Meg Whitman hosted a fundraiser in Silicon Valley with some of the most influential political leaders in America on Friday night. Whether you agree with them or not, it is no small task to get former Secretary of State George Schultz, former MA Governor’s Mitt Romney, former FL Governor Jeb Bush, and U.S. Senator John McCain in the same room to talk to titans of technology like Bill Draper, John Chambers, Ray Lane, and John Chen. This is not a passing fancy. Meg is the real deal.
Superstars who have played important roles in past Presidential Administrations from Ford to the current regime were on hand. More than 550 attendees came out on a Friday night to raise another $1.5 million plus to support Meg Whitman.
Secretary of State George Schultz, who served under Reagan, only sang a few bars of “California Here I Come” but reminisced about how Governor Ronald Reagan loved that song as well as the California State song. (What is the CA state song again?) Many may not remember that Schultz was the Secretary of Labor under Ford but I do – I saw his rendering in the U.S. Department of Labor when I was the west coast labor rep. Schultz represents Reagan more than any other national figure I can think of. He fought the evil empire and won. He is a living legacy and he is supporting Meg Whitman.
U.S. Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee for President in 2008 is in a tough primary in Arizona – but he took the time to talk about changing California – and his admiration for a woman he would have wanted in his Administration had he become President. McCain gave a shout for Carly Fiorina as well and talked about how California can change. He is supporting Meg Whitman.
Presidential Candidate and Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was Whitman’s boss at Bain & Company. She helped him; now he is helping her. Their admiration for each other’s business acumen is clear. And let me point out – no matter what you think of Mitt Romney – he is a successful businessman, Governor, and possible 2012 Presidential contender. He’s got what it takes to create a national “buzz” and he is supporting Meg Whitman.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush challenged his state and the nation by taking on education in Florida – a state with similar demographics as California. He succeeded in moving Florida to the top tier after years of poor test scores. He talks about changing failing schools and that no matter what your ethnic heritage or social demography, you can succeed with good teachers, good schools, accountability, and involved parents. Jeb is the Bush who should have been president. Who knows – he might be some day. He is supporting Meg Whitman.
Governor Meg Whitman of California (Inauguration January 2011) talked of her time in Haight Ashbury in San Francisco when she and neurosurgeon husband first moved to California. Though she is not elected yet, she took the right steps in deciding whether she could govern prior to jumping in.
Whitman is not running for Governor because she is a woman. She is not of color, an active member of organized labor, or someone trying to move up the political ladder. She could have taken her hefty personal fortune and bought an island. But she chose a different course – one that will change this state from its slide off the cliff.
Meg Whitman knows she can help. She has stellar advisors with more than a passing interest in California succeeding. They love their state as much as she does.
Meg Whitman is not afraid to spend her own money to change the state or challenge the status quo. Some not as familiar with Meg question her motives. But I’ve spent enough time with Meg to know that when she says the next Governor must have a “spine of steel”, she’s not just talking. She’s the real deal and won’t be afraid to pull the right team together to solve problems – she will not run away or hide from them.
Meg Whitman will become Governor because she can change things. She will bring jobs back and create a climate where small businesses can return to California. She did it at E-Bay. Meg Whitman will not fall for political folly nor will she allow California’s legislative elite get in the way of her mission. She will reform California’s economic engine, its schools, and its budget process. Meg Whitman will leave California a better place than when she started.
Meg Whitman will win because she is the right person at the right time. Voters want change, a steady hand, and a calm voice. They are sick of the state legislators’ fiddling while Rome is burning. Nine percent of Californians support the job our state legislators are doing – that only makes you think that 9% must be hiding under a rock.
Meg Whitman will be Governor of California. Get on board or step out of the way.