino voters.

Whitman, the former eBay CEO, is running a 21st century campaign, and Brown seems to be stuck in the last century, believing that his name identification and support among key Democratic interest groups is all he needs to carry him to victory. Someone needs to tell him that a big chunk of voters weren't even alive the last time he was governor.

The Brown campaign is even blowing off an Oct. 2 debate at Fresno State. It would be televised statewide on Univision, and is also sponsored by The Fresno Bee, Fresno State and the city of Fresno. Whitman has agreed to participate in the debate. (Full disclosure: I have attended many of the planning sessions for the debate as a representative of The Bee).

The question that debate sponsors are asking is why would Brown not participate in a debate that will be televised in Spanish statewide. How better to reach Latino voters at no cost to his campaign? The sponsors originally thought it would be difficult to get Whitman to participate, and Brown would jump at the chance to debate in this format. It turned out to be the other way around.

Univision has made a huge commitment to this debate and has even commited one of its national anchors -- either Maria Elena Salinas or Jorge Ramos -- to moderate the debate. But the Brown campaign for some reason doesn't see the significance of this enounter that has the potential of reaching most of California's Latino voters.

Read It At The Fresno Bee Here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

News: Fred Ruiz: Whitman will ensure that California is the global hub for innovation by investing in higher education

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:06 -0700

News: Whitman backs withholding lawmaker pay when budget is late

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:05 -0700

News: Survey USA poll: Whitman 47%, Brown 40%

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:04 -0700

News: Meg Whitman: "I have a passion to turn this state around"

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:03 -0700

On Wednesday, Meg Whitman visited Altergy Systems and told workers there that if she’s elected, she’ll promote jobs-friendly policies in an effort to stop California companies from moving away.

News: Meg Whitman: “I have a passion to turn this state around”

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:02 -0700

FOLSOM – Over the past decade, Altergy Systems has been wooed by more than a dozen states to pull up stakes and leave California.

The Folsom-based company represents the type of innovation that used to be California’s hallmark – developing and manufacturing hydrogen-powered fuel cells that produce high-quality clean power. Their systems have been used to light the Christmas tree at the state Capitol, and to light up the red carpet at the Academy Awards.

The company’s leaders say California increasingly is a difficult place to do business. And it’s no wonder that more than 15 states have come to Altergy Systems with enticing packages that include tax breaks, fewer regulations and an easier path for growth than what California offers.

On Wednesday, Meg Whitman visited Altergy Systems and told workers there that if she’s elected, she’ll promote jobs-friendly policies in an effort to stop California companies from moving away.

“I have a passion to turn this state around,” Meg told the crowd. “And frankly, I think it’s going to take someone with a business background to restore fundamentally the economic health of this state.”

Eric Mettler, president and CEO of Altergy Systems, said Meg has that leadership capability and the vision to put California back on a successful track. Because she’s worked in the private sector, Mettler said Meg will make it a priority to help California compete for jobs, to remove roadblocks to success and to work with the state legislature to get things done.

“I think Meg possesses a very unique commitment to businesses like ours. I believe she will do all kinds of things in her power as Governor to make sure companies like ours stay,” Mettler said. “She talks about pride in California and how we need to restore that pride and restore that prosperity -- and I think she has a good plan to get us there.”

Meg contrasted her experience with that of her opponent Jerry Brown, a 40-year career politician who has run for office 14 times and didn’t deliver the results he promised. As governor, Brown turned a $6 billion budget surplus into a $1 billion deficit and unemployment nearly doubled in his second term.

“Gov. Brown is very good at running for office, but he does not deliver when he is there,” Meg said. “And I think Californians have to ask: with this crisis in our state … can we stand a third term of Jerry Brown?”

She added: “We’ve got to do the work of the people of California. California has a crisis of confidence …we’ve lost confidence in the leadership in Sacramento, and we have to turn this around. And I believe with the right leadership and the right focus, we can do this.”

Terry Carlone, chairman of Altergy Systems, says Meg understands that Californians want to see their state gain prosperity again.

