Meg Whitman, the former eBay CEO and current candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of California, could have yet another problem on her hands that is potentially even worse than her history of non-voting: She previously donated to California's liberal Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Whitman donated $4,000 to Boxer in 2003, and endorsed Boxer's re-election as part of a group called "Technology Leaders for Boxer." A Boxer aide said this resulted from the Senator's work with the tech sector on issues that are important to them, and that the campaign approached various tech leaders to participate, including Whitman.

Whitman's spokesperson gave an interesting defense -- anticipating the attacks from Whitman's Republican primary opponent Steve Poizner -- by admitting to supporting Boxer, but saying it was because of low-tax issues: "at the same time that Barbara Boxer was fighting against internet taxes, which earned Meg Whitman's support, Steve Poizner was arguing for tax increases to support transportation projects and cover budget shortfalls in Sacramento. It's nothing new, Meg Whitman has supported members of both parties who fought against internet taxes."

Tell that to the GOP primary voter base.