Why Janice Boycotts

The Great Councilwoman Janice Hahn!

Why did Janice Hahn lead the effort to have the City boycott business with Arizona? Pure and simple she's in a race for Lt Governor with the controversial but still popular San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. If Newsom, who is also leading a boycott effort in his city, or Hahn are to earn the Democratic nomination they'll need to reach out for Latino votes. With neither having a natural Latino base both must do whatever it takes to get every last vote.

The whole thing is ironic because whichever of the two gets their party's nod will face a Latino in the general election, Republican Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado who has shown an ability to attract votes from Democrats and independents.

Now on the other hand there is Hahn's partner in crime on the matter, Councilmember Paul Koretz. Right now there is a whole lot of buyers' remorse in the 5th Council District where Koretz barely won election over Neighborhood Council favorite David Vahedi. Koretz, in making bizarre remarks comparing Arizona to Nazi Germany has earned the scorn of critics from various Jewish groups to radio talk show host Tim Conway, Jr. who stated on his KFI radio show Saturday that Koretz really sounds like someone who should be institutionalized.

In the meantime while this nutty circus plays out under the big top on Spring Street the Clowncil won't have the time to address more important issues like the City's budget mess. Though they are putting some window dressing on that

Related stories:

Blogger Paul Hatfield praises Councilmember Greig Smith for being the only vote against Hahn's measure.

LA's elected officials are urging the Los Angeles Lakers to somehow boycott the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs. The Lakers' response: "We don't do politics."

In response to the LA boycott and other attacks upon it, Arizona has formed a "truth-telling" task force to fight back.