The New York Times, in a rush to catch up with the usual profiles of a presidential candidate during the nomination season, is now backfilling information about the current Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. Two interesting tidbits were shared today.
First, it was revealed that John Eastman, a key figure in legal education, helped Harris secure a narrow victory for AG in 2010. Eastman, known for his efforts to keep Trump in office after the 2020 election, brought up the issue of “double dipping” during the primary against Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. This revelation played a role in Harris’s successful campaign.
During a debate between Cooley and Harris, the “double dipping” issue was raised:
“Do you plan to double-dip by taking both a pension and your salary as attorney general?” Mr. Leonard asked.
“Yes, I do,” Mr. Cooley said without hesitation.
He glanced at Ms. Harris. She said nothing.
“I earned it.”
“It was tone deaf,” Mr. Riggs said. “It was startling,” Mr. Leonard said. “It was awful,” Mr. Morain said. “It was jaw-dropping,” Mr. Smith said.
Harris went on to win the race by less than 1%, with Eastman’s involvement playing a role in her victory.
The second tidbit focuses on Harris’s role in filling Justice Breyer’s seat on the Supreme Court. President Biden had promised to select a black woman for the position, and Harris played a key role in the selection process:
She interviewed all three finalists and studied their legal records. She recommended Ketanji Brown Jackson, a federal appeals judge, as the boldest option for the seat.
VP Harris recognized the importance of courage in a Supreme Court justice, emphasizing the need for boldness in decision-making on the highest court.
Justice Jackson’s record on the bench has validated Harris’s recommendation, showcasing the importance of courage in judicial nominees.
