latimes--2020-11-06--George Gascón will be L.A. County's next district attorney, promises swift changes

Fresh on the heels of claiming victory Friday in the nationally watched battle to lead the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office , reform challenger George Gascón promised swift changes in criminal justice policies , vowing to stop trying juveniles as adults and prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty .
Gascón ’ s ascension as D.A .
in the nation ’ s largest local prosecutor ’ s office was a major victory in the movement to elect progressive district attorneys and came after incumbent Jackie Lacey , who had been seeking a third term , conceded the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 66 , is the former district attorney in San Francisco and has had a long career in law enforcement , serving as police chief in San Francisco and Mesa , Ariz. , and as an assistant chief in the Los Angeles Police Department .
He jumped out to an early election-night lead that has remained steady as the ballot count continued .
Lacey would have needed to win more than two-thirds of the remaining tally to be reelected but instead chose to concede after consulting with her campaign advisers .
“ Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I moved home to be closer to my family .
I entered this race because after decades of working to reform safety institutions in Arizona , in San Francisco , I knew doing it here , in my hometown , was the most important place of all , ” Gascón said Friday during a virtual news conference .
A champion of alternative sentencing measures and reducing mass incarceration , Gascón ’ s candidacy was met with fierce opposition from law enforcement unions , which cited his lack of trial experience and surging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tenure as disqualifiers of his candidacy .
But with the support of L.A. 's burgeoning activist community and a massive fundraising advantage buoyed by hefty donations from progressive mega-donors , Gascón had captured 236,000 more votes than Lacey by the end of the week .
His win marks the biggest victory yet for a nationwide movement that has seen similar candidates win control of prosecutor ’ s offices in St. Louis , Chicago and Philadelphia .
“ We can not continue to do business as we have for the past 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ It ’ s important to recognize that community safety does not travel alone on a singular track.
” Earlier in the day , Lacey heaped praise on her colleagues and recounted gains the office made in combating sex trafficking and advocating for mentally ill defendants during her eight years in office .
She offered a message of unity and called for calm after a contentious race against Gascón .
The contest took a number of ugly turns , with Lacey receiving death threats during the primary and facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one occasion .
One incident ended with her husband pointing a gun at unarmed protesters on the family ’ s doorstep .
David Lacey faces three counts of misdemeanor assault in that incident .
“ We must work together to make the system better for everyone without demonizing people , ” she said during her address at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles .
Lacey , 63 , nearly won the race in March , claiming 48 % of the primary vote , far ahead of Gascón and former public defender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority that would have given her an outright victory .
But Gascón , who has long championed alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent and mentally ill defendants , gained momentum throughout the summer during nationwide protests calling for changes to the criminal justice system .
Ultimately , that wave was enough to topple Lacey , who has been criticized locally for declining to charge police officers in a number of shootings of unarmed men during her eight years in office .
Lacey was L.A. County ’ s first female and first Black district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district attorney for more than 30 years .
Lacey tried to present herself as a balanced candidate , one who had aggressively prosecuted dangerous criminals while also acknowledging a need to change the way her office handled defendants who were homeless or mentally ill .
But opponents repeatedly grilled her record on police shootings , and Lacey acknowledged a summer of unrest over the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Ky. , helped fuel her defeat .
“ These incidents were painful and exposed an issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Racism .
Our nation is going through a reckoning , and what happened in my election may one day be listed as a consequence of that , ” she said .
“ It may be said that one day the result of this election is a result of our season of discontent and a demand to see a tsunami of change.
” A Times analysis of election results shows Lacey ’ s support in Black neighborhoods slipped between the primary and election .
She won 51 % of Black-plurality neighborhoods in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her share of the vote in largely liberal Westside enclaves such as Santa Monica and Venice also fell off .
Gascón takes office Dec. 7 .
His victory could dramatically alter the operations of the district attorney ’ s office , where he will oversee roughly 1,200 prosecutors who file , on average , more than 100,000 cases each year .
In San Francisco , Gascón made frequent use of diversion programs and alternative sentencing methods for defendants accused of nonviolent crimes , juveniles and those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s jail population during his eight years in office , but some police officials also blamed his policies for driving a historic surge in car break-ins .
During the campaign , Gascón said he would consider reopening investigations into a number of fatal police shootings in which Lacey declined to prosecute officers , including the 2016 killing of Brendon Glenn in Venice Beach .
A staunch opponent of the death penalty , he also said he will work to have death row inmates who were convicted in L.A. County re-sentenced to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand the use of alternative sentencing courts and pretrial diversion programs for mentally ill defendants in Los Angeles , initiatives Lacey supported but faced criticism for not making broad use of .
Once in office , Gascón will have to find a way to mend fences with a law enforcement establishment that fiercely opposed his candidacy .
Unions representing rank-and-file LAPD officers , sheriff ’ s deputies and deputy district attorneys spent millions in support of Lacey .
In a statement Friday , the Association of Deputy District Attorneys said its members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our office ’ s nonpartisan and apolitical public mission : to protect our communities through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and to safeguard the rights of crime victims.
” Gascón promised to work closely with those who opposed his election but also asked critics to cease suggesting the decades-long law enforcement veteran ’ s positions were antithetical to combating crime as well .
“ Contrary to most of the rhetoric you ’ ve heard , I ’ m a public safety person .
I ’ ve worked my entire life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that people were protected , ” he said .

