The American Lung Association billed it as a battle of the buff: wiry Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, 56, against hunky San Francisco counterpart
Gavin Newsom, 42. The race up more than 1,000 steps to promote clean air would have been a warm-up to the potential gubernatorial race between the two toothy, telegenic politicians. But either the association jumped the gun sending out its press release before the leaders signed on or the mayors got cold feet about competing in an event that could have turned into a photo flop. A revised release issued a week later made it clear the spring contest was between the cities. Analysts wondered if neither camp wanted to risk embarrassing photos of their coifed stars sweating, losing or – worst of all – stumbling. “Photo opps are always high pay off, high risk,” said Dan Schnur, a former adviser to Gov. Pete Wilson and director of the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics. “The highest risk photo opps are asking a politician to compete in an athletic event against a potential political opponent.” The political landscape is littered with photo mishaps. Both Villaraigosa and Newsom are considered top Democratic contenders in the race for California governor if they decide to run. “Everyone is looking at everyone else for some sign of weakness when the campaign begins,” said Kareem Crayton, who teaches law and political science at University of Southern California Law School.
The annual stair climb seemed like a perfect opportunity for both men who have crowed about their jogging habits.