“At heart, we’re Californians -- we want to stay here,” said “Meg will deliver the results because she’s done it before and she’s done it repeatedly. She’s a woman of integrity, I believe what she says and I’m certainly going to support her.”

Press Release: Whitman Campaign announces Nicole Parra to lead outreach to Democrats, DTS voters

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:01 -0700

Former Central Valley Assemblywoman Joins Whitman Campaign

CUPERTINO - The Meg Whitman for Governor Campaign today announced that Nicole Parra will lead the campaign's effort to engage Democratic and decline-to-state voters.
These voters make up nearly two-thirds of registered voters in California and Parra will lead an aggressive initiative to attract Democrats and independents.

As a former Assemblywoman representing the heart of the Central Valley, Parra knows firsthand the steep challenges facing California. She believes that Sacramento's status-quo politicians have failed small business owners, farmers, Latinos and families.

"Meg Whitman is the only candidate with the leadership and management skills to create jobs, end budget stalemates and put Californians back to work. She will bring common sense and accountability to Sacramento at a time we need it most,'' Parra said.

"I will be traveling throughout California, starting today in Oakland, to talk to Democratic and independent voters who are tired of the old ways of thinking and are looking for fresh ideas and a new style of leadership from their elected officials. We will be talking about Meg's plan for improving the economy, controlling spending and fixing our public schools, issues that Californians care most about. Democratic and independent voters will help lead Meg to victory in November."

Parra served three terms in the California State Assembly, from 2002 until 2008. She represented Kings, Kern, Tulare and Fresno counties. Parra, until recently a Democrat, is now registered decline-to-state.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: In Case You Missed It: Democratic State Senator Romero praises Whitman

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - Democratic State Senator Gloria Romero has had a letter to the editor published in the Pasadena Star-News in which she applauds Meg Whitman for opening a campaign office in East Los Angeles. Senator Romero, former Democratic Majority Leader in the state Senate, wrote that East LA is the cultural home of the Latino community and that "any candidate who is committed to Latinos should come here" to listen to residents' concerns and respond with a plan to create jobs. She specifically notes that Jerry Brown has not opened an office. Read the full letter below:

Pasadena Star-News: Letter To The Editor: City of East L.A.?

I read with great interest all the political posturing surrounding Meg Whitman's opening of a field office in East Los Angeles. Lost in the discussion was that this bold move by Team Whitman absolutely underscores the viability of the newly launched drive to recognize East Los Angeles as a city.

The unincorporated community of East Los Angeles is home to over 140,000 people and about 45,000 registered voters. In 2009, 16,259 registered voters signed petitions to initiate a comprehensive fiscal analysis of the viability of cityhood status for this community - a major first step in a drive for cityhood status. If East L.A. is successful in attaining cityhood, it will become the 10th largest city in Los Angeles County.

East Los Angeles is the cultural home of the Latino community, not only in California, but across the nation. But any candidate who is truly committed to Latinos should come here not only to share a campaign platform, but to listen to the stories of this community and respond in a meaningful way that will bring jobs to those who need them the most and help us overhaul our schools. Hopefully, they won't just open a campaign office, but lend their support for representative local control and join the effort to give birth to the city of East Los Angeles.

Rather than protesting Meg Whitman, we should applaud her. Quite frankly, I hope Team Brown will also recognize the power of East Los Angeles and open its office in our community as well.

We who live in East Los Angeles are smart enough to separate out photo-ops from real commitment to economic prosperity and fair legislative priorities for the constituents in our region. Now - before the election - is the time for the gubernatorial candidates to show their understanding of the vitality of east of Los Angeles - and make a commitment to, after the hoopla of the November election passes, remain committed to East Los Angeles and help its residents gain representation in our quest for cityhood.

