The LA Times Editorial Board under Publisher Eddie Hartenstein and Editorial Page Editor Jim Newton have launched their endorsements for the March 3 election with kind words for all five candidates for City Attorney, even Jack Weiss of all people.
But Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich gets their strong endorsement: Here's some excerpts:
"...we believe the best package of civil and criminal know-how, and the right combination of savvy and arm's length distance from City Hall politics, are offered by Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich. The Times endorses Trutanich for city attorney.
"Trutanich presents a strong vision for the office, with tough prosecution of violence tempered by a real-world recognition that gang crime must be answered with alternatives for youth. He supports and would enhance the neighborhood prosecutors program, one of Delgadillo's best ideas. He has the civil practice background to get a handle on Los Angeles' penchant for agreeing too easily to settlements, and impresses us as a man who would be willing to take a risky case to trial -- and suffer the political consequences if he loses -- in order to serve notice that the city will not roll over at the merest threat of a lawsuit by a billboard company or a disaffected employee."
Councilwoman Wendy Greuel gets the Times' nod over former DWP Commission President Nick Patsaouras in a tepid endorsement that contains more warnings than praise:
"...her ability to work within the system sometimes veers into a fear of alienating others in power and a willingness to take cheap shots at those she knows won't retaliate.
"We're unimpressed, to say the least, with Greuel's campaign commercial, in which she takes on a program at the Housing Department and rails against "the city" for its failure to track loans. As for the loans, she has been a member of the council's oversight committee and bears as much responsibility as anyone. As for the department, she would do well to ensure that every city agency is as efficient and effective, and as good at resisting political pressure from council members who would rather the department offer special deals to favored developers than conduct business in an evenhanded, transparent fashion. The department should be her model, not her target.
"We believe Greuel can be better than her campaign. We urge her to prove it."
But Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich gets their strong endorsement: Here's some excerpts:
"...we believe the best package of civil and criminal know-how, and the right combination of savvy and arm's length distance from City Hall politics, are offered by Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich. The Times endorses Trutanich for city attorney.
"Trutanich presents a strong vision for the office, with tough prosecution of violence tempered by a real-world recognition that gang crime must be answered with alternatives for youth. He supports and would enhance the neighborhood prosecutors program, one of Delgadillo's best ideas. He has the civil practice background to get a handle on Los Angeles' penchant for agreeing too easily to settlements, and impresses us as a man who would be willing to take a risky case to trial -- and suffer the political consequences if he loses -- in order to serve notice that the city will not roll over at the merest threat of a lawsuit by a billboard company or a disaffected employee."
Councilwoman Wendy Greuel gets the Times' nod over former DWP Commission President Nick Patsaouras in a tepid endorsement that contains more warnings than praise:
"...her ability to work within the system sometimes veers into a fear of alienating others in power and a willingness to take cheap shots at those she knows won't retaliate.
"We're unimpressed, to say the least, with Greuel's campaign commercial, in which she takes on a program at the Housing Department and rails against "the city" for its failure to track loans. As for the loans, she has been a member of the council's oversight committee and bears as much responsibility as anyone. As for the department, she would do well to ensure that every city agency is as efficient and effective, and as good at resisting political pressure from council members who would rather the department offer special deals to favored developers than conduct business in an evenhanded, transparent fashion. The department should be her model, not her target.
"We believe Greuel can be better than her campaign. We urge her to prove it."
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the National Enquirer.
In terms of the upcoming City election, the LA Times has now covered both the Mayoral race and Council District 5. However they have avoided any coverage for incumbent LA City Council seats.
For the March 3rd City election, there are only 5 Council seats each with one incumbent and one challenger*
As far as the LA Times is concerned, the election for incumbent City Council seats is over. This coverage is very unfair and biased.
It is possible for a candidate to prevail despite overwhelming odds. Just look at the 1990 Minnesota Senate race with the late Paul Wellstone as the David over Goliath victor. Or even former Gov. Jesse Ventura when he was allowed to debate his opponent. Even though they don't have the money their entrenched incumbents have, their message should be heard on an equal basis as the incumbent within the local media.
*Based on the LA City Clerk's certified list of candidates: http://cityclerk.lacity.org/election/Candidates/Certified_list_of_Candidates.pdf
(Incumbents Listed)
CD 1: Reyes, Total Candidates: 2
CD 3: Zine, Total Candidates: 2
CD 5: No Incumbent, Total Candidates: 6
CD 7: Alarcon, Unchallenged
CD 9: Perry, Unchallenged
CD 11: Rosendahl, Total Candidates: 2
CD 13: Garcetti, Total Candidates: 2
CD 15: Hahn, Total Candidates: 2
Congrats to Trutanich. When many said that you were fighting an up hill battle, you kept on fighting the good fight. You are almost there. I am glad the Times has done their homework and picked the right person for LA City Attorney.
You have my vote.........TRUTANICH for LA CITY ATTORNEY
This is a fatal blow to Jack Weiss' campaign. Just one year ago, he was considered a shoo-in for City Attorney.
Now he has Amerian and Trutanich nipping at his heels, the blogosphere attacking him relentlessly, and he just LOST the LA Times endorsement.
It's not looking good for ol' Jack.
Hit the Road Jack! Ha Ha -- I heard that on KABC on Friday and I guess it's finally happening. ANYONE but Jack Weiss, please!!!!
Don't count Jack Weiss out just yet, even if he has recently kept Ace "hit man" Smith out of his kitchen cabinet. Evidently the Mayor has been saving some special moves for the final stretch and the Mayor usually gets what he wants.
In terms of the City Attorney "Anybody but Jack" and in terms of the City Council: Vote for the opponents of the incumbents (Vote out the incumbnets). Its a simple message that will really shake up the establishment--at a time when things need to be shaken, not stirred.
"Anybody but Jack" for City Attorney. And vote "Out the Incumbents" for City Council Seats. We need change. Send a strong message to the established powers-things need to be shaken, not stirred. No matter what your party affilation is.
The LAT endorsement means nothing. Don't fool yourselves.
We've all seen Villaraigosa's bullying techniques near the end of elections where his candidate is losing. He's bought enough puppets in city and state politics and it is time for voters to stand up against his manipulation. Antonio wants Weiss as City Attorney so that no one will be looking at what he's really doing. Trutanich isn't one of his boys and that alone is a good enough reason to support him.
Didn't I hear Bratton say supporting Jack Weiss takes no brains? I guess that means he's not the thinking man's candidate.