NFL Commish Paul Tagliabue, seeking a Southland stadium deal, assured an eager Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and a few dozen business leaders gathered at the Disneyland Hotel that he’s very familiar with OC’s “robust” demographics. “Tags” said he was a young lawyer for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in L.A. when it opened its OC office in the ’60s, and he’s watched the county’s growth with amazement. He even called OC the fourth-largest sports market after New York, Chicago and L.A. alone. But L.A. has a competing Coliseum offer that Tagliabue also lauded and he said some league owners might need to be “educated” about OC. Tagliabue told the Insider he thinks there’s an 80% to 90% chance the owners will decide next month whether or not to return a franchise to the Southland. He said it was “unlikely” they will award two teams because of stadium costs ap-proaching $1 billion. One argument the locals made: The growth of the Inland Empire makes Anaheim more central to the region than L.A. …
“This is the second-most important introduction I’ve made this week,” quipped OC Biz Council Prez Tom Phelps to Tagliabue. The day before, Phelps introduced George W. Bush at a Hyatt Regency Irvine appearance that drew national attention because of the president’s remarks about immigration …
Host Mayor Beth Krom, a Democrat, received special attention from the Republican prez. Bush acknowledged her along with other VIPs in his opening remarks. Afterward as he shook hands, Bush responded enthusiastically when Krom told him she’s a Texas Longhorn. When she added that she was outgoing White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s sixth-grade student-teacher, Bush replied, “Scott’s in the back,” and directed the Secret Service agent to escort Krom there. Krom spent five minutes reminiscing with her former student, whose mom, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, is former mayor of Austin, current Texas comptroller and an independent candidate for governor. Krom said she found the president’s comments “interesting” and was pleased with his support of new technologies and alternate fuels. Another Irvine Democrat, congressional candidate Steve Young, had a different view of the proceedings,he was across the street participating in the anti-Bush protests …
Congressman John Campbell flew back to D.C. with Bush on Air Force One …
Surging Steve Westly appears to have charisma. In a showdown with Gov. Arnold, though, the Insider wonders whether he’d prove to be John Kennedy or John Edwards …
Rich Croissant isn’t. He’s a buff personal trainer at the Sporting Club in Irvine …
Great Park architect Ken Smith addresses the May 17 OC Forum luncheon. Call (949) 588-9884 …
Newport Beach resident Bill Medley kicks off the city’s centennial celebration and Fashion Island’s summer concert series July 12.