Gloria Romero

State Senator

Los Angeles

Read it at The Pasadena Star-News here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: In Case You Missed It: Whitman will ensure that California is the global hub for innovation by investing in higher education

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:01 -0700

"Our state budget is under incredible pressure, but Meg has designed a plan to invest significant new money into the system that will come from savings from her budget reforms. She is proposing to invest $1 billion of the savings from her welfare and other budgetary reforms into California's higher education system. And she has a plan to create academic enterprise zones around our academic institutions to foster collaboration." - Fred Ruiz, UC Regent

CUPERTINO - Today, Red County published an opinion editorial by University Of California Regent Fred Ruiz highlighting Meg's commitment to investing in California's higher education system. The opinion editorial describes how Meg views higher education as a key part of creating jobs and returning a spirit of hope and innovation to California. Mr. Ruiz goes on to explain how Meg has a plan to invest in the UC and CSU systems by using savings from her welfare reforms. Read the whole opinion editorial below:

Red County: Whitman Will Ensure That California Is The Global Hub For Innovation By Investing In Higher Education

By Fred Ruiz

California's economy is struggling and the next governor must focus on creating more jobs and restoring opportunity in our state. The next governor must also focus on investing in what I consider the jewel of California: Its higher education system.

The future of our state is directly tied to the quality of our higher education system, which remains world class.

Meg Whitman is the only candidate with a plan to preserve our public university and college system that has given so many of us the opportunities to pursue our dreams here in California.

Since the beginning of her campaign, Meg has made fixing California's K-12 schools one of her top priorities and now she is laying out her plans to invest in the University of California and California State University systems.

I attended the College of the Sequoias, a community college located in Visalia, in California's San Joaquin Valley. Its mission, when it was established in 1926, was to provide affordable college education to local high school graduates and help them achieve their goals.

I joined with my father and turned a small family-owned business into the largest Hispanic frozen food company in America. I am admittedly biased when it comes to our public universities and colleges, and proudly so. I am a Regent of the University of California.

Innovation and a first-class education system go hand in hand. My wife and I have set up an endowment at UC Merced to support entrepreneurship because we believe it is vitally important to invest in our public education system. Families all over California have stories about how affordable access to the UC and CSU system put them on the path to find good jobs, grow their careers and companies here and build a quality of life second to none. Today, we are at risk of losing all that.

Our state budget is under incredible pressure, but Meg has designed a plan to invest significant new money into the system that will come from savings from her budget reforms.

She is proposing to invest $1 billion of the savings from her welfare and other budgetary reforms into California's higher education system. And she has a plan to create academic enterprise zones around our academic institutions to foster collaboration.

That's exactly why I am supporting Meg. She is making fiscally sound proposals and is providing a specific way to pay for them. She's an astute manager who has balanced budgets for decades while leading one of the Fortune 500's most innovative companies. With the economy struggling, our next governor must focus on creating jobs and improving the conditions for new businesses to start and grow here. Having a top-notch college and university system is essential to graduate California's future innovators, entrepreneurs and workforce talent. As former chair of the California Chamber of Commerce, I know well the challenges facing businesses as they struggle to recover in our tough economic environment.

Key to the recovery will be a talented workforce ready and able to compete in the global economy. Meg's plan is designed to encourage higher education and business to come together around campuses to foster innovation and build new companies that will change the world.

Meg's plan makes certain California has a solid foundation for decades of continued economic strength. By investing in higher education, we will ensure California is the global hub for innovation in the future.

Read it at Red County here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Meg Whitman statement on the budget gridlock

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - Please see the following statement from gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman in response to the California legislature's continued inability to pass an on-time budget:

"The inability of California's legislature to pass a budget on time is a profound failure of leadership. The budget process begins in January and must be treated with urgency at that point - not months later. For too long, Sacramento politicians have not been held accountable for failing to pass a budget by the Constitutional deadline of June 15th. If I am elected Governor, I will work toward an on-time budget each and every year.

But if we don't have a new budget by the start of the new fiscal year my first year as Governor, then I will support measures to ensure that for each day that California goes without a budget after July 1st, legislators would be prohibited from fundraising, they would forfeit their pay and tax-free per diem and they would lose taxpayer-funded travel to their districts.

