Clinton Lessons for Antonio's Trip to Israel

As a national co-chair of the just-completed campaign debacle of the Clintons, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa should have learned a few lessons for his own future campaigns.

1. Do not refer to yourself as the honorary "Jewish mayor of Los Angeles."

Resist the temptation, especially as you try to corner the important Jewish vote which will be critical to your ambitions of becoming governor in 2010. Even if this is your third trip to Israel during your political career. Remember what price Bill Clinton had to pay as "America's first black president" when that mantel backfired. Or the price Hillary had to pay.

2. Do not "recall" that you "landed under sniper fire" of your visit to Sderot.

In a future campaign it will be tempting to impress with being in danger in the Middle East, especially since Sderot is a town on the Gaza border that has faced repeated rocket attacks by Palestinians. Just recall how well such recollections about Yugoslavia paid off for Hillary.

3.Watch what you say to Israelis on those village streets.

Remember Bill's lesson on the rope line talking to a crowd at Millbank, S.D. You never know when someone's a citizen journalist and when your words will wind up on YouTube.