CNN

Villaraigosa's done nothing for LA. Why would anyone even consider voting for him for Governor? Oh, I forgot, California's the land of fruits and nuts. You elect this man you deserve what you get.

Comment by 'carlo' June 22nd, 2009 1:33 pm ET
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Right back at you, Carlo! It is apparent that you are clueless about politics. And, yes, we do have a Republican as Governor but guess what; the dumb Democrats are in control in Sacramento - so that would make Arnold powerless, right?

By the way, Microsoft Word has a great tool called "spell check" - try it next time before you post on here!

FYI – Angelinos are eager and ready to clean house!

We do not need a worthles human being like Villaraigosa is Sacramento. He will be a bigger disaster than Arnold.

It will be interesting given that the LA area represents 35% of the state vote and critical latino vote in LA and Central valley area.
I recall the mayor when he was assembly leader and did a good job.
Well he said no, well his personal life would be a target.

Hey Tate....are you from Texas?We in CA shoulder a larger share of the tax burden than any state.That road you use to drive to your klan meetings was probably paid for with CA dollars....show some respect .

Tate June 22nd, 2009 3:47 pm ET

California cant fall into the Pacific fast enough. That state is a joke and a snapshot of the left and democrats policy. Just like Britian at total failure.

Why do I have this sneaking suspicion that you've A) never been to California, and B) don't have a passport?

There's a big, big world outside Six Toe County.

Ha!
TO all of you people who think California is,
a: written in Spanish
b) American... as in before 1492
c) Mexican? you better believe it...
d) has any of you read-migration trends? and you said you all went to college? pardon me!

very entretaining.....

Governor? He hasn't done anything yet while being Mayor!

I, too, am a Dem, and I liked Haas' statements of fact. Too many comments are just petty and ridiculous.

I am employed by the city of Los Angeles, and most people I know think Villaraigosa is the biggest joke in the world. He always has his eye on the next rung on the ladder, and doesn't seem to care who he steps on or kicks off to get there. He should spend more time cleaning up the current mess before he eyes the next prize.

I really don't think he stands a chance in this, because his true personality and behavior is more out in the open.

It would be nice to get someone progressive in office (Dem or Rep) who utilizes more of California's renewable natural resources, and starts implementing education plans that teach people to fish insteading of handing them the fish.

So, what happened?

Comment by 'carlos' June 22nd, 2009 2:35 pm ET
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GOP hates Latinos? Oh, please!
You sound ignorant...weak argument...

@ Jon in CA, who said "1) Passed Prop 8 keeping marriage defined as 1 man + 1 woman"

Soooo, you think that's going to stand up to the federal Constitution? HAHAHA...read a book or take a class buddy. Hint: you can't vote to take away rights guaranteed by the federal Constitution (that's why the Constitution is there in the first place...to prevent the tyranny of the majority over the minority). All that quote amounts to is you admitting that the majority of Californians are bigots. Now there's something to be proud of. Hate the 1st and 14th Amendments all you want...we already know you guys consider the Constitution an impediment to your theocratic neocon agenda anyway.

This guy's a joke! Villaraigosa is a typical career politician. We need someone new, with fresh ideas.

Democrats in Sacramento have ruined this beautiful state.

To JP:

I don't think the "struggling actors" can scrounge up the money to get to Texas. They are too busy spending it on Ed Hardy clothes, alchohol, coke (not the drink), and Paris Hilton perfume.

"Newsom will need all the GOP = 21st century dodo voters, I mean gay voters that he can get!

I suggest you move to Mass. and vote for Ted while there's still time."

21% and shrinking.

this gut is a liberal clown and acted like a republican and cheated on his wife but he is not responsible because he is a hypocrite democrat.

I don't think our "esteemed" mayor will garner any white votes and probably not too many others either. He is a narcissistic ego maniac who can't keep it in his pants and has done nothing for those of us in Los Angeles who have the legal right to be here. For him it is all about getting the Hispanic vote and that means the "illegals" vote. After his explosive affair with a television reporter and his lies to cover it up were revealed, he definitely lost a lot of the votes from self-respecting (and legally entitled to vote) Hispanics. Especially the women. This guy is overrated and under-intelligent. He has nothing to offer our state except more of the gadfly activities of his mayoral tenure. The man is not smart enough and definitely lacks the morals that we want in our Mayor. He needs to crawl back under the rock he came out from under.

