Mayor Villaraigosa is taking the show on the road, heading first to London and Manchester next week at the request of Prime Minister Tony Blair to speak about global climate change, anti-terrorism efforts and the 2016 Olympics bid. Then Oct. 5 (dates update: Oct. 8-21) he heads to Asia on the obligatory mayoral trade mission, visiting China, South Korea and Japan to talk up the airports, the Port of Los Angeles and tourism. Jim Hahn went at the same stage of his Administration, in November 2002, but the Villaraigosa camp hopes things turn out better. Hahn's trip came under scrutiny from prosecutors, largely because City Hall fixer Leland Wong was involved, and from the media because of the political friends such as Doug Dowie of Fleishman-Hillard who were invited to come along. Villaraigosa's people will brief the media on both trips at 1 pm today, and there will be a lot of interest in knowing which campaign contributors, backers of the mayor's school plan and other friends will be on the plane.
More by Kevin Roderick:
Ralph Lawler of the Clippers and the age of AquariusRiding the Expo Line to USC 'just magical'
Last bastion of free parking? Loyola Marymount to charge students
Matt Kemp, Dodgers and Kings start big weekend the right way
LA Times writers revisit their '92 riots observations
Recent Politics stories on LA Observed:
Balboa Island has to decide if it believes in global warmingKumar vs Smith: the political power in a name
LAPD, Trutanich add more muscle around USC
Hollywood Reporter gets political
Morning Buzz: Wednesday 4.25.12
New at LA Observed
Follow us on Twitter
On the Media Page
Go to Media
On the Politics Page
Go to Politics
LA Biz Observed
Go to LA Biz Observed
Arts and culture
Go to Arts and culture
Sign up for daily email from LA Observed