Wheelspinners

In the late 50s and early 60s, with their firm Spencer-Roberts, Stu Spencer and Bill Roberts pioneered the modern day field of political consulting. Before they tried it, no one solely worked on political campaigns for a living.

Around the same time they started having an annual Christmas party for their friends and colleagues -- many of whom they got to know in the 50s through the Young Republicans -- called "Wheelspinners." Even though Bill Roberts passed away more than a decade ago, the party is still an annual tradition for Southern California politicos, wannabes and has beens.

I started working for Bill Roberts on the Deukmejian for Governor campaign and The Dolphin Group in 1981 and I've been going to this party ever since. In fact, I've only missed two -- once when I was living in DC in the late 80s and couldn't gather up the money to get to Los Angeles and once when the party conflicted with a college final (and that one was a tough choice for me.)

Tonight several elected officials were on hand including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (photo above) and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lou Baca.

Former elected officials at the party included Governor Pete Wilson, Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, Assemblymember Bob Naylor, Los Angeles County Assessor John Lynch and Los Angeles City Councilmember David Cunningham -- to name a few.

Some of Stu and Bill's Young Republican friends from the 50s still attend -- though obviously they're not so young anymore.