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey concedes, clearing way for George Gascón to become head of the largest prosecutor’s office in the nation.
Fresh on the heels of claiming victory Friday in the nationally watched battle to lead the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, reform challenger George Gascón promised swift changes in criminal justice policies, vowing to stop trying juveniles as adults and prevent prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
Gascón’s ascension as D.A. in the nation’s largest local prosecutor’s office was a major victory in the movement to elect progressive district attorneys and came after incumbent Jackie Lacey, who had been seeking a third term, conceded the race earlier in the day.
Gascón, 66, is the former district attorney in San Francisco and has had a long career in law enforcement, serving as police chief in San Francisco and Mesa, Ariz., and as an assistant chief in the Los Angeles Police Department.
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He jumped out to an early election-night lead that has remained steady as the ballot count continued. Lacey would have needed to win more than two-thirds of the remaining tally to be reelected but instead chose to concede after consulting with her campaign advisers.
“Just one year ago I entered this race. I moved home to be closer to my family. I entered this race because after decades of working to reform safety institutions in Arizona, in San Francisco, I knew doing it here, in my hometown, was the most important place of all,” Gascón said Friday during a virtual news conference.
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey takes to the podium before her concession speech in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A champion of alternative sentencing measures and reducing mass incarceration, Gascón’s candidacy was met with fierce opposition from law enforcement unions, which cited his lack of trial experience and surging property crime rates in San Francisco under his tenure as disqualifiers of his candidacy. But with the support of L.A.’s burgeoning activist community and a massive fundraising advantage buoyed by hefty donations from progressive mega-donors, Gascón had captured 236,000 more votes than Lacey by the end of the week.
His win marks the biggest victory yet for a nationwide movement that has seen similar candidates win control of prosecutor’s offices in St. Louis, Chicago and Philadelphia.
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“We cannot continue to do business as we have for the past 30 years and somehow expect a different result,” he said. “It’s important to recognize that community safety does not travel alone on a singular track.”
Earlier in the day, Lacey heaped praise on her colleagues and recounted gains the office made in combating sex trafficking and advocating for mentally ill defendants during her eight years in office.
She offered a message of unity and called for calm after a contentious race against Gascón. The contest took a number of ugly turns, with Lacey receiving death threats during the primary and facing protesters outside her home on more than one occasion. One incident ended with her husband pointing a gun at unarmed protesters on the family’s doorstep. David Lacey faces three counts of misdemeanor assault in that incident.
“We must work together to make the system better for everyone without demonizing people,” she said during her address at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles.
George Gascón is introduced by Mark Gonzalez, chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, during a drive-in election night watch party at the L.A. Zoo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Lacey, 63, nearly won the race in March, claiming 48% of the primary vote, far ahead of Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi, but falling short of the majority that would have given her an outright victory. But Gascón, who has long championed alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent and mentally ill defendants, gained momentum throughout the summer during nationwide protests calling for changes to the criminal justice system.
Ultimately, that wave was enough to topple Lacey, who has been criticized locally for declining to charge police officers in a number of shootings of unarmed men during her eight years in office. Lacey was L.A. County’s first female and first Black district attorney and had served as a deputy district attorney for more than 30 years.
Lacey tried to present herself as a balanced candidate, one who had aggressively prosecuted dangerous criminals while also acknowledging a need to change the way her office handled defendants who were homeless or mentally ill. But opponents repeatedly grilled her record on police shootings, and Lacey acknowledged a summer of unrest over the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., helped fuel her defeat.
“These incidents were painful and exposed an issue that existed in this country for years. Racism. Our nation is going through a reckoning, and what happened in my election may one day be listed as a consequence of that,” she said. “It may be said that one day the result of this election is a result of our season of discontent and a demand to see a tsunami of change.”
A Times analysis of election results shows Lacey’s support in Black neighborhoods slipped between the primary and election. She won 51% of Black-plurality neighborhoods in March but just 42% in November. Her share of the vote in largely liberal Westside enclaves such as Santa Monica and Venice also fell off.
Gascón takes office Dec. 7. His victory could dramatically alter the operations of the district attorney’s office, where he will oversee roughly 1,200 prosecutors who file, on average, more than 100,000 cases each year. In San Francisco, Gascón made frequent use of diversion programs and alternative sentencing methods for defendants accused of nonviolent crimes, juveniles and those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction.
The moves helped lower San Francisco’s jail population during his eight years in office, but some police officials also blamed his policies for driving a historic surge in car break-ins.
During the campaign, Gascón said he would consider reopening investigations into a number of fatal police shootings in which Lacey declined to prosecute officers, including the 2016 killing of Brendon Glenn in Venice Beach. A staunch opponent of the death penalty, he also said he will work to have death row inmates who were convicted in L.A. County re-sentenced to life without parole. Gascón has also promised to expand the use of alternative sentencing courts and pretrial diversion programs for mentally ill defendants in Los Angeles, initiatives Lacey supported but faced criticism for not making broad use of.
Once in office, Gascón will have to find a way to mend fences with a law enforcement establishment that fiercely opposed his candidacy. Unions representing rank-and-file LAPD officers, sheriff’s deputies and deputy district attorneys spent millions in support of Lacey.
In a statement Friday, the Association of Deputy District Attorneys said its members would “remain devoted to carrying out our office’s nonpartisan and apolitical public mission: to protect our communities through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice and to safeguard the rights of crime victims.”
Gascón promised to work closely with those who opposed his election but also asked critics to cease suggesting the decades-long law enforcement veteran’s positions were antithetical to combating crime as well.
“Contrary to most of the rhetoric you’ve heard, I’m a public safety person. I’ve worked my entire life, since very early in my career, to make sure that people were protected,” he said.


latimes--2020-11-07--Despondent Trump supporters say they can't accept Biden-Harris win

Dejected Trump supporters struggled to accept that their candidate had lost his bid for reelection .
Thomas Nguyen , 61 , took his place in a line of Trump supporters at a rally Saturday on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills , sporting a “ Vietnamese Americans for Trump ” T-shirt and waving an American flag .
Nguyen , an accountant , was incensed by what he described as the Democrats ’ attempts to “ steal ” the election with illegitimate votes .
President Trump and his supporters have accused Democrats of election fraud , offering no evidence to back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have rejected GOP efforts to stop the voting counting over fraud concerns .
Asked if he would recognize Joe Biden as president should Trump concede , Nguyen said , “ He will never concede , because the righteous will always win.
” Nguyen approves of Trump ’ s approach to economic regulation , his handling of the pandemic — “ He ’ s done an excellent job ” — and his elevating conservative justices to the Supreme Court .
Unlike most people at the rally , Nguyen was wearing a mask , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it was emblazoned with Trump ’ s face .
Nguyen criticized Biden supporters who streamed past , many with middle fingers extended and the song “ F— Donald Trump ” blasting from their speakers .
“ They say bad words : ‘ F Trump.
’ They even have a song , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t say , F Biden.
’ ” Carrie Johnson , who drove to Beverly Hills in a caravan from Mission Viejo , said she doesn ’ t recognize the Associated Press and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race in Biden ’ s favor .
“ The media doesn ’ t decide the election — the people do , ” she said .
Were Biden to take office , Johnson said she wouldn ’ t recognize him as president .
“ I don ’ t think any of us are going to acknowledge Biden as our president , ” she said .
Johnson , who lives in Orange County , said she is particularly concerned about “ national mask mandates ” and “ mass vaccines ” she worries could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erosion of civil liberties .
She added it might take a Biden administration for “ Americans to wake up and realize what we have.
” “ Don ’ t lose hope !
” one woman called out from a yellow Jeep , which made several rounds around the Beverly Hills rally , decorated in several Trump and American flags and a sign that read , “ Voter fraud is real in America.
” Just hours after networks called the election for Biden , Trump supporters began gathering at California ’ s Capitol , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also staked out a spot on a street corner , waving sings for the president-elect as a caravan of a dozen cars with Trump and American flags went by .
While the two sides were mostly peaceful , tempers were on edge .
At an intersection , a skateboarder crossing in front of a blue Jeep with a large Trump flag gave its occupants double middle fingers before spitting on the vehicle and riding away .
The driver of the Jeep jumped out and gave chase for about half a block before giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face to face at an intersection near the Capitol with neither side willing to cede ground or the election .
They screamed at each other that the other candidate was racist and their man had won .
Dozens gathered along the Huntington Beach Pier divided in two camps of Biden and Trump supporters .
The sound of cars honking nearly drowned out the rain .
Danielle Manatt and Destinee Nicholson , both 25 , cheered and shouted as cars with Biden signs passed and booed at cars with Trump flags .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champagne .
They didn ’ t plan on joining the rally , but saw a lone Biden supporter at the corner as they were leaving from Starbucks with their chestnut praline lattes .
As young women in a conservative city , they knew they should join .
The women ’ s rights advocates could not wait to see Harris at the helm .
It brought the best friends to tears .
“ She ’ s opened doors for all of us , we shouldn ’ t have to argue that women should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manatt said .
“ It ’ s like we ’ ve been going back in time , ” Nicholson said .
The two Huntington Beach residents were shocked to see their city become the poster child of Trumpism this year .
“ Since I ’ m white , I haven ’ t had to worry that much , but a lot of my friends aren ’ t , and they ’ re worried sick , ” Nicholson said .
“ They deserve to be here just as much as I do .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me more important than them , just because they came here in the 1800s doesn ’ t make them any different.
” Across Los Angeles , the vast majority of the celebrations cheered the Biden victory .

