That S.F. Chronicle staff writer offers "Immigration rallies force L.A. mayor into political tight spot: Villaraigosa backs away from image as single-issue leader"

In a long, late afternoon conversation in his office, Villaraigosa, 53, often pausing to collect his thoughts, said he fears that his conspicuous involvement may make him vulnerable to being branded a one-issue politician, aligned with one community.

He doesn't really have to worry, now does he? After all, he's only been a former member of the racial separatist group MEChA for over three decades, and due to the MSM - largely the L.A. Times - covering up for him that hasn't affected him all that much. Even when he was forced to somewhat renounce that group by one guy carrying a sign to his campaign appearances, the L.A. Times didn't cover it. After all, in their world it didn't exist.

But while a supporter of immigrant rights, Villaraigosa has been careful not to align himself with some of the more forceful demands and actions of the rights movement.

In 1999, AV had this to say:

"As leader of the state Assembly, I say President Zedillo [of Mexico] had great impact in defeating Proposition 187"

This time around, he appears not to have welcomed Vicente Fox to Los Angeles, nor has he joined Fox in starting the Chicano Power handclap on the floor of the California Assembly as he did with Zedillo. He's learning!

Then, James Sterngold turns this into even more of a fawning profile, implicitly tarring the only opponent quoted in the speech as - what else - a nativist and a racist. Taking the cue as he has before, Tony plays the victim card:

One complication, Villaraigosa said, is that his position on immigration reform has been distorted, leaving him vulnerable to charges that he is pandering.

He said he has consistently backed firm border control and the need for immigrants to learn English, yet has been characterized merely as "pro-immigrant," suggesting he wants the border left more or less open.

Barbara Coe, chairwoman of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform and a staunch opponent of providing rights to illegal immigrants, said that in her view, and in the view of people like her, Villaraigosa endorsed lawlessness, plain and simple.

"He only represents one ethnicity and not all the citizens of the city," Coe said. "He's pandering. He feels he's going to ride the tide of the illegal aliens in Los Angeles."

The mayor said he is aware of such criticisms, and he makes clear he finds them objectionable. Asked if he fears that opposition to the immigrant rights movement could be shadowed by nativism or racism, he replied:

"I know what you're getting at, and I'll say this: You take the world as it is. I don't spend a lot of time focusing on that."

If you'd like to suggest that the author does a better job next time, write: jsterngold@sfchronicle.com