John Kerry's political influence making mark in LA mayor's race

[whometense]

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/11472589.htm

MICHAEL R. BLOOD

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Sen. John Kerry hasn't been on the campaign trail this spring with his friend Antonio Villaraigosa, but their relationship is paying off for the city's front-running mayoral candidate.

Activists and major donors with ties to the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee have been making calls around the country to raise money for Villaraigosa, tapping into the senator's extensive national fundraising network.

Their involvement is another sign that the Massachusetts senator could soon get personally involved in the race. He is expected to endorse Villaraigosa, one of his national campaign co-chairs in last year's presidential campaign, possibly as soon as next week.

<snip>

Kerry's involvement could help Villaraigosa energize his liberal, Democratic base, but it seems unlikely to reassure moderates or right-tilting voters that his credentials have changed in the past four years.

Nonetheless, Kerry would become the latest in a string of high-profile supporters for the challenger, a list that also includes basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democratic icon in the city's black community.

_ Associated Press Writer Matthew Fordahl in San Jose contributed to this story

[JI7]

1. Villaraigosa was one of Kerry's earliest and biggest supporters

he stayed with him through it all. including the hard times when it seemed his campaign was over. Villaraigosa was still out working hard for him.

people like him including just regular supporters like ourselves are the reason Kerry did well in the Primary.

[whometense]

2. I'm glad to see that his loyalty

is paying off for him, then. Good for him! Is he favored to win, do you think?

[JI7]

3. yes , he is leading by a huge amount

his opponent who is the current mayor James Hahn is a Democrat also. and they are pretty much in agreement on the issues. but Hahn who won the first time around due in large part to his father's legacy has made too many enemies. his dad was very popular among african americans and they supported him because of it.

but hahn wasn't truthful during the election and after he was elected he fired our police chief who is black and the african american community felt betrayed. i think if he had been truthful before the election about him wanting to replace the chief then there wouldn't have been much of a problem.

the republican leaning types who live in the valley are also angry at him for opposing secession of the valley from the city. villaraigosa has the same position as hahn on this but i guess they felt since they supported hahn the first time he owed it to them to support them.

Villaraigosa will keep the voters he won the first time around such as the Latinos, Jews. but he will add african americans and the valley voters who feel betrayed with Hahn also.

[JI7]

4. also, one of the things i liked about Kerry was his visit to So Cal

with Villaraigosa . this was also long before the elections took place. and of course Calfornia isn't even one of the early states.

but Villaraigosa took him to some of the poorest areas to visit with the people . i think it was around early 2003, not long after he was treated for prostate cancer. he didn't have to come in terms of political gain. he came because he really cared about the people and issues concerning them.

he came around the time of the grocery workers strike also and i talked to some of those who met with Kerry about what he said. they seemed really impressed that he took the time to listen to their concerns. he didn't just give them rehearsed answers. he would ask them questions in return to get a better understanding of their situation. it was something i recognized him doing with others.

[TayTay]

5. Yeah, the diligence is a trademark of his

It really is. Plus, he likes talking to people and getting the straight dope from the actual people involved, as opposed to just reading about it in a position paper. He has always been good that way.

[politicasista]

6. Hope he wins

It's good when you have a person that listens to your issues instead of doing shameless photo ops.

[whometense]

7. Old Pictures!!

BUT relevant...



Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry D-Mass., left, is joined on stage by Los Angeles mayoral candidate and councilman Antonio Villaraigosa during a Cinco De Mayo celebration in Los Angeles in this file photo taken May 5, 2004. Although the former Democratic presidential candidate has not endorsed or campaigned for Villaraigosa, his network of fund-raising connections is helping bring money into the Villaraigosa campaign, quietly making a mark. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)



Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., talks to a reporter as Los Angeles mayoral candidate City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, right, looks on during a campaign stop May 5, 2004, in Los Angeles. Villaraigosa's friendship with Kerry is paying off, literally. Although the former Democratic presidential candidate has not endorsed or campaigned for Villaraigosa, his network of fund-raising connections is helping bring money into the Villaraigosa campaign, quietly making a mark. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

[JI7]

8. those are great, you can tell how much Villaraigosa likes Kerry

here is another nice one. the guy whose face Kerry is touching is Villaraigosa's son. he often does that "proud father" thing with younger people.

[whometense]

9. It's kind of amazing

that line about his "aloofness" got as much traction as it did. He's so hands-on.

And what a handsome kid!!

[TayTay]

10. Yeah, that's true.

He's not like *. He doesn't wait for Saudi Princes to come over before he shows some affection to people he likes. (Did you see that pic of * just before he kissed the Saudi Prince? I would post it here, except I took a vow that I wouldn't post * pics here. Honestly! I don't think he ever looked that deeply into Pickles eyes even. No, just his Saudi best buddies.) No, John Kerry shows regular people who don't even own any oil fields that he likes them. He is a real democrat and Democrat.