Whitman pulls away from Schwarzenegger

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/29/10 | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[SmithL]

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a political newbie and Hollywood star who ran for governor in 2003 as the Sacramento outsider who could "give California back its future." Seven years later, voters are hearing some of the same ad campaign themes from political newcomer Meg Whitman, a Silicon Valley star who's casting herself as an agent of change but also facing criticism that she's "Arnold in a dress."

It's one of the challenges for the former eBay CEO, a Republican who's marketed herself as a Sacramento outsider ready to deliver a "new California" as she seeks to succeed Schwarzenegger in the state's top job. Whitman has hired some of Schwarzenegger's top advisers even as she attempts to distance herself from the governor, whose poll numbers are at a historic low as California wrestles with a $20 billion deficit.

Two months before the June primary, Whitman is taking shots from critics on both sides of the aisle, who argue that her campaign is a rerun of Schwarzenegger's first bid for public office seven years ago.

Political newcomers

From his first announcement on the "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, the governor marketed himself in 2003 as a political newcomer with the discipline, real-life experience and fresh ideas to handle a state saddled by overspending, political gridlock and an education meltdown.

Conservative Republican Rep. Tom McClintock, who has endorsed GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner, the state's insurance commissioner, lambasted Whitman two weeks ago at the state GOP convention, charging that her policies represent the "third term of Arnold Schwarzenegger."

[DRey]

I just hope Californians get EVERYTHING THEY WISH FOR for their state. That’ll teach ‘em.

[NormsRevenge]

MegaSaurus (hearts) aRnie’s Trojan Hor$e.

Good Luck, Megapile.

They are twins , just like Devito and him.

[GoCards]

Arnold is not running is he? Surely not, he has to know he has to go.

[eclecticEel]

Term limits.