HP is apparently about to name former eBay CEO and failed California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman their CEO. Just in case you needed to understand the crapfests that led us here, a brief recap.

Yesterday Meg Whitman paid former housekeeper Nicandra Díaz Santillán $5,500 to settle their dispute over unpaid wages. Whitman's rep insists she's innocent but, "This is simply the most practical and cost effective way to put the issue to rest."

Since January 1, 161,203 ads have aired targeting Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They cost a total of $65 million, a record-breaking figure, according to CNN. That managed to topple Pelosi's majority, if not her leadership. Money was less effective elsewhere.

This is an mailer that Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski sent to appeal to women voters. But not everyone is buying it. Meanwhile, women voters are unimpressed by Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. What's wrong with you chicks?

Though Sarah Palin is making the rounds in California this weekend, appearances with Palin-endorsed Senate candidate Carly Fiorina and gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman aren't on the agenda. Apparently, conservative popularity has its downsides, even for Palin. [Salon]

"I'd rather be doing this than in some stuffy old political office," Sarah Palin says in the new trailer for her reality show. "I'd rather be out here being free." Promise?

California's gubernatorial race has momentarily shifted from Brown vs. Whitman to slur vs. slur. Go go Oppression Olympics!

An aide to California Democratic candidate Jerry Brown was caught on tape suggesting that they call opponent Meg Whitman a whore over a perceived concession on police pensions. Unsurprisingly, this is turning into a problem.

Today, with Gloria Allred at her side, Nicky Diaz Santillan held a press conference to declare that gubernatorial candidate — her former boss — Meg Whitman "exploited, disrespected, humiliated and emotionally and financially abused" her. What are the charges?

Meg Whitman just brought her contribution to her own campaign to $104 million. Linda McMahon spent $25 million in the Connecticut primary, promising to spend up to $50 million. It makes Carly Fiorina look like a cheapskate. Is this equality?

Here's why the vaunted rise of conservative women isn't a boon to all women: it only works if you're conservative.

Meghan McCain is upset that Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman are being called "bad girls" for recent revelations, asking, "Are they being forced to put up with a media witch hunt because they are both women and Republicans?"

Everyone has bad days. Even billionaire politician Meg Whitman, who once lost her temper in the workplace and physically attacked an underling.

"What a night for women in politics," Tweeted Joe Scarborough. Most, though not all, were conservatives. Warning: in days ahead, you will be hearing the phrase "Mama Grizzly" more than any reasonable person can bear. A primer, after the jump.

Billionaire Meg Whitman just donated another $20 million of her own money to her campaign for the Republican nomination for California governor. Meanwhile, a new profile in More shows how hard she's going for the female vote.

A few women with moderate views — Meghan McCain among them — may be poised to expand the Republican Party's tent. But not if Michele Bachmann has anything to do with it.

With Sarah Palin off the deep end and Hillary Clinton deeply invested in foreign policy, the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza and Jill Miller Zimon speculate on which female politicians might be on the ballot next.