Matthew Ormseth, Anita Chabria, Stephanie Lai, Jaclyn Cosgrove

Dejected Trump supporters struggled to accept that their candidate had lost his bid for reelection.
Thomas Nguyen, 61, took his place in a line of Trump supporters at a rally Saturday on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, sporting a “Vietnamese Americans for Trump” T-shirt and waving an American flag.
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Nguyen, an accountant, was incensed by what he described as the Democrats’ attempts to “steal” the election with illegitimate votes. President Trump and his supporters have accused Democrats of election fraud, offering no evidence to back it up. So far, courts have rejected GOP efforts to stop the voting counting over unfounded fraud concerns.
Asked if he would recognize Joe Biden as president should Trump concede, Nguyen said, “He will never concede, because the righteous will always win.”
It was a dejecting ending to a divisive campaign for Trump supporters in California. Far outnumbered in a deep blue state, the Trump faithful had been gathering for rallies in Beverly Hills for several weeks. They knew they were not going to turn California but wanted to show the president that he had some support here.
The small group of supporters who came Saturday said they fear what will happen once Trump leaves office.
Trump supporters yell at Biden supporters passing their rally in Beverly Hills. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Nguyen approves of Trump’s approach to economic regulation, his handling of the pandemic — “He’s done an excellent job” — and his elevating conservative justices to the United States Supreme Court.
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Nguyen criticized Biden supporters who streamed past, many with middle fingers extended and the song “F— Donald Trump” blasting from their speakers. “They say bad words: ‘F Trump.’ They even have a song,” he said. “We don’t say, ‘F Biden.’”
Unlike most people at the rally, Nguyen was wearing a mask, but he explained that he only wore it because it was emblazoned with Trump’s face.
Carrie Johnson, who drove to Beverly Hills in a caravan from Mission Viejo, said she doesn’t recognize the Associated Press and other media (including Fox News) calling the race in Biden’s favor.
“The media doesn’t decide the election — the people do,” she said.
Were Biden to take office, Johnson said she wouldn’t recognize him as president.
“I don’t think any of us are going to acknowledge Biden as our president,” she said.
Johnson, who lives in Orange County, said she is particularly concerned about “national mask mandates” and “mass vaccines” she worries could be coming, and beyond that, an erosion of civil liberties.
She added it might take a Biden administration for “Americans to wake up and realize what we have.”
Across most of L.A., there were celebrations in the street for Biden. But in Beverly Hills, the Trump supporter did get a bit of support. “Don’t lose hope!” one woman called out from a yellow Jeep, which made several rounds around the Beverly Hills rally, decorated in several Trump and American flags and a sign that read, “Voter fraud is real in America.”
Just hours after networks called the election for Biden, Trump supporters began gathering at California’s Capitol, where a smaller contingent of Biden supporters also staked out a spot on a street corner, waving sings for the president-elect as a caravan of a dozen cars with Trump and American flags went by.
While the two sides were mostly peaceful, tempers were on edge. At an intersection, a skateboarder crossing in front of a blue Jeep with a large Trump flag gave its occupants double middle fingers before spitting on the vehicle and riding away. The driver of the Jeep jumped out and gave chase for about half a block before giving up.
Trump and Biden supporters came face to face at an intersection near the Capitol with neither side willing to cede ground or the election. They screamed at each other that the other candidate was racist and their man had won.
Dozens gathered along the Huntington Beach Pier divided in two camps of Biden and Trump supporters. The sound of cars honking nearly drowned out the rain. Danielle Manatt and Destinee Nicholson, both 25, cheered and shouted as cars with Biden signs passed and booed at cars with Trump flags.
The two Biden supporters awoke this morning and popped Champagne. They didn’t plan on joining the rally, but saw a lone Biden supporter at the corner as they were leaving from Starbucks with their chestnut praline lattes. As young women in a conservative city, they knew they should join.
The women’s rights advocates could not wait to see Harris at the helm. It brought the best friends to tears.
“She’s opened doors for all of us, we shouldn’t have to argue that women should have rights to their own bodies,” Manatt said. “It’s like we’ve been going back in time,” Nicholson said. The two Huntington Beach residents were shocked to see their city become the poster child of Trumpism this year.
They called the surrounding Trump supporters embarrassing.
“Since I’m white, I haven’t had to worry that much, but a lot of my friends aren’t, and they’re worried sick,” Nicholson said. “They deserve to be here just as much as I do. My ancestors are from France so what makes me more important than them, just because they came here in the 1800s doesn’t make them any different.”


latimes--2020-11-07--Mothers and daughters celebrate a historic win: Harris (and Biden, too)

Linda Parrick , sleep-deprived since election day , got up early .
Meditated .
Checked the news .
( No news . )
And had just sat down in her Long Beach home to watch the University of Michigan Wolverines take on the Indiana University Hoosiers .
Shauna Davis was surrounded by hundreds of women and men who had gathered Saturday morning in Downtown Los Angeles to demand that the election process be protected from the partisan interference that surged as President Trump lost ground during the slow , slow vote count .
And Anita Ross was curled up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raced in .
The 10-year-old had spent the week obsessively watching the electoral vote count ’ s glacial progress .
On Saturday morning , she had news .
The wait was over .
Sen. Kamala Harris had been elected vice president , the first woman to reach that near pinnacle of U.S. politics .
Oh yeah , and Joe Biden had prevailed over Trump in the race for the Oval Office .
Soon , mother and daughter were “ hollering and screaming , ” said Ross , who is Black and Latina .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angelina , “ there is a sense of relief that they now have a model for what is possible for them .
And so it is very , very , very inspiring.
” And “ emotional , ” she said , before pausing and choking up .
“ You know , the sky is the limit .
Just to be able to see a Black woman , an Indian American , a woman , hold the VP position — it ’ s been a long time coming.
” A century , if your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ratified , giving women the right to vote in the United States .
Women have been on major-party tickets on occasion over the past 36 years : Hillary Clinton , who lost to Trump in 2016 ; Sarah Palin , John McCain ’ s running mate in 2008 ; Geraldine Ferraro , Walter Mondale ’ s VP pick in 1984 .
But never on a winning ticket .
Until now .
Democrats — and some Republicans and independents — celebrated Saturday morning that the counting was over , that Biden and Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to public discourse .
That victory resonated even more for many women and their daughters and mothers and sisters .
Especially for those who are Black or Asian or Latina or mixed race .
When they look at Harris , they see the laughing , dancing , Chuck Taylor-wearing step-mom .
They see the former prosecutor and senator from California who grilled then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh about whether he knew “ of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body.
” They see power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis , who lives in Echo Park , danced and hopped along Hill Street in Downtown Los Angeles , holding a “ Trump Pence out now ” sign .
The demonstration to protect the vote had morphed into a celebration .
“ I ’ m feeling very excited , ” the 27-year-old said .
She said she was elated that her grandparents in Florida , who are in their 90s , were able to see the elections of the first Black president and , now , the first Black vice president .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was completely about Kamala Harris for me , ” she said .
“ I feel supreme joy and excitement.
” Melina Abdullah , co-founder of Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles , was on a family Zoom call Saturday morning when the news arrived .
Immediately , she and all her relatives started typing in the chat , saying “ Hallelujah.
” Abdullah felt overwhelming relief .
“ We weren ’ t even realizing the level of daily trauma we were experiencing at the hands of Donald Trump , ” said Abdullah , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pershing Square , she told people that they had voted out the most oppressive and violent president this country has experienced .
And she told them they should demand something in return .
“ We want good jobs and strong labor unions , and we want schools that are filled with librarians and nurses and counselors , not police .
And we want universal housing and healthcare and mental healthcare and an end to spending on jails and prisons and police who abuse our communities and families , ” she said .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman as vice president resonated on a spiritual level .
Both women attended Howard University and were members of the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha .
Abdullah recalled being inspired by Maxine Waters as a freshman in college but having few other Black women politicians to look up to .
She said her two daughters don ’ t have the same experience .
Her eldest , Thandiwe , asked Harris how she planned to hold law enforcement accountable at a town hall during the presidential primary .
“ On an emotional and symbolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not celebrate Kamala Harris , ” Abdullah said .
“ When I was their age , I never would have seen anything like that.
” Katie Kalvoda , a Vietnamese American from Laguna Hills , booked a hotel room in Washington , D.C. , for her family after learning of Biden ’ s and Harris ’ victory .
The mother of two daughters had had election coverage playing on the television since Tuesday and promised her daughters a trip to the White House if their candidates prevailed .
While Kalvoda was proud to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see Harris make history .
“ She broke the ultimate glass and bamboo ceiling , ” Kalvoda said .
“ I have no words for what this means for my daughters , who get to grow up with Harris as a role model.
” Kalvoda got involved with politics after Trump was elected in 2016 and serves as a board member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Victory Fund .
Throughout the election season , her 10- and 12-year-old daughters were right beside her .
“ They made check-in lists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars , ” she said .
“ A friend of my daughter ’ s even asked Andrew Yang a question when he was at an event at my house.
” Kalvoda ’ s mission aligns with Harris ’ symbolic win : She wants to empower young women and Asian voters — because Harris ’ victory did just that for Kalvoda ’ s family .
“ The Asian American community can coalesce in this , ” Kalvoda said .
“ We don ’ t all have to be Indian American to celebrate that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrant.
” Faraja Isingo brought his 9-year-old daughter , Fortney , to the White House Saturday evening to celebrate the historic moment .
Isingo was born in Nebraska , grew up in Tanzania and returned to the United States when he was 12 .
“ First of all , I ’ ve come here and brought my daughter to witness this special event in her lifetime , Kamala and Biden , ” Faraja said .
“ We are just so excited to witness the first Black woman elected as vice president , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India.
” Fortney wore sparkly white boots with fuzzy trim and held two sunflowers .
She looked down at the White House from atop her father ’ s shoulders .
She peered over the tall fence surrounding that seat of power .
She said she wants to be a doctor when she grows up , “ because I think it makes me smart , and I like to study.
” But she also said she thinks more little girls will consider the big house in front of her , “ now that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be vice president.
” Vives and Castillo reported from Los Angeles , Chabria from Sacramento , O ’ Toole from Washington , D.C. , and La Ganga from Boise , Idaho .
Seema Mehta in Los Angeles and Stephanie Lai in Orange County contributed to this report .

