Mailander to Wendy Milhous Greuel: Bring it On!

Growing up as a young Republican in her Granada Hills home, a young Wendy Greuel likely was exposed to family discussions during the Presidency of Richard Nixon. To West Valley, upper middle class families in the late 60s and early 70s, Nixon was a hero, he stood up to the hippies, yippies, anti-America crowd, the Jane Fondas and everything and anything that "isn't us."

UPDATE @ 1:11 PM: Did Team Greuel send a "Secret Asian Man" to James presser this morning? 

Nixonnian ways may have more of an influence on Greuel than we may imagine.

Case in point, earlier this year, investigative reporter Randy Economy of the Los Cerritos News broke an explosive story that alleged that Greuel repeatedly used her City Controller's office and time for Mayoral campaign purposes, based on a review of her official calendar records. What was Greuel's response to this damaging revelation? Her campaign showed up at Kevin James press conferences to "expose" Economy's previous arrest records. Arrests? Yes, Economy has been open for a number of years as to his substance abuse issues and troubled past. What Greuel didn't note is that Economy has been clean and sober for several years and as gained significant acclaim working with Catholic organizations that assist other addicts.

You may have heard of Dante Atkins. He's a brash, very liberal, young political operative who has aggressively taken Greuel to task during the campaign. The upshot? Longtime MayorSam reader and Wendy Greuel supporter, Trojan2002, has already begun the trashing of Atkins.

Who may be next on the list? Our very own "blogfather," writer Joseph Mailander. Joseph was the one who caught, following bluster and bravada by Greuel, that the Controller curiously left off DWP salaries from a list she "published" of City Hall salaries, in the wake of the City of Bell scandal. Given her history with the DWP and it's union, the IBEW, which has poured millions into the effort to elect her Mayor, it would make sense. Following Mailander's good catch, many in the bloglasphere and twitterverse caught this, leading Greuel's opponent Kevin James to stage a press conference on Greuel's curious omission  With Mailander as the lead suspect in spilling the beans, the crusty scribe was in full anticipation of a John Shallman inspired hit; and seemed to dare the Greuel team to bring it on. Oh, if you do want some dirt, Mailander is known to take leisurely afternoon walks around Los Feliz smelling the flowers, tossing footballs and soaking in the community.

So, might Shallman be composing up a "Checkers" speech? Stay tuned.

Bedtime Snack from your Uncle Sam

Happenings around the LA political world to chew on before you go to bed...just about every one of these stories constitutes billable work for Political Consultant/Private Citizen John Shallman.

Greg NOT Greig

City Attorney candidate Mike Feuer wants you to remember that opponent Greg Smith is not Greig Smith, former Councilman. So he has sent out a mailer. No matter. The only two names you'll need to know come the general election is Smith and Trutanich.

Clinging to her Mayoral campaign, Wendy Greuel, in a Bob Dole move, sends a piece to mailboxes accusing fellow candidates Eric Garcetti and Jan Perry of lying about her record. Next thing she'll be telling us she paid for the microphone.

Jan Perry puts out a mailer with Wendy Greuel's Republican voter registration. Wendy shoots back with a photo of the pixie at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. It was probably shot right after this great moment for LA Democrats:

A big day in endorsements for Wendy Greuel. First, she got the nod from Orange County Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, best known for her "colorful" Christmas cards and alleged affairs with military officers turned lobbyists. Later in the day, Wendy was backed by the far more boring  Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles; the endorsement now raising significant concerns with tenant and affordable housing advocates.

Hey, Loretta!

Meet Dante Atkins. DailyKos blogger and Democratic Party activist who may be Wendy Greuel's worst nightmare. Atkins is a prolific Tweeter with fairly frequent posts at Twitter hitting hard on Greuel's misdeeds and missteps. Of note, Atkins catches that Wendy's new "Truth Squad" web pages is still claiming the millions of dollars Greuel says her office save the City, yet debunked by the LA Times, and the slimeball move by the Greuel campaign to release the past arrest record of a reporter who made public records requests of the Controller's office.

Familiar with the Hollywood Community Plan? Wendy Greuel was against it before she was for it, most likely the result of a come-to-Jesus sit down with Boss D'Arcy. Former City Planner and hero to low-density activists, Dick Platkin, writes at Ron Kaye why the Plan, based on completely inaccurate data about the expected growth of Los Angeles, is a really bad idea. If adopted citywide, it could lead to massive densification and perhaps high rises in bucolic places like Sunland-Tujunga, Studio City, Valley Village and elsewhere. But Wendy now LOVES it!

We alluded to Wendy's "Truth Squad" (snicker)...LOTS more on that in the coming days.

And finally, if you want a laugh in this election season (and we all need one about now), check out the Twitter page of @eric_garcetti. Nope, not that Eric Garcetti, but a fictionalized version of the District 13 Councilman turned Mayoral candidate who Tweets that "The #ecofriendly future #vegan in me wants 2 say "No" to #tacos de carnitas but the #Latino side of me keeps saying "Si! Si!"" and that "#teamgarcetti has harvested enough rainwater to irrigate every lawn in Studio City today!" This Eric Garcetti not only wants to be your next Mayor but "Your next best friend. Your next everything."

Sweet dreams!