Covering Kamala Harris (with Marisa Lagos)
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Deep Dive
How progressive was Kamala Harris as a prosecutor on a scale of 1 to 10?
Kamala Harris was a four to six on a scale of one to ten, indicating she was middle of the road. She was not as progressive as Larry Krasner in Philadelphia but also not as tough as a Texas sheriff.
Why did Kamala Harris choose to work within the system as a prosecutor?
Harris believed that working within the system was the most effective way to make change, influenced by her background and her time at a historically Black university.
What were some of the smart on crime initiatives Kamala Harris implemented?
Harris implemented programs like Back on Track, which offered first-time offenders a suite of services to avoid felony convictions if they completed the program. She also brought in reform-minded individuals to work on these initiatives.
How did Kamala Harris balance her approach to criminal justice?
Harris balanced her approach by embracing smart on crime initiatives while also listening to her line prosecutors and maintaining a tough stance when necessary. She ran as a moderate in her first race for district attorney, positioning herself between a progressive and a tough-on-crime candidate.
What external factors influenced the criminal justice reforms during Kamala Harris's tenure?
External factors included the overpopulation of California's prisons, which led to Supreme Court intervention, and support from right-wing figures like Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers, who argued for rethinking the use of resources in the criminal justice system.
- Kamala Harris's prosecutorial record is described as middle-of-the-road, varying from a four to a six on a scale of one to ten.
- Harris implemented 'smart on crime' initiatives like Back on Track, which aimed to reform first-time offenders.
- Harris's approach was influenced by her belief in working within the system to effect change, balancing reform with necessary toughness.
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