Andrea Castillo, Ruben Vives, Anita Chabria, Maria L. La Ganga, Molly O'Toole

Abeer Mahmoud, 35, holds up her daughter Asset Taha, 3 months, as they participate in the celebration Saturday outside Los Angeles City Hall.
Linda Parrick, sleep-deprived since election day, got up early. Meditated. Checked the news. (No news.) And had just sat down in her Long Beach home to watch the University of Michigan Wolverines take on the Indiana University Hoosiers.
Shauna Davis was surrounded by hundreds who had gathered Saturday morning in downtown Los Angeles to demand the election process be protected from partisan interference.
And Anita Ross was curled up in bed in Sacramento when her daughter Kameela raced in. The 10-year-old had spent the week obsessively watching the electoral vote count’s glacial progress. On Saturday morning, she had news.
The wait was over. Sen. Kamala Harris had been elected vice president, the first woman to reach that near pinnacle of U.S. politics. Oh, yeah — and Joe Biden had prevailed over President Trump in the race for the Oval Office.
Soon, mother and daughter were “hollering and screaming,” said Ross, who is Black and Latina. For her daughters, Kameela and 12-year-old Angelina, “there is a sense of relief that they now have a model for what is possible for them. And so it is very, very, very inspiring.”
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And “emotional,” she said, before pausing and choking up. “Just to be able to see a Black woman, an Indian American, a woman, hold the VP position — it’s been a long time coming.”
Sonia Eberhard, 36, with her daughter Katrina, 2, celebrated outside Los Angeles City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A century, if your starting date is when the 19th amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote in the United States. Women have been on major-party tickets on occasion over the past 36 years: Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016; Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate in 2008; Geraldine Ferraro, Walter Mondale’s VP pick in 1984.
But never on a winning ticket. Until now.
Democrats — and some Republicans and independents — celebrated Saturday that the counting was over, that civility was soon to return to public discourse. That victory resonated even more for many women and their daughters and mothers and sisters — especially for those who are Black or Asian or Latina or of mixed race.
When they look at Harris, they see the laughing, dancing, Chuck Taylor-wearing stepmom. They see the former prosecutor and senator from California who grilled then-Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh about whether he knew “of any laws that give government the power to make decisions about the male body.”
They see the ebullient political warrior who took the stage Saturday night as vice president-elect, resplendent in suffragist white, and declared: “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”
They see power and poise. They see themselves.
Marlo Jaye, left, and Sade Elhawary outside Los Angeles City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
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Davis, who lives in Echo Park, danced and hopped along Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles, holding a “Trump Pence out now” sign. The demonstration to protect the vote had morphed into a celebration. “I’m feeling very excited,” the 27-year-old said.
She was elated that her grandparents in Florida, who are in their 90s, were able to see the elections of the first Black president and, now, the first Black vice president. She was single-minded in her revelry.
“It was completely about Kamala Harris for me,” she said. “I feel supreme joy and excitement.”
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, was on a family Zoom call Saturday morning when the news arrived. Immediately, she and all her relatives started typing in the chat, saying “Hallelujah.” Abdullah felt overwhelming relief.
“We weren’t even realizing the level of daily trauma we were experiencing at the hands of Donald Trump,” said Abdullah, who is Black. At a rally in Pershing Square, she told people that they had voted out the most oppressive and violent president this country has experienced. And she told them they should demand something in return.
Abdullah, like Harris, attended Howard University and was a member of the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. Abdullah was inspired by Maxine Waters as a freshman in college but had few other Black women politicians to look up to.
She said her two daughters don’t have the same experience. Her eldest, Thandiwe, asked Harris how she planned to hold law enforcement accountable at a town hall during the presidential primary.
“On an emotional and symbolic level, it’s difficult to not celebrate Kamala Harris,” Abdullah said. “When I was their age, I never would have seen anything like that.”
Katie Kalvoda, a Vietnamese American from Laguna Hills, booked a hotel room in Washington, D.C., for her family after learning of Biden’s and Harris’ victory. She had promised her daughters a trip to the White House if their candidates prevailed.
Kalvoda was proud to have backed Biden, but she was prouder to see Harris make history.
“She broke the ultimate glass and bamboo ceiling,” Kalvoda said. “I have no words for what this means for my daughters, who get to grow up with Harris as a role model.”
Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro heard the news about the Democrats’ victory while she was working in her Los Angeles office on a book about the history of African American political thought. She had just taken a break when her sister and mother sent a joint text.
Politics Kamala Harris makes history many times over as vice president-elect Kamala Harris will be the first female vice president, as well as the first Black and Asian American person to occupy that post.
Hancock Alfaro is chairwoman of the department of political science and international relations at USC. She is also in “a family of all women.”
“We take this very, very seriously, and we’re very excited about Kamala Harris being the vice president-elect,” she said.
Hancock Alfaro, who is Black, said her youngest sister and mother “were very concerned that America, other voters in other states, would still not be progressive enough” to vote for Harris, a woman of color. “I think she had quite the opposite impact,” Hancock Alfaro added.
Although the jubilation was probably loudest in California, Harris’ home state, women across the country, from blue states and red, celebrated the historic announcement Saturday.
In Houston, Margie Beegle, 79, was sitting down Saturday morning to play duplicate bridge online when her partner in the game bailed. The vote count was getting too close, and her bridge partner just didn’t want to play. Then the news came.
“Kamala was my pick for president,” said Beegle, who is white. “When I heard her interview Kavanaugh — she’s smart, and she’s tough.”
California Smith: Why Kamala Harris could become an unapologetically Black vice president When Harris takes the oath of office in January, expect it to be unapologetically Black. I’m talking about Black Lives Matter flags and T-shirts up and down the National Mall.
Two of Beegle’s three daughters are avid supporters of Biden and Harris; the other voted for Trump. Beegle is delighted about Harris’ ascent, and she knows her mother would have felt the same way.
“I really think my mother should not have gotten married and had children. She was not happy as a housewife,” Beegle said. But on this day, “she would have been pleased.”
For Meghna Mahadevan, the Democrats’ win felt especially personal. Her family is from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as is Harris’. And like Harris, Mahadevan has deep roots in Oakland.
Everyone in Mahadevan’s WhatsApp group chats has been sharing news about ceremonies taking place in Indian temples. Families are sending photos of Tamil billboards that went up before the election in Harris’ ancestral hometown of Thulasendrapuram. One spoke of the pride Indians have that Harris, “a daughter of the land,” was poised to become the U.S. vice president.
“It’s a really big moment,” said Mahadevan, 27, in a telephone interview from Atlanta, her voice drowned out by cheers from the celebration at Freedom Park.
“So many of us within our Tamil community … we’re all so excited,” she said. “It’s just this wild feeling of this amazing representation.”
Although Mahadevan said she doesn’t necessarily align with Harris’ politics, she was excited about “holding this person accountable to speaking up for our communities.”
Faraja Isingo brought his 9-year-old daughter, Fortney, to the White House Saturday evening to celebrate the historic moment. Isingo was born in Nebraska, grew up in Tanzania and returned to the United States when he was 12.
“First of all, I’ve come here and brought my daughter to witness this special event in her lifetime, Kamala and Biden,” Faraja said. “We are just so excited to witness the first Black woman elected as vice president, with her father from Jamaica and her mother India.”
Fortney wore sparkly white boots with fuzzy trim and held two sunflowers. She looked down at the White House from atop her father’s shoulders.
She said she wants to be a doctor when she grows up, “because I think it makes me smart, and I like to study.”
But she also said she thinks more little girls will consider the big house in front of her, “now that there is a girl who is gonna be vice president.”
Vives and Castillo reported from Los Angeles, Chabria from Sacramento and La Ganga from Boise, Idaho. Seema Mehta, Arit John, Priya Krishnakumar and Matthew Ormseth in Los Angeles; Brittny Mejia in Las Vegas; Molly O’Toole in Washington; Susanne Rust in Berkeley and Stephanie Lai in Orange County contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-07--Column: Why Kamala Harris could become an unapologetically Black vice president

