Image-Tarnishing Ads Of Palm Springs Pulled

PALM SPRINGS (AP) — California Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack has pulled her "bus tour" ad criticizing her Democratic opponent after business owners complained it tarnished the image of Palm Springs.

The Republican's campaign ads were released online Aug. 30.

The ad criticizing Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet featured an animated tour bus traveling through the Southern California desert resort city with a guide pointing out vacant store fronts, the closed-on-Fridays City Hall and an unemployment line.

Pougnet is running against incumbent Bono Mack for the 45th Congressional District seat.

Downtown business owners complained to the Bono Mack campaign that people searching online for information about Palm Springs might see the ads and visitors and others looking for business opportunities could be turned away.

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