First Take: The Palin factor. Democrats unveil competing budget plans. Whitman en Espanol

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Could the race for U.S. Senate in California become a referendum on Sarah Palin? Gavin Newsom is sending out news releases that could be a good primer for the job of lieutenant governor.

Meg Whitman has followed up her Spanish-language radio ads with spots on Spanish-language television.

State Senate Democrats unveiled a new spending plan Monday, while Treasurer Bill Lockyer threw some cold water on the Assembly Democrats’ proposal.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento