October 21, 2009
Posted: October 21st, 2009 02:08 PM ET

From
Fiorina has not yet formally announced her bid.
Fiorina has not yet formally announced her bid.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Carly Fiorina, a likely Republican candidate for Senate in California, made public on Tuesday what her GOP primary opponent Chuck DeVore has long claimed: that the national party is supporting her bid to take out Sen. Barbara Boxer next year.

"The chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee has encouraged me to enter the race, reaffirming my belief that Chuck DeVore can not beat Barbara Boxer," Fiorina said Tuesday, according to SanDiegoNewsRoom.com.

That remark elicited a swift I-told-you-so from DeVore, who for months has accused NRSC chairman John Cornyn of unfairly meddling in the Republican primary on behalf of Fiorina, the millionaire former CEO of Hewlett-Packard who was a frequent surrogate for John McCain during the 2008 presidential race.

"We know that the entire Fiorina campaign is predicated on a recruiting effort by the NRSC," DeVore told CNN. "They may have an official policy of neutrality, but I know why she's running. It's because she was recruited."

But DeVore said he has not made any effort to meet with national Republican officials because he knows who the NRSC is supporting, and doesn't want to provide them with "valuable intelligence that they would simply pass on to Carly Fiorina."

The NRSC would certainly save a few bucks by having Fiorina as the Republican nominee: Whenever she decides to officially enter the race, she's expected to have a serious financial advantage over DeVore, who entered October with just $144,000 in the bank.

A spokesman for the NRSC, however, is playing down the significance of Fiorina's remark.

"Sen. Cornyn and the NRSC routinely meet with potential candidates around the country, oftentimes multiple folks in various states," committee spokesman Brian Walsh said in an e-mail. "We believe Barbara Boxer is uniquely vulnerable and her record is way out of step with mainstream America. If there are qualified candidates who want to challenge her that is a good thing. However, we've made clear that the NRSC has not endorsed any specific candidate and has no plans to do so."

Filed under: California • Carly Fiorina • Chuck DeVore • NRSC


Mike K   October 21st, 2009 4:00 pm ET

With the disaster she created at HP and her less than grand exit, yeah, she would make a wonderful Senator. You go GOP. She was also a disaster whenever she opened her mouth during the last campaign so she will do so well. The Republicans really need to come up with truly viable candidates to win anything today. Fiorina is NOT one of those.

Linda C in Cal   October 21st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

The do-nothing president resembles his south-of-the-border ideological counterpart, Chavez, every single day and therefore the liberals will be defeated in 2010 and 2012!!!

Ted Tartaglia   October 21st, 2009 3:57 pm ET

If this is the best the GOP can offer, it is doomed to failure. California does not need another corrupt or stupid politician!

Four and The Door   October 21st, 2009 3:56 pm ET

We are so ready for intelligent representation here in California. Carly Fiorina is one of the most successful business visionaries today. She knows where we need to go and how to get there.

Say goodbye Barbara. It's been...well, it's been.

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 3:53 pm ET

Carly would fit right in with the national disgrace know as republicans in the senate.

kaleto   October 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

But can Schwarzenegger beat Boxer?

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

You wingnuts think Boxer is the least intelligent Senator, and give a pass to DeMint, Vitter, Ensign, Craig, Stevens, Kyl, McConnell, Bunning, Shelby, Cornyn, Chamblis, and the others in the GOP.

Malt   October 21st, 2009 3:49 pm ET

Oh please, oh please get rid of Boxer!

Life would get better if Waxman and Waters were gone as well. California has a way of voting in dopes and economy-killing policies.

Will Obama be the 10 trillion dollar man   October 21st, 2009 3:47 pm ET

Can you do better, either spend more or spend less.

Linda C in Cal   October 21st, 2009 3:43 pm ET

Go Carly! We support you in California...WE DEFINITELY WANT BOXER OUT - PRONTO!

LacrosseMom   October 21st, 2009 3:41 pm ET

Fiorina! The woman who practically killed Hewlett-Packard??????????

California is not dumb enough to elect another Republican as governor!

California Resident and Voter   October 21st, 2009 3:38 pm ET

Well with the support that the Republicans here, especially in the bay area, have I wouldn't expect her to get too far. But what could we expect if she did unseat Sen Boxer; wire taps, unbridled corporate support, greed, graft, and corruption? Californians as well as the rest of Americans need to be wary, Ms Fiorina has demonstrated that she has no moral limitation of getting what she wants. Hmmmm, rather typical Republican traits I think.

Jesus Francisco   October 21st, 2009 3:32 pm ET

Fiorini can't beat Boxer either!

gt   October 21st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

boxer ,,,old ideas,,,old mean scarey women,, ,, the us senate looks like a retirement home,,, now blood both parties...

Pat Dunedin Fl   October 21st, 2009 3:24 pm ET

What a canidate, we know she ran a company just about in the
ground, plus she has trouble with the truth. She should do
Botox Commercials!

