( – promoted by SFBrianCL)
Steve Westly has a new ad today, not yet available on the web, that focuses on the issue of taxes.
State Controller Steve Westly launched a television advertisement Tuesday that implicitly accuses Treasurer Phil Angelides of proposing a “$10 billion tax increase.”
Even though the ad does not mention Angelides by name, it represents the sharpest televised message launched by either Democrat in the run-up to the June 6 gubernatorial primary. (SacBee 5/10/06)
Westly’s ads have been far more successful than the Angelides ads. Of course, that is partly due to the fact that Angelides has not run as many on TV. I think this is an interesting one though. This actually focuses on an issue that will be very important during the general.
Now, of all 3 major candidates, none has really given a clear explanation on how they plan to repay Prop98 funds and balance the budget. Westly has been talking about government audits and the lottery. Phil has talked about raising taxes on the upper incomes. And Arnold…well…maybe he can hook you up with some oceanfront property. It’s great, it’s right near Barstow. You’ll love it.
But this ad does ratchet the pressure up between the two Dems.
Westly campaign spokesman Nick Velasquez denied that the latest advertisement breaks the positive campaign pledge the controller promoted last month.
“This is an ad that focuses on the controller, what he’s done and what he wants to do,” Velasquez said. “It makes no reference to his opponent. This is an ad about Steve Westly and not anybody else.”
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The latest ad calls Westly “the only Democrat for governor who hasn’t proposed a $10 billion tax increase,” according to a transcript provided by the campaign. It also promotes Westly as “the only candidate for governor who’s a former teacher, with children in public school.”
The last claim may be another swipe at Angelides, who sent his three daughters to the private St. Francis High School in Sacramento.
I’m not too troubled about the children in public school thing. I actually think it is something that our politicians should be using in their campaigns. It is more than bit hypocritical to talk a big game about education, and then send your own to private schools that only the rich can afford.
As for the taxes, it’s a very important issue. I would really love all 3 candidates to just lay their cards on the table and issue a proposed budget with all of their campaign promises. However, that is not likely anytime soon. In the meantime…let’s watch those ads I guess.
