Newsom out, Harman in?

After Gavin Newsom dropped out of the governor's race last week, the search was on for Democrats who might try to impede Jerry Brown's clear path to the party's nomination.

Since this conversation is largely about money -- who has it, and who can raise it fast -- one of the names on everybody's list is South Bay Rep. Jane Harman. Harman, who ran for governor in 1998, visited the Breeze offices a couple weeks back and made it pretty clear that she has no intention of running again.

Harman is a security wonk, first and foremost, and has been focused lately on corruption in Afghanistan -- a topic that wouldn't be anywhere near the governor's portfolio. In the editorial meeting, she lamented that the office has been greatly diminished over the years as Sacramento has become more and more dysfunctional.

Nevertheless, the Great Mentioner isn't giving up so easily. Over the weekend, no less a mentioner than Former Speaker Willie Brown mentioned Harman in his weekend column.

No comment from Harmanland, so we take it that her earlier comments stand.

Also being mentioned: Dianne Feinstein, Bill Lockyer, Loretta Sanchez, Bob Hertzberg, and ... Maria Shriver?