Joshua College Station Texas   October 21st, 2009 3:23 pm ET

This woman is a disaster. How did she ever become the CEO of HP? She undid years of progress there, eventually getting herself fired. She also turned the company against its own employees. HP used to have one of the best company-employee relationships, and employees there gave the company high marks as being one of the best companies to work for. That's long gone. She came in and it was all about profits at any cost. She has a take-no-prisoners, 'ends justify the means' kind of mentality. Who wants that?

R in Maine   October 21st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

It does not mean that Carly has an advantage other than sucking up to the powers of the party. Now NRSC is claiming Carly is a liar because she has revealed their deceitful work.

Nancy in Illinois   October 21st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

Good choice, Repubs! This is the lady who tanked Hewlett Packard. What does she care, she walked away with millions! I hope the DNC is working on the commercial already. She's pathetic.

Simmy   October 21st, 2009 3:14 pm ET

"Chuck DeVore can not beat Barbara Boxer," Fiorina said Tuesday.........

Guess what? Ms Fiorina.....Neither can you.....Sen. Boxer will BOX you out of Californy (politically, of course), sister girl......You are not ready for prime time......Not ever......What's up with you? (Signed: Michael Steele's earth-based sista).....Peace

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 3:13 pm ET

Carly, it was supposed to be a secret, and you blabbed.

cspurgeon   October 21st, 2009 3:10 pm ET

This is the lady that was such a roaring success at HP that she got fired and so good during the Mcain campaign that she got silenced. Giove us a break. Barbra Boxer can run circles around her.

A.B.   October 21st, 2009 3:09 pm ET

If Carly Fiorina is the best that the California Republican Party can do, then it belies that fact that they are in deep trouble. They cannot find anyone else who is a viable candidate to run against Barbara Boxer. Carly Fiorina is a joke. This woman cannot even successfully run a major company let alone a state government. Remember, Fiorina got fired for plunging Hewlet-Packard into millions of dollars of debt. She left the company in disarray. Furthermore, Fiorina mismanaged John McCain's campaign and was fired. She has no political experience. Barbara Boxer should have no trouble beating this woman into obscurity where she belongs.

ran   October 21st, 2009 3:08 pm ET

Ca. remember this is the person who when she was a CEO secretly wiretapped her companies board room.

Do you really want that kind of person as your US Senator.

phoenix86   October 21st, 2009 3:04 pm ET

Barbara Boxer is the least intelligent Senator I've ever seen. California needs to begin to show some self respect and change out all of its representatives to the federal government. Boxer, Waxman, Pelosi, Fienstein....what a joke.

Peter s   October 21st, 2009 3:00 pm ET

Chuck DeVore prepare yourself to go independent infact your association with National Republican Senatorial Committee will hamper your campaign. Don't worry about Fiorina tyhe only thing she has is a cute face and faces never win elections. Remember the cute face palin who was supposed to deliver the white house to the GOP? what happened? your answer is as good as mine!!

Chris - Seattle   October 21st, 2009 2:58 pm ET

Anyone that trust or respects this woman is an idiot!

GI Joe   October 21st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

Since she outsourced all the jobs and ran HP into the ground, guess she wants to try to destroy bigger things this time (for her own $$$ gain).

JUST SAY NO

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 2:56 pm ET

John Cornyn unfairly meddling? That is the mo of the party of "No!" After all, who can trust Californians to make the choice?

Anonymous   October 21st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Chuck DeVore go independent!!! cute faces never wins elections!! evidence sarah!

Sniffit   October 21st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Follow the $$$$...HER $$$$...I'm sure it's like a shiny green road to the NRSC. Independently wealthy, I'm sure they assume she can buy herself the seat rather than fighting to raise money in a vastly Dem state. Problem is, she's a scumbag, as is clearly evidenced by her shenanigans at HP, spying on her board, etc. is that really the kind of representative the GOP wants? OF COURSE IT IS.

I'm a wing nut afraid of Nancy Pelosi   October 21st, 2009 2:52 pm ET

I can't imagine what Cornyn is thinking. Women is politics is not good for the republican party. We need to make sure only white men get elected. What would Fox say?

bella   October 21st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

Give it up, Carly. You don't have a chance.

OldUncleTom   October 21st, 2009 2:47 pm ET

So, Ensign last time, and Cornyn this go-round.

Dem seats should grow, so long as only crooked idiots are running the GOP.

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 2:46 pm ET

Back door deals in the primary is good for the continued culture of corruption of the republican party.

Just Saying...   October 21st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

WILL NEVER TRUST REPUBLICANS...Anyone who believes business is more important than humanity should not be in power! Go Boxer!

victim of republican greed   October 21st, 2009 2:45 pm ET

What happened to Ensign? Wasn't he supposed to be in charge of NRSC? Oh wait, now I remember, he spent the RNSC money to help his mistresses husband get a lobbying gig.

