How many celebrities-turned-politician must we consider for governor in California?  One might say too many.

The latest is Meg Whitman, whose resume includes 10 years as chief at eBay and no experience in public office.  She has paid over $90 million of her own money to finance the campaign.

That fact (the money) is neither here nor there unless you use it as measure of her public support.  Would she have won the primary over Steve Poizner with the cash support of the average voter?  Maybe.  Will her deep pockets make possible actual election to the statehouse?  Very much so.

Her four hallmark pledges are to reduce spending, fix education, cut waste and cut taxes.

She has emphasized that government should be run like a business.

Meg Whitman wants to reduce regulation on "business (read 'corporations')" as a means of boosting the economy.  She'd also "lower taxes".

We ask, "How will lowering regulation on business and reducing taxes in any way mitigate the deficit and the state's general calamitous condition?"  Not at all.

This is the typical GOP saw that has contributed mightily to grid-locked California government and a crippling deficit.

Ms. Whitman extols the failed policies of the past as a blueprint for the future.

Does she embrace any of the "green solutions" touted by the current celebrity holding the state's highest office?

We don't have much knowledge of her views on transport, pesticides, resource recovery, alternative sources of energy, but we do know two of her positions.

On AB 32  we quote http://megwhitman.com:

Meg Whitman calls for a one-year moratorium on most AB 32 rules governing greenhouse gas emissions.

'As I travel the state listening to Californians, it’s no surprise that job security is their top concern. What is a surprise is how little our state leaders have done to improve California’s job climate. Right now, the clock is ticking as new job-killing regulations will go into effect in 2010.'

If she would produce any evidence that AB 32 or any other measure on greenhouse gas emissions will result in "job-killing", that would be welcome.

On California's water she opposes conservation for agri-business in the Central Valley.

Opposition to water conservation for any constituency does a disservice to us all.  There are so many stakeholders that opposing interests must find some common ground for resolution to this crisis, not a blanket pass.

Ms. Whitman provides GOP bromides that would benefit only the wealthiest among us.

Some of us would love to see a couragous, attractive, innnovative candidate who breaks the tired mold of GOP pols.  We'd love to see a gifted politician who can induce state lawmakers to get along and pass a budget.

With Meg Whitman we should be dubious.