At the first Los Angeles Mayoral debate, the five candidates who were invited to speak represented Los Angeles' rich political spectrum: all were Democrats.

Those same five Democrats are the only candidates who have been invited to the second debate, which is being sponsored by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters.

On Friday, I spoke with David Allgood from the League. He indicated that Walter Moore - the "leading" Republican in the race - had not been invited because he hadn't met their test of "viability." According to Allgood, Moore only has $8,000 in his campaign chest. Furthermore, the fact that he's running as a Republican in a non-partisan race raised their suspicions.

While I don't favor Moore, he probably would have raised points that the other candidates would not. I suspect that's one of the unstated reasons why he's being shut out of these debates.

Here's the blurb on the second debate:

JOIN Mayoral hopefuls Antonio Villaraigosa, Bob Hertzberg, Richard Alarcon, Bernard Parks and incumbent James Hahn as they share their views on the environment on December 21, 2004, 6:00 p.m., Bing Auditorium, L.A. County Museum of Art at 5905 Wilshire Blvd (Wilshire east of Fairfax). A panel of environmental activists will ask questions on a host of environmental issues. This event will be taped and televised by Channel 36. KABC will air an edited version on December 26, Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. KCET and KPFK will also air the event. BE THERE WHEN THIS MUCH-AWAITED MAYORAL FORUM ON THE ENVIRONMENT HAPPENS!

RSVP to mayorevent@lalcv.org or call (310) 441-7663.