Commentary: Live chat: Times columnists analyze the CNN California governor debate

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Set us as preferred Xavier Becerra has made a campaign out of saying nothing.Steve Hilton will seemingly say anything to anyone as long as there’s a microphone.

Neither dynamic is promising for voters tuning into Wednesday night’s televised debate on CNN with the two candidates vying to replace Gavin Newsom as California’s new governor.But don’t worry, Golden State voters — Times columnists Gustavo Arellano, Mark Z.

Barabak and Anita Chabria are watching every minute, every second, really, to bring you the zingers, gaffes and hopefully maybe even some insights.*Chabria: Let me start things off by saying my hope is that Hilton will push Becerra into specifics around issues including affordability, what we’re going to do about the coming Medicaid cliff, housing and education.

California has been focused on raising up our most vulnerable and struggling residents for years — which is important.But the middle class is suffering now, too, in all those areas.

Hilton is right that the status quo isn’t working.That’s going to be a challenge for Becerra when he gets into office (and honestly, he could vacation in Hawaii until November and still get elected), so I’ll be looking for answers on how he plans to lift all boats.

Barabak: There will be much critiquing to come, so let me start by paying both gentleman a compliment.Hilton has been campaigning hard, as though he has more than the merest speck of a chance of pulling an epic upset and somehow prevailing.Good for him!And Becerra, who’s made himself exceedingly scarce, is stepping up and debating, as he should.

And he’s not being cute about it, insisting on, say, a midnight appearance on local cable TV in Alturas.So props for that.Arellano: I’m hoping that Becerra will once again channel his inner cholo, as I urged him to during the primary.The Tío Xa...