On Eve of Election, Things Look Good for Garcetti, Feuer; Controller's Race Too Close to Call

The latest edition of the USC/LA Times poll, which appears to be the most reliable of an otherwise paucity of surveys during the recent municipal election cycle, shows City Council Member Eric Garcetti sliding to a likely win in tomorrow's election. The poll, released Friday, has Garcetti up seven points on opponent, City Controller Wendy Greuel, comfortably outside the margin of error. Garcetti appears to be up in every demographic group with the exception of African Americans and self-described "moderate" Republicans. Remarkably, the left leaning Garcetti has a significantly wide lead with conservatives, likely the result of hard core campaigning by former Mayoral candidate, Republican Kevin James, whose stand that Garcetti is the more trustworthy of the two, has clearly resonated with an Anglo Republican voter base in the San Fernando Valley, a block Greuel clearly counted on, and needed, to win. Our internal analysis of numbers from the primary election, combined with voter turnout projections show that Greuel's support is extremely soft in communities in her former Council District such as Sunland-Tujunga and North Hollywood, and that where there are intense City Council runoffs (thus boosting turnout), such as CD 1 and CD 13, these are areas where Garcetti pocketed the lion's share of votes in the April primary.

An even bigger blowout appears to be shaping up in City Attorney's race where former Assemblyman and Councilman Mike Feuer has a commanding 18% lead over incumbent Carmen Trutanich. Unless something is wrong in the methodology there, or Feuer's consultant "private citizen/political consultant" John Shallman has screwed the pooch on the get-out-the vote-effort, it's difficult to see where Trutanich wins at this point. As well, the better Garcetti does, expect that to lift Feuer's boat as one can surmise the bulk of Garcetti's liberal leaning voters will go in droves for the former Councilman. Winner here: Deputy District Attorney and full time Trutanich critic David Berger who's beat a one man drum for the ouster of Nuch ever since the two had their famous falling out a few years back.

Up in the air though is the City Controller's race. Polls show the battle between activist/businessman Ron Galperin and City Council Member Dennis Zine to be a dead heat. While Zine has out raised Galperin (who did front his own campaign a significant amount of his own personal wealth), Galperin, a registered Democrat, has the full support of the local Democratic party establishment, while Zine, who slid from red meat Republican to RINO to now, decline to state, isn't getting much help from the Republican Party since his well publicized bolting from it. Expect all the Garcetti voters to go with Galperin, including a significant number of the James inspired "Garcetti Republicans" as the former mayoral candidate endorsed Galperin as well. As Garcetti rises, likely so does Galperin. One thing of note, if elected, as far as we know, Galperin would be the first openly gay citywide elected official in Los Angeles. While Dennis Zine has ridden his motorcycle dressed in full leather regalia in many a Gay Pride Parade, it's likely the gay community will swing here for one of their own.

It will be an interesting - and long - evening for sure.

Wendy the Outsider?

I'm an outsider with a parking
meter on my credenza!

Despite nearly 25 years in City Hall and the Federal government  candidate for Mayor Wendy Greuel is claiming to be the "outsider" candidate.

Excuse me while I choke.

Even the slow to get it Daily News caught wind of this joke and produced some fishwrap around it. By the way, City Attorney Carmen "the Clown" Trutanich, desperately trying to remain in office, claims to be an outsider too, but no one cares.

Los Angeles Times readers were perhaps puzzled to see a page 1 headline this month reading: "Greuel stresses status as outsider." Wendy Greuel, the city controller who's a contender for mayor, the former two-term city councilwoman? She has status as outsider? Really?

Read more...

No Confidence in a Clown: Carmen Should Resign, Today

In countries like England, when an elected official receives a "vote of no confidence" from the legislature, they step aside for someone else to take the position.

The onetime frontrunner in the race for District Attorney self-destructed so badly that his ability to hold on to his job as Los Angeles City Attorney has to be in doubt. - Westside White Guy

Yesterday, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, only two thirds into his first term, had an abysmal showing in the race to succeed his former booster, District Attorney Steve Cooley, coming in third place with less than 25% of the vote, despite the fact that Trutanich was seen as the front-runner and had most of the City's political establishment and public employee unions supporting him.

