Podcast Summary
Kamala Harris' hidden corruption and ambition: Despite a perceived image of incompetence, Kamala Harris' long history of corruption, failing up, and radicalism reveals her unquenchable thirst for power, exposing the potential danger of unchecked ambition in politics and the importance of accountability.
Kamala Harris' public image as an incompetent and unqualified politician masks a long history of corruption, failing up, and radicalism. Despite her perceived awkwardness and comedic persona, Harris has managed to rise through the ranks of public life, from obscurity to the brink of the Oval Office. This documentary podcast series, "Scamilla, Kamala Harris Unmasked," aims to peel back the layers of Harris' career, exposing the scandals, missteps, and lies that have defined her journey, and revealing her lack of central conviction and unquenchable thirst for power. The series underscores the potential danger of unchecked ambition in politics and the importance of holding public figures accountable for their actions.
Harris' background controversies: Despite her multicultural background and experiences at a historically black college, Kamala Harris' narrative of experiencing segregation firsthand has been questioned, and she has faced controversies for plagiarizing stories and misrepresenting her past.
Kamala Harris' background and experiences have been a subject of debate due to instances of plagiarizing stories and misrepresenting her past. Born to parents of Indian and Jamaican descent in Berkeley, California, Harris grew up primarily in Canada and attended a predominantly white school. She later studied at Howard University, a historically black college, where she became an activist. After law school, she began her career as a prosecutor in California. However, her narrative of experiencing segregation firsthand has been called into question. Despite these controversies, Harris' identity formation and activism at Howard University significantly influenced her career in law and politics.
Political Patronage: California politician Willie Brown's relationship with Kamala Harris led to significant financial and career gains for her, despite her lack of relevant experience, highlighting the issue of political patronage and potential for personal gain in politics
California politician Willie Brown played a significant role in jumpstarting Kamala Harris' political and financial career. Brown, who was 30 years her senior and a known womanizer, began dating Harris in the late 1990s when she was just starting out in politics. Brown, who was looking for a new gig after serving as Speaker of the Assembly, appointed Harris to two taxpayer-funded public positions, the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and the California Medical Assistance Commission. These appointments paid Harris over $500,000 in today's dollars, providing her with a financial foundation. Brown also introduced Harris to key players in California politics and culture, helping her build valuable connections. These appointments and introductions came despite Harris having no relevant experience for the positions she was appointed to. This relationship raises questions about political patronage and the potential for personal gain in politics.
Willie Brown and Kamala Harris' relationship: Willie Brown played a significant role in Kamala Harris' political rise, but their relationship ended due to Brown's marital commitments, leading to Harris' public criticism and turning against her mentor.
The relationship between Willie Brown and Kamala Harris, though significant in her political rise, ended due to Brown's marital commitments. Brown's best friend and journalist, Herb Kane, publicly documented their serious relationship, but it came to an abrupt end when Brown's wife, a high priestess in Haitian voodoo religion, intervened. Despite this, Harris refused to acknowledge her debt to Brown when she ran for San Francisco District Attorney, even going so far as to criticize him publicly. This betrayal marked the beginning of Harris' ambitious political career, which included turning against her former boss and mentor. Ultimately, the complex history between these two figures highlights the intricacies of power dynamics and personal relationships in politics.
Kamala Harris' Ethical Concerns: During her time as San Francisco DA, Kamala Harris employed questionable tactics to maintain a high conviction rate and cater to her political base, leading to ethical concerns and manipulation of statistics.
During her tenure as San Francisco District Attorney, Kamala Harris presented herself as a tough-on-crime prosecutor while also catering to her left-wing base. However, her tactics to achieve these conflicting goals led to ethical concerns and manipulation of statistics. Harris finagled her way around spending caps, impersonated volunteers, and even let some high-profile criminals off the hook, all while maintaining a high conviction rate by decreasing the number of trials. Her inconsistent stance on various issues further muddied her reputation. Despite these controversies, Harris continued her political ambitions and eventually became the Attorney General of California.
Kamala Harris' controversial tenure as DA: Despite low conviction rates and high crime rates during her time as San Francisco DA, Harris used charisma and high-profile endorsements to win the California Attorney General election in 2010. However, her time in office was marked by controversy, including accusations of dishonesty and cronyism, and she faced criticism for her handling of the housing meltdown.
Kamala Harris' tenure as San Francisco District Attorney was marked by low conviction rates, high crime rates, and controversy, including a major crime lab scandal. Despite these challenges, Harris used her charisma and high-profile endorsements, including from President Barack Obama, to win the California Attorney General election in 2010. However, her time in office was not without controversy, including accusations of dishonesty and cronyism. Harris was known for playing both sides, appearing tough on crime while also catering to a radical base. She faced criticism for her handling of the housing meltdown in 2008, specifically for refusing to prosecute one major bank for predatory lending despite key investors being her donors. Despite these controversies, Harris continued to rise in politics, eventually becoming a U.S. Senator and a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
California AG Controversies: Kamala Harris' tenure as CA AG was marked by controversial decisions, favoritism, and going against voter will, but she solidified her left-wing credentials and secured her Senate seat
Kamala Harris' tenure as California Attorney General was marked by controversial decisions and a shift towards more progressive policies, even if it meant going against the will of the state's voters or her previous positions. During her time in office, she refused to defend Proposition 8 in court, targeted pro-life activists, and showed favoritism towards Planned Parenthood. These actions, coupled with her high-profile marriage to a wealthy lawyer and her easy transition into the Senate, raised questions about conflicts of interest and the use of government power. Despite these controversies, Harris was able to use her final months as Attorney General to solidify her left-wing credentials and secure her position in the Senate, with no Republican opposition in the final election.
Campaign spending habits of Kamala Harris: Kamala Harris spent $18,000 on high-end accommodations during her 2016 Senate campaign, despite more affordable options, raising eyebrows among Democrats and later becoming a topic of scrutiny in her political journey.
During her 2016 campaign for Senate, Kamala Harris spent nearly $18,000 on high-end accommodations at the W Hotel in Los Angeles, despite more affordable options being available. This spending pattern was unusual for campaigns and raised eyebrows among her fellow Democrats. Despite this, Harris saw herself as a rising star and believed she deserved the best treatment. Her past campaign habits did not hinder her success at the time, but they would later come back to haunt her. Kamala Harris had come a long way from her California bar failure and her relationship with powerful politician Willie Brown, to becoming a Senator and setting her sights on the 2020 presidential election. However, her extravagant spending on campaign accommodations would be a topic of scrutiny as she continued her political journey.