ELECTIONS
EXPLAINING AWAY THE LAYOFFS, TAX DODGES, AND FRAUD
For aspiring politicians, it used to be a winning formula: Set aside a high-powered career, toss your hat in the ring, and promise to run the government like a business. Ahem. With voters outraged over corporate chicanery, candidates � especially technology types � are paying for their pin-striped pasts.
Craig Benson, Republican, running for governor of New Hampshire
Last gig: Chair and CEO, Cabletron Systems
Liability: Benson still serves on the board of directors � the audit committee, no less � of Cabletron spinoff Enterasys Networks, which is under investigation by the SEC.
Counterspin: New Hampshire, ranked a lowly 48th for governmental use of technology, needs a geek in office to put state business online.
Election odds: Good. Leading GOP candidate in a state that leans Republican.
Mitt Romney, Republican, running for governor of Massachusetts
Last gigs: President, Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee; founder, Bain Capital
Liability: Opponents have charged Romney with engineering �a corporate takeover of Massachusetts� and speaking �the language of Wall Street: golden parachutes, downsizing, layoffs.�
Counterspin: Romney touts his turnaround of the Winter Olympics and its $379 million deficit.
Election odds: Fair. Has scant lead in tough race.
Ben Bentzin, Republican, running for Texas state senate
Last gig: Director of ecommerce, Dell Computer
Liability: Can a brash Dellionaire connect with working-class voters in a Democratic district? Says his opponent, Gonzalo Barrientos: �He�s a wealthy man with wealthy friends.�
Counterspin: Has emphasized the value of fresh ideas. Promises to attract new employers to Austin, creating more jobs.
Election odds: Fair. Faces uphill battle against well-known incumbent.
Bill Simon, Republican, running for governor of California
Last gig: Cofounder, private investment firm William E. Simon & Sons
Liability: Painted as a business cheat after his firm was found liable for fraud in July. The jury awarded $78 million in damages. May have used an offshore tax shelter of dubious legality.
Counterspin: Casts himself as a successful businessman running against a career politician. Says the jury issued a �bad verdict.�
Election odds: Poor. Credibility is diminishing.
Steve Westly, Democrat, running for state controller of California
Last gig: Senior vice president of international operations, eBay
Liability: �His experience is making money in dotcom options,� Republican rival Tom McClintock told the Sacramento Bee. Westly�s net worth is estimated at $100 million.
Counterspin: �I�ve been building businesses while [McClintock, a career state senator] has been running for office.�
Election odds: Good. Rich and politically savvy.
START
signal : noise
Slaves to Our Machines
IBM Loosens Tie, All Hell Breaks Loose
R U Literate?
I Fought the Future for the CIA
Air Force
Putting the Farm in Pharmaceuticals
The Dirtiest Word in Politics: Businessman
big number
Street Legal
Dr. Roboto
jargon watch
Prophets and Loss
Not Your Dad�s Army Boot
VC to SEC: MYOB
Wired | Tired | Expired
Is AOL Toast?
