UPDATE BELOW
In the realm of caving in to pressure - or "compromise" if you're feeling generous - two L.A. officials have reversed earlier hardnosed positions that brought them a ton of flak:
Hahn flack Julie Wong said the earlier mysterious "scheduling conflict," which Hahn has repeatedly refused to explain - has been resolved, reports the Daily News. Opponent Bob Hertzberg - who has been bullyragging Hahn non-stop over his refusal to debate, refrains from doing a sack dance but picks a new, subtler needle to wield:
All too often, political campaigns are negative affairs. Petty bickering, mud-slinging and even personal charges bordering on slander are commonplace.
I want to run a substantive campaign based on the issues. My criticism of Jim Hahn for refusing to debate is based on my desire to engage the voters on the issues so they can judge who's best to lead the city. A healthy democracy requires voters to have access to information about their leaders' policies. And I am personally offended when I see the democratic process suppressed for political purposes ...
But I'd like to hear from you. What do you think has been Hahn's best move as mayor? There is a poll on the front page asking for your response, and if you don't see your choice there, please leave it in the comments here.
As of this writing, 16 people polled said that hiring LAPD Chief William Bratton was a good move (I'll agree to that), a smattering of votes were cast for other "good moves" - and 50 poll participants checked the box saying that Hahn hasn't made any good moves.
Of course, as Kevin points out, such polls are easily stuffed.
In another, less public corner, Councilwoman Wendy Greuel agreed to reopen the controversial Rye Street Bridge.
Greuel apparently acquiesced to angry protests at a hearing Wednesday from residents who didn't like her decision to close it to prevent "overflow parking" by apartment dwellers on one side who clogged the neighborhood on the other side with their cars.
On the other hand, the Daily News reports, she reserved the right to re-close the bridge "at any time"