Villaraigosa's also just sitting and whistling on the subway-to-the-sea.

The Red Line was supposed to go to Santa Monica and Ocean, not Wilshire and Western! Villaraigosa was BOUGHT by the residents of the Wilshire Corridor, so they wouldn't have to welcome anyone into their neck of the woods with an income under $700K. And now the MTA, under his guidance is channelling through the Expo Line, another train that goes FROM nowhere TO nowhere, just like our current Green Line.

One need only look at a map of LA's light rail system to see how graft and special interests have saturated this city and ground any meaningful progress to a dead halt.

California cant fall into the Pacific fast enough. That state is a joke and a snapshot of the left and democrats policy. Just like Britian at total failure.

Yikes – LA is in such turmoil becxause of this jerk. Good luck CA – you're going to need it.

PLEASE!!! Is there anyone out there who can run for governor who has not taken money from unions, had an affair on their wife, intentionally ignored Federal immigration laws, or ignored filthy unkempt city streets and highways???? PLEASE????

Will someone please step forward who can REALLY do something in this state other than see themselves as a handsome Hollywood leading man???

We're desperate!!

carlo, take some english grammar class before you try to sound smart!!

You know if you go to the FOX site and look at the politics section, they actually have political news and the "moderators" don't cut you out like the do on CNN. They are not biased toward liberals, so you can see what the "real feel" not the "touchy feel" of the country is.

Keep this corrupt thief out of Sacramento.

I didn't know that it matters anymore who runs for that state's governor. I used to live there several years ago and thank God I moved to a much normal state. They are such a mess, I don't think anyone can fix it. Everything there is way out of control. Good luck to those people. Life is much better in the other states!!!!

I would pick him over Newsom whether Newsom likes it or not.

Doubt that he can do a better job.He's just like any other politician make huge promises to get the votes and never make good on all those promises.

It is former Gov. Jerry Brown who is the favorite for the Democratic nomination at this time.

I hope AV runs and gets humiliated. He has only helped the developers in the city who have helped make LA a dreadful place to live. The man is truly an opportunist, egocentric and a very corrupt man.

Viva Villaraigosa! This guy has supported Hillary last year in Dem. primary, and we feel he can deliver the goods quite stylishly.

My vote is going to Jerry Brown – the most progressive, interesting person who I hope become a candidate for governor. He was not appreciated in his own time as governor of California, because he was ahead of his time.

Now I think his time has come again. Unlike our current governor, or anyone else on the horizon, Brown knows how government and politics works, and I think he'll know how to deal with the recalcitrant Republicans who are holding up necessary change in the state.

He's has enjoyed an interesting life, including serving as mayor of Oakland and as California's current Attorney General. And he dated Linda Ronstadt, which along might have earned my vote.

@J.P.
Please be careful with those invitations. I am from the Great State of Texas and California work ethics pale in comparison. Even the Illegals from California won't do the work Texans do.

TERMinate ARNOLD...

The same hype about Obama being the "first black President" applies to Villaraigosa for being the "first Hispanic Mayor" to be elected Mayor of Los Angeles" - and sadly we got an incompetent Mayor!

I am Hispanic and I do not support Villaraigosa and never will
Mayor V cheated on his wife and loves chasing local TV reporters!

California's problems are not Arnold's fault.

The fault lies with the people who will take advantage of the education system, roads, and other public services but when it comes time to pay for them you vote no against the tax increases because; "Oh no my estate taxes will go up $100 per year!" How much do you think it costs to send one child to school for a year? Or to pay for that pothole on your block to be filled?

Nothing is free. Either it is provided and you are taxed, or you pay for it out of your own pocket. I guess its up to you to decide.

I have been an activist homeowner in Los Angeles for the last 37 years.
I have been constantly involved in local civic affairs.
I can tell you that Villaraigosa has not accomplished anything positive for the people of L.A..
He has been busy for himself and his personal politics.
We don't need another loser like Arnold.
Please don't vote for Villaraigosa if you want something done in and for the City of Los Angeles!

