When high-level USC officials pulled out of hosting a mayoral debate last month, they cited “the escalating tension in modern politics.”
A triggering event, they said, was a Los Angeles City Council meeting days earlier where a citizen angrily confronted the council president and chaos erupted.
After some scrambling, organizers salvaged the debate between Rep. Karen Bass and businessman Rick Caruso. It was moved to the Skirball Cultural Center and is scheduled for Sept. 21.
But USC’s decision shows how precarious a fundamental part of politics has become in Los Angeles, as protesters unhappy with the state of the city have made some would-be debate organizers leery of wading into the fray.
Another school, Cal State Northridge, recently said it wasn’t in a position to hold a mayoral debate either, citing staff shortages.
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With only two debates nailed down as the mayoral race heads into its frantic final months, voters may have few chances to see the candidates go head to head before deciding who should run the nation’s second-largest city.
Other factors are also making scheduling a debate difficult — sporting events like “Monday Night Football” and the MLB playoffs, as well as Jewish holidays and the perennial challenge of getting the candidates in the same room at the same time.
Those debates that do occur are being held with tight security and strict rules about reserving a spot in the audience. During the primary season, some candidate forums were open to the public and light on security. Protesters interrupted speakers and in some cases shut down events featuring the candidates.
The Aug. 9 City Council meeting that sparked concern among USC administrators was far…