For the first time in American history , we will have a vice president who looks like me — Black like me and a woman like me .
It ’ s strange to even be able to type that after enduring four , long years of ruthless attacks on everything having to do with my race and my gender , led by our lame duck , sorry excuse for a president , Donald Trump .
But here we are , celebrating with impromptu marches and cowbell ringing , horn honking , pot clanging and fist raising .
“ We did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President-elect Kamala Harris told President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday morning .
“ You ’ re going to be the next president of the United States , ” she added , laughing and raking a hand through her hair .
For millions of Americans , what is most meaningful is that she did it .
As Joel Goldstein , law professor emeritus at St. Louis University and an expert on the vice presidency , told my colleague Melanie Mason this could be “ the first time in American history that the election of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the election of the president.
” Harris went from being the first Black woman to serve as California ’ s attorney general , to being the second Black woman to serve as a U.S. senator , to being the first Black person , the first South Asian American and the first woman to serve as vice president .
Talk about smashing glass ceilings .
But if you think you know what ’ s coming next based on eight years of watching the Obamas shatter ceilings , trust me when I say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
When Harris takes the oath of office in January , expect it to be unapologetically Black .
I ’ m talking about Black Lives Matter flags and T-shirts up and down the National Mall , assuming we get a break in the pandemic long enough to have an inauguration along the lines of what we ’ ve had in the past .
Alumni from historically Black colleges and universities will be out in force .
You might spot a marching band or two .
And pink and green — expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pink and green , the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha , the historically Black sorority that Harris joined while attending Howard University .
Don ’ t be alarmed when most of these women , her sorors , start screaming “ skee wee.
” It ’ s the way AKAs greet each other , and it will reverberate so loudly and at such a high pitch that you ’ ll swear it will shatter whatever glass ceiling Harris has left untouched .
Already , there have been impromptu step shows in the streets by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sororities .
On Saturday evening , several alumni gathered on the Yard at Howard , taking turns snapping pictures by an AKA tree and a Biden-Harris yard sign .
” It ’ s been a day full of pride , ” Angelia Garner , an AKA and a lawyer who went to undergrad at Howard , told my colleague Brian Contreras .
“ Pride in AKA , pride in Howard , pride in HBCUs , pride in Black Greek life , pride in people of color.
” The reason for all of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 .
When Barack Obama was elected president that year , he had an impossibly fine line to walk simply because he was the first .
He was forced to fit into a box to succeed , a Faustian bargain if ever there was one .
Ta-Nehisi Coates put it best his 2012 essay , “ Fear of a Black President , ” in the Atlantic .
“ Part of Obama ’ s genius , ” he wrote , “ is a remarkable ability to soothe race consciousness among whites .
Any black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional world is well acquainted with this trick .
But never has it been practiced at such a high level , and never have its limits been so obviously exposed.
” Early in his presidency , Obama took heat from all sides , including from Black people .
He was too detached , too cerebral , too calm in the face of blatant racism , too intent on avoiding the angry Black man stereotype at all costs .
Meanwhile , every fist bump with his wife , Michelle , and every rapper invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And don ’ t even get me started on the backlash he received after saying that Trayvon Martin , the Black teenager shot to death in Florida , “ could have been my son.
” It took until nearly the end of his presidency for him to seem comfortable enough to be the Black man that we see more of today .
The one not only sinking three-pointers in dress slacks while on the campaign trail for Biden and Harris , but openly gloating about it .
Of course , Harris has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly during her debate with Vice President Mike Pence , in which she had to navigate the Trump campaign ’ s petty attempts to paint her as an angry Black woman .
But what ’ s different for Harris in 2020 than for Obama in 2008 is that Americans are just more used to seeing Black people be unapologetically Black .
It ’ s the logical byproduct of years of constant trolling by Trump , and a series of existential crises that have pushed Black Americans to the brink .
Gone are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police departments that continue to kill Black people disproportionately or when demanding help for a pandemic that also is disproportionately killing Black people .
As we ’ ve fought back , public support for Black Lives Matter has soared .
We aren ’ t as restrained in public as we used to be , which , in turn , has created space for Harris to be her full self in public , to embody all of her identities and feel less of a need to code switch .
The question is whether she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let her guard down in a way that she often didn ’ t while serving in office in California .
But with every new ceiling that gets shattered , being Black and proud means something different .
In the highest rungs of government , Obama got to define the last chapter .
Harris will get to define the next one .
“ I ’ m Black , and I ’ m proud of being Black , ” Harris said last year on “ The Breakfast Club.
” “ I was born Black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not going to make excuses for anybody because they don ’ t understand.
” This is what progress looks like .

