This article was first published in the Capitol Morning Report.
By Laura-Lynne Powell
Republican US Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina arrived for her first speech before the Sacramento Press Club Tuesday unencumbered by the entourage that usually accompanies highly visible candidates facing a banquet hall of reporters.
While her consultants (Julie Soderlund and Marty Wilson, both former advisors to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger) eventually arrived, Fiorina moved to the podium without consultation and recounted for Press Club members her unlikely rise to become CEO of Hewlett Packard and earn Forbes magazine declaration in 2004 that she was "the most powerful businesswoman in the world."
She said she worked her way through Stanford University as a Kelly Girl; graduated with a degree in medieval history and philosophy, "which left me unemployable;" dropped out of law school after a year; and then worked as a receptionist. She was eventually mentored by the company's owners who introduced her to the world of business. That led to two decades at AT&T and then to Hewlett Packard where she famously guided the international computer giant through a controversial merger.
"I have lived the American dream for sure," Fiorina told the 87 attendees. Where "a medieval history and philosophy major, law school drop-out, full-time receptionist could rise to become chief executive officer of the largest company in the world and have the opportunity to run for US Senate?"
Dressed in a simple gray pinstripe pant suit and having left her overstuffed tote at the table, the trim businesswoman didn't need to gesture much to make the central point of her campaign, which she did in a low and even voice that was easy on the ears: "I am the only candidate who knows how jobs are created and how they are lost."
Fiorina's arrival and the relaxed manner in which she introduced herself seemed in contrast to the other Silicon Valley Republican woman running for office, gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Whitman's recent press gatherings have resulted in more news about how she deals with the media than about the issues she wants to discuss.
Fiorina had little trouble staying on point, describing her priorities should she be elected and citing state and national statistics and budget numbers easily, rarely referring to notes.
Her first priorities would be to cut taxes and ensure small businesses have access to credit. Other priorities would be to get "federal spending under control" and she promised her experience as a businesswoman would help. "You show me millions of dollars ... that no one has scrutinized ... and I'll show you millions of mistakes," she said.
She blamed the current policies of incumbent Democratic senator Barbara Boxer for a "government run amok from within." She did not mention other candidates for the Republican nomination in the June 8 primary, Tom Campbell and Asm. Chuck DeVore.
Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters asked why she focused on Boxer as if she was already the Republican nominee and Fiorina made no apologies. She said she was the best Republican candidate to oppose Boxer.
She used the press club event to comment on foreign affairs, opposing the Obama Administration's "hysterical rhetoric" regarding Israel's settlements in East Jerusalem.
What she did not talk about was breast cancer, for which she was successfully treated last year, and demon sheep, the now infamous video she ran attacking Campbell that went viral on the Internet last month.
As she wrapped up her speech, some in the audience nodded appreciatively. One woman was overheard saying Fiorina's appearance was so successful it had swayed her vote in the primary. "I really like Tom Campbell, but I'm thinking she could do it," the woman said. "She could beat Boxer." Contact:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
