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The Daily News page-tops a pro-business report by frequent L.A. critic Joel Kotkin—and not usually so biting Jack Kyser—complaining that city officials are more concerned with social issues than creating jobs or helping the economy. The report calls for an attitude change. Kyser: "They don't really have a long-term focus. And that's what's needed in the city of Los Angeles. Some have just gone off track and are getting involved in social issues such as not smoking on area beaches." He is chief economist with the county Economic Development Corporation, which sponsored the report.
Also: The Times goes front-page with the topic that many around the mayoral race have been gabbing about: what happened to the Antonio Villaraigosa magic that elevated him to frontrunner in 2001? The story by Jessica Garrison asks why "some political insiders say his campaign seems to lack the electricity that made him a darling of the national media." Villaraigosa responds that things are fine and he will make the runoff, despite losing the backing of labor, the county Democratic Party, Eli Broad and Richard Riordan.