Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumKamala Harris Was Not a 'Progressive Prosecutor'By Lara Bazelon Ms. Bazelon is a law professor and
the former director of the Loyola Law School Project for the Innocent in Los Angele
"Consider her record as San Franciscos district attorney from 2004 to 2011. Ms. Harris was criticized in 2010 for withholding information about a policboratory technician who had been accused of intentionally sabotaging her work and stealing drugs from the lab. After a memo surfaced showing that Ms. Harriss deputies knew about the technicians wrongdoing and recent conviction, but failed to alert defense lawyers, a judge condemned Ms. Harriss indifference to the systemic violation of the defendants constitutional rights...
...Ms. Harris contested the ruling by arguing that the judge, whose husband was a defense attorney and had spoken publicly about the importance of disclosing evidence, had a conflict of interest. Ms. Harris lost. More than 600 cases handled by the corrupt technician were dismissed...Ms. Harris also championed state legislation under which parents whose children were found to be habitually truant in elementary school could be prosecuted..." In 2014, she declined to take a position on Proposition 47, a ballot initiative approved by voters, that reduced certain low-level felonies to misdemeanors. She laughed that year when a reporter asked if she would support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Ms. Harris finally reversed course in 2018, long after public opinion had shifted on the topic.
In 2015, she opposed a bill requiring her office to investigate shootings involving officers. And she refused to support statewide standards regulating the use of body-worn cameras by police officers. For this, she incurred criticism from an array of left-leaning reformers, including Democratic state senators, the A.C.L.U. and San Franciscos elected public defender. The activist Phelicia Jones, who had supported Ms. Harris for years, asked, How many more people need to die before she steps in? ...
The article has more about such issues as the death penalty... reducing penalties for non-violent offenders and wrongful incarceration and closes with a demand for Sen. Harris o break with her past...and apologize. I was quite surprised to read this and although not new is worth reading. I never saw it before.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/opinion/kamala-harris-criminal-justice.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(48,917 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
madville
(7,404 posts)Those are the things Harris argued weren't sufficient enough to overturn 100s of cases in California. Thankfully she lost that argument and 100s had their wrongful convictions overturned.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(92,061 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(108,959 posts)And her record as a prosecutor is unlikely to hurt her among centrists.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
at140
(6,110 posts)to whatever is the winning strategy do jour!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
oasis
(49,332 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)the more threatened they are.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bluewater
(5,376 posts)Last edited Sun Jun 30, 2019, 05:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Biden and Harris both appeal to the more "moderate" portion of the Democratic base.
It's probably why the Biden Campaign is freaking out now since she is gaining traction at their expense.
As a black woman moderate Democrat, she has great potential to gain the support of older black moderate Democratic voters who currently support Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,710 posts)Biden regaining 1-2 pts.
As a biden supporter I am not freaking out, nor are the others Im reading and seeing
Also, Bidens support among AA voters post debate jumped 18%
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluewater
(5,376 posts)It's just too early to obsess over any poll or two.
Early on in 2007, the majority of black democratic voters supported Hilary Clinton over Barack Obama.
That changed drastically as the primary season progressed.
The Biden Campaign is worried that something similar could happen to their candidate in 2019.
That is a long-term trend to watch and will tell us more than any early poll or two right now.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)The next few weeks of polling should be interesting.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,315 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
irisblue
(32,932 posts)::need to pick up big bottle of tums::
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(48,917 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
::big jar of tums on the grocery list::
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,315 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)I love scooby doo.....
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,872 posts)And she refused to support statewide standards regulating the use of body-worn cameras by police officers. For this, she incurred criticism from an array of left-leaning reformers, including Democratic state senators, the A.C.L.U. and San Franciscos elected public defender. The activist Phelicia Jones, who had supported Ms. Harris for years, asked, How many more people need to die before she steps in? .
I am for once speechless..I had read some things.. and posted more than once everyone has a history that will come to light as they get higher in the polls.. but I have never seen this before..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(48,917 posts)for her once people looked at it closely, but I never followed up on those hints, wasn't interested enough to do any research on it.
This OP and the NY Times piece it links to were a shock.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Maybe now they will, given Kamala's line of attack against Biden.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,315 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,608 posts)A little googling indicated that Lara Bazelon has something pretty close to a vendetta going against Harris; she's been all over the op-eds and the talk shows, including Joy Reid's, slamming her record as a prosecutor. But everybody's got an agenda; Ms. Bazelon's seems to be a very pro-defense perspective relative to criminal prosecutions - as well as sexual assault claims on college campuses. She supports Betsy DeVos' Title IX "reforms" of the Obama administration's college sexual assault investigation procedures. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/opinion/-title-ix-devos-democrat-feminist.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(48,917 posts)targets of investigation: 4% of the student population, in one study, but 50% of the Title IX targets.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RHMerriman
(1,376 posts)You know, when you can be criticized, equally credibly, for misuse of the powers of the office against both defendants and against victims, one might wonder if you really know what you're doing...
