The Register: HP Puts Winds in Larry’s Sails

“‘Where’s Larry?’ Carly Fiorina asked at the opening of her
OracleWorld keynote speech yesterday. Her question was meant in the
spirit of metaphor than genuine enquiry, though…

“That’s because Redwood Shores, California-based Oracle’s chief
executive had been–as OracleWorld delegates knew–ensconced aboard
his yacht and chasing the Americas Cup around New Zealand, rather
than attending his company’s annual user conference.

“Fiorina chose to answer her own question, rather than wait for
a heckled answer. Larry was indulging his other great love–the
Americas Cup, she said. His first love, in case you didn’t know it,
is Oracle.

“Seconds later the full glory of Fiorina’s majestic metaphor
came sailing into plain view: ‘Why do I ask that question, other
than to explain his absence,’ she asked with a slight hint of
disapproval in her voice. ‘It’s because HP put the wind in Larry’s
sails…'”

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