According to the Westside White Guy, "Trutanich blames the media, not himself or that dumb pledge." Typical Trutanich. At least he didn't blame George Bush.

"Barack Obama is getting hammered right now," Trutanich said. "I think the negative campaign against me is worse." - LA Weekly

The defeat, significant and embarrassing, lead lone Trutanich supporter and Congressional run-off winner, Phil Jennerjahn, to remark "I'm still his friend. I'm sad for his loss." Upon hearing the news of election returns, Truatnich reportedly remarked that he may not even consider seeking re-election next year.

However, given that Trutanich may be mortally wounded - and that many feel he has severely crippled the City Attorney's office - it may be best if Carmen takes this result as a true vote of no confidence and resign now.  Given a City Council who has had multiple run-ins with him - and who mostly supported him for fear of his power to prosecute public corruption against them as District Attorney - there is no way he can be effective following this knee-capping by the voters. He has lost his bravado and the Council will now shred him alive.

Jerry Brown Stumps Hard for Carmen the Clown

Old Buddies

Why anyone would vote for Carmen Trutanich boggles the mind but why any Republican would vote for this shady former tuna packer completely erases the sane mind.

Republicans need to support Allan Jackson - rational minded independents, Democrats, Libertarians, etc. should also back Allan. He's received support ranging from moi to Joseph Mailander to Walter Moore to Ron Kaye (who gave a two-way nod to both Jackson and fellow Deputy DA, Jackie Lacey). Not often do those guys agree.

"Los Angeles County voters need only remember three letters when they cast their ballot for district attorney on June 5: ABC. Anybody But Carmen." - LA Daily News 

Carmen's biggest supporters are Jerry Brown, Antonio Villaraigosa and Phil Jennerjahn.

Hollywood activist John Walsh reports today that he has received robocalls from Jerry Brown on behalf of Trutanich.

Why even Democrats would vote for Carmen when there are perfectly capable progressive choices such as Jackie Lacey or Bobby Grace confuses me as well.

Remember - like the Daily News says "Anybody But Carmen."

Allan Jackson for District Attorney

No, not THAT Alan Jackson.

The race to be Los Angeles County's District Attorney has been an interesting and wild one for sure. Writing at CityWatch, our friend Joseph Mailander accurately calls this race - with Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in no need of California's primary delegates - probably the key race drawing Los Angeles County voters to the polls next Tuesday.

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Zorro Marxist Gives City Dollars to Nuch and Some Tarzana Druggies

Carmen the Clown: How did he rate
some dough from AlarcCON?

On a unanimous vote, your Los Angeles City Council took $100,000 for mitigation of the Lopez Canyon Landfill in the North Valley, money set aside to help folks in the North Valley communities, and gave it to a drug treatment center in CD3 and to Carmen Trutanich to stop folks from smoking. Dig deep folks, there are connected non-profits involved in all of this.







ITEM NO. (12)

12-0697 CD 7 MOTION (ALARCON - BUSCAINO) relative to funding from the Lopez Canyon Landfill Community Amenities Trust Fund to implement allocations to serve Lake View Terrace and Pacoima residents.

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

1. TRANSFER $100,000 from the Lopez Canyon Landfill Community Amenities Trust Fund No. 531/14, Account No. L32 to the Sanitation Fund No. 100/82, Account No. 3040 (Contractual Services) in order to implement the following allocations to the following agencies to serve Lake View Terrace and Pacoima residents for the stated purposes:

a. Tarzana Treatment Centers, $90,000 for project support
b. Los Angeles City Attorney Tobacco Enforcement Program, $10,000 for project support

2. DIRECT the Bureau of Sanitation to prepare the necessary document(s) with, and/or payment(s) to the above organizations, in the above listed amounts, from the above source, and for the above purposes, subject to the approval of the City Attorney as to form, if needed, and AUTHORIZE the Councilmember of the Seventh District to execute any such document on behalf of the City.

