Antonio Villaraigosa

DENVER—"There's my girl!" Chevy Chase bellowed as Madeline Albright walked into the backroom of the Vanity Fair-Google party on Thursday, August 28. The towering comedian, who was clad in a blazer, T-shirt and jeans, bent down to embrace his old friend. They discussed plans to get together—Mr. Chase promising an e-mail from "his people"—mugged for the cameras, and agreed that Barack Obama had nailed his speech. "If we're seen together, you're in trouble," joked the funnyman.

After a hearty laugh, conversation returned to the speech. Ms. Albright said that while the presidential candidate is incredibly charming in person, she was also pleased with the "diplomacy" of the speech.  read more »

Michael Bloomberg is hosting a fund-raiser at his townhouse on June 9 for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, according to two invitees I spoke to.  read more »

It looks like " Bloomberg 101" summer school classes are in session. In an editorial in today's LA Times Bloomberg and Chicago's Richard M. Daley give a pep talk to their favorite pupil, LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Here is a sample straight out of the syllabus.

The superintendent would be recast as a CEO, with clear authority over the business operations of the district, and would be empowered to cut the bureaucracy and shift those savings to the classroom, where they are needed most. And because the mayor would have a central role in the selection of the superintendent, parents would be able to hold him responsible for the success of the public school system.

Bloomberg, who coasted to re-election based partly on the claim of gaining control of the school system, seems to have been in a particularly magnanimous frame of mind when writing the piece, crediting his predecessors for their role in effectuating the takeover.

"In New York, the passage of mayoral control in 2002 was the culmination of the efforts of four consecutive mayors, from both political parties, spanning two decades. In that time, New York's mayors won a number of important interim steps toward accountability that prepared the Legislature -- along with labor unions and interest groups -- to take the final step."

--Jason Horowitz

The Daily News reports that David Paterson claims no ties to League of Education Voter ads attacking Republicans in vulnerable senate districts.

The Post reports on the candidates vying to replace Sherwood Boehlert, and Mike Bloomberg’s new ally, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The Times has a story on Dick Cheney and Tom Kean, Jr. missing each other at last night’s fundraiser.

And the Sun suggests that Larry Silverstein is looking past the Pataki administration in hiring Roberto Ramirez.

—Nicole Brydson

Saturday morning, Stonewall Democrats host Councilmember Yvette Clark at Junior's for their Saturday brunch series.

Sunday, the Young Democrats of Richmond County will host a roundtable brunch, while the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club hosts the six Democratic candidates for Attorney General, and Major Owens and Brooklyn Parents for Peace host a forum for New York City's Iraq Veterans.

Sunday evening, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa--who never did endorse Freddy--will arrive in town to learn from Bloomberg.

The Working Families Party and Jose Serrano discuss the war on Monday, while the Metropolitan Republican Club's Speaker Series continues with former Assistant Secretary of Defense under Reagan, Frank J. Gaffney.

—Nicole Brydson

Making a case for stricter gun laws, the L.A. Times' edit-heads are urging Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to take a page from Bloomberg's inagural promise.  read more »

We've still to see a clear explanation of what's the story behind the reported, then de-reported, endorsement of Freddy Ferrer by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The original Daily News story is pretty definitive that Villaraigosa will endorse Ferrer Monday. But then there's this from the City News Service wire (no link available): "The Daily News got it wrong,'' mayoral spokeswoman Janelle Erickson said. "I want to say that he is not hosting the event.... He is only a guest, and there will not be an endorsement announcement on Monday.''  read more »

The Politicker hears from the West Coast that this doesn't preclude an endorsement, but that it won't be happening Monday.

And also that one the clue to the chaos may be a cameo in the original story ... by one Al Sharpton, who seems to be giving out the story to strengthen his image as a national power broker.

As predicted, Freddy's going for the Villaraigosa mojo by hiring consultant David Doak.

"David Doak, in helping to guide Antonio Villaraigosa to victory in Los Angeles last month, showed the country his ability to tell stories of hope, community and opportunity in compelling and effective ways," Freddy says of his new Axelrod.

Among the list of new hires the campaign just emailed out is John Edwards' campaign manager, Nick Baldick, as campaign manager. Baldick may not be Patrick Gaspard, but he's a grown-up who worked in the Clinton White House and played a key role on the 2000 Gore team in Florida.

We have to admit to some mystification about this line, though: "Mirram Global continues to serve as the General consulting firm for the campaign. Luis A. Miranda, Jr. is the lead consultant for the campaign."  read more »

Is this something other than a desperate plea to this very blog to say the words "Roberto Ramirez"?