The mayor of L.A. is a media hound who has done nothing for the city. He has been too busy chasing cameras and female reporters. This guy is such a liberal and traitor to this state that he actually makes sure that the spanish language media cameras and mics are on before he'll start speaking. He is pro-illegal immigrant and he loves taxes. He is a joke.

The people in California need to overhaul their government. Stop this insane process that allows rich special interest groups to craft stupid initiatives that are running California into a ditch! This is no way to run the 7th largest economy in the world! Get rid of Prop 13 and allow for a predictable funding stream adequate to run the government. Tax alcohol, cigarettes and legalize and tax pot. AND STOP ELECTING MOVIE STARS TO PUBLIC OFFICE!

Arnold has turned out to be a disaster, Grey Davis is probably laughing up his sleeve about now.

Villaregosa is a joke – he's just another self-serving movie star wanna be.

ELECT JERRY BROWN, a time tested public servant who did a great job as Governor, as Mayor of Oakland and as the Attorney General.

CNN please proof read your stories before you release them.

Forgive this misplaced post, but CNN has nowhere to put it. The US Supreme Court today threw out Valerie Plame and her husband's lawsuit against Scooter Libby et al. I can't seem to find any CNN articles on this, although it was certainly big news when the case was viable... CNN, are you going to cover this?

I'm a DEM, but I haven't seen my kind of candidate yet.......Though the mayor of SF is running on all his principals, regardless if he wins, or loses....i respect that.

If he runs he'll have to defend: an illicit extra-marital affair, a city
school system that's dysfunctional, riots, a pro-illegal immigration
record, and a record of broken promises(no Olympics, no balanced
budget, no sea train to Malibu, etc.). One Arnold empty suit gov. is enough.

See what one of the Kennedy gang got you Californians. Be a little wiser in your next selection. A muscle lifting two-bit actor will not a Governor make.

Does this mean that Acevedo will run unapposed? Maybe I can my job back at the Barn.

maybe he can ask wolf on the air for some financial help from AIPAC, since wolf knows where the green is kept in that very elite dual citizenship fraternity; sort of their own skull/bones..

Anyone but Newsom.

Yuck! Villaraigosa hasn't done much of anything except show up for photo ops and travel around the world on our dime. Give me Jerry or Gavin any day over this guy.

Let's see now. We have Villaraigosa who cheated on his wife with a reporter while in office. Left 3 or 4 kids. LA has more gangs than probably Mexico. Newsom cheated on his wife while in office. San Francisco is a sanctuary city for illegal aliens as is Los Angeles. Then we have ex-governor Moonbeam(Brown) who did not do such a great job the first time around. What choices!!!!!!!!!

JP says

"Hey Californians! Move to Texas! We won't punish your work ethic!"

First time I ever heard "Californians" and "work ethic" in the same sentence.

May want to rethink that sentiment, JP. Look what happened to Texas when it rolled out the red carpet to Lousianians after Katrina. Won't make that mistake again, will they?

"hasta la vista welfare."

Pick a politician who is educated in political sciences with strong economic academic credentials. Stop voting for candidates who are used to having as many takes as they need to get a scene right. I left N. Calif. six years ago, and I don't have to wonder why.

Oh yeah and as for Arnold, he's just practicing in California to become another useless representative in Washington. The sooner we get Arnold out of California, the better for everybody he will leave behind. The downside of that is we'd still have a bunch of bozos in Sacramento who haven't got a clue on how to stop wasting taxpayer dollars.

Comment by Tammy, CA June 22nd, 2009 12:56 pm ET
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Are you kidding me? This guy 'Villaclown" has made a complete mess of what it once was an appealing and beautiful city. Sadly, the City of Los Angeles looks more like Tijuana, Mexico. The illegal immigrants are very well protective by Villaclown, including the taco stands in residential areas (right outside their homes).

Meg Whitman would be a great choice for California Governor

Thank goodness we now have some other than those flamin' liberal bozos Newsome and Brown running. Arnold has added to the meltdown in the quality of life in California and Newsome or Brown would just finish flushing the state down the toilet.

@ JP says,

"Hey Californians! Move to Texas! We won't punish your work ethic!"

___________

I hear you brother! I'm working on a transfer as we speak. Yes – the Pacific Ocean is a wonderful playground.... Democrats in the State have bankrupted us....and left us with the bill:

Real Estate Tax
State Income Tax
Auto Registration Fees
Business License Fees
Water Tax
Cell Phone Tax
One of the Highest Cost for Gasoline in Country.....

I'd rather come on vacation than live here any longer.

inasmuch as the gop hates latinos......we will elect a lot of Democrats in the USA.....Arnold for senator? get real...we shall see gop'ers, keep your hate....hehehehe

Can we just rename the state and call it Calixico if hes elected?

CNN,

You need to correct your story, John Garamendi is no longer in the race for Governor, he is running for Congress in my District 10th.

Please get your facts correct before publising.

Rob

Newsom for California 2010
Change we need!!!

Mark from Al...It will take way more than cleaning house in Sac. There needs to be a California Constitutional Convention to change the flawed way propositions are put on the ballot.

Villaraigosa has done so many wonderful things for Los Angeles, oh my the wonderful things he has done....like...um, well? I just know that he "fixed" the traffic lights in the city, not that traffic is better, probably the worst I've ever seen, and sleeping with local news anchors. He also can't seem to pull the city's budget together. He can at least maintain the downward spiral that the state is going in if he wins, not that I'd vote him, he is so terrible I don't think I could vote for anyone above or below his name on the ballot he is such a worthless "leader". For the record: he's not my mayor.

Villaragoisa was caught (literally) with his pants down – boinking a local TV Newscaster. Villaragoisa is married.

The voters of California:

1) Passed Prop 8 keeping marriage defined as 1 man + 1 woman
2) Rejected the latest tax-and-spend propositions from the State Legislators
3) are SICK and TIRED of the inept "leadership"

If any of you THINK a slick "John Edwards with a Hispanic Last Name" candidate will win.... I've got a pretty bridge in SF to sell you!

I will donate to any Democratic campaign other than that of Mayor Newsom. He was too politically involved in the prop 8 campaign. He should have stayed out of it. And if Newsom does become our nominee. That i will sadly contribute money to whom ever turns out to be his Republican opposition.

Please give people my work ethic, not my money.

oh, yeah, L.A.'s done great under him. CA deserves him just like they deserve Schwarzenegger.

Keep electing liberal spenders, CA, the money will come from somewhere!

Of course he is because he too wants to be president. The governorship is just a stop on the way to his real goal. I think he is an opportunist and I won't vote for him.

Stop blaiming the unions. California is the fourth largest economy in the world. Itsis mis managed not under funded. Stop leveling taxes on property. As prices increase so should the taxes you pay. This might just keep peices in check also.
Stop suporting illegal aliens.
Stop the contract waste. The state can train and provide its own services, but it likely contracts out work that can be done by the state.

the terminater should be terminated as governor, he should go back to groping orgies. HE should have never been in politics. GO DEMS !!!

Hey Villar, why don't you concentrate on El Lay?? I think he is just a facade, there is no there – there...he is a pandering politico to the Nth degree, C A L needs a problem solver not some poster dude...Jerry Brown is the only viable candidate to fix the state, the other guys are a bunch of clowns- Newsome phlease this election is not centered on the gay wedding issue......

Gary: Arnold has nothing of any value to offer in the Senate. In fact, whomever becomes the next governor of Ca. has one huge mess to clean up!

Take note: When a member of the GOP leaves ANY political office, his/her successor has one huge mess to clean up!

God help us if he does. Talk about an empty suit. This moron failed the California bar exam 5 times. And believe me, we have some real stupid lawyers in this State, so the test can’t be that hard.

if he wins its because he's mexican...don't vote for this fool

what has he done for L.A. if he wins its because he's mexican...don't vote for this scumbag!!!

He won't win the primary. he won't get the support of law enforcement except for LAPD and their reputation is not so good. LA represents about 1/3 of California's votes but he's got a lot of enemies.

Newsome will win the primary but could lose to Whitman. A lot of California's economic woes are due to the Dems who control the Assembly and State Senate. In these economic times, voters are going to want a governor who understands how businesses are run and how to stick to a budget. None of the Dem candidates can have shown to be strong on fiscal policies.

Newsome's strength is what he has done with health care in San Fran. If he can translate that success to into what can be done across the state. he will win...that is, if the Fed doesn't pass universal health care.

BTW, I'm a dem.

As a resident of LA (and homeowner, taxpayer, etc) all I can say is "wow!" Can Villaraigosa roll off of the Telemundo reporter long enough to make a decision? In his time in LA, he has done nothing to help this once great city.

Californians and others will one day have to realize that there's no such thing as a free lunch. You want government services, but you don't want taxes to pay for them. Getting rid of the current "Governator" would be a first step toward growing up.

@ J.P., on Texas not punishing anyone's work ethic:

I assume you mean we in Texas don't suffer from excessive taxation. Well, you and I may live on a little island of prosperity, (Plano here), but overall in Texas we're nothing to brag about.

(1) More poverty than any other state.
(2) Almost the worst schools in the country.
(3) The country's highest out of wedlock birth rates.
(4) The greatest wealth disparity between both ends of the poles
than any other state.

So while you and I are sittin' out by the pool suckin' on a beverage of choice, there are an awful lot of Texans that don't have it so good.

From a statistical standpoint, I just thank God there's a place called Mississippi.

meg is the best choice for CA with all of the budget crisis

"Villaraigosa is obviously very well known in Los Angeles and LA has the largest media market in the state,"

Well, he's a shoe-in; Once you've bought the media, you get elected...right , Barry?

Sure hope he is not going to be running for governor.....with his track record he has no chance......someone needs to educate him on the his true reality...

Just what the country needs...another jerk who can't put his commitments to his family (his most important constituency, one would think...)let alone the people of LA, above his testosterone needs and ego needs, and now he wants to be given state-side responsibilities. He has no sense of shame, that's for sure. Liberal on social issues, YES! But on ethical issues? No way, Jose.

Brown was governor before. Didn't his statute of limitations expire yet?

Being from CA I would NOT vote for Villaraigosa. He is an opportunist that does not have CA best interest at heart. He is a political climber as is Arnold.

The GOP in CA has not put up any candidate that I would vote for either. As they too are all opportunists especially Whitman and Poizner. Campbell might be a candidate to look at.

That leaves Newsom and Brown. At this point I would vote for Brown. He has proven he has CA in his heart and he is a known quanitity. He has governed CA before and I think could do it again.

Some wonder if Villaraigosa's love life is an issue and I would say yes. Not so much on moral grounds but that he has commitment issues. CA needs a person who can commit to CA and not just their political career.

Whoopti Doooo

Still won't watch – despise the monotone of Blitzer, and he does push divisive hate-filled stories too much.

More re-runs -– here I come !!

This could be interesting if he does run.

"The mayor will make his news on exclusively on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer at 4pm ET"

CNN – The Best Political Team on Television and the Worse Grammar on the Internet.

The only thing keeping the Legislature from "taxing us all to hell" is Arnold. Without a check and balance California is doomed to become the 5th lagest taxed economy in the world.

I don't know why anyone would want to be Governor of CA. This place is a stinking pile of dog poop.

If this guy gets in, he will welcome all the illegals, remember he said in a speech, "there are no illegals". You think L.A. looks like Mexico now, just wait, you ain't seen nothing yet.

@ alan: Do you even live in CA? There are many factors that have driven CA into serious debt, not state workers. One example would be the lowering of vehicle registration fees. The state lost a HUGE amount of revenue when Arnold did that. No one wants to go back to paying what they did before, and maybe a little more, but it sure beats trying to balance the budget on the backs of children, the sick, the poor/middle class, and the elderly. Take a look at the Franchise Tax Board's list of delinquent taxpayers. If we collected all that money that is owed, that in itself would probably pay off our debt.

What the heck has this guy done for LA besides do photo-ops and chase women? As a senior citizen, I should probabaly vote for Brown but am leaning toward Newsom. He has, at least, provided health care for the citizens in San Francisco!

I like the fact that conservatives and Texans always trash California and specifically San Francisco and therefore any politician from there. Then why, pray tell, is California and San Francisco still more desirable than ANY place in Texas or the midwest or the south! Ask any tourist foreign or domestic, where do you want to visit? It's always California or New York (liberal bastions)- it's NEVER Texas, or Louisiana or Mississippi! California's fiscal problems are because the Republicans block any progress or taxes in the legislature. Sure Californians pay a lot of taxes but they get a lot for them. Have you been to Texas or Oklahoma lately? What dumps.

