Despite affair, Villaraigosa still seen as 2010 contender

Sacbee ^ | 4 July 2007 | Kevin Yamamura

[radar101]

Don't dismiss Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from the 2010 governor's race just because he revealed Tuesday he had an ongoing extramarital relationship, political analysts say.

Many believe Villaraigosa's revelation will have only a marginal impact on the Democrat's chances to win the state's top office in three years. The former Assembly speaker is still considered among the early front-runners in a large field once Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is termed out.

Villaraigosa said Tuesday he has had a relationship with reporter Mirthala Salinas of the Spanish language network Telemundo that has evolved over time, according to a recording posted online by the Los Angeles Times.

Salinas once covered the mayor as a political reporter. About a year ago, Villaraigosa said, the relationship "had grown to a point where it was necessary to inform her management that she shouldn't cover me. ... They agreed," the Associated Press reported.

The acknowledgment of the relationship came after the mayor separated last month from his wife, Corina, who has since filed for divorce. At the time, Villaraigosa took responsibility for the breakup but refused to answer questions about what he had done to cause it. He acknowledged the relationship Tuesday after the Los Angeles Daily News confirmed his involvement with Salinas through his 88-year-old mother-in-law.

[radar101]

You left out Maxine Waters,Gavin Newsome, and Mark Leno, personal protector of Perverts

[GOP Poet]

This is BS. On the local LA blogs every person that is not a Hispanic or a south of the border politico by nature of being Mexican and living in LA can’t stand his Mecha allegiance and his attitude. He may no longer hold membership in Mecha, but it shows in his infidelity’s preference. He is unfaithful to the American way of life and even the libs around here don’t like the guy. Screwing around on his wife is just a symbol of what a slime ball politician this guy is. I say no. He will not be Governor.

[CdMGuy]

It would seem to me that the biggest contender for the Dem governor nomination would be the Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. He has been working to get elected governor for quite a few years now. He was out of office for a while, then became insurance commissioner, then Lt Gov. in the last election. He is well situated for the run.

Plus, he has state-wide recognition, whereas Villaraigosa is a local So Cal guy. For me, I am surprised to see him listed as the front-runner, as I believe that Garamendi holds the front-runner position.

[CdMGuy]

I am sure I could say the same thing about some of the assholes elected in Ohio, your recent governor for example. Why not list some of the CA good guys holding office.

There are lots of fine Rupbulicans holding public office in CA. The problem is that the LA and Bay Areas have such a large population, mostly lower income and Democrat, that they get to control their local offices and lots of state-wide offices as well.

However, when you look at local offices, including municipalities and state legislative offices, most are held by reasonably conservative Republicans.

[GOP Poet]

Yes. Very scary! He has shown his real face a couple of times in this town regarding this allegiance and the white libbies don't like it. I always found the guy scary. It really set in for the libbies the last two 'illegal imp' marches we had down here. It scared the whitey and non Hispanic libs (as well as some legal Hispanics) and many know this guy is not getting their money come the fueling of the Democratic Governor candidate coffers.

I guess the libbies don't just want to sign over their state to Mexico. They would rather have it taken over without contractual signature. I guess everyone has their limit.

[SConservative]

Stupid California Democrats. It still doesn’t help him, certainly with any even slightly conservative voters in the state, which aren’t a majority but still a huge force there. California isn’t like Canada where anything seems to go, but it’s still pretty liberal and this will be an easier ride for Ansleazio than it would be in, say, a southern state. Revelations of adultery politically killed former Democratic Governor Paul Patton of Kentucky, for instance.

People need to remember that mayors in LA and San Francisco don’t necessarily face the heat, but they may well face it statewide.

[calcowgirl]

Somebody should contact Corina and offer her a book deal for a tell-all biography of the Mayor.

This guy got a slight hit with this news, but it’s probably not enough to end his career. Someone should try to keep the downward momentum going.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I would guess Garamendi will be our next governor. Either him or Feinstein if she decides she wants it. I don’t see the LA mayor winning. He strikes me as slightly better than Bustamante.

[A message]

With Stark in my district and Lee to the north here in an east bay of half million dollar homes I hardly call this area low income so I can only deduce stupidity is what elects these extreme leftists.

And as far as Ohio not just the governor is an embarrassment.

I respect the many fine conservatives in this state but it is also a shame the million or so people represented in this district are represented by a babbling moron such as Stark whose latest newsletter was entirely dedicated to lauding Moore’s propaganda, “Sicko.”

[mewzilla]

Note to Mr. Yamamura: I believe the word you failed to find is adultery.

[goldstategop]

Ask Bill Clinton. For a Democrat, cheating on your wife isn't a carer-ender; its a career enhancer! So Villar's popularity will if anything, be enhanced in the eyes of the Democrat base.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Regulator]

The Patron Syndrome. If you haven't read this... take the time.

You got it. That's what Tony "El Patron" VivaLaRaza is doing.

He'd be considered a nothing if he didn't have his puta on the side. He's got to demonstrate to all the others that he's a Beeg Man.

Welcome to Mehico.

[Fishrrman]

Question:
Does it really matter to the _rest_ of America, what happens in California any more, particularly Los Angeles, the first Mexican/American city?

In fifty years, California may no longer even be a state of The United States any more (seriously).

- John