I suppose it's no surprise really... but the Chron has endorsed Kamala "I've never met a criminal I didn't like" Harris for the Dems' Attorney General of California candidate...
California's attorney general has the widest portfolio of responsibilities of anyone outside the governor's office. Crime, environment, corporate fraud, consumer protection. This list goes on. Not surprisingly, the Democratic candidates for attorney general presented an array of contrasts in both their emphasis and their knowledge of the issues. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris stands out in this field both in her grasp of the issues and the clarity of her priorities (...fucked up as they are...).
Harris said her No. 1 goal would be to reduce the recidivism rate of inmates leaving prison, which contributes to an overcrowding crisis, adds to the state deficit - and erodes public safety. As she noted, California releases 120,000 inmates a year. Seventy percent of them return to prison within three years (Her solution: it doesn't count as recidivism if you never send them to jail again!).
"It's one of the biggest challenges that can be fixed in our state," Harris said.
In San Francisco, Harris' "Back on Track" program for first-time offenders between ages 18 and 24 has produced impressive (hardly) reductions in recidivism through job training and other life skills. It also generated a touch of controversy (which even the pro-amnesty Chron couldn't ignore) when it was revealed that some of the participants were undocumented immigrants, and thus could not legally (because they're "illegal") fill the jobs they were being trained to do.
Harris did not flinch at questions about the problems. The program screening was tightened, she said. Besides, she added, innovation in law enforcement necessarily involves an element of risk (to the public, of course).
The worst risk of all to public safety is to accept a 70 percent recidivism rate.
Her opponents include Rocky Delgadillo, the former Los Angeles city attorney; Facebook executive Chris Kelly, who has poured $8 million into his campaign; and three termed-out Assembly members - Alberto Torrico, Ted Lieu and Pedro Nava. Delgadillo, who lost to Brown in the 2006 primary, comes closest to Harris in applicable experience - but does not have nearly as well developed a vision for the statewide office (Oh Christ! You mean Harris has a vision of what she wants to do with - or to - California? That is fucking frightening).
Harris has clearly raised the level of the San Francisco district attorney's office in the last six years (which, considering she replaced Terrance Hallinan, is not saying much). Its conviction rate has reached a 15-year high (again, not saying much). The office has had some unsettling lapses, such as its inability or unwillingness to identify (or even acknowledge) the problems with the lax treatment of young drug dealers (known as "Kamala's Kids") under the Sanctuary City ordinance, or the colossal mess in the Police Department's crime lab. The best that could be said in each case is that she was not well served by some of her subordinates. But Harris has demonstrated her ability to confront and correct problems, and to learn from them. She is the Democrats' best choice for attorney general.
Harris' grandiose vision - Jesus help us - will no doubt require a lot of "elements of risk" that will certainly put the California public in serious jeopardy.
Not that she gives a flying fuck. Kamala's chief concern is for the criminal. They are, after all, the real victims. This is what passes for rational thought in the minds of those like Harris.
Fortunately, judging from the comments section, it looks like few are buying the Chron's glowing assessment of Harris' failed tenure...
* Fortunately, people outside S.F. get to vote on this one. No Harris, no way.
* you've got to be S####ING me...
* "San Francisco’s 800 plus unsolved murders rate ranks as one of the highest in the nation." Candidate against the death penalty--even for a felon who used an AK47 to gun down a cop! My ass. Harris, go get a real job.
* i dont know who wrote or edited this garbage but harris could not litigate herself out of county jail. all the 100,000 idiots released from state prison should be given a sentence in a bigger cell namely mexico. send harris there too. the stupidity of the san francisco crime lab cannot be ignored and left to the SFPD. can HARRIS.
* What???? OMG, this can't be serious, but absolutely stranger things have happened. Gotta go make sure I'm registered to vote. Jeez Louise!
* "Harris has clearly raised the level of the San Francisco district attorney's office in the last six years. Its conviction rate has reached a 15-year high"
Let's not forget that conviction rates were abysmally low under Harris' predecessor, ol' "Kayo" Hallinan, to the point where the SF Chronicle itself did an article about them. Remember, all improvements are relative.
* I'm all for aggressive prosecution of criminals, but not at the expense of sound judgment, which she clearly is lacking.
As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Harris got where she is because she was one of Willie Brown's girlfriends. She's done nothing positive with the job. ANYONE else would be better.
* Is this a joke? Ms. Harris couldn't prosecute a turnip much less be an effective Attorney General.
* Violent criminals are registering to vote as we speak...
* How could someone with such poor judgment be seriously considered for such an important position. I'm a Liberal Democrat, but this woman is incompetent, at best. This paper's recommendation of this person is really kind of insane, isn't it?
* I am sure they will love her in Red Bluff and Bakersfield given that she is seen as too liberal for S.F. Not a snow ball's chance of winning anything east of Treasure Island.
* Don't get me wrong, I've met her, and she is a bright, charming person. Which has nothing to do with being an effective prosecutor. She doesn't have that in her DNA.
TV Anchor? Sure. Even Supervisor or something. But she is not a leader in the never ending battle between good and evil, because she does not convey fear of consequences to criminals of any stripe.
She conveys wishy-washiness and a lack of focus on the right outcome -- the one that serves justice to the victims and punishment on the victimizer.
* "Harris said her No. 1 goal would be to reduce the recidivism rate of inmates leaving prison..."
Her number one goal SHOULD be to enforce the laws of the California AND protect its citizens.
Nevermind the touchy-feely, people-are-basically-good, social programs.
* This woman wouldn't make a good meter maid. Her color, sex and mouth got her where she is, and is incompetent at any level of measurement.
* Are you effing serious??? No wonder your readership has dropped off. She is about as qualified as my cat to be AG!!! She won't make it past the primary.
* I couldn't disagree more. How crime has snowballed in the city during her tenure should give most Californians pause. Thankfully Harris is despised in San Francisco, and a nobody to the greater state.
* The Chronicle's editorial board have really taken leave of their senses, this time. I wouldn't vote for Harris, even if hers is the only name on the ballot.
* Kamala Harris isn't qualified for any elective office in California, including dog catcher. If we had a truly just society, Ms Harris would be run out of town on a rail. She has failed miserably at her job of DA. And let's not forget that she slept her way into politics by servicing Willie Brown.
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