MAYOR: DNC GOOD FOR L.A.

Byline: Rick Orlov  Staff Writer

Mayor Richard Riordan found himself on the defensive Wednesday over the upcoming Democratic National Convention, insisting its benefits outweigh any of the negatives.

Offering assurances the city is prepared to deal with any violence from protesters, Riordan said the convention provides an opportunity to showcase the city to the world - although the city has been lax in taking advantage of it so far, he said.

``We have not done a good job in getting the message out to the public,'' Riordan said in an interview on his monthly ``Ask the Mayor'' show on radio station KFWB-AM (980). ``We have let the opponents of the city, those who want to make the city look bad during and after the convention, to get the media attention.

``We are getting organized now. We will have 20,000 members of the media here and we're going to be the focus of the world during prime time. To get that kind of attention would cost us $1 billion. We will show the world our mountains, our beaches and our people and what a great city we have.''

Also, Riordan said the convention, to be held Aug. 14-17 at Staples Center, is expected to generate $135 million to $150 million in economic benefit to the city.

The mayor acknowledged the fear of violence as well as the problem of having the city contribute up to $4 million after officials had offered assurances it would be privately funded.

``One of the hard parts of (fund raising) is the big givers in politics find that they can get more influence by giving directly to candidates or parties rather than something like the convention,'' said Riordan, who had to pay up on a $1 million personal letter of credit to the convention's Host Committee before the City Council authorized the city's contribution.

``The money we got for the Host Committee is not political money. It's from people who love L.A. and it's harder to get that money than it is from people looking out for their own selnterest.''

As for the potential violence, Riordan said he is hopeful it will not occur.

``We have to walk a fine line,'' he said. ``We want to defend everyone's First Amendment rights, but we also are prepared to deal with anyone who violates the law.''

The mayor also criticized Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg for her proposal - later overturned - to make Pershing Square a staging area for demonstrators.

``I think people, including Jackie Goldberg, miss the point,'' Riordan said. ``We want the city to be successful (and) safe with quality jobs. We want to succeed and not look bad during the Democratic convention. We want to treat demonstrators with respect.

``Jackie Goldberg ought to step back and say what's in the best interest of L.A.''

Goldberg said she would not respond to any personal attacks but said she agreed with the mayor on one point.

``I don't want any violence,'' Goldberg said. ``The police must enforce the laws if someone breaks a window or causes a problem. But 98 percent of the demonstrators - probably more than that - agree. Any violence takes away from what they're trying to do.''