Today's LAT Poll says that even whites in the Valley and blacks in south L.A. favor Antonio Villaraigosa by a wide margin, after going big for Jim Hahn in 2001. Parks and Hertzberg voters are also strongly in Villaraigosa'a column. Citywide, the bottom line among likely voters is 53-35, with 12% undecided. It's the kind of perception-altering news that will shape the rest of the race. The bloody TV-ad battle to the finish still lies ahead, but Hahn's fundraising obstacles just got higher and Villaraigosa's lower. Special interests will certainly start flocking toward the guy who looks like a winner. Plus, every parachuting out-of-town reporter now has license to write about Hahn being weak and Villaraigosa closing in on becoming the first Latino mayor of modern Los Angeles.

From Michael Finnegan's story:

The councilman and former state Assembly speaker holds a double-digit lead over Hahn among likely voters in every region of the city. He runs far ahead of the mayor among whites, blacks, Latinos, liberals, moderates, Democrats, Jewish voters and union members.

There are glimmers of hope for Hahn. Republicans — roughly a quarter of the city's electorate — firmly favor his reelection, as do conservatives. He is also receiving more credit for accomplishments now than in polls earlier in the campaign — particularly for the drop in crime.

There were the now-usual findings that Hahn is just not well received as mayor. Asked if he was a strong leader, 49% said no. The same percentage disapproved of Hahn's job peformance, and only 44% approved. The poll finished in the field Monday. Margin of error is plus or minus 4. PDF files: Poll graphic, questionnaire and full results.

Meanwhile, Hahn on Tuesday summoned the media to rehash the Carlos Vignali controversy from the 2001 race. "There are some more questions here that need to be answered," Hahn said. Villaraigosa was fundraising on the East Coast, but campaign manager Ace Smith called the mayor's move "sad."

And: Hahn's bid to get the $3-billion stem cell institute for Los Angeles fell short when the city "did not complete the proper paperwork." Instead, San Francisco, San Diego, Emeryville and Sacramento are on the short list. Times, Daily News, Daily Breeze, LABJ