Kamala Harris
Who is Kamala Harris and what does her background suggest about how she might govern?
Kamala Harris is a trailblazer in American politics, notably becoming the first woman ever to serve as San Francisco's District Attorney. Her journey began in Oakland, California, where her roots helped shape her commitment to justice and equality that would later define her political career. Her approach as a public prosecutor reflects a complex political identity - combining progressive values with a tough-on-crime reputation. Harris's personal beliefs and governance philosophy appear to be influenced by her unique experiences, positioning her distinctively in the political landscape as someone who balances progressive ideals with pragmatic law enforcement perspectives.
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Johnny Harris
00:07 - 00:25
What was Kamala Harris like during her educational journey before Howard University?
Friends described high school Kamala Harris as bookish, bubbly, and someone who blended in easily. After graduating high school in 1982, she enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she pursued studies in political science and economics. These formative educational experiences marked the beginning of her journey into politics. Her personality traits and academic choices at this stage laid groundwork for her future leadership development, combining intellectual curiosity with social adaptability that would serve her well in her later political career.
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Johnny Harris
03:25 - 03:40
What were some of Kamala Harris's notable actions as California's Attorney General?
As California's Attorney General, Kamala Harris fought against the death penalty and took on big banks following the 2008 housing crisis, securing $18 billion in relief for California homeowners. She also won a billion dollars for victims of predatory for-profit universities, specifically Corinthian Colleges that took advantage of Californians seeking to achieve the American dream. Perhaps her most nationally recognized moment came when she directed the clerk of Los Angeles to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples during the contentious debate around Proposition 8, which challenged the legality of gay marriage. These actions demonstrated her commitment to criminal justice reform, consumer protection, and civil rights.
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Johnny Harris
10:20 - 11:06
What was Kamala Harris's career path as a public prosecutor?
After law school, Kamala Harris began her career as a public prosecutor in California, starting in Alameda County before moving to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, and eventually becoming Attorney General for the entire state of California. Harris, who had roots as an activist, transitioned into a tough-on-crime prosecutor role. In this position, she worked to convict criminals and advocate for incarceration while upholding the traditional justice system. Her career represents an interesting evolution from activism to becoming part of the establishment legal system that has been responsible for incarcerating millions for nonviolent crimes.
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Johnny Harris
06:35 - 07:12
Was Kamala Harris the 'border czar' in charge of the U.S. border crisis?
No, Kamala Harris was not actually the 'border czar' despite widespread public perception that she was. This misconception persisted as record numbers of migrants arrived at the border from various countries, with many people looking to assign blame for the crisis. The confusion wasn't helped by Harris's early media appearances where she struggled with questions about the border, including when pressed about not having visited it personally. Recent data, however, indicates that migration to the US border has decreased significantly over time.
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Johnny Harris
19:06 - 19:53