A new ad from Team Whitman today has the candidate asserting that "government isn't a business, and it shouldn't be." The Chron Politics Blog notes that after months and months of hearing about Whitman's business savvy ("I took eBay from a start-up with just 30 employees..."), the ad seems like a bit of a shift in message. In closing the commerical, Whitman does reiterate what have become all-too-familiar talking points for those closely following the gubernatorial race - jobs, wasteful spending, schools.

A fellow Republican is coming to Whitman's defense in regards to the Goldman Sachs "spinning" scandal. Today, the LA Times PolitiCal Blog quoted former congressman Michael Oxley as saying that at the time, spinning was "kind of a standard practice." Oxley presumably came forward because Brown's most recent ad cites him as calling Whitman's actions "corrupt." That comment was taken out of context and was not directed at Whitman, Oxley told the Times.

The Sacramento Bee is reporting the three other candidates in the gubernatorial race are feeling rather ignored and would like some debate time. If Whitman and Brown's decision to bail on this week's KGO debate is any indication, the two major candidates might be willing to spare some stage time if it means fewer questions for them?