Reagan was wrong   October 21st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

I'm from California. Can anyone give me a good reason to vote for this woman?

California Republican   October 21st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

At the same meeting, Carly also said she supports clamping down on free speech on the Internet to "protect women and children".

juge   October 21st, 2009 2:41 pm ET

Hewlett- Packard Hewlett-Packard – Look at her results there and think what could happen to California if she is elected. YIKES – y'all are already in enough hot water, how much more do you need to burn yourselves into oblivion. Actually before climate change puts you into the water.

Obama Victim   October 21st, 2009 2:39 pm ET

well............someone needs to bounce Boxer..........she is a national disgrace........

Greg, San Francisco, CA   October 21st, 2009 2:36 pm ET

Neither Carly nor Chuck will win so what does it matter?

B   October 21st, 2009 2:36 pm ET

The GOP still recruiting losers..

The Weatherman   October 21st, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Babs Boxes has got to go. We need people who understand economics and have actually done something other than run their mouth in public venues.

The Weatherman

An Independent Hillary   October 21st, 2009 2:33 pm ET

Republican Dirty Tricks – Ross J. Parrot

Boxer will beat you both!

Dominican mama 4 Obama   October 21st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

The GOPers are cannibals I tell you! They'll send in one of their own to carve out the other!!! Jeepers!

cnn=right wing media and works for sarah "death pannel" palin   October 21st, 2009 2:29 pm ET

This is a stupid women who couldn't manage HP. Now she wants to be a governor. What a joke she is

Anna, Mo   October 21st, 2009 2:27 pm ET

Wasn't she fired due to unethical behavior related to her snooping on her employees?

Hillary Wanna Be   October 21st, 2009 2:27 pm ET

She (Fiorina) will never be president, I can tell you that.

C. Farrell, Houston, Tx   October 21st, 2009 2:27 pm ET

Back stabbing Fiorina. I wouldn't trust Fiorina to be a surrogate any further than I could see her, she put a knife in John McCain's back the minute she got a mic in her hand. Fiorina has proven she ain't no team player and will throw anyone under the bus for her own self serving purposes.

Peter s   October 21st, 2009 2:26 pm ET

Chuck DeVore go solo! become an independent!!. Infact your association with National Republican Senatorial Committee will only hamper your campaign. The irony with RNC is that, the party of the old men still uses a woman beautiful face as a token to win elections. Unfortunately, did palins face win the white house? you know the answer better than I do!! it takes more than a cute face to win an election!

Baffled Bovine   October 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

I can't believe that Fiorina is a viable candidate. After the way she left Hewlett-Packard I did not think there was a rock suitable enough for her to slink under.

This says something distrubing about the Republicans back her bid.

Jay T.   October 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

i think the competence and know-how she exhibited during McCain's presidential run last fall (up until she was unjustly pulled for a string of gaffes- as if Palin wasn't doing the same stuff, McCain!) show what type of Senator she'd make. Fiorina...a CEO....a millionaire...a Congresswoman...a "Real" American. Go, girl!

I Got Mine, Get Yours!   October 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

This is a joke, right? Carly put H-P in the tank, thousands lost jobs and the board "canned" her. The face of the new GOP? Take Boxer and the points!

Beryl Lindsey   October 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

DeVore, step aside and let the most likely victor run without interference.

bcords   October 21st, 2009 2:19 pm ET

i saw her on talk shows for john mccain last year and then her abrupt disappearance when it was obvious that she didnt have a clue as to what she was talking about. if this is all the national committee has, ms. boxer is in easily!

Shirley In California   October 21st, 2009 2:18 pm ET

I'm no Boxer fan but I would NEVER vote for this woman. In fact, I detest her so much, I wouldn't ever vote for her as dog catcher.

CaliforniaVtr   October 21st, 2009 2:17 pm ET

'carlyfornia' cannot and will not beat Boxer. End of story.

Christian Values   October 21st, 2009 2:15 pm ET

She ran HP straight into the ground, we sure as heck don't need a retard like her representing California. The republican moron governor did enough to our state with out help from more retards like Carly.

Then again, the only members of the GOP are retards, so let's be sure to simply not elect any more of the domestic terrorists known as Republicans.

Johnny DC   October 21st, 2009 2:13 pm ET

Recruited or not, it doesn't matter. If he can't win, he can't win.

Boxer MUST be defeated. Her voice is a plague on this country. One of many.

Bush's "Suck"cess: My Pet Goat, Mission Accomplished & Heckuva Job Brownie   October 21st, 2009 2:13 pm ET

A failed CEO trying to sell herself as success. Good luck with that Carly. You couldn't even stay on message as a spokesmodel for the Grampy McCain campaign. They had to muzzle you and keep you hidden because you could keep the simple facts straight.

I am the not so great and flaccid wizard of Rush   October 21st, 2009 2:11 pm ET

The beck-rush republics in California won't let Carley be the nominee.

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