http://www.dailynews.com/extra/opinions/orlov.asp
Sunday, November 21, 1999
Villaraigosa's mayoral hopes get Broad help
By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer
It helps to have friends. Especially rich friends when it comes to the fractured race for Los Angeles mayor in 2001.
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Washington demanding amnesty for millions of illegal aliens. This guy was also a leader of the anti-American group 'MEChA' (Clip From "Bonds of Our Union")  Remember what Mario Obledo said... |
Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles, can count among his friends billionaire Eli Broad.
Broad hosted a fund-raising breakfast for Villaraigosa at the pricey Regency Club in Westwood on Friday and is holding a reception at his Brentwood home Monday night. Price tag: $1,000 a person.
On the surface, there is not much in common between the two. While both are self-made power brokers, Broad came up through real estate and investments. Villaraigosa came from the streets of East Los Angeles and through the unions.
Broad is Westside and high culture. Villaraigosa is blue collar and street politics. Yet, both are Democrats.
Both sides are quick to point out that Broad is not -- yet -- endorsing Villaraigosa. But, in the strange world of politics, he is lending his support.
The reasons are not that far below the surface.
Mostly it is because of the major support Villaraigosa has been able to provide Broad for both the Disney Concert Hall and the effort by Broad and developer Ed Roski Jr. to get a professional football team.
In his invitation to friends, Broad mentioned Villaraigosa's support of Disney Hall as he sought to allay fears that the former union organizer might be too liberal.
"Throughout his career, Antonio has also been a friend of business and a tireless advocate for our city's families and children," Broad wrote, adding he believes the speaker can work with all parts of the city.
There was no immediate estimate on what would be raised, but it was said to be substantial enough that it would make Villaraigosa competitive with the other announced major opponents, City Attorney James Hahn, Councilman Joel Wachs and businessman Steve Soboroff.
