Live chat: Our columnists analyze L.A.’s mayoral debate

Lopez: I’d like to hear someone say something about the 10-year wait for sidewalk repair, or the fact that parks rank 93rd nationally out of 100 cities. They could speak up for charter amendment PRK, which is on the ballot and would designate more of the budget for parks.

Ali: But our next mayor will surely solve all these issues.

Ali: Gustavo, so am I. If only…

Arellano: Lorraine, I’m still waiting for Bass to say “Et tu, Nithya?”

Ali: It’s getting very heated. Feels like it’s lapsing into an argument between two former friends who know each other too well.

Lopez: And solve homelessness

Lopez: I thought Mayor Garcetti was going to end traffic deaths.

Lopez: Raman is right. You should be able to get City Hall to respond. But when that didn’t happen and residents reached out directly to Raman for help, she didn’t respond.

Arellano: “She is contemptuous of her constituents” — Bass bringing up yet again how all these people supposedly loathe Raman. But what does it then say about the mayor that her unfavorability ratings are even worse than Raman’s?

Ali: Bass just said Raman is contemptuous of her constituents. Wow.

Lopez: Here’s a reference to the recent Studio City fire at an encampment that neighbors complained about for FIVE YEARS without getting help from Raman’s office.

Lopez: Raman is exactly right. And this is one of her strengths. Renters rights. Tenants rights. If young renters turn out to vote, she will win

Lopez: That was supportive housing I’m talking about, for clarification.

Lopez: It’s more of a mayoral responsibility, to lead on housing. I would say the Bass record is decent. With thousands of new units during her first term. However, I met with her before the last election and we visited new homes in the $600,000 range followed by homes that cost half as much and took half the time to build. She said she wanted more of the latter. I think she was right, but there’s a long way to go on that.

Ali: I want to know where those 10,000 available affordable housing units are that Bass just referred to. Where?!

Arellano: Lorraine, I’m in Orange County, where affordable housing is a cardinal sin.

Arellano: Per a Raman source, she’s not reading from any prepared notes because neither candidate was allowed to bring in notes but were given empty notepads. So either maybe looking down for Raman is a nervous tic that allows her to compose her thoughts, or she’s jotting down notes with the speed of a stenographer.

Ali: Bass says Raman has one of the worst records when it comes to building affordable housing in L.A. You two have covered this area more than I have. Do you agree with Bass? Is there truth to that?

Lopez: Let’s hear it for the LMU students. Maybe one of them will run for mayor.

Lopez: You may be onto something, Lorraine.

Ali: Or it could be both, Steve. Evolving and wanting to win.

Lopez: Anyone who has not seen it yet should read Dave Zahniser’s story about Raman’s many flip-flops. This is one of them. She was all in on the mansion tax, as was I. But then she did a turn-around. You can argue that she’s learning and evolving. Or you could conclude that she’s trying to figure out what might offer her the best chance of winning.

Arellano: I’m with you — but tell that to the most wokoso of my friends. Now I’M going to not name names haha!

Lopez: Bass was on it. I met with her in her office to talk about her reaction to ICE. She seemed to me at the time to be personally offended by the attacks on her city.

Ali: Immigrants get the job done. Raman has pointed out that she’s an immigrant. Any questions?

Arellano: Bass has repeatedly brought up the fact that L.A.’s immigrant rights establishment — a major moral and political force in city politics — backs her and that she’s stood with them for decades. All of that is true. But some of those longtime activists have privately hectored her for supposedly not being as strident against Trump’s deportation deluge as other big-city mayors like Brandon Johnson in Chicago and Minneapolis’ Jacob Frey. None have left her side, however, which is something that younger Latino activists have also privately stewed about. Go public with this stuff, folks!

Lopez: I’m reminded a little bit of traveling with presidential candidates for a brief stint, and thinking that Bill Bradley was the smartest one on the trail. But he seemed to lack a spark, as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to subject himself to the business of politics. I’m getting a little bit of that with Raman.

Ali: Bass used the word “proud” in describing her response to the Lineage fire. Honestly, that’s quite stunning. It was a fiasco, for weeks.

Arellano: Now Raman is attacking Bass over Lineage and, by association, Palisades. There’s much to criticize Bass on, but Raman has succeeded when she offers a message of positivity and vision and seems lazy when criticizing Bass considering that’s all the rest of the city does one way or another.

Lopez: I agree with you Gustavo. Come on. You need to show command of the topic, not review your notes.

Ali: But just as a matter of presentation, Bass knows how to speak to the camera, and address the moderators, without appearing confused about where to turn. It sounds like a minor thing, but it matters in political debates. Trump the Reality TV Showman had that down, and look what happened.

Lopez: Another opportunity for Raman, the Boyle Heights fiasco. Can you imagine months of inconvenience in certain other neighborhoods of LA?

Arellano: Supporters of Raman will say that her constantly looking down at notes shows a prospective mayor that does the homework and relies on facts instead of emotions in making decisions. To the average viewer, though, the move looks like someone who can’t speak from the heart and isn’t well-versed on matters. Sorry for obsessing over this, but this is a televised debate, after all.

