Past Villaraigosa backer Eli Broad hasn't sounded very positive toward the mayor lately, and in today's L.A. Times he seems to include Antonio Villaraigosa among the leaders who need to regroup in order to lift California and Los Angeles out of their current economic and political ennui. As for running for governor, Broad suggests not:

Here we have a mayor who's going to start his next term in, what, 39 days? I hope his next term is one in which he's not running for office and faces up to the big issues facing the city.

Broad also says, "I have not seen the courageous public officeholders in this city . . . who are willing to make courageous decisions that are not based on the politics of the next office they are looking for." Back in February, Broad also urged Villaraigosa not to run and delivered a backhanded compliment: "I think he can become a great mayor. He has it in him. I sure hope so."

Politics note: Times columnist Sandy Banks skewers State Sen. Gil Cedillo for being old and out of touch after her daughter and other high-achievers turn up in one of his campaign ads as an example of hedonist youth.