Whitman’s new strategist advised her opponent 16 months ago

Republican Meg Whitman announced today that she has hired top GOP strategist Mike Murphy to her growing campaign for California governor, calling him a “trusted friend.”

But Murphy, a former confidant of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, worked hand-in-glove with one of Whitman’s chief opponents, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, less than 16 months ago.

Murphy, who offered the Poizner campaign unpaid advice, wrote a memo to Poizner and his then-campaign chief in July 2008 about “the best way to win the primary,” according to a copy provided to The Times by the Poizner campaign.

“Who will be our star businesswoman surrogate to get into Meg’s space a bit?” Murphy wrote, an apparent reference to Whitman’s former post as EBay’s chief executive.

Murphy’s memo addresses little of Whitman’s then-unannounced campaign, instead focusing on ways to improve Poizner’s image: needing to be the “brainiest/smart guy,”  possibly taking Spanish lessons, updating his “hair, clothes etc.”

The memo pulls back the curtain on the mercenary nature of campaign strategy work, with consultants and advisers hopping from one candidate (and paycheck) to the next.

Whitman, a billionaire from her EBay days, has hired an army of consultants as she has plotted her run for governor. Sarah Pompei, a spokeswoman for her, said the campaign was aware that Murphy had strategized for Poizner last year.

“He now believes Meg Whitman is the strongest Republican candidate in the race to win” both the primary and general election, Pompei said. “We’re very excited to have him come aboard.”

-- Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento

Comments

[Debbie]

Whitman using her money to hire "an army of consultants as she has plotted her run for governor." Pretty much says it all. She has to use smoke and mirrors because she isn't what California needs.

Let's start with Whitman's voting record... Oh that's right she hasn't voted yet she thinks she is qualified to be Gov. It is unforgivable to not exercise your civic duty to vote. Saying gee whiz your sorry but you were busy just doesn't cut it. Whitman is a money grabbing, power hungry person... She is not qualified!

[keanolo]

Meg Whitman would for governor would be the worst thing to happen to the state of california and the Republican Party. This political neophyte says she did not participate in the political processes until 2002 due to familial and work contstraints. Prior to that she had not voted in any elections at all. In order to make intelligent decisions when voting for those who stand for elected office, fiscal priorities and pressing social issues, one has to be somewhat informed and well read. She self-admittedly is not. She is a political neophyte who has some vague ideas on what a a Republican is,or what a conservative is and more ideas on what is good for the corporate elites, from whence she comes from. What CA needs is a hardnose, fiscal conservative who can deal effectively with the ethno-centric interest groups, the unions and the corporate crooks who have brought CA to this sad state of socio-economic hardship. Meg Whitman is simply not right for CA's next governor.

[ace]

Perhaps Whitman is going to just hire every available gun to keep them away from the others? Kinda like claiming a guy off waivers so another team doesn't

[Camron Barth]

Meg Whitman is an incredibly intelligent woman who will be an excellent governor! She is one hundred million times more impressive than Schwarzenegger. I hope she wins – for the sake of California. The nation’s most populous state deserves a better government.

[ralph jennings]

why does meg do everything steve does? cuz steve is where its at!!!