not running

Riordan did a good job running Los Angeles; he really did turn around that city in regards to crime, business development and he even went to great lengths to heal the racial divides that plagued LA after Rodney King riots. He probably would have made a very good governor, but his problem is his campaign style. Last year when he ran for governor, he was leading the field for the Republican nomination for governor and then he gave it all away at the end. He lacks discipline, and you need that to win a campaign. Riordan let his opponents define him and he lost in the primaries last year. Frankly he ran a stupid campaign by appealing to liberals in a Republican primary!! Fine, do that in the general election, but not in a Republican primary. And he didn't lose because he was a moderate either. Most primary voters are party loyalists, but they know a winner when they see one too. Riordan's problem was that he didn't run a smart and aggressive campaign. At the end, he blamed Davis's meddling in the primary for his loss but it was his own fault; in politics, it's to each his own. He should have hit Davis rather than his own fellow Republicans.

I'd imagine that he's pretty p.o.'d at Ah-nold right now... wasn't HE going to run? <grin> Ain't life a bit*h, Mr. Riordan? <grin>

He's too moderate.

A politician for 40 years is too scared to take on "The Terminator" a political neophyte. Finacially speaking though, Riorden is better off cozying up to Eli Broad and his other billionaire LA cronies than running for Governor. Its ironic that the GOP can not field a real, experienced & qualified candidate in this joke of an election. Riorden is smart to stay away from this one. He knows no candidate involved will walk away smelling like a rose. He gets 5 stars for a smart decision and -3 for endorsing Arnold.