Quick note - in a comment on another Post, Matthew Cunningham indicated that he sat down with Whitman for 1/2 hour (with interruptions). It should be interesting to read his breakdown and hopefully to hear some sound. I have gotten recent reports that Meg Whitman has praised the Cap and Trade bill 'as the right thing to do'... (is that different than being a Huge Fan?) on a talk show.

Given her other comments - the Cap and Trade comments don't suprise me. ( I will spare you and save them for another top ten er 50 list)

Did you see that Whitman announced her County Chairs etc? I compared them to Doug Ose's endorsement list in the North State... lotsa similarities. Talk about encouraging Congressman Tom McClintock to endorse Poizner?

Whitman also rolled out the endorsement of another Republican against Prop 8 - Rudolph Guilliani, America's (liberal) Mayor. Whitman's national campaign is continuing despite the votegate saga. (has that finally died down?)

But lost in the whole hubub was the fact that Whitman spoke at CPAC - a gathering of conservatives. Actually CPAC is a pretty well-repsected Conservative organization I don't know much about, but a lot of my CRA friends talk about it.

But Whitman never said anything in her campaign emails or on her Wesbite about being at CPAC, that seems odd, doesn't it? I mean, whether or not Team Arnold-McCain-Whitman will admit it, Conservatives are the base of the party and they are needed in a primary.

It would seem that Whitman is tracking Arnold's pattern well and is handing the Conservative banner to Steve Poizner.

Jim Nielsen provided validation for Steve Poizner's "Conservative Credentials" when he flipped to Meg. Jim Nielsen and Nathan Fletcher seemed to be locked in a gentlemenly battle to see who will be the next Assembly leader.

Rumors are rife in the capitol that Nielsen is angling again (which is nothing new) but this time to become Assembly minority leader. Frankly, that would be like being CEO of AIG. (or Ebay in its' current state, but I digress)

Nielsen was so effective at trying to get people to go up on Prop 1A that he didn't even vote for it himself - now there's leadership. Fletcher? He's got the look.

Note to Nathan - there is an old adage, "Old Age and treachery will outdo youth and strength every time". Advantage Nielsen.

Meantime - Nielsen still has not endorsed Doug LaMalfa despite David Reade being quoted in the Marysville Appeal-Democrat that Nielsen will be vigorously supporting LaMalfa. 4 weeks and counting...

Folks, Jim Nielsen has options - State Senate, or minority leader (of what?)... not a bad retirement job at all.