Los Angeles Election
It’s not the color of Tom Bradley’s skin that counted in the 1973 mayor’s race. The blazing issue that won Bradley his executive seat delved deeper than black versus white.
Then-Councilman Bradley swept into office, like a breath of fresh air, clearing off incumbent Mayor Sam Yorty, whose lily-white exterior became discolored by ulterior motives--oozing crude oil.
Solely on the basis of smashing Occidental Petroleum’s scheme to drill oil and gas at the Pacific Palisades beachfront, Bradley gained the majority vote. Hailed as an environmental hero, he won our hearts.
When Bradley broke that campaign promise, the bond of trust shattered to smithereens.
What an ironic twist that Bradley condemned his predecessors for engaging in conflict of interest, thereby destroying public confidence in City Hall’s integrity.
Alas, today apparently the old adage applies to Bradley: Politicians in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
ELIZABETH MORTIMER
Los Angeles
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