Karen Bass-Rick Caruso to Face Off in Mayoral Debate With LA City Council in Turmoil [debate tonite]

[IcyPeas]

This last debate may turn into a real sh*t show.

Los Angeles' mayoral candidates take the debate stage Tuesday night just days after a leaked recording that has roiled the City Council was made public.

The landscape of the race to succeed Mayor Eric Garcetti has changed dramatically in the days leading up to Tuesday night's event at the Brokaw News Center in Universal City -- the final live debate ahead of Election Day on Nov. 8. The candidates will take the stage two days after a leaked recording was made public of three City Councilmembers and a now-former top LA County labor official in an October 2021 conversation about redistricting that included several racist remarks.

The fallout began to take shape Sunday afternoon with calls for the resignations of Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, and LA County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera. Martinez stepped down from her role as council president Monday and announced a leave of absence. Herrera has resigned from his position.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/

How to watch the debate between Rep. Karen Bass and Rick Caruso
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 will host the mayoral debate scheduled for 7 p.m. Here's how to watch.

Over the Air: The event will be broadcast on NBC4 and Telemundo 52.

Connected TV — Streaming on the NBC Los Angeles News channel on Peacock, Roku and Samsung TV Plus, as well as the NBCLA and Telemundo 52 apps on Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV.

Mobile Apps and Websites — The NBCLA app for iOS and Android, the Telemundo 52 app for iOS and Android, telemundo52.com/debate and nbcla.com/debate.

Social Media — NBCLA on Facebook and YouTube; Telemundo 52 on Facebook and YouTube.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

1. This debate is happening in the middle of what you rightly call a...

"shit show" at the LA City Council.

What a mess.

Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo are in deep trouble over the released tape.

I was prepared to suspend judgement until I'd heard the whole tape (rather than just excerpts) on the chance that things might have looked especially bad when take out of context, but--after listening to the whole thing--it only got worse.

My concern is that this scandal may rebound against Bass, who these 3 seemed to regard as a political enemy. If they are forced to resign (which is very likely) there could be electoral backlash. The trio mention Rick Caruso favorably in the tape.

The debate should be interesting. I am concerned how it may affect the race.

[IcyPeas]

2. in his statement Caruso said they all endorsed Karen Bass

I didn't hear the entire tape. they mentioned him favorably? interesting. see the last paragraph.

Link to tweet

[Just A Box Of Rain]

3. Yes, Caruso was mentioned favorably.

I don't want to mischaracterize, but my recollection is Martinez said something akin to I like him and he's been helpful, etc., to general (if unspecific) approval of the others.

IMO Caruso will attempt to make it look as if Black politicians (Karen Bass in particular) is giving Latinos the shaft. That would affirm the very narrative of the meeting, which--to be fair--also blames White politicians for giving Latinos the shaft.

Caruso will try to spin this, for sure. I believe be gains from this scandal and Bass is likely to be hurt.

Part of Caruso's plan for governance if he is elected is to strip the LA City Council of many of its powers to regulate what happens at City Hall by opening as mayor under "emergency powers" that remove the City Council from the discussion.

So anything that erodes confidence in the City Council also works to Caruso's advantage.

The debate will be very interesting.

I'm supporting Karen Bass.

[IcyPeas]

4. Thanks. I'm going to watch too.

I am too. Karen doesn't do great in debates unfortunately. She had to apologize for something she said in last week's debate and after this weeks news I'm sure Caruso will use it against her again tonight.