🚀 go-pugleaf

In the last several days, noise has been coming from Los Angeles
Millionaire Mayor Richard Riordan that he has been asked to run for
California governor, by both Republican and Democratic operatives. 
First reports indicated that hizzoner was flattered, but not
interested.  The latest comments from Riordan, the owner of The Original
Pantry restaurant downtown, is that he might consider a bid if the
current candidates (Republican Dan Lungren and Democrats Gray Davis & Al
Checchi) do not address education to his satisfaction.  The decision by
California Senator and Riordan friend Dianne Feinstein not to seek the
Democratic nomination is said to have prompted this speculation.

Apparently, some Republican and Democratic operatives feel that the
current field of Lungren, Davis & Checchi is too lackluster and requires
the entry of Riordan.  That notion is laughable since many have noted
that Riordan could be the poster child for lackluster.  His low-key,
backroom operating style has been criticized by many community activists
throughout the city, from all political persuasions.  Even in middle
class bastions of the San Fernando Valley, where Riordan got most of his
support in both of his elections, many feel that he has not opened up
the process of city government nor pushed reform far enough.  Many are
disturbed that Riordan's hand picked Chief of Police, Bernard Parks, has
recently upset the apple cart in community policing, when he put LAPD
Senior Lead Officers, who were sort of "customer service" liasions
between individual neighborhoods and the LAPD, back into routine car
patrols.  Recently, Riordan drew the ire of Valley residents when he
implored San Fernando Valley based members of LA City Commissions to
oppose secession.  Though I agree with Riordan's stance on secession
(though I would support a form of secession if charter reform fails),
nonetheless his approach served to alienate a number of activists not
only in the Valley, but other areas exploring secession such as San
Pedro, Venice, Wilmington and South Central LA.

Nonetheless, Riordan, who is worth over $200 million and has a legion of
contacts and supporters, could be a formidable candidate for Governor. 
Probably too liberal for the mainstream of the GOP, and a bit too
conservative for many Democrats (he is ardently pro-life), California's
new open primary, in which any voter of any party can vote for any
candidate even if that candidate is of another party, might benefit
someone of Riordan's bent, irrespective if he runs as a Democrat, or
remains a Republican.

Riordan would have an uphill battle in a general election in either
case, and its conceivable but unlikely he could get a nomination.  An
interesting race would be if Riordan were to get the GOP nod and found
his November opponent to be fellow millionaire and political neophyte Al
Checchi.

Given the statements of the last few days, its possible Riordan might be
seriously considering a run, and has until February 4th to file. 
Nonetheless, its hard to see how Mayor Dick, often referred by the New
Times' "The Finger" column as Mayor Howdy for his propensity to seem to
be only able to speak when his aides are "handling" him, could add any
sparkle to what is probably going to be a pretty boring gubenatorial
campaign.