The very rich are different from you and me...

...they often don't vote.

Every cycle it seems there is a new crop of wealthy political newcomers who turn out to have a spotty record when it comes to showing up to vote.

Among the more egregious this year is Meg Whitman, the former eBay CEO who is running for the GOP nomination in the California gubernatorial race.

Whitman, 53, apparently didn't vote until 2002, when she was well into middle-age, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee.

In other words, she didn't particpate in the most basic act of citizenship for most of her adult life.

Naturally, Whitman's GOP opponent, Steve Poizner, is having a field day with the report, reminding Republicans that in failing to show up at the polls she didn't vote for such party giants as Ronald Reagan.

In a statement, Whitman didn't challenge the report and took responsibility for her failure to vote -- before changing the subject to, of course, her opponent.

"I have repeatedly said that my voting record is inexcusable," Whitman said. "I failed to register and vote on numerous occasions throughout my life. That is simply wrong and I have taken responsibility for my mistake."

The pivot...

"California needs leaders who are accountable for their actions. I take responsibility for mine, while my opponent, Steve Poizner, runs from his. On everything from his position on taxes to his political contributions, Steve hides behind others or misrepresents himself."

Further, Whitman aides point out that Poizner himself, another rich former business type, has a less than impressive voting record.

Poizner has missed nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of all votes since 1992, according to Whitman oppo.