At least nine donors (including Chevron, Gallo wines, the Chamber of Commerce, and construction companies with business before the state) have given $50,000 to help inaugurate Arnold Schwarzenegger next week.  

My comment to the LA Times was:

"These donors aren't stupid," said Derek Cressman, an analyst with the Sacramento-based Poplar Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies the role of money in politics. "They are shrewd businesspeople who give money for sound business reasons. They give because they feel it will improve their bottom line by getting them access and goodwill with the governor's office…. I think it's inappropriate." 

(see full story here .)