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Big Pimpin': Villaraigosa Picked to Chair Democratic National Convention

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has landed another plum high-profile gig: He's been selected by the Democratic Party to chair their national convention, which takes place this summer in Charlotte, North Carolina.

At the DNC, the group is expected to nominate President Barack Obama as their second-term candidate to run against which ever Republican emerges as the leader of the pack.

"Mayor Villaraigosa has dedicated his career to civic engagement and grassroots empowerment, and in his new convention role, he'll work to ensure that this is the most open, accessible convention yet," explains the Dems.

Villaraigosa was selected by the Democrats' chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Needless to say, this gig will raise Villaraigosa's national profile, and, when he terms out as Mayor of L.A. in 2013, will surely help inch him towards his next political goal. And what might that goal be? Governor of California? The U.S. Senate? A cabinet post? Hmmm...

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