Rick Caruso's Aria: L.A.'s Mall King Mulls a Mayoral Run

“I think I’m actually helping the mayor,” Caruso says, laughing. “He’s raising money, probably fearing that I’m going to run.”

The mayor would seem to be in a good position, but given the volatile economic times, anything can happen. Perhaps the prospect of a paternalistic billionaire businessman, undaunted by the crumbling economy, would soothe jittery voters.

Ted Soqui

Ted Soqui

Chairman of the board: Caruso at the Grove

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More About

• Rick Caruso
• Antonio Villaraigosa
• Franklin Gilliam
• Racial Issues
• Politics

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There’s also speculation that if Caruso decides to run, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, who has already said he won’t seek the job, might change his mind and jump in the fray, splitting the Democratic vote and giving Caruso a shot.

Not to mention the possibility that come November, Villaraigosa could find himself with a role in an Obama administration. Though the mayor poured all the slop he could into the Clinton trough during the Democratic primary, he spent most of the summer trying to redeem himself, campaigning throughout the country for Obama.

“After eight years of Republican rule, there are a lot of positions that are going to need to be filled,” says Gilliam.

It’s a thought that has crossed Caruso’s mind. “There’s no question my odds would improve in an open race.”

It remains to be seen, however, whether Caruso has the stomach for campaign gamesmanship. No matter who he faces, whenever he decides to run, Caruso has repeatedly said he doesn’t have a taste for politics for the sake of politics.

“I read an interview with Michael Bloomberg where he was asked, ‘What’s the first thing you think about in the morning?’ A typical politician would have said, ‘Solve crime,’ or whatever. But Bloomberg said, ‘I had too much red wine last night.’ I like that attitude. He doesn’t have to get re-elected. He doesn’t need the paycheck. He’s got the freedom to make decisions that he believes in, and not have to worry about being so politically perfect. And I think that’s what gives him his strength.”

If Caruso defies the pols and even manages to get himself elected, expect to hear the words of another famous New Yorker Caruso admires blasting through the corridors of City Hall: “I did it my wa-a-a-a-a-a-y.”