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It's Whitman over Poizner in first gubernatorial debate
The former eBay CEO and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner discuss state of California's political, financial future.
BY Steve ChurmPublished: March 16, 2010 08:10 AM
In front of a pro-Republican crowd, technology entrepreneurs Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner spent 60 minutes in Costa Mesa Monday evening trying to separate themselves on taxes, immigration and the future of California in their first primary debate.
The post-debate buzz at the Samueli Theater favored Whitman, as the former eBay CEO seemed to best her Republican opponent on style points in her bid to capture the GOP nomination in the June 8 primary election.
"We have to beat (Democrat) Jerry Brown in November or this state will be unrecognizable," warned political newcomer Whitman, who is leaning heavily on her corporate experience to win over voters. She painted Brown, who was governor nearly four decades ago, as tax-happy and said his approach to balancing the budget would be ruinous to the state. "If it moves, he wants to tax it. It's the truth," she said.
But Whitman must first get by Poizner to even face the resilient Brown in the November general election, and it is clear that Poizner, the state insurance commissioner, is sharpening his campaign skills. Monday was the third time Poizner has been in Orange County in recent months, and it was his most polished performance yet. He called himself the only real "game-changer" among the gubernatorial candidates. He called for structural change in government, making state lawmakers "part-time" and adopting a state budget every two years, not one.
"California is on the brink of a complete collapse," said Poizner, who spent 20 years launching and growing technology firms before turning to politics. "California has become the most liberal state in America and half measures won't fix our problems."
On the issue of taxes, Poizner is opposed to an increase to balance the state budget. In fact, he said California needs to lower taxes, which will create a larger tax base because companies will begin investing in start-ups and expansion in the state again. Whitman's solution to the state's budget crisis is to focus first on cost-cutting. In fact, she proposed slashing $15 billion from the budget.
"Government in this state is out-of-control," she said. "We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem."
To fix a mess like the one facing California, Whitman said a leader must have a "spine of steel. ... If you are running to be liked or popular this is not the job for you."
California's biggest problem, she said, "is a crisis of confidence" among the state's nearly 38 million residents. "We have to turn this mindset around."
For Poizner, the state's fiscal mess is an "opportunity to introduce massive change and sweeping reform," particularly in the area of tax reform.
Perhaps the funniest moment of the evening happened before the debate began, when Irma Vargas, chairwoman of the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, stepped on stage and started to thank the candidates for coming together.
"I would like to thank Steve Whitman ... I mean ... boy that was a Freudian slip, wasn't it." Of course, she meant to say Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman.
The debate, sponsored by the New Majority of California, including the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles chapters, attracted a number of business and political notables, including former California GOP Governor Pete Wilson.
Related headlines
Breaking: O.C. district attorney sues Toyota
O.C.'s unemployment rate spikes to 10.1 percent
Steve Forbes talks politics, economics at local event
Chapman law dean resigns
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The post-debate buzz at the Samueli Theater favored Whitman, as the former eBay CEO seemed to best her Republican opponent on style points in her bid to capture the GOP nomination in the June 8 primary election. "We have to beat (Democrat) Jerry Brown in November or this state will be unrecognizable," warned political newcomer Whitman, who is leaning heavily on her corporate experience to win over voters. She painted Brown, who was governor nearly four decades ago, as tax-happy and said his approach to balancing the budget would be ruinous to the state. "If it moves, he wants to tax it. It's the truth," she said. But Whitman must first get by Poizner to even face the resilient Brown in the November general election, and it is clear that Poizner, the state insurance commissioner, is sharpening his campaign skills. Monday was the third time Poizner has been in Orange County in recent months, and it was his most polished performance yet. He called himself the only real "game-changer" among the gubernatorial candidates. He called for structural change in government, making state lawmakers "part-time" and adopting a state budget every two years, not one. "California is on the brink of a complete collapse," said Poizner, who spent 20 years launching and growing technology firms before turning to politics. "California has become the most liberal state in America and half measures won't fix our problems." On the issue of taxes, Poizner is opposed to an increase to balance the state budget. In fact, he said California needs to lower taxes, which will create a larger tax base because companies will begin investing in start-ups and expansion in the state again. Whitman's solution to the state's budget crisis is to focus first on cost-cutting. In fact, she proposed slashing $15 billion from the budget. "Government in this state is out-of-control," she said. "We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem." To fix a mess like the one facing California, Whitman said a leader must have a "spine of steel. ... If you are running to be liked or popular this is not the job for you." California's biggest problem, she said, "is a crisis of confidence" among the state's nearly 38 million residents. "We have to turn this mindset around." For Poizner, the state's fiscal mess is an "opportunity to introduce massive change and sweeping reform," particularly in the area of tax reform. Perhaps the funniest moment of the evening happened before the debate began, when Irma Vargas, chairwoman of the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, stepped on stage and started to thank the candidates for coming together. "I would like to thank Steve Whitman ... I mean ... boy that was a Freudian slip, wasn't it." Of course, she meant to say Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman. The debate, sponsored by the New Majority of California, including the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles chapters, attracted a number of business and political notables, including former California GOP Governor Pete Wilson. Related headlines Breaking: O.C. district attorney sues Toyota O.C.'s unemployment rate spikes to 10.1 percent Steve Forbes talks politics, economics at local event Chapman law dean resigns |
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