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Art Agnos denies he's been lining up votes to be interrim mayor -- but he can't deny posing for a muscle shot with Hulk Hogan
In his latest column, Willie Brown denied he was attempting to line up supervisors' votes to take Gavin Newsom's place should the mayor: A. Run for lieutenant governor, and; B. Win. (That being said, one supe we talked with said Brown had five votes right off the bat, and, thanks to his Rose Pak connection, perhaps six or more without too much trouble).
But while Brown said he isn't pumping any pols for the job, he said two "cats" were: A.P. and A.A. A
aron Peskin told us earlier this week he hasn't contacted any supervisors regarding the potential opening. And now Art Agnos says the same.
"I'm not the biggest fan of Gavin Newsom, as you know. But I think he's earned the respect and courtesy of people like me to make a decision in his own timely fashion and pursue his ambition without me jumping on his back to take his place prematurely,"
said the former mayor. "I have not sought or asked for any votes nor do I have any votes on the Board of Supervisors. I haven't done anything."
When asked, however, if he had any interest in taking the city's reins should Newsom surrender them, Agnos chuckled. "I didn't say that, did I?"
"As a former mayor, I understand that it'd be disrespectful for me to be making calls, seeking votes, or in any way trying to replace the incumbent mayor before" he decides to run and actually wins.
And that's no sure thing. First he'd have to outgun Janice Hahn, a second-generation member of the Hahn political dynasty of Southern California (They probably violate the Brown Act at Thanksgiving). Hahn is employing ethically challenged adviser Garry South -- who ran Newsom's failed gubernatorial bid and has already demonstrated a willingness to dump inside dirt upon the man who enriched him by $264,000. Then, should Newsom emerge from that battle, he'd have to take on a Republican challenger who would gleefully portray him as a San Francisco hybrid SUV-limosine liberal.
And if all that comes to pass? "Then you're going to have to call me and I'll have something to say," said Agnos.
