HAHN STIRS CHALLENGERS' IRE BY SKIPPING DEBATE.

Byline: James Nash Staff Writer

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn came under heavy fire Friday for refusing without explanation to participate in a televised Dec. 2 debate with his four major challengers.

The debate, sponsored by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, was originally planned for October but was rescheduled because Hahn objected to it coming even before today's final deadline for filing to run in the March 8 election.

Hahn's campaign continued to defend his decision on the debate as a scheduling conflict and refused to release his schedule because of security concerns raised by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Councilman Bernard Parks, the former police chief forced out by the mayor two years ago, took the lead in attacking Hahn.

``He cites public safety as the cornerstone of his administration's accomplishments,'' Parks said. ``But when he talks about public safety, he's only talking about the last 18 months of his term, not his entire term.

``When we've asked a variety of questions, (the lack of a response) is the arrogant attitude we've gotten from this administration.''

Parks accused Hahn of ducking tough questions on his record of reducing crime, and his campaign released five questions that Hahn should answer, all of them dealing with the mayor's decision to allow LAPD officers to work three- and four-day workweeks.

On his Web site ChangeLA.com, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys raised the question, ``Why Does Hahn Still Refuse to Debate?''

``Jimmy Hahn is continuing to avoid debating me and my fellow challengers,'' Hertzberg said.

``I don't know about you, but I am deeply offended by the fact that he is continuing to hide behind press releases where he takes credit for the work of others. As I have traveled all around the city since announcing for mayor seven months ago, one thing that has made itself very obvious is that the residents of Los Angeles are very concerned about the direction their city is heading. They deserve to hear from the men and women who would be their leaders. If you feel, like I do, that Jimmy is disrespecting the people of L.A. by avoiding the December 2 debate ...''

Pressed to define issues he wants Hahn to talk about, Hertzberg said he wanted the mayor to discuss what he's done to deal with the problems of job growth, traffic growth and shortage of police officers.

Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Hertzberg, said Hahn's refusal to participate in the debate is consistent with the mayor's pattern of keeping a low public profile.

``He's been an invisible mayor for 3 1/2 years, so it's perfectly fitting that he's willing to duck the voters and skip the debate,'' Szabo said.

State Sen. Richard Alarcon, a Van Nuys Democrat and former councilman who also is challenging Hahn, said the mayor should have to defend his record in the give-and-take format of a live debate.

Alarcon said Hahn should have to answer questions in an open forum, not in writing from other candidates.

``This is not an open-book test,'' Alarcon said. ``He should have to stand in full public view and answer questions.''

The other major challenger, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, also declined to submit questions for Hahn's consideration.

Conservative political consultant Arnie Steinberg said Hahn's decision to skip the debate makes good political sense.

``It sounds like a strategic decision and the adults in the room prevailed,'' said Steinberg, who is not involved in the mayoral race. ``There's just no reason for the incumbent mayor of Los Angeles to participate this early.''

The primary election is in March 2005; the general election comes two months later.

Julie Wong, Hahn's campaign spokeswoman and a former mayoral staffer, said the mayor will participate in a planned Dec. 21 debate sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters.

James Nash, [phone]

james.nash(at)dailynews.com

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