[DotNetDevelopment] Whitespace disappearing from drop down list

[Wylie]

I have a C# dropdownlist that I'm faking multiple columns on using
whitespace and vertical bar.

my code:
string AccountItem = Account.PadRight(60) + "| " + City.PadRight(60) +
"| " + State.PadRight(30) + "| " + dr["CContactName"].ToString();

  this.cboAccount.Items.Add(new ListItem(AccountItem,dr
["AccountID"].ToString()));

My problem is when I look at the string AccountItem in debug mode it
looks correct with evenly spaced vertical bars.  But all the
whitespace disappears from the drop list.   What am I missing?

-wylie