Readers React: Kamala Harris wasn’t ‘staying silent’ on the death penalty, she was being a good attorney general

To the editor: Columnist George Skelton, who believes Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) was wrong not to have taken a position on two ballot initiatives regarding the death penalty while she was California’s attorney general, appears to have missed her interview this week with Rachel Maddow.

When questioned about the death penalty, Harris said unequivocally that she was opposed to it, and that she never sought it when she was district attorney of San Francisco.

Harris said she felt it was inappropriate for her, as California’s attorney general, to take a stand on ballot proposals concerning the death penalty. Her reasons for doing so were credible, and her neutrality seemed appropriate and not merely politically expedient. When she was a prosecutor, however, Harris’ actions spoke volumes about her opposition to capital punishment.

Skelton’s criticism of Harris on the death penalty is not persuasive.

Marcia Goodman, Long Beach

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To the editor: Harris has decided to enter the presidential race after just a short time in the Senate. Will she be receiving pay while she gallivants around the nation campaigning?

Federal workers are not getting paid during this political stand-off, so why should she get paid while not on the job in Washington? California taxpayers should get service for her pay.

Mike Williams, San Diego

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