Steve Lopez had a column ready for the LAT website on Mayor Villaraigosa giving up his dreams of living in the governor's suburban estate.

Of course L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said no to a run for governor.

What else could he say?

You can't do a mediocre job, get lukewarm support in the polls, and announce one week before the start of your second term that you're graduating to bigger challenges. That'd be like getting a 2.0 GPA in high school and announcing you'd like to be a brain surgeon.

Also, a Times quickie editorial posted on the web:

The point is that Los Angeles voters just reelected him as mayor, and his job here is unfinished. The Times is pleased that he opted to stay here to try to do it.