Lopez: One reason for staffing problems is the way firefighters, many of whom live out of state, stack overtime and float to opening at one station after another, where there’s no teamwork, and where they’re perhaps too tired to work effectively. Will one of these candidates crack down?

Lopez: But yes to Gustavo. LAFD screwed up, as LA Times reporting has proven. The smoldering fire was not put out despite warnings.

Arellano: Raman finally got the better of Bass on Palisades, which is an albatross that will never leave the mayor.

Ali: Do we believe the outcome of the fire would have been different under another mayor? I’m not sure given how fast and ferocious that fire was. Follow up is another matter. I’m also watching Spencer Pratt’s X account to see if he weighs in. Nothing, so far.

Lopez: She hired Steve Soboroff without word on what he was being paid or by whom. Then she hired consultants. Then it wasn’t clear who was in charge of what.

Arellano: But that bungling came from LAFD, which is what Bass should be screaming from the top of the Hollywood sign.

Lopez: It wasn’t just that she was out of town. It’s that the early planning was bungled in multiple ways.

Lopez: Gustavo that doesn’t sound like Dennis the Menace.

Arellano: Bass shouldn’t be apologizing for not being in L.A. during the fire! It’s a reminder that she didn’t step up to the occasion, and she doesn’t realize that NO ONE who’s upset at her for that will ever forgive her for that. And I say this as someone who defender her not being in town, a stance I still stand by

Lopez: An attempt by Bass to appease Palisades voters. But is it too little too late?

Ali: I agree, Steve. Bass is more commanding. She leads this debate. So far.

Lopez: An opening for Raman on the fire.

Lopez: I think we’re seeing the benefit of the poise that comes with two decades of running for political office. Bass knows how to do this. The campaign part of it, anyway, even if the leadership part is not always there.

Arellano: Although Raman has spent most of her time weathering Bass’ barrages, her answers have been crisp and on point. This is not the blabbering Raman of the primary; this is a candidate that has learned to stick to whatever script she’s reading from and not stray from it

Ali: I’d like a more definitive answer on the LAPD chief.

Ali: Raman wants LAPD chief out. She is asked will she replace him before the 28 Olympic games? It’s not something she can immediately set a timeline on.

Lopez: Raman was “defund the police” and then voted for a 3% LAPD budget increase. Which is the real Raman?

Arellano: Raman: “I resent personal attacks and I’d rather stick to facts.” Bass: “I am.” Critics have long said Raman is thin-skinned and can’t take the political heat — and so far, she’s showing that the mayor’s attacks is getting under her skin. She’s even trying to speak over or shush Conan Nolan — not a smart move.

Lopez: This is partly about Raman trying to figure out if she’s still DSA material or more moderate for the sake of this election.

Arellano: “You are not ready for prime time.” Bass on Raman. A sentiment long used against Raman — yet Raman keeps winning and winning. How long can her streak last?:

Ali: The “fascist” comment is a problem for Raman, and she needs a better defense than she didn’t know. Bass just said it’s proof that she’s not ready for prime time. BOOM!

Arellano: Bass also looking at her notes, but doing the Xavier Becerra-channeling-Xavier Becerra move of jotting down notes while her opponent talks — power move.

Lopez: Oh come on, Raman can’t blame the “big social media team.” Is she in charge or not?

Arellano: Lorraine, ask my editors how much I antagonize them with my vibes journalism. I’m this paper’s Dennis the Menace!

Arellano: Raman looks like she wants to be anywhere but there. Bass is coming out firing but doesn’t seem meandering or even necessarily lashing like the Sherman Oaks fiasco. But attacking Raman again and again — someone that many Angelenos still really don’t know, unlike the historically unpopular Bass — might backfire

Ali: If I ever run against either of you, Steve or Gustavo, I promise not to say you were difficult to work with.

Lopez: Mental health courts deal with drugs and mental illness. There aren’t nearly enough with them, even though they’re effective. But a mayor can’t wave a wand.

Ali: I may have spoken too soon. Raman just attacked Bass for attacking her.

Lopez: Harm reduction is the norm in L.A. It works for some people, harms others, including neighbors and merchants.

Arellano: “Your colleagues have a very difficult time working with you.” Bass, to Raman. MEAN GIRLS ANYONE???

Ali: Not a great look. The notes, I mean. And yes, it does feel Raman is a bit restrained.

Lopez: It’s early, but to Lorraine and Gustavo, does it appear Raman is playing it safe, like someone who thinks she’s in the lead?

Arellano: Raman continues to look down at notes — good look, or bad look?

Ali: Agree, Steve.

Lopez: I’ve walked to school with parents weaving around encampments and drug activity. I think they’d support the bans.

Lopez: Here’s another problem for Raman. She’s opposed to clearing encampments near public spaces. But claims she’ll support it if council members want those bans.

Ali: Raman was also asked if she accepts any responsibility for some of the homeless crisis. She pointed to Bass, again.

Lopez: I’ll give her this: Raman knew more about homelessness before taking office than most council members did.

