Mixed Views on Villaraigosa

Ever since he was elected as mayor, the state's political insiders have been salivating at the prospect of an Antonio Villaraigosa run for governor.

Perhaps spoiled with the Arnold Schwarzenegger governorship and the celebrity clout he brings, they are looking to keep the same star power alive in coming years with all that Villaraigosa brings.

Now, with the mayor embroiled in a personal scandal involving Telemundo reporter Marithal Salinas., it has set them off in a tizzy about Villaraigosa's prospects.

But, a Villaraigosa run for governor will have a bigger problem _ history.

Quick, name the last govenror who also served as mayor of Los Angele in modern times.

Former Mayor Tom Bradley came the closest, but he was edged out by then-Attorney General George Deukmejian.

Here are two other views:

Sacramento Bee
Don't dismiss Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from the 2010 governor's race just because he revealed Tuesday he had an ongoing extramarital relationship, political analysts say. Sacramento Bee

Many believe Villaraigosa's revelation will have only a marginal impact on the Democrat's chances to win the state's top office in three years. The former Assembly speaker is still considered among the early front-runners in a large field once Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is termed out.

Los Angeles Times.

Larry Gerston believes that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa may have written the first lines of his political obituary this week by acknowledging a long-running affair with a television newscaster who covered City Hall

"All I can say is that if I were him, I wouldn't make any plans to run for the Democratic nomination [for governor] in 2010," said Gerston, a political science professor at San Jose State.