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Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Memo to Kevin Roderick

City HallKevin Roderick at LA Observed is interested in how we came to the conclusion that the Times isn't keen on Hertzberg and how his election is a threat to their social order.

Let us just say before we go further that we're big fans of LA Observed and especially Roderick's Valley history work (in fact, I wish he had the time to give us more). His blog is really very high quality that a tattler rag like the Sister City could never dream of reaching (though to be fair to ourselves we serve a very different purpose and can co-exist quite well).

But to explain ourselves, its quite simple. The Times exists - and has for many decades - in a downtown centric, conservative in style (if not always politics), staid world of the LA social order. Populated by the Times, the DWP, the Gas Company and whatever corporate interests rule downtown at the time, they seek that the city government do their bidding irrespective of what is though in San Pedro, Pico-Union, Chatsworth, North Hollywood, etc.

A populist mayor from the San Fernando Valley who literally wants to turn government upside down - and who is challenging many of their sacred cows - could make life somewhat miserable for the Times staffers who drink of the downtown chalice. So what if Hertzberg is a Democrat - he is not part of the establishment.

Its kind of like when Jimmy Carter came to town and everyone started wearing jeans in DC.

PS: The main thrust of the story however was that in reporting on Julie Ewong's slams against Hertzberg, they failed to give equal time and give us examples of Szabo's fine counterpunches.

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

LAT is a Villaraigosa newspaper, Mayor Sam. Kevin Roderick is right when he says LAT doesn't support Hahn. In fact, half of the attacks on Hertzberg are coming from Villaraigosa people who maquerade as Hahn supporters.

January 25, 2005 4:31 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Who would Villaraigosa rather face in a general election? Hahn or Hertzberg?

January 25, 2005 4:57 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It sounds like both Hahn and Villaraigosa don't want to go against Hertzberg nor does the Times want to chance it.

January 25, 2005 5:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Who would Villaraigosa rather face? Gee that's a tough one.

Hahn. A re-elect in the mid 20s. Alienated from his electoral base. A solid year of scandal stories. Indictments and more looming. Maybe Hahn.

Hertzberg. That gives Antonio the Party and Labor back, enthusiastically. Virtually unanimous support from Latinos and African Americans. Plus a guy who worked for Fleishman AND wrote a letter for Vignali. Maybe him.

January 25, 2005 5:45 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Huh?? Antonio have all the Latino support if he runs against Hertzberg. Do you mean the average citizen or the political leadership and money?

I guess you do not know Eastside or Latino politics but hertzberg has deeper and stronger roots in the Latino community than Antonio ever will have.

January 26, 2005 11:30 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Right. And Valley Latinos will go for Hertzberg.

Also - possible angle is Kevin Shelly may resign. What if Bob got his buddy Arnold to hook up Richard Alarcon to give him a clear shot at the post or another statewide office in 08? Richard would pay that back big time.

January 26, 2005 1:03 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Antonio is dreaming if he thinks he has the Latino vote. That's why the Eastside want him out. He was arrogant to say months back that he had 80% of Latino vote on Eastside. Never, never take the Latinos for granted. His arrogance is what is bringing him down. If he would have acted a little more humble it would be a different story today.

January 26, 2005 5:38 PM  

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