Poizner: She listens to National Public Radio!

Republican Steve Poizner tries to score points on Meg Whitman by tagging her with an apparent conservative no-no in Monday's debate: "Another difference between Meg and me. I don't listen to NPR" (National Public Radio).

Both Whitman and Poizner oppose reducing the two-thirds voting requirement for taxes: "That is the only thing that is standing between us and higher taxes," said Whitman. She started the debate speaking without her microphone (appearing sort of like a silent movie actor), but she found it and became audible quickly.

Poizner would impose a waiting period on bills so they would be "posted" for 72 hours – on the Internet? – and legislators can't vote on language crafted in dead of night: "That should be wrong."

--Michael Rothfeld in Costa Mesa