Dukakis Cancellation Spells End of Torrance Debate

Torrance slid quietly off the national political map Thursday, as Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis canceled a debate that local officials had hoped would bring the city fame and, maybe, fortune.

“It’s gone, gone away. There’s no chance to reschedule it,” said a volunteer for the League of Women Voters, sponsor of the ill-fated debate at El Camino College on Thursday afternoon.

Dukakis backed out of the debate with the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Thursday morning to return to Boston after learning that his wife, Kitty, must undergo surgery today for two herniated disks in her neck.

Members of the Torrance League of Women Voters, who planned the debate for seven months, said they were stunned to learn it was canceled.

“As a wife, I understand what Dukakis is doing and I approve, but with a little bit of mixed feelings,” said Charlotte Lobb, the league official who led the drive that raised $125,000 to stage the debate.

“Couldn’t she have waited a day?” Lobb laughed.

But most league officials with her at the debate office at El Camino looked glum as workers dismantled the debate stage in Marsee Auditorium and removed 30 television monitors from the cafeteria, which was going to be the press center.

Some found consolation in the fact that Jackson still showed up for a reception at the college.

“I was very appreciative of that,” said Torrance Mayor Katy Geissert, who presented Jackson with a key to the city. “Seeing people in the auditorium today, they were very excited to see a national political figure. Frankly, that saved it from being a total bust.”

The cancellation meant a disappointing end to the ambitious plans of local officials.

When Torrance was designated last November as the primary season’s last site for debates, civic leaders said they would use the opportunity to gain publicity for the city. The Torrance Visitor’s Bureau even printed 500 brightly colored booklets to inform the press about the top attractions in town.

But enthusiasm began to fade when the triumph of Vice President George Bush in the GOP race resulted in the cancellation of the Republican debate and when the Democratic field was reduced to just Dukakis and Jackson. Then Cable News Network abandoned its plan to broadcast the debate to its 36-million viewers, another blow to organizers.

Still, city officials hoped the Democratic debate would bring local television coverage, air time on the C-Span cable network and reports by at least 200 media representatives.

Because the debate was canceled with so little notice, the League of Women Voters had already spent most of the money in its budget, according to Natalie Testa, national assistant director for debates.

Included in the total cost were cash or in-kind donations for the use of the auditorium, installation of telephone and television hookups for the press, hotel accommodations for league officials and a catered meal for debate volunteers.

Lobb said she will send a letter notifying 120 local businesses and individuals that their donations--including $15,000 from TRW Inc. and $10,000 from Mobil Oil Corp.--have already been spent.