The bottom line is that taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook to pay politicians while they're missing budget deadlines and damaging the stability and fiscal health of the state.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

News: Meg Whitman se va ganando a los latinos

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:02 -0700

Vida en el Valle August 18, 2010

SACRAMENTO -- La candidata republicana a la gobernatura de California, Meg Whitman, continúa en su esfuerzo por atraer el voto latino y todo indica que está logrando su objetivo.

La última estrategia ha sido la creación de dos comerciales de televisión, totalmente en español, que fueron transmitidos la semana del partido de futbol entre los Estados Unidos y Brasil y entre México y España. Uno de los comerciales trata el tema de la educación y otro de la creación de empleos.

"Meg Whitman quiere ayudar a los latinos a alcanzar el sueño americano; ella tiene un plan para quitar tanta burocracia en Sacramento y que llegue más dinero al salón de clases. Quiere que las escuelas ayuden a nuestros niños a aprender bien el inglés y calificará a cada escuela pública para incrementar la productividad," dice uno de los comerciales.

"Se decidió que tanto la educación como la creación de empleos eran los temas ideales para que los latinos conocieran a Whitman, de esta manera conocerán sus planes en estos dos tópicos tan importantes para nuestra comunidad y podrán darse cuenta de que ella es la mejor opción para gobernador," comentó Héctor Barajas, vocero de la campaña de Whitman.

Y al parecer los esfuerzos que ha estado haciendo Whitman para con los latinos y el resto de la comunidad están surtiendo efecto.

De acuerdo a la última encuesta de Rasmussen Reports en California, durante el mes de julio Whitman prácticamente ya alcanzó a su contrincante demócrata Jerry Brown. El 47 por ciento de la población encuestada votaría por Brown, mientras Whitman obtuvo el 46 por ciento. Es decir, sólo hay un punto porcentual de diferencia.

"Este resultado indica que día a día Whitman ha ido ganando terreno gracias a su campaña que incluye no sólo una parte de la población sino a toda la comunidad y a todas las razas," explicó Barajas.

Barajas criticó el hecho de que Brown no haya lanzado ningún comercial para la comunidad latina lo que pareciera que no le importa mucho este segmento de la población.

"Quizás la campaña de Brown no le interesa atraer el voto latino o tal vez se sienten muy seguros de que ya los tienen ganados (a los latinos) pero lo cierto es que cada vez los porcentuajes de las encuestas se van acercando y dándole una gran ventaja a Whitman," agregó Barajas.

También comentó que en estas elecciones la comunidad latina votará por las acciones de cada candidato, de sus planes para ir hacia adelante y no por las preferencias que tengan por un partido político.

Anteriormente, Whitman ya había lanzado otros dos comerciales en español así como panorámicos en diferentes ciudades del estado.

Al cuestionar a Frank Torres, vocero de la campaña de Brown, éste comentó que la gran diferencia entre los dos candidatos es que Whitman es una mujer millonaria que tiene la capacidad de invertir millones de dólares en publicidad.

"Nosotros no contamos con recursos económicos de Whitman, solamente tenemos el apoyo de la comunidad latina y de los líderes empresariales o sindicales y con eso sabemos que Brown es el favorito para ser el próximo gobernador.

Aseguró que el próximo gobernador no ganará por el número de comerciales que lance sino por la experiencia y plataforma electoral con que cuenten.

Raúl Hinojosa, profesor de Estudios Chicanos de la Universidad de California en Los Ángeles, comentó que, por experiencia de otras campañas, el hecho de que un candidato gaste millones de dólares en campaña no le garantiza el éxito y esto es lo que puede suceder con Whitman.

"Yo dudo mucho que estos comerciales en español de Whitman tengan un buen efecto en la comunidad latina. Finalmente, lo que realmente el latino va a tomar en cuenta son todos los comentarios que ha hecho Whitman en contra de esta comunidad," dijo Hinojosa.

Aseguró que lo malo para Whitman va a ser enfrentar todos los comentarios anti-inmigrantes que ha hecho en su campaña con el objetivo de ganarse el voto de la gente blanca.