3. AUTHORIZE the Bureau of Sanitation to make any technical corrections or clarification as necessary to the above instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion.

Friends Don't Let Friends Vote for Carmen!

Mini Pips for a Humpday Afternoon

How does a controversial local newspaper publisher with an extensive criminal record continue to publish his paper and serve as a "principal for the day" at a local high school? That's the question on the mind of many residents of Sunland-Tujunga; follow the reporting at Joe B's Mop and Bucket Blog.

The Chairman of the Democratic National Convention AKA 11% Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is coming after your wallet. He wants to extend LA's increased sales tax to pay for more transportation boondoggles. With news of the utter failure of California's goofy high speed rail plan, is this really the time to tie up much needed tax dollars in a down economy?

Congressional candidate and former MayorSam blogger Phil Jennerjahn details his property rights platform.

In case you missed it, last Saturday night Frank Sheftel, David Hernandez and I spoke with political consultant John Thomas about Carmen Trutanich's embarrassing court defeat last week over his ballot title.

Cool random photo shot by Joseph Mailander in Silver Lake over at this Street Hassle Blog.

By the way, if you haven't "liked" us on Facebook yet, please kindly consider visiting our page and doing so. Additional content and a great way to network with other MayorSam fans.

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Tuesday

Carmen's Future?

Oh, Carmen. In a Trutanichesque display of chutzpah and tuna canning bravado our City Attorney packed up a bodyguard and a $2 million check representing the County's share of a city won lawsuit and headed to the County Hall of Administration to personally deliver the check and suggest that it go to political pal, Sheriff Lee Baca, to address the high profile issue of a backlog of rape investigation kits. Trouble is, state law says the County has to spend the dough on consumer protection.  Carmen's former BFF - DA Steve Cooley - called it a cheap political ploy (as Carmen has designs on Cooley's seat) and that the backlog was resolved some time ago.  One wonders if Carmen had the check in a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist and offered the County Administrative Officer "an offer you can not refuse.
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Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Thursday

The wheels coming off the bus is a term that seems to have been used quite a lot lately, but it's probably an apt one to describe the campaign of UFLAC President Pat McOsker for CD15. Here in our pages we've chronicled (as well as other blogs) McOsker's apparent foul temper and even fouler mouth. Those qualities generally do not endear one to others and that appears to be the case here.  McOsker has failed to gain the endorsement of his own union and may face a vote asking him to step down as head of the union next week.
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Sorry, Carmen?

Los Angeles Dragnet is reporting rumors that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is planning to drop his bid for District Attorney.

And this is just as the Nuch Machine was learning how to spin comments on MayorSam.

We do not know if the recent change to our comment policy put an end to the former tuna worker's campaign; most notably it was payback from Jan Perry and reports of disarray in his office. And maybe a little bad karma for leading Zuma Dogg down the primrose path.

The frontrunners for the DA race, to succeed the retiring Steve Cooley, are prosecutors Alan Jackson and Jackie Lacey.

UPDATE: More bad news for Carmen - Jackson announces that he has raised nearly $250K so far for his race.

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Monday

The well reported Martin Declaration by Deputy City Attorney Claudia Martin isn't helping Carmen Trutanich much. Going into next week the City Council is looking to emasculate Trutanich by pulling various functions from his office and handing them to private attorneys.  We discussed this matter at length on Live LA Saturday Night this past weekend with blogger and activist Zuma Dogg and Deputy DA David Berger.

Jerry Brown and the State Legislature are taxing online purchases, leading to e-tailer Amazon shutting down thousands of mom and pop affiliate businesses in California.  Who's behind this travesty? Liberal Democrats? Well, yea, but there's a bigger villain here: Wal-Mart.  Amazon is prepping a ballot measure.


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Open Letter to Joseph

Joseph Mailander, at the Street Hassle blog, has been all over some major issues in Los Angeles, including the meltdown in City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's office and the profanity laced alleged rants of potential CD15 candidate Pat McOsker. This was a good run after Mailander spent a week or two with bizarre screeds about politics in Sunland-Tujunga, in my view, fueled by his personal animosity towards local activist and MayorSam blogger, Joe Barrett.

