Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Meg Whitman wrote this op/ed in today's Fresno Bee explaining her water policy to San Joaquin Valley farmers. That caused a reaction from GOP rival Steve Poizner, who quickly pointed out that Whitman has donated $300,000 to the Environmental Defense Fund. Poizner made the charge in a news release headlined, "Meg Whitman Is No Friend Of The Central Valley."
In a statement from Poizner's communications director, Jarrod Agen, the Poizner campaign makes this charge: "Meg Whitman sided with the Delta Smelt over the Central Valley farmers to the tune of $300,000 when she gave to the Environmental Defense Fund. Steve Poizner is offering specific solutions to fix California's water crisis, but instead of debating Steve, Meg Whitman offers cheap shots and no specifics. The farmers and ranchers have an ally in Steve Poizner whom they can trust to bring water and jobs back to the Central Valley."
Whitman's charitable foundation reportedly gave $100,000 to an EDF project in 2007 and another $200,000 to the EDF project in 2008. The Whitman donations were reported in this story in the San Jose Mercury News last November.
The truth is Whitman is up to her tonsils in environmental circles. She has made claims about what she will do on her first day in office that reminds me of Obama shutting down Gitmo, on paper. It has stirred that base but I believe it is the only way for a progressive republican to enter Troy.
http://tinyurl.com/yelth8v