For the first time in American history, we will have a vice president who looks like me — Black like me and a woman like me.
It’s strange to even be able to type that after enduring four, long years of ruthless attacks on everything having to do with my race and my gender, led by our lame duck, sorry excuse for a president, Donald Trump. But here we are, celebrating with impromptu marches and cowbell ringing, horn honking, pot clanging and fist raising.
“We did it, Joe,” an emotional Vice President-elect Kamala Harris told President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday morning. “You’re going to be the next president of the United States,” she added, laughing and raking a hand through her hair.
For millions of Americans, what is most meaningful is that she did it.
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As Joel Goldstein, law professor emeritus at St. Louis University and an expert on the vice presidency, told my colleague Melanie Mason this could be “the first time in American history that the election of the vice president would be more historic than the election of the president.”
Harris went from being the first Black woman to serve as California’s attorney general, to being the second Black woman to serve as a U.S. senator, to being the first Black person, the first South Asian American and the first woman to serve as vice president. Talk about smashing glass ceilings.
But if you think you know what’s coming next based on eight years of watching the Obamas shatter ceilings, trust me when I say that you don’t know the half of it.
When Harris takes the oath of office in January, expect it to be unapologetically Black. I’m talking about Black Lives Matter flags and T-shirts up and down the National Mall, assuming we get a break in the pandemic long enough to have an inauguration along the lines of what we’ve had in the past.
Alumni from historically Black colleges and universities will be out in force. You might spot a marching band or two.
And pink and green — expect to see so many Black women in pink and green, the colors of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the historically Black sorority that Harris joined while attending Howard University.
Don’t be alarmed when most of these women, her sorors, start screaming “skee wee.” It’s the way AKAs greet each other, and it will reverberate so loudly and at such a high pitch that you’ll swear it will shatter whatever glass ceiling Harris has left untouched. Already, there have been impromptu step shows in the streets by AKAs and other historically Black fraternities and sororities.
Advertisement
On Saturday evening, several alumni gathered on the Yard at Howard, taking turns snapping pictures by an AKA tree and a Biden-Harris yard sign.
”It’s been a day full of pride,” Angelia Garner, an AKA and a lawyer who went to undergrad at Howard, told my colleague Brian Contreras. “Pride in AKA, pride in Howard, pride in HBCUs, pride in Black Greek life, pride in people of color.”
The reason for all of this is because this is 2020, not 2008.
When Barack Obama was elected president that year, he had an impossibly fine line to walk simply because he was the first. He was forced to fit into a box to succeed, a Faustian bargain if ever there was one. Ta-Nehisi Coates put it best his 2012 essay, “Fear of a Black President,” in the Atlantic.
“Part of Obama’s genius,” he wrote, “is a remarkable ability to soothe race consciousness among whites. Any black person who’s worked in the professional world is well acquainted with this trick. But never has it been practiced at such a high level, and never have its limits been so obviously exposed.”
Early in his presidency, Obama took heat from all sides, including from Black people. He was too detached, too cerebral, too calm in the face of blatant racism, too intent on avoiding the angry Black man stereotype at all costs.
Meanwhile, every fist bump with his wife, Michelle, and every rapper invited to the White House drew headlines. And don’t even get me started on the backlash he received after saying that Trayvon Martin, the Black teenager shot to death in Florida, “could have been my son.”
It took until nearly the end of his presidency for him to seem comfortable enough to be the Black man that we see more of today. The one not only sinking three-pointers in dress slacks while on the campaign trail for Biden and Harris, but openly gloating about it.
We call her sister, and now the nation calls her Madam Vice President!
Congratulations to America's first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president-elect Kamala Harris. You represent the new face of political power and continue to be a barrier-breaker. #OurMadamVP pic.twitter.com/joIGK6LZoM — Alpha Kappa Alpha (@akasorority1908) November 7, 2020
Of course, Harris has had to walk this fine line, too, particularly during her debate with Vice President Mike Pence, in which she had to navigate the Trump campaign’s petty attempts to paint her as an angry Black woman.
But what’s different for Harris in 2020 than for Obama in 2008 is that Americans are just more used to seeing Black people be unapologetically Black.
It’s the logical byproduct of years of constant trolling by Trump, and a series of existential crises that have pushed Black Americans to the brink. Gone are the niceties when demanding the reform of police departments that continue to kill Black people disproportionately or when demanding help for a pandemic that also is disproportionately killing Black people.
As we’ve fought back, public support for Black Lives Matter has soared. We aren’t as restrained in public as we used to be, which, in turn, has created space for Harris to be her full self in public, to embody all of her identities and feel less of a need to code switch.
The question is whether she will choose to do that, and let her guard down in a way that she often didn’t while serving in office in California.
But with every new ceiling that gets shattered, being Black and proud means something different. In the highest rungs of government, Obama got to define the last chapter. Harris will get to define the next one.
“I’m Black, and I’m proud of being Black,” Harris said last year on “The Breakfast Club.” “I was born Black. I will die Black, and I’m not going to make excuses for anybody because they don’t understand.”
This is what progress looks like.


latimes--2020-11-07--Photos: Fireworks, Champagne and dancing in the streets of L.A. as Biden and Harris win

The sounds of celebration rose up from the streets of Silver Lake , Hollywood , Glendale .
Angelenos rejoiced at @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
In , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris became the first woman , the first @ @ @ @ @ Asian American to win the office .

The sounds of celebration rose up from the streets of Silver Lake, Hollywood, Glendale.
Angelenos rejoiced at the news Saturday that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump to win the presidency . In a history-making turn , Vice President-elect Kamala Harris became the first woman, the first Black person and the first South Asian American to win the office. Here are some scenes across Los Angeles as supporters held rallies and celebrations for each candidate.
A Biden supporter does a back flip off the hood of a car in celebration along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on Saturday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Motorists along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood celebrate Saturday on the news of Joe Biden’s victory over President Trump. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
People celebrate along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood on Saturday after Joe Biden wins the presidency. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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People embrace in West Hollywood as President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a televised victory rally Saturday evening. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Erica Clum sets off fireworks celebrating Joe Biden’s win in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
People celebrate the election results along Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
An L.A. protest turned into a celebration as news broke of Joe Biden beating President Trump in the 2020 presidential election. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
A Biden supporter yells from his car in celebration along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Revelers hold up signs through their sunroofs in downtown L.A. as they celebrate Biden’s victory. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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People pop open Champagne and wave flags along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
People celebrate along Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Abby Boyle celebrates Joe Biden’s victory in downtown Los Angeles by drinking Champagne. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
A supporter of President Trump yells at a rival protester during a rally for the president in Beverly Hills on Saturday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Marlo Jaye, left, and Sade Elhawary celebrate Joe Biden’s win near Los Angeles City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
President Trump supporters walk past riot-control police vehicles on their way to a rally in Beverly Hills. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
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Mark Richardson, carrying a “You’re fired” sign, joins a rally that began as a protest against President Trump and turned into a celebration when the news broke that Joe Biden had won the election. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Lane, left, and Devon Provo celebrate Joe Biden’s win at Pershing Square downtown. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Canei Womack, wearing a mask that says, “Black women are divine,” celebrates Joe Biden’s win in Pershing Square on Saturday in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles police officers watch as crowds celebrate outside Los Angeles City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A demonstrator carries a Mexican flag during a protest that turned into a celebration for Joe Biden in L.A. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
People celebrate Joe Biden’s win near Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Motorists show their support for Joe Biden at a rally in downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Baya Khemakhem, 11, waving a mini-American flag, celebrates Joe Biden’s win near Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Sham Taha, 35, holds up son Asset, 3, on his shoulders as they participate in the celebration outside Los Angeles City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-11-07--A joyous celebration springs up at the Berkeley house where Kamala Harris grew up