"En un principio, cuando Whitman competía por la candidatura republicana en contra de Steve Poizner, ambos competían para ver quien era el más anti inmigrante y eso la gente no lo olvida por lo que al momento de la elección eso tipo de cosas van a pesar mucho en los votantes latinos," señaló Hinojosa.

Añadió que lo que busca Whitman es atraer un pequeña parte del voto latino para así logran el triunfo sabiendo que ya tiene de su parte el voto blanco y de otras minorías.

Press Release: Whitman Campaign releases new ad on Jerry Brown's Oakland record

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:01 -0700

CUPERTINO - Today the Meg Whitman Campaign released a new 30-second television ad, titled "Facts on Oakland", that is running in the San Francisco Bay Area television market. The ad details the promises that Mayor Jerry Brown made to Oakland voters to fix the schools, reform government and reduce crime. The ad lays out the results, an eight-year legacy of broken promises to Oakland voters.

The announcer concludes, "Jerry Brown, he just can't deliver the results California needs now."

To view the ad, click here.

The transcript of the ad is below.

Announcer: We know Jerry Brown was Mayor of Oakland, but what were the results?

Fact: Brown promised to improve schools. But the dropout rate increased 50% and the state had to take over the schools.

Fact: The city controller found employees paid for 22,000 hours they never worked.

Fact: Brown promised to cut crime but murders doubled making Oakland the fourth most dangerous city in America.

Jerry Brown, he just can't deliver the results California needs now.

BACKGROUND

In 1998/1999, The Oakland Unified School District Had A 4-Year Drop Out Rate Of 24.1%. (The California Department Of Education Website, http://dq.cde.ca.gov <http://dq.cde.ca.gov/> <http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/DistRpt.asp?cChoice=EthOnly&cYear=1998-99&cSelect=0161259--OAKLAND%5EUNIFIED%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E&cTopic=Dropouts&cLevel=District>, Accessed 4/26/10)

In 2006/2007, The Oakland Unified School District Had A 4-Year Drop Out Rate Of 35.9%. (The California Department Of Education Website, http://dq.cde.ca.gov <http://dq.cde.ca.gov/> <http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/DistRpt.asp?cChoice=EthOnly&cYear=1998-99&cSelect=0161259--OAKLAND%5EUNIFIED%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E%5E&cTopic=Dropouts&cLevel=District>, Accessed 4/26/10)

Contra Costa Times: "California Takes Over Insolvent Oakland School District" (Suzanne Pardington, "California Takes Over Insolvent Oakland School District," Contra Costa Times, 6/3/03)

"Between 2003 And 2005, Brown [Former Oakland City Controller Larae Brown] Found More Than 950 City Employees Who Were Paid 22,000 Hours For Time They Never Worked. When City Officials Tried To Correct The Problem, Edgerly Rejected It And Said The Money Awarded Would Be Recategorized As A 'Beneficial Past Practice,' The Suit Claims." (Chip Johnson, "Ex-Oakland Controller Sues The City," San Francisco Chronicle, 4/11/08)

"'I'm Glad People Want To Work Here, But What About Live Here?' He Asked. 'By The Time We're Finished, There Will Be A Lot Less Crime In Oakland Than There Is In Walnut Creek.'" (Rick DelVecchio, "Jerry Brown Issues Call For Rebirth In Oakland," San Francisco Chronicle, 1/5/99)

There Were 60 Murders In Oakland In 1999. There Were 145 Murders In Oakland In 2006. (City Of Oakland Police Department Website, http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com <http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/> <http://gismaps.oaklandnet.com/crimewatch/pdf/HistoricalData.htm>, Accessed 8/27/10)

"Dig Deeper Into CQ Press' Report On The United States' Most Dangerous Cities, And, No Matter How Controversial The Report May Be, The News Seems To Get Bleaker And Bleaker For Oakland." (Kelly Rayburn, "Oakland In Spotlight After 'Most Dangerous' Report," Inside Bay Area, 11/23/07)

