Advice for the new guy

Daily News columnist Mariel Garza offers newly chosen L.A. Unified superintendent David L. Brewer some sage tips on how politics works in Los Angeles. Abridged:

In L.A., it's all about character. Not as in "strength of," but as in "being a." ... In Southern California, beauty, celebrity and a snappy sound bite trump actual ideas and substance. This is the land where the Terminator is king. Even the state's Democratic leadership loves the movie-star Republican who says very little, but says it oh-so-well. If Paris or Lindsay ran for office - any office - they would surely win, despite not actually knowing where Sacramento is.

There's a political A-team and a political B-team in town. Brewer's future success will depend on identifying and hooking up with the former, and avoiding the latter. Hint: The school board is thoroughly B-team. Once he signs the contract, he should find another political clique.

The San Fernando Valley needs its fair share of attention - or else...

Blame it on the traffic. If you're late, it's the traffic on the 405. If you forget a meeting with constituents or activists, blame a SigAlert on the 101. We all have been there. We all know. It's the only excuse that Angelenos will accept without question, and it's usually true.

Make nice with Eli Broad...He has a special eye on improving downtown and education - but his way. When he wanted a new school for part of the Grand Avenue redo, he put the big squeeze on the school board and - what do you know? - he got it. Since then, the Daily News has uncovered that it's the nation's costliest school...

Learn Spanish. Quickly....Then move on to Korean...

Never get between the mayor and a camera. Brewer's debut before the L.A. media shows he is not afraid of the spotlight. But drawing it away from Mayor Mugsalot is dangerous. Antonio loves his public, and politicians who wish to remain on his good side wisely remain on his far side.

Rent, don't buy...Brewer might consider one of those new high-rise condos in NoHo Commons adjacent to the Red Line and Orange Line stations. It would score him big points with the Valley, and he could avoid the 101 commute crunch.

Also: The Daily News editorial page calls its decision to endorse Measure H, the billion-dollar housing bond, its toughest call of the season. It was based on faith "that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his managers - in particular, Planning Director Gail Goldberg and new Community Redevelopment Agency CEO Cecilia Estolano - can deliver their visions of an economically diverse city that's denser but cleaner, healthier and more livable." Then they turn a bit doomsday on us: "Villaraigosa is the last, best hope for Los Angeles. The city is at a figurative crossroads. In one direction is a dystopian future of palaces in the hills and squalor on the valley floors. In the other is a diverse, economically balanced and healthy community of neighborhoods where parents can safely and affordably raise their children."