Ad Didn’t Sink Angelides in Tahoe
The most contentious television ad of the Democratic primary for governor revolved around Lake Tahoe and a suggestion that Treasurer Phil Angelides was responsible for dumping sludge into its clear blue waters.
Angelides and his backers expressed outrage over the spot by Controller Steve Westly, calling it a gross distortion of the facts. Westly stood by the ad, saying it proved Angelides was no friend of the environment.
On Tuesday, the voters closest to Lake Tahoe delivered a split decision.
Angelides beat Westly 48% to 45% in Placer County. Westly squeaked past Angelides by just 65 votes -- out of nearly 12,000 cast -- in El Dorado County.
Angelides probably will have a tougher time in November against Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The GOP enjoys a 52% to 29% registration advantage in Placer County and 47% to 31% edge in El Dorado County.
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