COME THE CONTENDER:

With three months remaining before the June primary, Democratic
gubernatorial hopeful State Controller Steve Westly toured the
South Coast this week, pitching himself as the best option to run
against Governor Schwarzenegger next fall. The former eBay exec
touted his business savvy and hyped the billions his office saved
the state of California by targeting bogus tax shelters. Westly
also plugged his activist credentials, recounting his work with the
Global Warming Watch Coalition and his effort in support of stem
cell research.