Has Gavin Newsom been ‘kidnapped by one-eyed aliens from Pluto’?

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Or, rather, is San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom looking at running for lieutenant governor?

That’s the implication in Wednesday’s San Francisco Chronicle story, which touts a poll showing the one-time candidate for governor ahead of the rest of the Democratic field, including Los Angeles City Council member Janice Hahn.

‘I shouldn’t ever say no,’ Newsom told the paper’s editorial board this week. But last August, Garry South, Newsom’s then-strategist in the governor’s race, said he “would have Newsom kidnapped by one-eyed aliens from Pluto if I ever thought he would make that decision’ to run for lieutenant governor. So what the does the outspoken strategist have to say for himself now?

“I really don’t know where his head is at,” South said of Newsom, whom he hasn’t spoke with recently. “Several people who are close to him tell me they would be surprised if he takes the plunge.”

As for the chance that Newsom might enter the race, South added: “I hope not.”

Of course, that could have to do with the fact that South’s latest client is none other than the woman Newsom would be challenging in a potential bid for lieutenant governor – Janice Hahn. Now that he’s representing a candidate in the race, does South regret his flippant comment on the value of the office? “That was then, this is now,” he said wryly.

-- Shane Goldmacher in Sacramento