Unable (apparently) to take any more character assassination from Mayor Jim Hahn, Antonio Villaraigosa called last night for an end to hostilities.
Good thing, too. The bout in front of 150 Korean-American business and community leaders was likely the last time the two will have a chance to snipe at each other face-to-face (flash-forward to the horrific sight of the no-holds-barred Hahn-Villaraigosa cage match in 2037 as they beat each other with canes and oxygen tanks).
The Daily News' Rick Orlov sets the scene:
"Did you notice? He can't talk about his ideas without attacking me," Villaraigosa told the crowd of some 150 Korean-American business leaders and community activists at the Wilshire Radisson Hotel.
"I'm talking about what I can do to make this city better. I'm not talking about the mayor and his failures to lead the city."
Hahn said he was trying to point out the differences between his record and what he sees as changing views by Villaraigosa.
"I never know what his positions are," Hahn said, citing differing views on gang injunctions and inclusionary zoning taken by Villaraigosa.
Villaraigosa, however, said Hahn was trying to shift the debate.
"He's trying to create a climate of fear," Villaraigosa said. "That's what you do when you don't have a record to defend. That's why I'm running for mayor -- to raise up your hopes and dreams -- and not stoop so low as to only sling mud."
The Times' Richard Faussett and Patrick McGreevy were a bit less enamored of the fisticuffs and more inclined to put forth some news:
- Villaraigosa's going to be endorsed Saturday by the guy for whom he virtually ignored his own district while serving as national campaign co-chairman during much of the fall presidential campaign - U.S. Sen. John Kerry.
- The two sparred over inclusionary zoning (Villaraigosa yes because we need the homes, Hahn no because it will drive developers' business out of L.A.); Villaraigosa's support of a '96 bill allowing more payday-loan-shark shops in poor neighborhoods (Hahn called it "one of the worst blights on our community" ); and education (both say the mayor needs more control over LAUSD, which is a nice idea if they can somehow persuade the legislature of the entire to change the law.
- Villaraigosa launched his latest TV ad, which touts his educational experience, his teacher-wife and his vague goals (smaller classes, expanded pre-school and more parental involvement - God knows how he'll get the City Council to legislate the last of these). On the other hand:
What is surprising to [San Fernando Valley political strategist Garrett] Biggs is that Hahn, who was 18 points behind in a recent Times poll, has not hit the airwaves yet.
"Hahn can't wait any longer," Biggs said. "People are already voting by absentee."
Hahn said his campaign would roll out new TV ads "when we think that voters are going to be paying the most attention."
I already voted by absentee ballot, and I'm not sure even I'm paying attention to TV spots at this point. Are you?
Posted by: mack_reed on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 08:52 AM
