Rick Caruso, potential new star of American politics
A little ‘Trump, a little’ Berlusconi is Rick Caruso the new “potential” rising star of American politics. For now, a candidate for mayor of the city of Los Angeles. Forbes magazine rated him as a man from 4.3 billion dollars. Not bad for a real estate developer who owns hotels and well-known city centers. An economic solidity that distinguishes him from the other 8 candidates running for the important position. He is the only one in fact that he has no need to campaign to raise funds. His opponents are experienced Democratic Party politicians, including African-American lawmaker Karen Bass (top poll) and Latin adviser Kevin de León, who is well regarded by the city’s strong Hispanic community.
Rick Caruso, a long-pursued leap in politics
It had been a while, (more or less since 2005) that the businessman, owner of “The Grove “ the city’s most famous mall was planning to jump into the political arena. In 2013 he even hired some consultants who had worked with Bill Clinton and Al Gore, but eventually retired because he didn’t want to expose his four children or its activities during the campaign. Now that the children have grown up, the projects are completed and the mega mansion is opposite to the ocean of Malibu put the sale at 40 million dollars there is nothing to stop him from accepting the challenge of becoming the mayor of the “city of angels”. In the race, surprisingly for a new Trump, he introduced himself as a Democratdespite rich donations to various Republican politicians over the decades. Caruso is a 63-year-old white Catholic who wants, like the Italian Silvio Berlusconi, to get closer to the center.
Rick Caruso the first two proposals for the police and the social sector
And with what proposals? Among the first the will of add 1,500 new uniformed agents to the Police Department (which now has 9,500). An idea that has upset, and not a little, the local leader of Black Lives Matter. An idea tailored to a Republican candidate, Trump model. Another idea in the pipeline, that of starting the construction of 30,000 new beds to tackle the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. A situation that has long been out of control. There are more than 41,000 homeless people in Los Angeles, according to 2020 figures. To avoid allegations of conflicts of interest, Caruso has promised he will leave his company and he said he will not do any projects in the city if he is not elected. Being elected as a businessman seems to be a very difficult goal in Los Angeles as the last businessman (right-wing Republican Richard Riordan) left office 21 years ago.
Rick Caruso, Los Angeles needs strong leadership
“Nobody believes that the same group of politicians who have made this city a dangerous, corrupt and cruel place can solve the problems we face,” Caruso said. “The unprecedented crisis it can only be overcome by “strong leaders” experienced in the management of complex institutions ”. An obvious reference to his profile is that of a manager who, for two years, was president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, a body made up of five civilians that acts as a bridge between citizens and men in uniform. The new politician is also chairman of the board of directors of the University of Southern California (USC), a position he will leave early in the campaign. For the record, the work done by Caruso in the two organizations was considered absolutely positive by many. Who knows if the Los Angeles voters, at the time of the vote, will remember it?
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