On a block along Berkeley ’ s Bancroft Way , in front of the small , yellow house where Sen. Kamala Harris , the vice president-elect , grew up , there was a small but festive celebration Saturday afternoon .
As feel-good songs such as “ I Got ta Feeling ” by Black Eyed Peas and “ Happy ” by Pharrell Williams played , people danced , waved streamers and flags and blew giant bubbles .
Sisters Sharon McGaffie and Judy Robinson stood on their front porch , two houses away , watching the joyous party that formed spontaneously mid-morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said McGaffie , who recalled a young Harris sleeping at her house and the two families spending time together .
Their mothers , said McGaffie , were close friends .
Kamala Harris grew up in Berkeley , but she was born in Oakland , which also took pride in their native daughter on Saturday .
“ From Oaktown to the Oval , y ’ all , ” tweeted Maya Harris , a lawyer who is the sister of the vice president-elect .
But it was Berkeley who knew Kamala Harris in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have predicted that the young Harris would be in the White House , McGaffie laughed and said no — adding that it never would have occurred to her back then that such an opportunity would be available : Presidents and vice presidents were always white and male .
The pride she has for her childhood neighbor is enormous .
“ For black women , this moment is huge .
Kamala shows the strength and power we have , and it ’ s so big to have her there , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer , I felt like I couldn ’ t breathe , ” she said .
“ Remember how we all talked about that ?
How we couldn ’ t breathe ?
” “ I woke up this morning and felt like I was finally able to take a breath , ” she said .
McGaffie ’ s daughter , Saniyyah Smith , soon joined the women on the steps .
They reminisced about the friendship between McGaffie and Robinson ’ s mother , Regina Shelton , and Harris ’ mother , Shyamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always used the Shelton family ’ s Bible when she has been sworn in for public office .
The thought that it will be used again for such a momentous occasion was unbelievable , she said .
“ And I look at my own daughter , and I know that she now has the opportunity to dream of reaching the top , ” she said of her 12-year-old .
“ She can be anything she wants to be .
”

From left, Saniyyah Smith, Sharon McGaffie and Judy Robinson stand on the steps of McGaffie’s and Robinson’s mother’s home. They grew up two doors down from vice president-elect Kamala Harris.
On a block along Berkeley’s Bancroft Way, in front of the small, yellow house where Sen. Kamala Harris, the vice president-elect, grew up, there was a small but festive celebration Saturday afternoon.
As feel-good songs such as “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas and “Happy” by Pharrell Williams played, people danced, waved streamers and flags and blew giant bubbles.
Sisters Sharon McGaffie and Judy Robinson stood on their front porch, two houses away, watching the joyous party that formed spontaneously mid-morning.
“I’m thrilled,” said McGaffie, who recalled a young Harris sleeping at her house and the two families spending time together. Their mothers, said McGaffie, were close friends.
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Kamala Harris grew up in Berkeley, but she was born in Oakland, which also took pride in their native daughter on Saturday.
“From Oaktown to the Oval, y’all,” tweeted Maya Harris, a lawyer who is the sister of the vice president-elect.
From Oaktown to the Oval, y’all...!✊🏾 — Maya Harris (@mayaharris_) November 7, 2020
But it was Berkeley who knew Kamala Harris in her formative years.
Asked if she could have predicted that the young Harris would be in the White House, McGaffie laughed and said no — adding that it never would have occurred to her back then that such an opportunity would be available: Presidents and vice presidents were always white and male.
The pride she has for her childhood neighbor is enormous.
“For black women, this moment is huge. Kamala shows the strength and power we have, and it’s so big to have her there,” she said.
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Books 11 photos that show Kamala Harris’ childhood in Oakland and life before politics In her new book, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” Kamala Harris tells the story of her rise from a young girl growing up in Oakland to her 2016 election as U.S. senator from California.
Robinson agreed.
“After that George Floyd murder this summer, I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “Remember how we all talked about that? How we couldn’t breathe?”
She sighed audibly.
“I woke up this morning and felt like I was finally able to take a breath,” she said.
McGaffie’s daughter, Saniyyah Smith, soon joined the women on the steps. They reminisced about the friendship between McGaffie and Robinson’s mother, Regina Shelton, and Harris’ mother, Shyamala Harris.
Smith said the vice president-elect has always used the Shelton family’s Bible when she has been sworn in for public office. The thought that it will be used again for such a momentous occasion was unbelievable, she said.
“And I look at my own daughter, and I know that she now has the opportunity to dream of reaching the top,” she said of her 12-year-old. “She can be anything she wants to be.”


latimes--2020-11-07--Car caravans of joy parade through L.A. streets after Biden-Harris victory

Los Angeles car culture met collective joy on Saturday afternoon , as honking cars festooned with flags and homemade signs clogged Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood after Joe Biden defeated President Trump .
People leaned out of sunroofs and passenger side windows , clanging pots and pans , flashing peace signs and raising fists .
For block after West Hollywood block , the cars were met by pedestrians dancing in the streets , and clusters of masked individuals gathering for impromptu parties .
At a red light , a driver for a shipping company exited his vehicle and danced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopping back in .
Two masked women stood on a street corner pouring Champagne into paper cups .
Everyone appeared hungry for connection and communal celebration , with passersby and people in cars screaming and waving at each other .
“ I see you !
” a sign-holding man yelled , as he pointed at the people cheering from inside a BMW .
Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake resembled a continuous , slow-moving victory parade , as motorists laid on their horns and passengers leaned out of car windows , waving American flags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I didn ’ t breathe since Tuesday , ” said Bernadette Colomine , who took a break from dancing on the side of the boulevard to speak with a reporter .
“ But now , ” she said with an audible exhale , “ it ’ s all over.
” Colomine , 62 , a voice-over actress , said she felt both “ anger and elation ” that a woman had been elected vice president .
Anger , she said , that it has taken this long ; elation that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as the Republican Party ’ s “ war on women.
” “ It ’ s so overdue , ” Colomine said , “ and at the same time , it ’ s unbelievable it has finally happened .
”

Los Angeles car culture met collective joy on Saturday afternoon, as honking cars festooned with flags and homemade signs clogged Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood after Joe Biden defeated President Trump. People leaned out of sunroofs and passenger side windows, clanging pots and pans, flashing peace signs and raising fists.
For block after West Hollywood block, the cars were met by pedestrians dancing in the streets, and clusters of masked individuals gathering for impromptu parties.
At a red light, a driver for a shipping company exited his vehicle and danced all the way around the truck before hopping back in. Two masked women stood on a street corner pouring Champagne into paper cups.
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Everyone appeared hungry for connection and communal celebration, with passersby and people in cars screaming and waving at each other.
“I see you!” a sign-holding man yelled, as he pointed at the people cheering from inside a BMW.
Nearby, a middle-aged man walked past a gas station holding a sign scrawled with a simple phrase: “There is hope.”
Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake resembled a continuous, slow-moving victory parade, as motorists laid on their horns and passengers leaned out of car windows, waving American flags and beating saucepans, tambourines and cowbells.
“I didn’t breathe since Tuesday,” said Bernadette Colomine, who took a break from dancing on the side of the boulevard to speak with a reporter. “But now,” she said with an audible exhale, “it’s all over.”
Colomine, 62, a voice-over actress, said she felt both “anger and elation” that a woman had been elected vice president. Anger, she said, that it has taken this long; elation that the tide has seemingly turned on what she described as the Republican Party’s “war on women.”
“It’s so overdue,” Colomine said, “and at the same time, it’s unbelievable it has finally happened.”


latimes--2020-11-07--After four years of battling Trump, California politicians welcome Biden-Harris win

