I caught up with Rick Caruso tonight at The Grove — not by accident — and asked if he intends to go for it and challenge Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's reelection next year. Those disenchanted with Villaraigosa would seriously like someone to gather around, and for many of them Caruso — a wealthy moderate Republican shopping mall developer with experience on the DWP and police commissions — would do. Caruso hedged, of course; he said his decision should be made by the end of next week. But he cited family concerns as his lone remaining hesitation. In Matthew Fleischer's solid profile last week in LA Weekly, Caruso is quoted saying “I’m only going to run if I think I can win." So his comment to me tonight — "It's winnable...I would win" — sounds like movement. But you never know with these guys when it comes to pulling the trigger. He has until early November to file the papers to get officially started. The primary is Tuesday, March 3 2009.

Previously on LA Observed:
Caruso pondering run against Antonio
Caruso's Miramar project gets key OK
Why Caruso won't run
Caruso steps up

* Small world, again: While lurking at The Grove I caught up with Fishbowl LA's Mayrav Saar, who covered Madeleine Albright's book signing at Barnes & Noble. Mayrav and Zuma Dogg in one week.