As an example, along with all the poor decisions regarding defendants outlined in the NYT op-ed, there's the decision regarding the defendant convicted of ambush murder of a police officer - with an assault rifle, nonetheless - that Bazelon references at the end of the piece.
The senator attacked a fellow Democrat over a spurious issue. She's going to be attacked in turn, no matter how "hurtful" she and her supporters may find it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)as one of the main reasons she should be the Democratic nominee. In that case, it's completely fair to vet Kamala's work as a prosecutor to evaluate how effective or ineffective she was in that role.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
RHMerriman
(1,376 posts)The senator is vulnerable to being criticized by liberals for misuse of her office's power regarding defendants and by moderates for poor decisions regarding the death penalty for convicted ambush murderers of cop killers.
Imagine what the GOP will do with her record.
She's in over her head, and flailing to try and survive.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)by drawing attention to herself on justice issues and may regret doing that. In any case, it's a debate worth having... and let the best, most qualified candidate with the right temperament win!!
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
RHMerriman
(1,376 posts)Less than a week ago, she was at 5 percent with AA voters; Biden was at 45 percent...
She wasn't just in over her head; she was underwater.
Explains the entire ridiculous "Biden is a racist" and "I was the underprivileged child of two Phds" (both of whom were working full-time when she went off to grade school, one of them being a tenured professor at Wisconsin).
The mean streets of Berkeley, indeed. Surprised she was able to survive it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(12,963 posts)about your candidate Ive read repeatedly here are what we should be posting?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
highplainsdem
(48,917 posts)At least this OP from Demsrule86 provides some background on Harris that many here were unaware of.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
58Sunliner
(4,372 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)Biden was one of the leading proponents of mandatory minimum sentencing, broadening the Federal death penalty to apply to a greater number of offences, and intensifying the war on drugs. If Harris wasn't particularly a progressive prosecutor (which I don't think she was either FWIW), it's partly because she was operating in an environment that Biden helped create.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bluewater
(5,376 posts)It's like the Biden supporters are looking into a mirror and complaining about what they see.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
treestar
(82,383 posts)2016.
2016.
2016.
Just stop. Defend what she did rather than attack the supporters for bringing it up. It was said Biden has to be able to deal with it. It's already known that he has but the other candidates have not and need to prove that they can.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)she is not some socialist nutjob but she is far more left than a moderate dem would be. In CA, she has always been considered progressive on par with Newsom who is one of the most progressive democrats in the country for over a decade and certainly the most progressive governor of any state (perhaps ever). You want an example of moderate CA dem - Feinstein.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
treestar
(82,383 posts)Who is worse on crime? An argument that other candidates are worse on the issue. Just make them all look bad. That'll help.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)they aren't the only candidates in the race, though, and Iowa and New Hampshire are still six months out.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Thekaspervote
(32,710 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Butterflylady
(3,537 posts)That office as a step up to bigger and better positions. Most of the time though it's usually a judgeship.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Grasswire2
(13,565 posts)....of Kamala because of her background as a prosecutor.
I wasn't exactly sure of what they meant, but this could be a reason.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Grasswire2
(13,565 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to Grasswire2 (Reply #29)
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Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)Some of those policies like arresting parents who's kids miss school, over charging POC have caused lasting harm ...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
watoos
(7,142 posts)as my candidate? I did so because at the onset Tulsi and Bernie were being attacked by Democrats at will. I chose Tulsi to defend her against Democrats eating our own. I guess now that the gloves are off and Democrats are free to attack Democrats, I will change my pick for my nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to watoos (Reply #32)
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treestar
(82,383 posts)we don't have all the facts, and no one's perfect, and being a prosecutor necessarily involves having to oppose the defendants - but now it's like well, if you want to go negative, take your turn in the barrel.
