City Controller Wendy Greuel recently released data on City salaries to the media.
This is a positive thing. Clarity and transparency are good things in elected, democratic governments.
However, I am a bit suspicious of her action. I think there is a hidden agenda here.
Wendy Greuel wants to be Mayor of Los Angeles.
That's right. It's not a big surprise. Especially if you're a member of the political "in crowd" here in town.
In politics, it is never too early to think about the next move on the chess board.
Wendy Greuel can now claim to be the most transparent and ethical politician in L.A.
I don't know if that is true, but she can make the claim that she "was the one who posted all the City salaries for voters to see..." It might ring a bell with voters...or... it might not.
Certainly, after the scandal rocking the City of Bell, it seems like a good publicity move.
The problem with Wendy Greuels candidacy for Mayor in 2013 is that she will face a crowded and aggressive field. Plus, she has not shown the toughness or cruelty necessary for that type of leadership.
Example: our current Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. A straight-up gangster.
Villaraigosa spent the years 2005-2009 cheating on his wife, bankrupting the City, running around the country and traveling internationally on unnecessarily extravagant jet-setting trips, hogging every microphone and camera in sight, and letting the DWP treat him and the City Council like a pimp treats a prostitute.
In 2009, Villaraigosa gave the middle finger to voters and hundreds of civic organizations and refused to appear at any campaign events. Naturally, in a corrupt city like Los Angeles, he was re-elected.
Hell, recently-indicted Councilman Richard Alarcon didn't even have an opponent in 2009.
That is how bad things are here in L.A.
No, Wendy Greuel hasn't shown this type of utter contempt for voters, so I think it will be difficult for her to win. Not impossible...she has a chance...just difficult.
I have written about this subject before... here are some new odds.
Rick Caruso 3-1
Eric Garcetti 4-1
Nuch Trutanich 5-1
Zev Yaroslavsky 6-1
Wendy Greuel 6-1
Magic Johnson 8-1
Bob Hertzberg 12-1
Walter Moore 16-1
Tom La Bonge 30-1
Paul Krekorian 35-1
Alex Padilla 40-1
Tamar Galatzan 50-1
Jan Perry 80-1
Bernard Parks 80-1
Richard Alarcon Not Applicable/In Custody in 2013
