Hahn Won’t Join Democrats Meeting in L.A.

When Gov. Gray Davis rallies hundreds of Democratic party faithful gathered this morning for the state convention at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles, one Democrat will be conspicuously absent.

Mayor James K. Hahn, whose city is hosting the convention, is not attending the three-day event.

What’s keeping Hahn too busy to attend the annual gathering of state and national party leaders? The mayor will be sitting in the back of a cream-colored convertible about 10 blocks away, waving to parade-goers celebrating Chinese New Year. As grand marshal, Hahn will help paint the eyes on the golden dragon, part of what aides say is a busy weekend schedule.

But Hahn’s absence also represents the latest sign of what some see as the distance that has grown between the lifelong Democrat and his political party.

Last year, the state Democratic Party endorsed rival Antonio Villaraigosa and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on mailers and phone calls to its members supporting his candidacy. Davis also campaigned with the former Assembly speaker.

In response, Hahn accused the party of skirting campaign laws by accepting massive donations in earmarked funds. The state Fair Political Practices Commission rejected that claim in August.

Since then, there has been little communication between Hahn and the governor. Hahn was notably missing in August when seven Democratic mayors joined the governor in Sacramento to endorse Davis’ reelection campaign. (Hahn was vacationing in Hawaii.) He has still not said if he will back Davis in this year’s governor’s race.

Party leaders insist that they are not annoyed with the mayor for missing the event.

“I think his schedule is just totally conflicted,” said state Chairman Art Torres.

“I can say on the governor’s behalf that he doesn’t view it as a slight,” added Garry South, Davis’ top campaign strategist.

Deputy Mayor Matt Middlebrook also stressed that the issue was scheduling--not settling scores. “People shouldn’t read anything into it,” he said.

Hahn does intend, however, to continue to consider his options in the governor’s race.

“It is very important for Jim Hahn’s point of view that the governor recognize that Los Angeles is an important city, and that there are a lot of things he can do for it,” said Democratic consultant Kam Kuwata, who was Hahn’s communications director during the mayor’s race.

Hahn’s decisions on whether to endorse Davis or attend the convention may not mean that much to the outcome of the race. But his nonappearance gives Republicans an opening to take a shot at the governor.

“It’s a smart move for Hahn,” said GOP consultant Dan Schnur. “Being on camera with Gray Davis is probably the last thing that any smart politician would want to do.”

Still, being a no-show at a convention held in his city will not be forgotten, some said. Among other things, Hahn will miss an event that includes some of the party’s biggest names: Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Sens. John Edwards (D-N.C.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.)

“If his reason for not attending is ... the lingering resentment about the party’s support for Villaraigosa, it’s pretty short-sighted on his part,” said campaign consultant Roy Behr, who helped Rep. Jane Harman win back her South Bay seat in 2000.

Veteran Los Angeles political strategist Rick Taylor said Hahn should play host to the visiting Democrats.

“If you’re a real Democrat, you do it,” Taylor said. “You may not be happy. But he won. It’s easy to forgive when you win.”

In Hahn’s absence, City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo is serving as Los Angeles’ official greeter. It will be the latest high-profile appearance for the young official, who addressed the Democratic National Committee last month at the group’s winter meeting in Washington, D.C.