Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, has been testing the waters for a potential presidential bid in 2020. Even if he doesn't run, he hopes other mayors will. Why? He believes mayors have what America wants.
Mayors are "practical, results-oriented, inclusive and decent," says Garcetti. "We have a lot of division, we have a lot of impracticality, we have a lack of experience in government."
Garcetti himself says he became a public servant on accident, but he has strong feelings about what it means.
"You never win by talking. I think public service is about listening. If you hear your city, you hear your country, you hear your world, it will speak to you."
On this episode of "In the Arena," he also talks about the difference between leaders who are "future phobic" and "future passive."
Listen to the full interview below. You can also subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher, or bookmark the "In the Arena" page.
Featured on This Episode:
Mayor Garcetti's book recommendations:- Jorge Luis Borges, Ficciones, 1994.
- Marge Piercy, Stone, Paper, Knife, 1983
- Richard Ben Cramer, What It Takes: The Way to the White House, 1993
- Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, 1983
Future Guests:
- Themis Klarides, majority leader of Connecticut House (June 20)
- Greg Fischer, mayor of Louisville, Ky. (June 27)
- Acquanetta Warren, mayor of Fontana, Calif. (July 11)
- Kristen Cox, executive director of Utah Office of Management and Budget (July 18)
