Here’s a question for you: How could Richard Riordan neglect Los Angeles even more than he already does? The answer: become governor.For that matter, could anything do more to revive the Northern California secession movement? Or at least leave the state – and, with it, our city – teetering on that brink? But by last weekend, the possibility of Dick Riordan having to bumble through a term or two in yet another vital elective office no longer seemed impossible. At least not in our region’s leading newspaper. The Riordan candidacy was being seriously mulled, the L.A. Times reported in its gentlest front-page way: Corporate California wanted Riordan. The same day that this analysis appeared on Page 1, the Times’ most widely advertised columnist also weighed in on the subject: “Will Riordan Be Able To Resist Political Sweet Talk?” Bill Boyarsky ruminated. (On Wednesday morning, just before the Weekly went to press, Riordan announced that he would not seek the governorship.)Mentioned nowhere in all this generous coverage were any mayoral accomplishments upon which Riordan might build such a campaign. Understandably. I can’t recall any Riordan activities during the past five years that haven’t demonstrated his shortcomings as a political leader and his distaste for the politics of elected office. Yes, he did have that one terrific moment, cleaning up the city after the ’94 earthquake. But California voters shouldn’t have to count on the Big One wrecking the state to get the best out of their governor.
Source: The Statewide Dick | L.A. Weekly