"The City Jumped From The Eighth Most Dangerous City In 2006's Rankings To The Fourth Most Dangerous This Year [2007]." (Kelly Rayburn, "Oakland In Spotlight After 'Most Dangerous' Report," Inside Bay Area, 11/23/07)

NOTE: "Each Year's Study Is Based On The Previous Year's Crime Data, Meaning Oakland Saw Its Spike In 2006, The Last Year Of Jerry Brown's Second Term As Mayor." (Kelly Rayburn, "Oakland In Spotlight After 'Most Dangerous' Report," Inside Bay Area, 11/23/07)

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce PAC endorses Whitman

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - Meg Whitman today announced the endorsement of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Political Action Committee. The chamber group is the leading advocate for business in the greater Riverside area and one of the largest chambers in Southern California.

"The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce PAC knows what's at stake in this election. They are strong supporters of my plan to create jobs, reform Sacramento and deliver results with common sense management,'' Whitman said. "Working together, we can implement valuable tax relief, reduce regulations and bring jobs back to California."

"Meg Whitman is the only candidate running for Governor who has made creating jobs her top priority and she has laid out a specific plan to improve the business climate in California. It entails encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship and advocating for job providers," said Mike Vanderpool, Chairman of the PAC. "Meg Whitman knows firsthand the challenges companies throughout California face. She will help grow businesses in Riverside and around the state and put more Californians back to work."

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce PAC joins a growing list of prominent business associations, representing thousands of employers, that have endorsed Meg and support her vision for fixing California. They include the National Federation of Independent Business, the California Restaurant Association, Western Growers Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of California, California Farm Bureau, Orange County Business Council, Small Business Action Committee and Neighborhood Market Association.

For more information about the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, go to www.riverside-chamber.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: In Case You Missed It: Where does Jerry Brown stand?

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:01 -0700

"I'd like to ask where Jerry Brown stands. Does he agree with the Obama Administration and California's Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell? Will he join them in supporting efforts to make teacher-evaluation ratings public and give parents a useful tool to gain more control over their children's education?" -- Dr. Peter Mehas, CSU Trustee

CUPERTINO - Today, former Secretary of Education and current Trustee of the California State University system Dr. Peter G. Mehas published a column on Flash Report where he congratulates the Los Angeles Times series that is sparking the important debate about tying teacher evaluations to the performance of their students. Meg Whitman believes effective teacher evaluations and making the results public are integral to long-lasting reform. Teacher unions are vocally opposing the Times series. Dr. Mehas asks in his piece where does Jerry Brown stand on this important issue. The California Teachers Association has given more than $1 million to the Brown campaign and committees backing his candidacy. Read the full column below:

Flash Report: Where Does Jerry Brown Stand?

Dr. Peter Mehas

If you are new to the FlashReport, please check out the main site and the acclaimed FlashReport Weblog on California politics.

Kudos to the Los Angeles Times for taking years of teacher performance data compiled by the Los Angeles Unified School District and crunching the numbers to jumpstart the important debate about tying teacher evaluations to the performance of their students.

The Times used a "value-added" model, which strains out factors such as poverty, for example, in a valuable exercise to get a real picture of the effect a particular teacher has on student learning over the course of a year. They plan to publish the ratings of more than 6,000 LAUSD elementary school teachers. This kind of data is instructive for those who want better schools. Almost everyone, from LAUSD parents to the Obama Administration, has recognized the potential value of making the results public.

As an individual trustee on the board of the California State University system, which produces many of the state's teachers, I fully support tying teacher progress at least in part to test results and the Times series I hope will finally break the logjam and get us moving in that direction.

We need serious debate on these issues: Can we use the rankings for evaluation? Pay decisions? Personnel decisions? Tenure decisions? Teacher assignment?

Teachers must be supported and have opportunities to improve their skills. Administrators also must be held accountable for making sure teachers and students under their watch show consistent improvement over the years.

