Burke to retire; jockeying already underway
Supervisor Burke confirms the rumors: this will be her last term, she tells.
It's not time to write her legacy yet; and wouldn't the rehabilition of King Drew be a wonderful legacy-topper. But it is time to look toward the heirs.
Note that all three heir apparents are African Americans with LA City Council experience:
--Mark Ridley-Thomas would appear to be best-poised. He can raise cash and his cv most recently says "Sacramento," which looks very adult and proper to County-minded backers.
--Herb Wesson? Also of Sacto, he needs an angle, but his higher visibility in Council would help.
--Bernard Parks has a hard enough head to be a County Supervisor, but would need to bag his hotheadedness if he were in a competitive race for a Sup seat.
A voice that speaks most directly to African Americans would seem most likely to remain ascendant in the District. But what may be troublesome for any of these candidates is these are the same names that appeared seven years ago among names listed at that time as evidence of a once-thriving African American political vanguard that is slowly fading away.
Meanwhile, Latinos, especially on the eastside, have become the new vanguard...and as the old Salon article says, Latino politics is more adept at forming political machines than African American politics...so....
After Ms. Burke serves out her term, will this seat retain its legacy? What about those changing demographics we've heard so much about? Will Latinos in the sprawling, politically percolating district remain satisfied to be represented by an old guard who have been old guard for over a decade now; and can these heirs apparent keep them happy? More questions than answers today.
It's not time to write her legacy yet; and wouldn't the rehabilition of King Drew be a wonderful legacy-topper. But it is time to look toward the heirs.
Note that all three heir apparents are African Americans with LA City Council experience:
--Mark Ridley-Thomas would appear to be best-poised. He can raise cash and his cv most recently says "Sacramento," which looks very adult and proper to County-minded backers.
--Herb Wesson? Also of Sacto, he needs an angle, but his higher visibility in Council would help.
--Bernard Parks has a hard enough head to be a County Supervisor, but would need to bag his hotheadedness if he were in a competitive race for a Sup seat.
A voice that speaks most directly to African Americans would seem most likely to remain ascendant in the District. But what may be troublesome for any of these candidates is these are the same names that appeared seven years ago among names listed at that time as evidence of a once-thriving African American political vanguard that is slowly fading away.
Meanwhile, Latinos, especially on the eastside, have become the new vanguard...and as the old Salon article says, Latino politics is more adept at forming political machines than African American politics...so....
After Ms. Burke serves out her term, will this seat retain its legacy? What about those changing demographics we've heard so much about? Will Latinos in the sprawling, politically percolating district remain satisfied to be represented by an old guard who have been old guard for over a decade now; and can these heirs apparent keep them happy? More questions than answers today.
Posted by Joseph Mailander @ 3/01/2006 10:18:00 AM
26 Comments:
That article is 7 years ago and it not "evidence" of anything. It's just another analysis seen through the lense of racialism in politics that many people insist on subscribing to.
The cw is that blacks can only represent blacks, and that if Latinos outnumber blacks in a politically defined area then a Latino - or at least non-black - should represent that area.
Any of those candidates are QUALIFIED to represent that district and should not be wriiten off or have their candidacy questioned because of his/her skin color. BTW, D2 is NOT majority Latino either population-wise or by registered voters. Latinos can be represented by blacks, whites, etc, just like whites, Asians, and blacks can be represented by Latinos.
Nobody suggests that white politics are at an "end" because of declining white population and the fact that Latinos outnumber the declining white population in LA city and county. Should we not expect anymore white mayors or supervisors? Should Asians not run for office because they are outnumbered by Latinos in most areas?
Typical "blacks and browns have to fight each for power" mentality. Yadda yadda yadda ...
Well, I say count Bitter Bernie out cause he doesn't give a damn about his own district. He got in trouble with Rampart, he's in trouble now with the eniment domain issue and wanting to sell property meant for an animal shelter to guys who donated to his campaign. Yup, that's all we need is more corrupt politicans. Where the hell are our role models for this generation cause they sure as hell aren't in LA.
I'd say count Bernard Parks out because he's essentially working on things that Ridley Thomas has done as Councilman. Notice the Mark got most of the leg work accomplished so that Bitter Bernie won't look COMPLETELY incompetant
Please don't make the sexist mistake that the LA Times did and include the person most likely to win, Councilmember Jan Perry. If you've ever seen her run a campaign, she will win. Especially if it is just men like this list.
You guys must either live in the Valley or CD 14.
That seat has had Herb Wesson's name carved in it and dyed with India ink for years.
Mark has a free run at Senate, now that Rod has moved over to Vincent's district.
There has never been a doubt in anyone's mind but that Herb Wesson will be the next Supervisor in District 2. He turned down Julian's seat to wait for it.
It was never a matter of "if", it was only "when".
Richard Polanco. He will awaken the sleeping giant that is the Latino electorate in the district.
Too many illegals in this district to vote. it won't matter. Herb already has this seat sewn up. Polanco, Bernie, Mark come on.
We're waiting for you.
Polanco?? He's lucky not to be in jail.
He's fat and happy and making money.
Why get smeared again for his past misdeeds?
Richard will not be a candidate.