Sorry Antonio but I will be voting for the Mayor of San Francisco as he has done many things for the gay community and you haven't.

As a city worker, the only thing Mr. Villaragoisa seems to be good at lately is finding a camera! Every time you turn on the TV, there he is again. The city of LA is falling apart, layoffs and work furloughs beginning in July. If Mr. Mayor would spend more time in his office than he does in front of a camera, maybe he could have figured out a way to save our jobs and pay checks. If he can't handle a city's budget, what on earth makes him think he could balance the states? No more failures, we had enough! Lets vote someone in who is qualified for the job.

My take on this one is where was the republican criticism on this a republican governor states thats in debt and they didnt openly voice their opinion. yeah i forgot most of them are trying to run for president in 2012 thats why.So they didnt care about california debt and spending problem knowing that when one state suffers in debt we all do because we are all in it together.We are the United States remember.

Import more illegals , that is the solution to your problems. The same theory works for spend more than you have and that will solve your indebtedness.

I would not support Mayor Villaragoisa if he ran for governor. Liking someone and knowing what's in the best interest for myself as well as my fellow Californians comes first. I'm sick of politics being about popularity.

Haven't the democrats done enough to make California a bad place to do business. To this day, I'm sure Ronald Reagan would not get elected as governor with the current kooks that populate California.

I would offer a fair trade. Make Nancy Pelosi the governor so she can spend California tax money on her pet projects like FREE condoms for everyone for a stimulus program her state needs.

In return, America would lose a real problem in Congress.

I betcha Californians miss good ol' Ronald Reagan.

Shouldn't adultery just about cancel out someone's political capital?

I for one would like to see this country say to any man or woman, Republican or Democrat, that if you commit adultery, you should not run for or stay in office.

Newsom will need all the GOP = 21st century dodo voters, I mean gay voters that he can get!

I suggest you move to Mass. and vote for Ted while there's still time.

Some of you posters on here are the stupidest most ignorant people. First of all, you use "Democrat" instead of "Democratic", whchi tells everyone how your comment is going to go. You are using the mayor bieng booed at a Lakers' game as proof of his unpopularity, failing to note the fact that there were hardly any lower to middle income people sitting in the crowd. A REPUBLICAN has been running California for years, after ignoramus Calif. voters were convinced by the Rethug spin machine that Davis was going to run the country into the ground.

What did they do? Vote for ANOTHER ACTOR! They learned nothing after Reagan. Neither did some of you apparently.

While I think Villaragoisa is a good guy, I also think his focus has been on bigger political aspirations that on the people of Los Angeles. All that I have seen is him jet set around the country instead of being in Los Angeles and doing his job. Although I'm not a fan of Arnold, what's going on with California is not his fault. Just like President Obama, he inherited a state economy that had been long abused with reckless spending and no way to pay for it.

He has Obama's support and that is all you need these days.

This guy is very intelligent. Good luck

Just WHAT CALIFORNIA NEEDS ,a Democrate as govenor.
It's bad enough now because the California government is mostly Democrate's and SEE WHAT KIND OF MESS THE STATE IS IN.

How's that trickle down working for you California??

that name??? doesn't sound like he's from around here

God help us if that nut Gavin Newsom gets elected.

Mark, in Birmingham, I know it's difficult, but I suggest you READ about California. The legislature is not socialist. In fact this state is quite conservative overall. And I know this may come as a surprise to you, down there in you little log cabin in Alabama, but "tax and spend" is the way EVERY government operates. California, even in these dark economic times, has the 8th largest economy in the world (not the US, the WORLD). The PC you're typing in was developed here. The body designs of the cars you drive are done here. The medical equipment used to find out why you're so stupid was developed here. The iPod, the cell phone, internet equipment that allows you to post your stupidity was all developed here. Fighters, bombers, and other aircraft, all designed here. Major parts of the aircraft that Boeing builds are built in California. And then there's the tourist industry, radio, TV, and on and on. And what has Alabama given us recently besides a pain in the ass and the last remaining fans of Rush Limbaugh? Not much....

