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Video: Mayor Villaraigosa Fumbles Intro at DNC
In his capacity as the official chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is moving into a bigger spotlight than what he's usually offered here in Los Angeles. Taking the stage for the first time Tuesday night, however, Villaraigosa kinda bungled his words as he introduced Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer.
We know Villaraigosa loves the cameras, but one website is suggesting he loves the nightlife a little more, theorizing that our civic leader "had done too much partying with lobbyists and other elitists before he took the stage." (That same site offers readers the chance to pick one of four reasons in a "poll" to explain the fumble: Drunk, Nervous, Medical Condition, or Blame Bush, noting in their commentary: "The Democrats will likely blame Villaraigosa's slurred speech and mispronunciation on Bush. Further, they will accuse anyone who laughs at the video of racism and anti-immigrant xenophobia.")
We're thinking nerves, and hope he gets his words out more smoothly the rest of the week.
Meanwhile, over at LA Observed, they're rounding up the media's thoughts on Villaraigosa's big week at the DNC. Mayor V is prepping for his big speech on Thursday, which the LA Times calls "arguably the biggest speech of his political life." He'll have six minutes of remarks for the delegates, which he says will give him the chance to let America know who the Mayor of L.A. is:
"I think it's important to have a little bit about who you are. Most people don't know who the mayor of Los Angeles is, or the chairman of the [convention], so it's important to have a little biography, how that life brought me where I am today, celebrating the opportunity America we all live in, but also saying because of that life and the opportunities I've had, this is the path I've chosen," he said.
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