Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman is desperately backpedaling from her former “defund the police” rhetoric in a dramatic campaign U-turn that could alienate her far-left base. The Democratic socialist city councilwoman — who previously pushed to slash police funding during the height of 2020 activism — is now publicly abandoning the controversial stance as she battles incumbent Karen Bass and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt in the increasingly heated race for City Hall. The Democratic socialist city councilwoman — who previously pushed to slash police funding during the height of 2020 activism — is now publicly abandoning the controversial stance. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock Confronted by CNN’s Jessica Dean on Saturday over her striking policy flip, Raman sought to reframe herself as newly focused on public safety. Confronted by CNN’s Jessica Dean on Saturday over her striking policy flip, Raman sought to reframe herself as newly focused on public safety .…