Herb Wesson...the other Ludlow...this district's African American representation is old news. Get real. I agree Polanco's ground work in the area and the hundreds they've organized in the last two years is for this very reason. Like Biggie said, "if you dont know now you know"
Herb Wesson is a crooked lil mo fo. He will fit in perfectly with Zev and Don.
Herb Wesson is a pimp...really.
Polanco's the man, he will bring out the Latino vote.
And Cedillo? Is he thinking abut running?
I don't think Cedillo will.
All of those mentioned are hoping Bernie doesn't run. Based on his name ID and high positives. He would KILL any of them.
The irony is that the sad racialism will continue with all the mainstream media's comments that the seat is an "African-American" seat.
No seat is a "white" seat or a "black" seat. Last time I checked the book of ideals, an elected official actually was supposed to represent all his constituents, and the nation, rather than one ethnicity.
The irony in all this: the fake progressives are the worst with this type of labeling. To imply a seat is "black" is to imply that a white, an Asian or a Hispanic could not somehow represent the constituents of the district.
Is that not the worst kind of racism?
I say: let's hope multiple prominent African-American candidates run.
Bitter Bernie.
Jan "No Courage" Perry.
Mark "Malapropism" Ridley-Thomas. (I can see him now, "I vociferously disagree with your vituperous, voluptuous characterization of me as a perpetrator and malarbiter of malapropisms.") Right, Mark.
Herb "Antonio left the 14th Quicker" Wesson.
This way, some non-"sanctioned", non-machine candidate may get 15% of the vote and win the primary.
Last comments: Isn't it ironic that some of the best white progressives, the people who have continually fought for the downtrodden of whatever race (Howard Berman comes to mind) would NEVER get elected today in the districts they serve?
They're just not the "right" color.
And something is VERY wrong with that.
10:57
yeah, Howard Berman endorsing Alex Padilla--yes very progressive politics there.
If Magic Johnson isn't running for the Board of Supes, then my vote is for Bernard Parks!
Generally, I feel whites do a good job of representing whites, but cannot extend their reach beyond whites. There are exceptions, but not many.
I think black and latino politicans do a better of job of trying to represent all.
I keep waiting for this Bitter Bernie baggage to come out. But, it didn't come out during his council race. It didn't come out during the Mayor's race. Maybe you idiots will realize there is no baggage! Bernie is as clean as they come. He's the anti-Ludlow, if you will. And, coming off getting 13% in a mayor's race that he trailed in fundraising, there's no way that Mark, Herb or anyone else mentioned for the seat can stop him. Hell, most people don't even know who Herb or Mark are! You'll probably see Bernie decide to run in the next year or so and Herb and Mark step aside to avoid the beat down! After all, Mark barely won his assembly seat against a guy who no one knew. And, he's no slam dunk for the state senate either!!
Polanco, for Supervisor! This 500 lb gorilla - as the Times put it - was toppled by the biggest pussy in Latino politics, Ed Reyes. And you think he is going to make a run for Supervisor?
Don't forget, Polanco had his mistress on the State payroll. Whoever runs agsint Polanco won't let the public forget.
Polanco got attacked by the prison guard union for having a hearing where he showed them to be craven parasites and promoters of the prison-industrial complex in California. Those guys used Stinky Reyes to spite Polanco - a man who actually affected positive change in our state.
Clearly, the two candidates in the top tier in terms of favorability ratings are Ridley-Thomas and Parks, and both have strong crossover appeal with Anglo voters, while Ridley-Thomas also has stronger Asian and Latino bases.
Ridley-Thomas is clearly more operational, but he may be too committed to the liberal union agenda.
Wesson's numbers stink, and Polanco's are even worse. Perry isn't that well known, but has great potential.
Polanco didn't affect any positive change! Get your head out of his ass. Polanco got punked by the prison guards because he wanted to privatize the state prisons. Some democrat, huh. Polanco had his mistress on the public payroll and the prison guard union got hold of the birth certificates of this women's kids - Polanco just happened to be the father. He got what was coming to him - just like all these other Latino politician slime balls will get their's - from Fabian to Antonio. Why, because they have little integrity and even less character.
My vote goes to Bernie Parks!!!
But it's too bad that Wesson will be the new Sup. For you dummies that don't know, he has full support of the Sacramento machine, plus MAV and all the City Council. You just watch how he steamrolls through this. The bonehead who said this is engraved in india ink is right.
PS. Polanco is dead a a politician. His son could run, maybe.
I'm the "Bonehead" who said it is engraved in India Ink.
Maybe the others didn't get it.
This election is over before it has begun. Maybe I should have said "Set in Cement"?
Mark Ridley Thoomas and Rod Wright will be in the State Senate. Together. They deserve each other.
Bernard Parks will finish out his term and find something else to do; maybe police or security stuff for a big corporation.
Polanco is making a lot of money as a consultant/lobbyist. He is happy as a pig in shit. There is no reason for him to run for public office ever again and be further embarrassed by his past shenanigans.
Some of these folks will end up in congress. Maxine isn't getting any younger, same with others.
The fun begins when Gloria Molina leaves. Katie bar the door!!!!
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