Hillary Snares Villaraigosa Endorsement (The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 05/30/2007 @ 1:53pm
Hillary Snares Villaraigosa Endorsement

Marc Cooper

As the the three top-tier Democratic candidates come campaigning in California this week, Hillary Clinton has picked up the endorsement of L.A.'s popular mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa.

The endorsement, while early, comes as little surprise to local Antonio watchers. Much of his key staff and his top advisor had already inter-mingled itself into the Clinton campaign. And a few weeks ago, the Mayor's closest ally, House Speaker Fabian Nunez, had already endorsed Clinton. Both Bill and Hillary had been exercising a recent full-court press to line up Villaraigosa in the New York Senator's corner. And it paid off with a Wednesday press conference at UCLA where it was made official.

By bagging Nunez and Villaraigosa so early on in the campaign, Clinton clearly intends to bite deep into the California latino vote in a state where challengers Barack Obama and John Edwards could have potential reservoirs of strength.

But just what impact today's announcement will have on actual voting patterns will remain unclear. Endorsements in California have a spotty record, with voters often blatantly ignoring and shunning those candidates who have racked up the most. And while Villaraigosa's tenure in Los Angeles has been generally popular, he's currently going through a rough patch. Not the least among his troubles is the lingering controversy around the LAPD attack on May 1 marchers in the local MacArthur Park.

Villaraigosa, who was also an early endorser of John Kerry's 2004 bid, has his own reasons for cozying up to Clinton. If she wins the White House, Villaraigosa would be a natural to be appointed as her Secretary of Labor or perhaps to some other cabinet post. More likely, Villaraigosa is expected to run for the Governor's seat in 2010 when Arnold Schwarzenegger will be terms out. And it never hurts have friends in high places.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=200603

[wyldwolf]

1. ah, The Nation... while other sources say "wins," they say "snares..."

...as though she went to LA with bear traps. Oh, they said "bagging," too. Yep, the Clintons snuck up behind the major...

[rinsd]

6. And he's doing it for a cabinet position....

:eyes:

[Captain_Nemo]

7. "Snare" is right up there with all the other words used to describe the Senator - words

not used to describe male candidates. Such as: Triangulation, "dont trust her."

The words they use for women as opposed to the words they use for men.....

[goclark]

2. Our Mayor is not as well liked as I thought he would be

I live in Los Angeles and I love his personality and flair.

I have been very surprised lately to hear people say they are disappointed in his performance....

They don't like his stance with the School Board ~ he is trying to take it over and did get his two people elected.

They don't like his Immigration views.

I am surprised because I like him.

Oh ~ and they are really upset about the cost of Bus Transportation, they are blaming it all on him.:crazy:

[ellisonz]

12. "They" broadly meaning the Latino community?

Can you clarify?

[William769]

3. Heres another write up about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3291262&mesg_id=3291262

[William769]

4. And another intersting link.

http://static.hillaryclinton.com/files/pdf/penn_bendixen.pdf

Seems like she is locking up the Lation vote.

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Villaraigosa is an enemy of The People.

:sarcasm:

[Alamom]

8. He is now............in some circles............

:)

http://www.canyon-news.com/artman/publish/article_5593.php


Senator Hillary Clinton Speaks to UCLA Students

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was also present at this meeting. He announced his endorsement of Senator Clinton.

Villaraigosa praised Clinton as a leader who will show the country how we can change our direction. He said, "By supporting Clinton, voters would bring the country back toward a new and brighter course."

One Bruin official said that Villaraigosa's position as mayor of the 2nd largest city in the country, and now one of the four national chairs for Clinton's campaign, the mayor's endorsement will help provide additional voter support.

His endorsement of Clinton is also helpful because he is very popular among Angelenos and Hispanics.

[xkenx]

9. Our mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa is "persona non grata" in a lot of circles here

for cozying up to the SchwarzeRENEGER and failing to give Der Gropenator's opponent, Phil Angeledes, a true liberal, more than a lukewarm endorsement and no noticeable campaigning for Angeledes. So no surprise that he would suck up to HRC, the DLC establishment candidate. IMO, he's nothing but a "Pol," meant in the derogatory sense.

[ellisonz]

11. Hey! We agree on something!

Villaraigosa is interested mostly in well, Antonio Villar. Ironically, he's also just now announced he's divorcing his wife of 20 years w/children, Raigosa is his his wife's maiden name.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1075653

[Tellurian]

10. Thats fine. Good karma today, the filly "Rags to Riches" finished first in the Belmont today!!

The first win for a filly beating the colts at the Belmont in 102 yrs.