” CNN Town Hall with Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat – A Prefatory engagement ” – January 28, 2019.

CNN Town Hall, Des Moines, Iowa – Senator Kamala Harris with Jake Tapper.

          The first Town Hall of 2020 election primaries was held in Des Moines,  Iowa,  on the night of January 28, 2019. Senator Kamala Harris was the candidate and Jake Tapper of CNN, the moderator.

Senator Kamala Devi Harris

          Senator Kamala Harris, an American attorney and politician, California, announced her campaign to run for Democratic nomination for President of U.S.A. in 2020. She has an Indian and Jamaican ancestry. Mother Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian and father, Donald J Harris, a Jamaican.

          Town Hall constituted questions from the audience :

          ( Q.1. )   What will you do to make America safe for people of color and immigrants ?

          When mothers go to sleep at night with the concerns you expressed I feel that leadership shares strongly the same concerns and act ;  the leadership recognises what and who we are as Americans in soul and heart ;  and the leadership commits that the division we see today be erased swiftly. Sadly,  we see a new fuel adding to the fire of racism today. We have a lot to do to combat that first.

          ( Q.2. )   Do you support death penalty ?

          Kamala Harris recounted the ‘open data initiative’  called open justice for the first time started in 1990s and 2000s will say what and who we are.  She averred that she is opposed to death penalty, a flawed system based on race … It  costs taxpayers a lot of money. Spending life in prison without the possibility of parole is cheaper.  Adequate response in emergencies is a priority. Reform is necessary. Economic justice issues and criminal justice issues need to be taken note of. Admittedly, we have a lot to do on this now.

          ( Q.3. )   What to do to have people access to health care at an affordable price ?

          Medicare for all while supporting single payer health care is her proposition. She drew attention to the Choose Medicare Act, an expanded public option for health insurance that increased and rendered individuals with high income levels also eligible.

          (Q 4. )   How will you stay on message while debating Trump ?

          Speak the truth,  Speak with concerns for the future of our country,  and Speak with what is necessary for fulfilling the aspirations of our people, –  as against speaking to your base and big corporations.

Jake Tapper questioning

          ( Q. 5 )   What will it mean to you to be the first woman president to be elected ?

          She recalled what her mother said :  ” You may be first to many things;  but make sure you are not the last to any “.  Breaking barriers is important ;  What can be is most important than what has been –  was her brief reply.

          ( Q. 6 )   What solutions do you see to the parents of DACA recipients or those with no clear path to citizenship ?

          Young people will be allowed to live the American Dream. Give your information who you are, we’ll not report it and we’ll have it confidential. You will be protected. Obsession with medieval and vanity project ‘wall’ is coming in the way. This administration is willing to separate children from parents and that is not humane. We’ll protect you.

Jake Tapper questioning

          ( Q. 7 )   This is Jake Tapper’s intervention. Would you be willing to give some funding for the wall ?

          I am for Border Security. Upgradation of technology and infrastructure like sensors and drones. I am not for a wall. One must understand that it is the sophisticated channels through which people come in and not by jumping the wall.

          ( Q. 8 )   How will you make college affordable and help alleviate student debt ?

          Our national priority and commitment is for ‘debt free college’.  ” For profit colleges ”  which do not fulfil their promises will be prosecuted. Having a path for education giving a job for the 21st Century needs is our priority.

          ( Q. 9 )   Will you endorse  ‘Green New Deal’ ?

          Our planet is at great risk. Clean energy and clean water to every citizen is a priority. We are dedicated to achieving this.

          ( Q. 10 )   Will a man make a better nominee to face Trump ?

          You should not listen to general Observations like :  ” a lady can’t make it ;  a lady is not ready still ;  the nation is not ready yet  … ”  I didn’t take it when I started my career and I became the first lady attorney general of CA. No one should pay heed to wrong Observations. You have to believe in yourself and your work.

          ( Q. 11 )   How will you put an end to Gun Violence ?

          Universal background check before anyone buying guns is the most reasonable and is of 1st priority. It has now become a political issue. We can have reasonable gun laws. We are not waiting for big ideas. What is missing is the Congress to act in a courageous manner.

          ( Q. 12 )   How will you bring troops back from Afghanistan war ?

          We should not act based on whims and tweets. Commanders should read the book ;  have consultations with policy makers and operate in a smart way. We need smart and strategic diplomacy. We cannot leave our young people to fight these endless wars.

          ( Q.  13 )   Is the existence of multi billionaires morally defensible ?

          Inequality to be addressed by middle class tax cuts. Not being affordable is unconscionable. Wealthy should pay more taxes. We have to correct codes.

          ( Q. 14 )   How will you capture votes of all, males and females ?.

          We need to concentrate on the commonalities amongst us even while we are a diverse country. Workplace considerations should be based solely on merit. Erase your view of : ” if we didn’t speak up, it will be o.k. ” All have to be treated equally, treated safely. This is my proposition.

          ( Q. 15 )   What is your view on Free trade vs Fair trade ?

          Citing the  $ 2.2 billion loss to farmers in Iowa, she said tariff on imports resulted in farmers, manufacturers, and consumers equally affected. We need to support our farmers and that is what she will aim at.

          (Q. 16 )   How her immigrant roots will be useful to pursue presidency ? 

          We, as a nation, expanded on noble ideals. Everyone should be treated as ideal as spoken in 1776. I love my country. We are all aspirational by nature. My parents and I continue to pursue our ideals.

          (  Q. 17  )   What is the first thing you would do as President ? 

          I will fight for the largest middle class tax cut in a generation while championing progressive issues.

          To conclude : 

          (A)  Chief focus of Senator Kamala Harris seemed to be broadly dealing with questions without much elaboration on specifics of answers.

          ( B)   Nevertheless,  she appeared energetic and forceful  and perhaps raised the temperature and  impact of the Democratic nomination process with the excellent opportunity provided to her during this Town Hall meet.

          ( C)   Audience questions may not have met the expectations of a complete spectrum of issues of concern to American public leaving the viewers feeling possibly that opportunities went missing. But most, however, seemed enjoying the discussion.

     ” Dieu avec nous “

     January,  29,  2019 –  12.49 p.m. (IST)

     Tidbit  :  ”  Don’t sit around and complain about things, do something ”  –  Shyamala Gopalan,  Senator Kamala Devi Harris’s mother.