Arellano: Raman says homelessness is “the biggest issue” she’s hearing about from constituents. Rather than take any blame for her actions or lack of actions, she pivots to pointing a rhetorical finger at Bass while saying she’s “very, very proud” of the results in her district to combat encampments. Hmm…

Lopez: Raman can’t escape the reality that she had more authority on homelessness than anyone but Bass. She’s partly responsible for the continued challenges. And she was in favor of Inside Safe initially, then turned against.

Arellano: Bass is already on the attack against Raman, with her first two answers criticizing her opponent over her stance on police and for supposedly having two huge homeless encampments within her district. Not a surprising move, considering multiple polls have shown Raman ahead and Bass’ favorability ratings around the same as that of former Angels owner Arte Moreno.

Ali: Bass making it out that Raman is not a new choice in LA politics. That speaks to the mayor’s concern about voters wanting change.

Lopez: People don’t care about who’s in charge, city or county, whether LAHSA survives or not. They want to see better results.

Lopez: Tough topic for Bass. On her signature issue, the results on homelessness are not great.

Arellano: What’s next — summoning the spirit of Pete Wilson, who’s based his post-presidential practice in Century City for years? Another Angeleno!

Ali: Well, Pratt is not around. Someone has to shout out Reagan.

Ali: Wow, Raman is channeling Reagan

Arellano: Only in L.A. would a democratic socialist cite Ronald Reagan to try to score points off of a Democratic incumbent.

Arellano: First question is about the undecided vote and really the people who voted for Spencer Pratt, the has been reality TV star who would’ve had a good chance if he actually took his campaign seriously instead of going around different parts of L.A. mooing “Bass-uuuura.”

Arellano: Interesting format for the debate — a big table, with three moderators seated between Raman on the left and Raman on the right.

Ali: No personal attacks. That’s a rule. Let’s see what happens.

Lopez: Yeah good point Lorraine. We’re half the audience.

Ali: Ready to hear how they will fix my city

Ali: At least we’re doing our part.

Arellano: To your point, Lorraine, a grand total of 117 people are tuned into KNBC’s YouTube livestream as the debate is about to start. Maybe Angelenos are instead streaming Ben Affleck’s execrable Netflix film treatment of a fictional L.A. mayor’s race?

Ali: The stakes are high for both contenders, yet I wonder how many Angelenos will be watching.

It’s surprising the number of otherwise politically aware folks who had no idea the debate was taking place tonight until I mentioned it. Then they were irked to find it airing on network TV: “Who still has cable?!” Apparently, venturing onto Telemundo or NBC’s live feed is a bridge too far. But it shouldn’t be.

Raman is still a mystery to many, even though she’s polling ahead. Tonight, she needs to definitively show who she is beyond The Candidate Who Is Not Karen Bass. Bass has to defend her record, of course, but also contend with the electorate’s insatiable need for change — even if they know very little about what that change may bring.

As for the rest of us? Tune in! The future of L.A. requires your attention.

Lopez: Picking up on Gustavo’s framing of the debate as Round 3, we’re talking about two pugilists who used to fight for the same club, more or less, and now enter the ring looking to take each other out. So it’s personal, and could indeed get nasty.

Raman’s job in the debate is a little easier, in some ways. Though I don’t put much stock in polls, she’s ahead on points by virtue of Bass’ high negative rating alone. And yet, think of the pressure on Raman to seal the deal.

If the challenger doesn’t prevail tonight and go on to win the election next month, she could be setting herself up for a lonely political future, having alienated more than a few former allies in her quest to evict the mayor from City Hall.

For Bass, the stakes are just as high. A 21-year political career is on the line.

I hope that along with the punches and counter-punches, we get some inspiration, too, and a workable game plan for making a great but troubled city a better place to call home, even if the Dodgers end up breaking our hearts.

Arellano: Will the Third Bass-Raman debate be a classic — or a dud?

Ali-Frazier. Morales-Barrera. Liddell-Couture. Trilogies are hallowed in the worlds of boxing and mixed-martial arts as case studies of evenly matched rivals to wallop each other in the first two matches, creating the setting for a final showdown and chance at eternal bragging rights — and usually, a title.

Will tonight’s bout between L.A. mayoral candidates Karen Bass and Nithya Raman, scheduled to air at 7 p.m. on KNBC, rise to those rarified levels?

The makings of a classic are there. Bass was the wily incumbent during her primary face-off with Raman who let fellow mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt land most of the attacks against their shared opponent. That left Raman uttering loopy word salads when she wasn’t crying conspiracy between the two. But the council member nevertheless made it into the general election against Bass, and dominated their second debate, hosted in August by the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn.

All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.

The two go into their rubber match each promoting polls that they claim show voters back them, while letting proxies launch attack ads that promise to get uglier and more ubiquitous as Election Day nears. Expect Bass at tonight’s debate to try and assert her dominance early with equal part offense against Raman and defense of her record. Expect Raman, whom City Hall opponents have long trashed as conflict-averse, to focus on a message of possibility and positivity while holding her ground and striking back — and hard — when necessary.

Will tonight cement the Bass-Raman trilogy as an electoral classic — or end it on a deflating note? One thing’s for sure: the two need to leave everything on the debate stage if either wants to win and get that much closer to become L.A.’s Madam Mayor.