Thread: Immigration rallies force L.A. mayor into political tight sp

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LOS ANGELES
Immigration rallies force L.A. mayor into political tight spot
Villaraigosa backs away from image as single-issue leader
James Sterngold, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, May 14, 2006


Los Angeles -- When the immigration rights movement erupted from coast to coast beginning in March, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa embraced it with greater energy and visibility than just about any other political leader.

Villaraigosa, the first Latino elected mayor here in modern times, spoke at every major demonstration in the city, in Spanish and in English, backing the calls for a fair path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. He was lauded by many of the demonstrators as a champion of their cause.

But the normally voluble mayor was uncharacteristically restrained in discussing the issue in an interview last week. What initially seemed to him a basic, practical appeal for dignity and understanding, as well as a consistent new immigration policy, has become, he acknowledged, a vexing political minefield.

In a long, late afternoon conversation in his office, Villaraigosa, 53, often pausing to collect his thoughts, said he fears that his conspicuous involvement may make him vulnerable to being branded a one-issue politician, aligned with one community. He also worried that the sudden dominance of immigration as a political issue risks knocking his stated priorities as mayor of America's second-biggest city -- such as school reform and better policing -- off track.

In a sense, Villaraigosa is struggling to avoid becoming caught up in the confusion and polarization that have crept into the increasingly emotional debate.

"People want to put me in a little box, define me as just one thing, but I won't let them do it," he insisted, while admitting that the immigration issue has made that more difficult.

Political analysts and supporters said the challenge goes to the heart of Villaraigosa's political prospects, which many observers have considered bright. If he is to seek higher office -- there is talk of his running for governor in the not-too-distant future -- he will need to garner support from more than one constituency, and he will need to prove he can address a broad range of issues.

Indeed, several people close to the mayor said they tried to persuade him to avoid the marches just for that reason.

"I can tell you there are people who have told him they think it would be best for him to duck the issue altogether," said Jack Weiss, a member of the City Council and one of the mayor's closest advisers.

Villaraigosa said he simply followed his gut.

"The first time, everyone argued against my going to greet the crowds," he said, referring to the March 25 rally in Los Angeles, which attracted 500,000 people, a number that stunned most observers. "I listened, then said, 'I have to do this.' "

But while a supporter of immigrant rights, Villaraigosa has been careful not to align himself with some of the more forceful demands and actions of the rights movement.

'Political suicide'

He has not endorsed the idea of blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants. He opposed calls for strikes and boycotts and urged schoolchildren not to join school walkouts. He dismissed the idea of an alternative national anthem sung in Spanish, and he insists that if the marchers choose to wave a flag, it should be the Stars and Stripes.

"I'm not going to commit political suicide, and I'm cognizant of what people are saying," Villaraigosa said. "My job is to know where people are at on the issues. But I believe I'm doing the right thing."

Born in East Los Angeles to working-class Mexican American parents, Villaraigosa was elected mayor last May, avenging a loss four years earlier by defeating James Hahn, the incumbent, with a resounding 59 percent of the vote. A former speaker of the state Assembly, he became Los Angeles' first Latino mayor in more than 130 years, a symbol of the changes in a city now more than 50 percent Latino.

His election was a point of enormous pride for the city's new majority, which gave him an overwhelming 84 percent of the Latino vote. But although they are a majority of the population, Latinos made up 25 percent of the voters in the mayoral election. As Villaraigosa constantly stresses, he also won 48 percent of the African American vote, 50 percent of whites and 55 percent of the usually conservative San Fernando Valley, demonstrating his crossover appeal.

He still fumes at a Time magazine cover on his election victory that bore the headline "Latino Power." He insists he was elected not because of his name or heritage, but because of his proposals on issues like improving education, reducing violence and improving health care in Los Angeles.

"Some people say I won because of this growing 'Latino power,' " said Villaraigosa, his finger stabbing the air. "I won because the people of Los Angeles ... judge people based on their talent and what they can do."

He is aware of his ability to galvanize the Latino community -- including immigrants, legal and illegal.

"I recognize that as mayor of Los Angeles, I can provide a credibility and a focus on this issue that few others can," he said, then added, "but I get the same response from all these other groups. It's not about one community."

Robert Suro, the director of the Pew Hispanic Center, a Washington research institute, said Villaraigosa's appeal to Latinos is a potential liability as well as a strength.

"It's true, he didn't get elected just with the Latino vote," said Suro. "He's going to need to be a crossover candidate to be successful."

One complication, Villaraigosa said, is that his position on immigration reform has been distorted, leaving him vulnerable to charges that he is pandering.

He said he has consistently backed firm border control and the need for immigrants to learn English, yet has been characterized merely as "pro-immigrant," suggesting he wants the border left more or less open.

Barbara Coe, chairwoman of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform and a staunch opponent of providing rights to illegal immigrants, said that in her view, and in the view of people like her, Villaraigosa endorsed lawlessness, plain and simple.

"He only represents one ethnicity and not all the citizens of the city," Coe said. "He's pandering. He feels he's going to ride the tide of the illegal aliens in Los Angeles."

The mayor said he is aware of such criticisms, and he makes clear he finds them objectionable. Asked if he fears that opposition to the immigrant rights movement could be shadowed by nativism or racism, he replied:

"I know what you're getting at, and I'll say this: You take the world as it is. I don't spend a lot of time focusing on that."

Villaraigosa said he has tried to articulate what he calls a sensible approach to the immigration issue, one that gives illegal immigrants an opportunity to earn citizenship, if they are willing to wait in line and learn English.

Border security

He supports the U.S. Senate bill that would provide a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants and establish a guest-worker program. While adamantly opposing a House bill that would make illegal immigrants, and those who help or employ them, felons, Villaraigosa restated his insistence on the need for a secure border.

"There should be consequences for breaking the law," he said, adding that the federal government has an obligation to install tougher border protection.

Such statements have led to criticisms that he is trying to have it both ways and resorting to political calculation.

"I'm not a Pollyanna," Villaraigosa said in response. "I'm not saying those issues don't get thought about. But I'm committed to immigration reform."

He said he will not attend every future demonstration. He wants to get back to his other priorities, he said, which include seizing control of the Los Angeles school board and hiring more police officers.

But Villaraigosa has become inextricably linked to the immigrant issue, and it is not clear where that will take him.

"My suspicion is the state is moving on this issue right now toward compromise, like the mayor's position," said Kam Kuwata, a senior campaign strategist for former Mayor Hahn and now a consultant to Sen. Dianne Feinstein. "But you don't know what is going to happen on the issue in the future."

He made his postion very clear as to where his loyalties belonged ,the day he stood up on that plat form speaking Spanish, and acting as foolish as the crowds in the streets.

And now, it has backfired, so stop your belly aching !!

Political suicide indeed!!

His true colors were displayed for all to see! Had the taco embargo gone over better, I'm sure he'd pleased to crow some more!
By the way, speaking of toiletbowl brushes?