So a guy whose only real accomplishment in life has been to get voters to vote for him is now on par with Paul Volcker as an authority on economics?

Villaraigosa was the only progressive in the room. I like the Mayor and I'm glad that Los Angeles was represented in the meeting.

Villaraigosa would have to actually have political thoughts to be deemed a "progressive." This is clearly a bone thrown to him for stumping for the Latino vote across the country (instead of actually doing his part to run the City of Los Angeles, a job he's never displayed the slightest interest in or proclivity for doing. I imagine, in the real world, that the other 16 and Obama will ask Antonioi's opinion, listen, and then say, "Okay - that's what we SHOULDN'T do...."

These people ar too smart to not realize what is going on here...They will ignor him and have a good laugh if he speaks.

Obama must be including Villaraigosa because of L.A.'s horrendous financial problems, and not because he sees the mayor as any sort of role model on economics. Seriously, what would Villarigosa have to offer, lessons on how to fiddle while Rome burns?

If O is paying back a political debt -- fine, because that's what Tony V is really good for. I'd like to think L.A. would be represented by someone who had actually done something important for the city. Financial advice? Hah!

wow, shocking that someone as inept at enacting real policy or making changes is considered a leading authority on economics by our president elect. tony has amazing ability to get himself in high places for someone who has no real accomplishments.

They don't know that much about Tony because he hasn't done anything but take photos, rub elbows with everyone except constituents, and attend fundraisers, usually for his own campaign while being the absentee mayor.

The recent Neil Cavuoto interview after Tony got into Chicago is so demonstrative of his double-talking skills. He blathers on and finally Cavuto says, "You're good. You're not going to give me an answer..." Cavuto told Tony, "You're known as a fiscal conservative." Cavuto image of Tony must be happening in some parallel universe, not here.

Tony has no answers and no one shares information with him. He had to try to squeeze into the audience camera shot, sitting behind Pres. Clinton at the DNC and he was not given any keynote speaker roles all the time he was there.

The scary thing is that lots of voters will fall for the expected campaign fluff that his multi-million dollars will produce to seduce voters, the naive ones and other less-than-astute voters, getting him another shot to be paid by L.A. while raising money for the 2010 governor's race.

Our mayor of LA is corrupt. He only got in because 1) People wanted a change from a bad politician so they elected him from a lousy choice of politicians on the ballot: 2) LA is a hugely Hispanic city and he catered to obtaining their vote, though a lousy representation of intelligent Hispanics. I hope he loses on the March 3rd 2009 election! I sincerely hope he never wins any other elections! He's bad news & self-serving, tax, fee & surcharge hungry & not for LA's interests. He's an over-spending-over-the-budget by billions fathead who was forewarned for years about the City's over-spending and becoming broke! Anyone stupid enough to vote for him again?