The Dems' Wine-and-Cheese Whiz

Aitken may be losing his pal on the Board of Supervisors, but he's not worried about losing access to political power. When asked what it will be like to have the ear of a congresswoman, he corrected me. "I don't just have Loretta's ear; I also have a senator and a lieutenant governor's ears," he said with a smile.

Told of the comment, Shallman laughed and said: "I have said this before, but it's worth repeating: every campaign needs a Wylie Aitken. Believe me."