After defending Pet Food Express, a chain that worries local independent pet stores, the Chron's C.W. Nevius has the latest rumor in the who-will-be-the-next-mayor game. Here's how it goes: Newsom becomes lieutenant gov, the supes pick Dennis Herrera as mayor, Herrera appoints David Chiu city attorney, and David Campos becomes board prez.

I'm not buying it. Herrera is well short of six votes on the current board, and Chiu has sufficiently pissed off progressives that he can't cut that deal and make it happen. Besides, Chiu doesn't want to be city attorney, he wants to be D.A. Or mayor.