State Sen. Joel Anderson, R-Alpine, has been reprimanded by the Senate for "completely unacceptable" behavior after a Senate investigation found that it was probable he had twice threatened to "bitch slap" a California Nurses Association lobbyist after having drinks at a Sacramento restaurant. Now a candidate for the state Board of Equalization, the termed-out senator is hinting that he sees himself as the victim in this case. He released a terse statement void of contrition that says he stands by the statement he issued after the Aug. 13 incident was first reported. It called the matter a "misunderstanding."
However Anderson chooses to recall what happened, a restaurant spokesman told The Los Angeles Times that Anderson was escorted out after he was heard threatening a female customer. He is favored to win his Board of Equalization race in a Republican-friendly district so his political career will continue. But what happened Aug. 13 _ and his subsequent statements _ are now part of how he will be remembered. For worse or worse.