We don't need a Cassanova running the state of California, we have enough problems as it is.

I guess Grey Davis got the last laugh on the Arnie deal. Be careful what you wish for California. As for Arnie as a senator, yeah, that's just what we need, another celebrity in D.C.

villaragoisa, is one of the most two faced males i have seen in sometime, God help us in Ca. (I could not use the word MAN to call him)

Villaraigosa may be popular in his own mind, but most LA residents don't have much affection for the guy. His name is well-known in southern California, but the rest of the state just barely knows him through occassional news pieces about his infidelity and questionable practices as mayor of LA. And he is a conservative. The days of conservative mismanagement are over. I know, I know, LA residents think they are the center of the universe, but they might be surprised to know that the rest of the state doesn't pay much attention to what goes on in LA. I doubt very seriously Villaraigosa's candidacy will go very far. The state of California doesn't need yet another back-room-dealing, business-pandering, self-serving politician at the helm.

villaraigosa is an idiot. i worked for a social services organization in downtown LA that had many interactions with the mayor's office (which means we arranged photo ops for him to come in and hang out with the people we were helping, but wouldn't allow them to touch him). aside from his slimy attitude, i seriously question this man's intelligence. i knew that he had failed the bar exam a bunch of times, and when i met him (which i've done several times) i was not suprised. there is absolutely no substance to this man. you'd think the mayor of LA would have a much higher national profile. doesn't that say something about his political savvy? NEWSOM 2010!

(to the dude from alabama, we really don't need your opinions about california. YOU LIVE IN ALABAMA. i suppose if i lived there i'd be an angry wing-nut too.)

I agree with Paul and GOP....I wouldn't vote for this opportunist guy. AV has done absolutely nothing in L.A. he has used the votes of latinos for his own self-aggrandizement...he's not worthy of my vote..and the current Los Angeles Magazine is everywhere in town..

I'll vote of Jerry Brown..

If a man cannot be true to the person he is suppose to love more than anyone else in the world, just think what he would do to the tax payers!!

This is one Democrat who won't vote for Villagrosa. I hope better choices come up before the election.

His personal life could cost him and isn't he a son of illegal immigrants? I don't think he will stand up against the media's scrutiny even if Obama campaigns for him.

He has done NOTHING for LA as mayor. What he spouts on about is his promise to plant 1 million trees and fill an X number of potholes..I mean, really? His camp can't even prove that they fulfilled those promises. If he becomes governor after Arnold's failed term, we are doomed for good.

What has this country come to? That we now base our votes on race rather than capacity, experience, and talent.

Truly a shame...

Any of the democrats running would have to be better than what we have now (an over rated movie star). Although, I will admit, I have to do more research on Villaraigosa.

OMG, It doesnt matter which governor California elects into office, the whole political structure is tied up with special interests & lobby bigwigs that tie its hands....

Look, the people of California vote in its democratic fashion, while politicians ignore it, or courts overturn it.

We're talking about democracy in Iran, when there is little in California.

What California needs, is someone that will stand up for the people they are elected to represent, just because everyone else is doing it, does not mean new elected officials have to sell them out as well.

I GUESS THATS THE WAY OF THE WORLD, NO ONES WORD MEANS ANYTHING ANYMORE.

California is one of 12 states with a constitutionally weak governor. There is not much that any of these candidates can do that Arnold has not already tried.. The state is out of money. Period. The more they tax, the more companies and people leave the state, for good.

Umm, I live in LA and I don't think he has a good enough report card for higher office. He was just on the cover of Los Angeles Magazine with FAILURE blazoned across his picture. Despite being home to EVERY major movie studio in the world we don't have jobs because movies don't get made here anymore–we have fewer tax incentives to make movies here than in Boston, New Orleans, New York and we fight crime by spending $$8Billion a year in taxes for prisons instead of dealing with soaring unemployment amongst black and latino youth. No ideas, no innovation, no success.

I say, do a good job in your current position before you seek a promotion.

Antonio Villaraigosa has been the worst mayor of my lifetime (and that's saying a lot... and I'm a Democrat!) There isn't an event he won't show up for if it means lots of photographs and lots of making promises he won't keep. Don't worry, this man has virtually *no* local support and no support from the Democratic party here in L.A.

