Posted on 06/01/2007 2:46:01 PM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa soared through his first year in office on a wave of public support that made him a daunting political force almost destined for higher office.
But a recent rough patch has raised questions about whether he has lost some of that early luster.
The courts snubbed Villaraigosa's plan to gain significant control over Los Angeles public schools. Chicago inched out L.A. for a chance to bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
A police riot squad beat immigrant-rights marchers and journalists in MacArthur Park last month, prompting the mayor to cut short a highly promoted trip to Central America.
And last week, Villaraigosa lost an ugly public battle over bus fare increases, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials later spoke of delaying several projects because of budget woes, including the mayor's vaunted subway to the sea beneath Wilshire Boulevard.
Now, as Villaraigosa approaches the midpoint of his four-year term, political observers agree that he is scrambling to maintain his initial momentum and deliver tangible results on numerous promises, even as recent events have opened the door to rare public criticism from at least one prominent elected leader: county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
"It's not his first year any longer. It's bound to happen to anybody in a second year," said Jaime Regalado, executive director of the Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. "But I think the saving grace for Antonio is that he's still riding extremely high with voters of the city."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
He just took this job so he can run for governor after Arnold leaves.
When Governor MeCHa takes office, you can kiss this state goodbye.
He’s an agent of Mexico, without a doubt.
Launch him over the border with a catapult.
I moved from Southern California in 2002. I have a sagging feeling that I wouldn’t even recognize certain areas there now. In five freakin’ years.
Our city runneth over.... Lost Angeles.
Villaragosa is an ASS. The best thing that happened this year was that the police beat up the THUGS that were attacking them at the anti-immigration rally. He should have just taken credit for it.
He wants to run for Gov, of course. Yegad, could it get worse? oh yes, and he’s endorsed Hilary.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.