Introducing that negativity was not a good move, Senator. Now it's going to keep on and not only Biden will get some of it. And all of the candidates will be dirtied up enough to depress voter turnout.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Grasswire2
(13,565 posts)I said weeks ago that I would not support a candidate whose path was to tear down others.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
treestar
(82,383 posts)they are inferior to that candidate in their own minds.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Guess we'll soon see.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)Not unusual to act, or fail to act, out of political concern for ones office and ones future. I am hoping, however, that we might see her take the fight against systemic racism as it still operates TODAY to the racists in power, and call for a unified effort, as Biden did, for Americans to struggle for the soul of the nation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to emmaverybo (Reply #46)
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oasis
(49,332 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kaleva
(36,259 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,380 posts)Greatest hits like accusing her of being a neoliberal, darling of Wall St., in the pocket of wealthy donors, not progressive, wants inmates used as cheap labor, is two-faced, did crimes, is mean to black people, loves mass incarceration, etc., and more!
For no extra charge, the site is touting a conspiracy theory that Harris got the answers to the debate ahead of time (because how did the photo of her as a little girl surface so quickly, HOW).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kaleva
(36,259 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
betsuni
(25,380 posts)I'm going back over to look for the hit lists on Biden and Warren.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kaleva
(36,259 posts)Could you send me a link via PM? It's been a long day babysitting and I have to get to bed. LOL!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
For anyone else who wants to take a peek, go to the 2020 Election main forum and click on President. It's from two days ago
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to betsuni (Reply #67)
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primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Demsrule86 (Original post)
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marybourg
(12,586 posts)Progressive lawyers in my era became defense attorneys. That changed due to high crime rates, 911, and the constant drumbeat of law and order-mongering by the right wing, which in turn caused a culture of disrespect and defunding towards the work of defense attorneys. In another era, Ms. Harris might have been a defense attorney, but like most of us, shes a product of her time.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
58Sunliner
(4,372 posts)and her promotion.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
58Sunliner
(4,372 posts)I won't add the details of their personal relationship which was well documented. I'd call that patronage. I don't need luck. It's the truth.
Patronage- the support given by a patron.
synonyms:sponsorship, backing, funding, financing, philanthropy, promotion, furtherance, help.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)but, if true, deserves scrutiny.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
58Sunliner
(4,372 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
58Sunliner
(4,372 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)But thanks for your 2 cents Lara.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)what the job entails then maybe you should. I am clear on all of that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)But the idea she fought to keep people who may have been wrongfully convicted because of a corrupt lab technician in jail was pretty disturbing. I looked into this after reading about the Catholic church thing.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Jackpineradicals.com has a nice convenient list of all the fake news propaganda meant to defeat Democrats: "List of Damning Articles on Harris." Who believes that stuff?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)to bother with this nonsense anymore.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to Demsrule86 (Reply #86)
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primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LW1977
(1,232 posts)Too much is at stake.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)most dem polls show that harris is second favorite for those rooting for biden. They are both flawed, no one is perfect, both have major vulnerabilities. Bottomline, both have proven to be hugely successful. Harris was elected AG and then senator, we voted for her both time fully aware of who she is. Theres been thousands of ads about her record in the state, the accomplishments vastly outshined her vulnerabilities. Newsflash - voters LOVE tough prosecutors as AG. Harris was seen widey successful as SF DA so that she ran completely unopposed in 2007. Her major criticism was refusal to apply death penalty to any case. But, overall, she was very effective prosecutor who significantly increased prosecution rate and one of the toughest ones in the state. This is why there are some left wing defendant friendly fellas who view her negatively but most residents appreciate her tough on crime stance and calculated, ruthless prosecutorial style leaving no room for defense. Her prosecutorial record will easily win moderates and independent voters who prefer tough on crime approach. I would love to see her prosecute trump. With that said, I think that she would be the perfect choice for AG if she doesn't win the nomination. I cant think of a more qualified and fearless person for that role to clean up all the mess.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Raine
(30,540 posts)voters should know this.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,469 posts)I was surprised...I had planned to support Biden only in the primary...if he didnt get the nomination than, i didnt care and would support the nominee in the general...vote, work etc. But now i would support Warren or Castro in the primary if Biden was out...I don't like Sen. Harris's actions as a prosecutor...not giving info to defendents lawyers,the police investigation thing...I know she was a prosecutor but maybe we don't need a prosecutor as our nominee. Again if she wins , I would of course vote for her in a general...but i still think Biden will be our nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Raine
(30,540 posts)on my list, I certainly hope she's not the nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wyldwolf
(43,867 posts)At the moment, she's being used by "progressives" as a tool to blunt Biden's ascendance.
Full disclosure: Harris is my second choice.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
femmedem
(8,197 posts)https://wronglyconvictedgroup.wordpress.com/2016/08/09/george-gage/
There does appear to be solid evidence against Kevin Cooper and Johnny Baca, however, which isn't mentioned in this article.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden