August 3, 2010 2:42 PM

Meg Whitman Has Spent $99M on California Campaign - So far

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Campaign 2010
Meg Whitman (Credit: AP)

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, California's Republican candidate for governor, has spent more than $99 million on her campaign so far, the Associated Press reports, in what could become the most expensive gubernatorial race in history.

Whitman spent $71 million in the GOP primary, her campaign reported yesterday, and spent nearly $20 million in the six-week period ending June 30.

By contrast, her Democratic opponent, California Attorney General Jerry Brown, has spent $450,000 on his race to date -- 220 times less money than Whitman.

The former chief executive has given her campaign $91 million of her own money, the AP reports. She also reported raising $3.3 million from outside sources in the six weeks prior to June 30. Brown raised slightly more than $2.6 million in that period.

Brown, however, has the advantage when it comes to cash on hand: He has $23 million while Whitman has about $10.3 million.

Additionally, Brown has the support of union-backed groups that are investing heavily in the race. California Working Families, for instance, reportedly spent nearly $4 million in ads on his behalf in six weeks.

The latest poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed Brown leading Whitman 37 percent to 34 percent. A quarter of respondents were undecided.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010


Add a Comment See all 32 Comments
by tiredofeverything August 5, 2010 12:12 PM EDT
How come America doesn't limit the amount of money one can spend (or accept as donation) on their election run?

Seems blatantly unfair that who ever has the most money, gets the most coverage and more often than not, wins the election.
Reply to this comment
by Peter-Sterling August 5, 2010 12:12 PM EDT
Corporate criminal activity on a massive scale is funding Whitman?s camapaign to become Governor of California.

She is the fourth wealthiest woman in the state of California with a net worth of $1.3 billion in 2010. most of it in Ebay stock.

See the share price at; http://www.google.com/finance?q=NASDAQ:EBAY

Most of Whitman?s campaign financing comes from her stock in Ebay.

Ebay is only making money today as a result of massive criminal activity within it?s Paypal unit.

Without the ongoing massive theft of customers money via paypal, Ebay stock price would have collapsed.

Whitman has to know about this.

The criminal activity dates back to her time as CEO. It has grown since she left.

Whitman resigned as CEO of eBay in November 2007, but remained on the Board and served as an Advisor to new CEO John Donahoe until late 2008.

Heres a small example of how Ebay stole money from consumers in 2004. This is just the tip of a very large iceberg;

??In May, 2004, 17 thousand dollars was taken from my Paypal linked account, and an account linked to that one. It took weeks of work to track down the

source of the theft. The head of security of a major bank told me it was due to an inside job. a ring of Paypal employees, in five days, managed to steal

over $500,000 from paypal customers in Southern California alone?? http://www.paypalwarning.com/paypal_employee_theft

Fast forward to 2010; I just got ripped off by Ebay-Paypal for $6,000 in gold. A friend of mine just got ripped off for $25,000 in similar way.

Ebay was a $40 stock, now its a $20 stock and the only money being made is in its Paypal division.

Without the massive fraud by Paypal, Ebay stock would be in the pennies today and Whitman?s campaign would be bust
Reply to this comment
by longtree-2009 August 4, 2010 8:57 AM EDT
california has some 34 million population. wonder if the voting majority are lacking in intelligence? meg may very well buy the governorship. she is a billionaire so money is not her motive but bet power is what drives her. power and/or money drives the majority of human beings.
Reply to this comment
by mb_norcalgal August 3, 2010 11:46 PM EDT
I too hope Brown wins, Meg is not to be trusted. The money that she has spent on her paid advertisement and infomercials is insane. No one with half a brain would invest this amount of money unless there is a big payoff which if Meg is elected will be the death to the environment and the middle class. Her billionaire buddies will be very greatful for sure, Big time $$$$$$$$$. Heaven help us if this woman is voted in to office. Remember where California goes the rest of the states are sure to follow.
Reply to this comment
by chasf2602 August 3, 2010 9:44 PM EDT
Who said Republicans did not believe in economic stimulus??
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt August 3, 2010 8:23 PM EDT
The latest poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed Brown leading Whitman 37 percent to 34 percent.
---
She's spent 220 TIMES what Brown has and her lead is within the margin of error?

That alone show's who the better administrator is.....
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt August 3, 2010 9:00 PM EDT
Correction: She's spent 220 TIMES what Brown has and is only within the margin of error?
by rightbehind August 3, 2010 8:19 PM EDT
Too Funny, Meg, It's all down hill from here.
Reply to this comment
by KeithDrippingSprings August 3, 2010 8:05 PM EDT
I'm glad she is running. I hope someone can get past the impasse in the California Legislature. If someone learns how there may be hope for the United States.

We are headed for the same cliff, nothing getting done, no one making decisions, and no one taking responsibility.
Reply to this comment
by RobAla August 3, 2010 7:15 PM EDT
Well, you can bet she isn't after the job for the money.
Reply to this comment
by rwsmith29456 August 3, 2010 6:03 PM EDT
I guess now instead of just 'big oil' we will have 'big tech'.
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