As a democrat, I want someone who can win. Antonio has to prove he can carry the election. We can't afford another gimmicky republican. What about Feinstein?

Great that's all CA needs, more liberals. It's like your trying to go bankrupt!!

"Until California gets rid of the socialist/democrat legislature . . . The state is the best example of what the liberal agenda will do to our economy, taxation, and the failure of a European Socialist/Welfare System."

As long as our country has idiot like THIS posting, we will never get anywhere! Remember, dufus, that it has been the Communist Chinese buying the LOADS of debt foisted upon this country by the BUSH regime!

i think democrats have better answers to issues. what is the difference now between Arnold'd tenure and what would have become of former gov. Davis tenure. Arnold lied to californians just as the Republicans always do and that gave him the position. this time around we will take it back and clean up the mess as usuall, just like Obama is doing now. so whoever wins DEMS primary will win the CALI seat.

Tony V's may do very well as Governor. He is an adulterer, a Union Leader, and Tax and Spend pol. But his greatest strength is his ability to get is face on TV (like this "Breaking News" Blitzer no-news – News). It has been documented he has been "Out of LA" over half his term, His "new" Term starts July 1, and he is running for Gov!, so nothing will change. This man is a disaster.

I beg to differ that Gov Schwarzenegger is not doing his job, he has made mistakes but has also stand up against the powerful unions of government workers that drain California's economy, something Villaraigosa has not done. You may or may not like the Governor's decisions, but you cannot question he has done so in the best interest of Californians. Villaraigosa, in the other hands, has been shown to care more about his union supporters.

Antonio has my support. I think he has done wonderful things for Los Angeles, hopefully he will stop the bleeding.

Mayor of LA (one of the most violent and gang-ridden places in the country) and the Mayor of SF (haven for illegal aliens and the most liberal place on the planet) are the front runners at this point...

Real Estate values on the West Coast are going to plummet...wait, they already did that...

Until California gets rid of the socialist/democrat legislature who belive in tax and spend, California will not get out of its troubles. A democrat or republican in the governors office cannot solve the states problems without a change in attitude of the people and the legislature. I should know as I grew up their and my oldest son lives in California. The state is the best example of what the liberal agenda will do to our economy, taxation, and the failure of a European Socialist/Welfare System.

From the pic above...he looks like a used car salesman.

If any of you heard the 90,000 Laker fans in the Coleseum when Villaraigosa was introduced at the Lakers celebration, you will know how unpopular this loser is. L.A. got exactly what it deserved when it voted him in for mayor. Now he wants to run California! What a joke!
He is an opportunistic politician who will take whatever "next step" is there for him on his trek to national prominence. Well this is one California Democrat who will not be voting for him. Hopefully there will be a few million more saying "no" to this candidate. Maybe his announcement will be that he is resigning from California politics. Let some other state have AV. Please!!!

Alfred E. Neumann: what does Ted Kennedy have to do with the CA gov's race?

As for Villaraigosa, the current cover of Los Angeles magazine says it all. I'll probably vote for Newsom.

California is on the verge of collapse and Arnold knows it.

You guys better reconsider and take a closer look at the situation before you.

Tell the public that you can't be any worse than Arnold. Promise to fire 10% of state workers. Promise to deport all illegal aliens.

Mayor, just remember not to pull a John Ensign.
But, if you do remember the advice given to Ensign:

John, don't worry about your poll numbers for cheating on your wife. Worry that you are a conservative.

In 1969 Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge and left Mary Jo Kopechne to suffocate. He didn't report it until the next day. He had no drivers license. His wife was pregnant at the time. He got no jail time.

John, you will do just fine.

The mayor needs to do something for Los Angeles. He's been so consumed with running for governor he's forgotten that this city needs leader-ship; which he has not done for a long time now. I would not support him as a candidate for governor.

I'm don't follow Cali politics, but Arnold clearly isn't doing the job. Villaragoisa probably will win the election if decides to run.

I wonder if Arnold would consider a run for senator of California when his term as governor runs out. He has a unique set of experiences that would likely add value to the Senate.