Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, a potential Republican challenger for Barbara Boxer's U.S. Senate seat, skipped her party's fall convention in Indian Wells this past weekend, citing ongoing breast cancer treatments.
On Monday -- the day after the convention ended -- she spent much of the day campaigning in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Fiorina's likely opponent for the Republican nomination -- if she runs -- questioned her reason for not attending the convention, where the moderate Republican likely would have faced an unfriendly conservative crowd.
"I find it curious that her campaign said she was unable to make the convention for health reasons, and yet, ... she was engaged in what appears to be a pretty standard, strenuous campaign day yesterday -- the day after the convention," said Assembly Member Chuck DeVore of Irvine.
DeVore, who will campaign in Fresno on Thursday, including an appearance on KMJ radio and a charity golf tournament, suggested that Fiorina is avoiding campaign appearances where she would have to face rank-and-file Republicans and the media.
Not true, said Fiorina spokeswoman Beth Miller.
Fiorina didn't avoid the Republican convention, and she came to the Fresno area on Monday for one reason: because she could.
"She has daily radiation treatments," Miller said. "She did not go to the convention because she had to be in Palo Alto for treatment every day -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday."
But when Fiorina can, Miller said, she has been taking day trips, where she is meeting with donors and policy people, and learning about the issues.
Fiorina made two stops in the Valley, the first a campaign meet-and-greet at Harris Ranch near Coalinga. She met with farmers and ranchers.
Later, she attended a cocktail reception at the Fresno home of businessman Bob Smittcamp, Miller said.
Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a political analyst at the University of Southern California, said it may be impossible to know whether Fiorina avoided the convention or really did have radiation treatments.
"Whatever the reason [Fiorina] didn't go, I think she was better off not being there," Jeffe said, noting Fiorina is a moderate Republican, while DeVore is a staunch conservative who appeals to the party's base.
"The Republican convention was certainly not the most friendly crowd for Fiorina," Jeffe said. "It was mostly very conservative activists who tend to respond more to DeVore."
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