Mailander must have needed a Sunland-Tujunga "hit," because while all the other blogs are all over Nuch, under his "Mulholland Terrace" pen name, Mailander has a cow about the use of video cameras to ensure transparency at public meetings.

After the jump, I try to reach Joseph.
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Friday Free for All

I'm back.  Yet another visit to the Pacific Northwest with the added opportunity to avoid YAWNmageddon.

Free Matt Dowd!

Now that Janice Hahn is going to Congress, the fight begins for her seat with yet another special election. While I don't have a horse in this race, it appears that firefighter union head Pat McOsker is quickly becoming the bloggers' favorite to be the whipping boy of this race.  McOsker, part of a politically connected family equally known for it's salty and surly aggressiveness as for it's dominance on the LA political scene, is already showing a need for anger management therapy.  Street Hassle reports that McOsker gave an expletive laden retort to questions as to his ability to simultaneously helm the union and run for Council. In the meantime, anonymous detractors of McOkser have started a blog and apparently endured the wrath of McOsker's brother, Mike.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Mayor Villaraigosa likes free stuff; apparently so does Sheriff Lee Baca.  Since assuming office the Sheriff has received over $120,000 in free gifts from companies that do business with the Sheriff's office.

Here's yet another reason to stand up for public employee unions: two LA traffic officers have been creating porn films while on the job.  And KNBC is reporting City officials failed to discipline the duo.

Film and television executives who shoot outside LA are finding these productions are often more positive than those locally.  The Midwest work ethic of residents in places like Chicago and Pittsburgh was noted by one producer.
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Did Carmen Clown His Peeps Again?

Some pretty good reportage over at Los Angeles Dragnet that the grassroots effort to "draft" City Attorney Carmen Trutanich to run for District Attorney might have been a little less grass and a lot more astroturf than most had gathered.  Read the story.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Now that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is running for District Attorney, he's finding that many of his former supporters - who are not really happy with his performance so far - are even less so pleased that he's already breaking his promise to not seek higher office.  DA candidate Alan Jackson put out a commercial reminding such that went viral this past weekend.  Nuch need not worry, however - Phil Jennerjahn still supports him.

Speaking of the DA's office - remember Marcia Clark who lost the OK Simpson case? She's written a mystery novel.  Have to say at 57, Clark looks excellent.

Everyone hates red light cameras, which most cities deploy not so much to prevent traffic accidents but to capture some much needed dough.  CM Dennis Zine isn't happy about them either says the Daily News.

East Hollywood looks to spruce up a significant section of Santa Monica Boulevard by playing up it's Route 66 heritage.

Carmen Clowns His Supporters

Mid-Day Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Tuesday: Councilman Huizar's "unexcused absence" contributes to council not meeting quorum

Councilman Huizar's Broadway Presser/Photo Op more important than making quorum for City Council meeting?

** 2:00PM Update: LA Times City Hall Beat Writer David Zahniser reports that a group of CD 14 constituents were disappointed in their councilman's "no-show". Councilman Huizar's spokesperson Rick Coca, gives his best "Coca Puff Explanation" stating that his boss was in the City Hall elevator when the meeting was called off. BTW, we heard that there were some 10+ speaker cards that were submitted that reference Councilman Huizar in some fashion.

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The Socialist Shape of Things To Come (Unless You People Wake Up And Smell the Horse Shit)

By David Berger, Exclusive to Mayor Sam

People often ask me why I left England. Oftentimes the question is posed after they've just come back from a trip to 'Old Blighty' and they've seen sights; Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Guards with their funny furry hats standing to attention outside Buckingham Palace, the Crown Jewels on display at The Tower of London, the Food Court at Harrods, the Hyde Park Memorial to dear departed Princess Diana, and Tower Bridge (you know, the bridge over the River Thames that opens to allow tall ships to pass and that some American millionaire thought he had bought).

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