Python str.format() method not working as expected
===

I am trying to format some output that I'm printing on the screen. Here's my code:

    someString = someList[someIndex] +  '{0:<8}'.format('\t') + someList[someOtherIndex]
    print someString

**My Expected output:** <br>
<pre>
abcdefghi              someOutput
abcde                  someOtherOutput

**OR**
abcdefghi       someOutput
abcde           someOtherOutput

**Actual output I get:** 
abcdefghi              someOutput
abcde          someOtherOutput
</pre>
Q.1: Why am I not getting the expected output? To be specific, why are the entries in second column mis-aligned?<br> 
Q.2: What should I change in my code to get the expected output? 

Additional Info: I am using Python 2.6

Appreciate any help.