So far, many efforts to reform teacher evaluations have been blocked by teachers' unions. United Teachers Los Angeles initially responded by announcing a boycott of the Times. It joined the California Teachers Association to ask the Times to cease publication of the series. This posturing is not without real consequence for California's students. California last week lost out on a potential $700 million infusion in federal "Race to the Top" money, in part because the state's teacher unions refused to agree to the data-driven evaluations the Times has shown can be a reality.

Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has a detailed plan to revitalize California schools, which includes higher pay for better performing teachers and greater controls for parents and local educators. Effective teacher evaluations and making the results public are integral to long-lasting reform. This data paves the way for one of Whitman's significant reforms to take root in our schools and over time improve the quality of instruction.

The Times series has been lauded by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and California Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell suggested in George Skelton's column that he supports such transparency: "I'm a big believer in transparency."

Colorado earlier this year adopted a new law that will hold teachers accountable for whether their students are learning by mandating 50 percent of a teacher's evaluation will be based on students' academic growth as measured partially by test scores. Other states are moving toward this approach, too.

Whitman believes teacher quality is a key ingredient to any plan to improve public education and it would serve all Californians well for everyone, notably the unions, to engage in the discussion instead of shooting the messenger.

I'd like to ask where Jerry Brown stands. Does he agree with the Obama Administration and California's Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell? Will he join them in supporting efforts to make teacher-evaluation ratings public and give parents a useful tool to gain more control over their children's education?

For years, the California Teachers Association has pushed to dismantle state standardized testing and oppose merit pay for good teachers. The CTA has already contributed more than $1 million dollars to Brown and committees backing his candidacy. They prefer the status quo, and somebody, as Brown as said of himself, who won't "rock the boat" in Sacramento.

Here is a chance for Jerry Brown to show the voters, parents and students of California that he has the independence to break ranks with his union benefactors and stand squarely on the side of our children's' future.

Dr. Peter G. Mehas has spent nearly 50 years in California education. He began as a Fresno teacher and has served as an appointee to three governors. He is a former Secretary of Education and was a member of the state Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges system. He currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of the California State University system.

READ IT AT FLASH REPORT HERE.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Press Release: Whitman launches second ad focused on issues and solutions for A New California

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

"Higher Education" highlights Meg's plan to invest savings from her welfare reforms into the UC and CSU systems

CUPERTINO - Today, Meg Whitman launched the second in a series of radio ads in which she outlines her specific solutions to the challenging issues facing California. The 60-second spot highlights Whitman's plan to invest $1 billion of the savings from her welfare reforms into higher education.

Whitman believes California's world-class public university and college system must be preserved as the innovation incubator for our state. The University of California and California State University systems are integral to California's long-term economic viability and competitiveness. Our higher education system must have the resources to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to compete in the world economy and ensure that California is the global hub for innovation.

Whitman says we should invest in the UC and CSU systems to stop the tuition increases and protect our ability to do innovative research. She believes we can get money from reforming California's broken welfare system.

"California has one-third of all welfare cases in the country, but we have only 12 percent of the U.S. population. Let's require work for welfare and a two-year limit on welfare benefits," Whitman says in the ad.

Whitman adds, "Real welfare reform has worked in other states. It's time to do it here."

Additional issues-focused radio ads will be broadcast statewide over the coming weeks.

To listen to the ad, click here.

Below is a transcript of the ad.

Announcer: Meg Whitman takes a stand on our colleges and universities.

Meg Whitman: Did you know that six out of the top 15 public universities in America
are UC schools?

Our state has some of the best colleges and universities in the world. But now
budget cuts are threatening higher education.

I have a plan.

Let's invest a billion dollars in the UC and CSU systems to achieve two goals:
stop the tuition increases and protect our ability to do innovative research.

But how do we get the money? We'll reform our broken welfare system.

California has one-third of all welfare cases in the country, but we have only 12
percent of the U.S. population.

Let's require work for welfare and a two-year time limit on welfare benefits.

Real welfare reform has worked in other states. It's time to do it here.

We'll use some of the money we save to invest in our state colleges.

That's my stand. What's yours? Let me know at www.MegWhitman.com.

