Author and urban affairs expert William Fulton says a challenge to Mayor Villaraigosa "would be a haberdasher’s dream," but he doesn't buy that developer Rick Carsuo would go after a sitting mayor. Fulton blogs:

Caruso is clearly flattered by the idea and isn’t doing anything to discourage the rumors....But is Caruso really gonna run? Unlikely. In fact, it doesn’t look like anybody is going to seriously challenge Antonio in his re-election run -- even with his highly publicized marital problems. Zev Yaroslavsky’s been making high-profile anti-density noise aimed at Villaraigosa, but he hasn’t made any obvious move toward actually running.

It’s always tempting to think that a sharp business executive with money can become an effective politician. And it’s especially tempting when that sharp business executive is familiar with politics – as Caruso must be in order to get the entitlements and redevelopment subsidies he needs to thrive in his business.

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Surely he understands that challenging the high-profile and charismatic incumbent mayor of the largest and most powerful city in his market area is probably not a good way to keep that political support. Imagine if he lost! You’d never see another Caruso project in Los Angeles again – and Villaraigosa would use all his political leverage to make sure that suburban cities shut Caruso down too.

Too bad in a way. After all, they both look great in a sharp suit.

Previously on LA Observed:
Caruso pondering run against Antonio