Immigration pushes Meg Whitman rightward

By JONATHAN MARTIN | 5/28/10 4:30 AM EDT

Republican candidates for governor Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman shake hands before a debate.


GOP candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner are each vying to appear toughest on illegal immigration. | AP Photo

IRVINE, Calif. — California Republican Meg Whitman, the former boss of eBay, wanted to make it clear this week that she’s not playing hot-button politics with the divisive issue of immigration in her gubernatorial primary battle against Steve Poizner.

“You haven’t seen an ad from me with the border fence,â€