Announcer: Paid for by Meg Whitman for Governor 2010.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

News: Meg Whitman wants to be California's 'comeback coach'

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:02 -0700

When John Kabateck, the executive director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses in California, talked with his members about who would be the best candidate to lead the state to economic recovery, the resounding answer was Meg Whitman.

News: Meg Whitman wants to be California’s ‘comeback coach’

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:01 -0700

NFIB endorses: Meg knows how to create jobs because ‘she’s lived it’

CITY OF INDUSTRY – When John Kabateck, the executive director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses in California, talked with his members about who would be the best candidate to lead the state to economic recovery, the resounding answer was Meg Whitman.

Their vote didn’t take long: Meg’s 30 years in business -- managing budgets, finding solutions to complex problems and focusing on strategies for growth – sealed the endorsement. Ninety-eight percent of Californians are small business owners.

The former CEO of eBay gets it, NFIB members said. She grew eBay into a global community, made up of thousands of inspired innovators and entrepreneurs with a passion to start their own businesses online. She grew eBay from a startup with 30 employees to a global company with 15,000 employees and nearly $8 billion in revenue.

“Meg is the only candidate who’s really able to do this job because she’s lived it,” Kabateck said.

NFIB California represents nearly 20,000 businesses such as bookstore owners, small manufacturers, farmers and restaurant owners. On Thursday, the NFIB announced their endorsement of Meg at ALLFAST, a small business in the City of Industry that manufactures rivets for airplanes and the aerospace industry.

“I will bring jobs back to this state, and we will not lose any more jobs to neighboring states because our future depends on it,” Meg told a cheering crowd at ALLFAST. “I want to be California’s comeback coach. I want to coach this state back into being the very best place to start a business, the very best place to grow a business.”

Kabateck brought more than a dozen business owners from across the state to the event who said Meg will be a champion for small businesses and bring a new kind of leadership to get California moving in the right direction.

“She understands what it means to be a business leader and she knows what it means to create jobs,” Kabateck said. “Her opponent Jerry Brown, on the other hand, has never really run a business and, in fact, he has done everything possible to drive costs up, increase regulations and make government intrusion the cornerstone of what he does. That would only take us further down the hole.”

Meg toured ALLFAST, met with workers and shared her plan for bringing California back from the brink of economic collapse. Since the beginning of her campaign, Meg has made a point to visit businesses of all kinds – from manufacturing to farming to clean tech to biotech.

Jim Randall, president of ALLFAST, said surviving during the economic downturn has been a challenge and he’s down to 220 workers today, compared to 600 at the firm’s peak employment. He’s yearning for a governor who can make California work again, and make it easier to keep his business here.

For Randall, there’s no question that Meg is the best candidate to usher in a new era in which businesses are encouraged to expand and hire Californians.

“She talks from the heart and she talks from experience. She knows what it is to cut costs, she knows what it is to cut through all the nonsense, she knows how to make those hard decisions,” Randall said. “I think hands-down Meg Whitman will know how to get the job done. It won’t be an easy job, but she will get the job done.”

Press Release: Whitman Campaign launches new iPhone application

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

CUPERTINO - Today, the Meg Whitman Campaign launched the official Meg Whitman iPhone application.

The free iPhone app offers a menu of options for supporters and voters to learn more about Meg and her plan for California.

The app allows iPhone users to stay in touch with Meg on the campaign trail. With the app, you can learn the latest campaign news, view exclusive photos and video and keep in touch with Meg on social media platforms, like Facebook and Twitter.

The launch of the app marks the campaign's latest effort to employ technology to best reach and engage voters. Using the app, iPhone users can share campaign details with their friends, sign up to volunteer with the campaign and encourage others to get involved.

Check out the Meg 2010 iPhone application via iTunes here.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Pompei
408.457.1369
Communications@MegWhitman.com

Event: Fiesta Hermosa

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:33:23 -0700

Event Date: Sat, 02 Oct 2010 10:00:00 -0700

Event: Pasadena - Meg 2010 Phone Bank

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:12:13 -0700