AG: Cooley has attitude, record
In the race for California attorney general, voters must choose between two solid administrators: Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, a Republican, and San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, a Democrat. Cooley, as even-handed and nonpartisan an option as Californians will find in any race, is the better option.
Cooley, who has served in the L.A. District Attorney's Office for 38 years, the last 10 as district attorney, has prosecuted consumer, high-tech and environmental crimes, and exhibited the right touch in the handling of DNA evidence. His Brady policy, a protocol that enables prosecutors to determine which evidence must be shared with defense attorneys, is something every D.A. should adopt, and his approach to the state's rigid three-strikes law policy is realistic and pragmatic.
Cooley's attitude toward transparency in government is inspiring and refreshing: He has little patience for the indifference of government officials who are supposed to carry out their duties in public but too often don't. We need more prosecutors with that outlook.
Harris has done some good things in San Francisco, especially with regard to fighting recidivism. Other counties should study what she has done and adopt the best features of her program. Helping repeat offenders turn things around positively impacts crime rates, prison overcrowding and tax rolls.
But Cooley is the person for this job. He's a pro-enforcement prosecutor who's not afraid to clean up anything -- whether it's gang activity or elected officials who abuse the public trust. We endorse Steve Cooley.