For four years , the dominant politics in the Golden State was Trump vs. California .
The state Democratic Party emerged as the heart of the resistance to Trump ’ s policies , from immigration and the environment to fire prevention and criminal justice .
California has filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration , which regularly takes shots at the state for what officials claim are failed policies .
Now , the election of Joe Biden will fundamentally reset the relationship between California and Washington at a crucial moment of the pandemic and the economic fallout from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news of Biden ’ s victory meet with cheers from California elected officials .
“ It ’ s time for America to unite and heal — and @ JoeBiden will bring us together and move us forward .
I ’ m so excited for this country and for what ’ s to come .
Thank you , Mr. President-Elect.
” — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti “ You ’ ve made history , @ KamalaHarris .
Today is a bright day for America and for our future -- especially for the millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who see themselves in you .
Thank you and congratulations , Madam Vice President-Elect !
” Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez `` `` The people have spoken .
Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris .
With new leadership , comes hope and possibility of real change .
We owe this victory to our Black and Latino brothers and sisters — our friends , our family and our community — those who showed up to vote , and those most affected by this pandemic who continue to build this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and economic opportunity , those who have everything to lose -- they delivered us to the finish line.
” — Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tem Joe Buscaino “ Congratulations President-Elect Biden on what is already a historic presidency .
From the record-breaking number of votes cast to America ’ s first female Vice President , California ’ s very own Kamala Harris , this election is an important moment in our history .
It is my hope that the next four years bring unity , peace , and healing to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrell `` `` The race has been called and the American people have decided : Joe Biden is the next President of the United States .
100 years after women won their right to vote , a Black woman has been elected Vice President of the United States .
This is a proud day for our nation .
Now the real work begins .
The Biden-Harris Administration and the new Congress have their work cut out for them addressing the ongoing pandemic and the economic fallout it has created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies , and repairing our wounded institutions .
For first time since Ronald Reagan , we are sending a Californian to the White House .
As our state ’ s junior senator , Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris understands the challenges we face -- whether it is the housing crisis and homelessness , or the need to expand access to mental healthcare .
She is in our corner and I can not wait to work with her and President Biden on behalf of LA County.
” — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been defeated & that the Biden-Harris team have an opportunity to undo the harm this undeserving Prez has caused the country .
My hope for the future is renewed !
Looking forward to working w/ Biden-Harris team to move our country forward !
” - — Rep. Maxine Waters ( D-Los Angeles ) ` “ Today we celebrate the possibilities and embrace the dream of full equality .
Tomorrow , we go back to work.
” — Los Angeles LGBTQ Center `` `` This was truly the victory America needed , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
From America ’ s largest state : Congratulations to the next President and Vice-President of these United States , @ JoeBiden @ KamalaHarris .
Joe Biden will treat every person with dignity & deserving of equal opportunity .
He will attack systemic injustices — not his fellow Americans .
Respect our democratic institutions & renew America ’ s place of leadership in responding to global threats like COVID & climate change .
CA ’ s own [ Harris ] is tough , passionate , persistent & has devoted a lifetime to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL .
Her ceiling-shattering accomplishment will put wings on the aspirations of young women and people of color across this country and around the world .
Together , and will turn hurt into healing and deep-seated divisions into common ground , repair our standing around the world and rally our nation together in this time of unprecedented crisis.
” — California Gov .
Gavin Newsom “ I could not be prouder to congratulate our next President , Joe Biden , and our next First Lady , Jill Biden .
I also couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Doug Emhoff for Kamala ’ s groundbreaking election as our next Vice President .
In this election , under circumstances never experienced , Americans turned out in numbers never seen .
And once every vote is counted , President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will have won a historic and decisive victory.
” — President Barack Obama

For four years, the dominant politics in the Golden State was Trump vs. California.
The state Democratic Party emerged as the heart of the resistance to Trump’s policies, from immigration and the environment to fire prevention and criminal justice. California has filed more than 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration, which regularly takes shots at the state for what officials claim are failed policies.
Now, the election of Joe Biden will fundamentally reset the relationship between California and Washington at a crucial moment of the pandemic and the economic fallout from COVID-19.
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So it was no surprise the news of Biden’s victory meet with cheers from California elected officials.
Here is a sampling:
“It’s time for America to unite and heal — and @JoeBiden will bring us together and move us forward. I’m so excited for this country and for what’s to come. Thank you, Mr. President-Elect.”
— Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
“You’ve made history, @KamalaHarris. Today is a bright day for America and for our future -- especially for the millions of women and girls across this country who see themselves in you. Thank you and congratulations,
Madam Vice President-Elect!”
Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez
``”The people have spoken. Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. With new leadership, comes hope and possibility of real change. We owe this victory to our Black and Latino brothers and
sisters — our friends, our family and our community — those who showed up to vote, and those most affected by this pandemic who continue to build this country, despite the lack of social and economic opportunity, those who have everything to lose -- they delivered us to the finish line.”
— Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tem Joe Buscaino
“Congratulations President-Elect Biden on what is already a historic presidency. From the record-breaking number of votes cast to America’s first female Vice President, California’s very own Kamala Harris, this election is an important moment in our history. It is my hope that the next four years bring unity, peace, and healing to our divided nation.”
— Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell
``”The race has been called and the American people have decided: Joe Biden is the next President of the United States. 100 years after women won their right to vote, a Black woman has been elected Vice President of the
United States. This is a proud day for our nation. Now the real work begins. The Biden-Harris Administration and the new Congress have their work cut out for them addressing the ongoing pandemic and the economic fallout it has created, earning back the confidence of our allies, and repairing our wounded institutions. For first time since Ronald Reagan, we are sending a Californian to the White House. As our state’s junior senator, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris understands the challenges we face -- whether it is the housing crisis and homelessness, or the need to expand access to mental healthcare. She is in our corner and I cannot wait to work with her and President Biden on behalf of LA County.”
— Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
``’’I am exceedingly overjoyed that Trump has been defeated & that the Biden-Harris team have an opportunity to undo the harm this undeserving Prez has caused the country. My hope for the future is renewed! Looking forward to working w/ Biden-Harris team to move our country forward!” - — Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)
`
“Today we celebrate the possibilities and embrace the dream of full equality. Tomorrow, we go back to work.”
— Los Angeles LGBTQ Center
``”This was truly the victory America needed, to be the America we know we can be. From America’s largest state: Congratulations to the next President and Vice-President of these United States, @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris. Joe Biden will treat every person with dignity & deserving of equal opportunity. He will attack systemic injustices — not his fellow Americans. Respect our democratic institutions & renew America’s place of leadership in responding to global threats like COVID & climate change. CA’s own [Harris] is tough, passionate, persistent & has devoted a lifetime to the highest American ideal of justice for ALL. Her ceiling-shattering accomplishment will put wings on the aspirations of young women and people of color across this country and around the world. Together, and will turn hurt into healing and deep-seated divisions into common ground, repair our standing around the world and rally our nation together in this time of unprecedented crisis.”
— California Gov. Gavin Newsom
“I could not be prouder to congratulate our next President, Joe Biden, and our next First Lady, Jill Biden. I also couldn’t be prouder to congratulate Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff for Kamala’s groundbreaking election
as our next Vice President. In this election, under circumstances never experienced, Americans turned out in numbers never seen. And once every vote is counted, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will have won a historic and decisive victory.”
— President Barack Obama


latimes--2020-11-07--Column: Good riddance, President Trump

Column: Good riddance, President Trump

I ’ m not sure this year can get any better .
Does Los Angeles have any fireworks left ?
Thank you , Philadelphia and Pennsylvania .
Thank you , Michigan and Wisconsin .
Joe Biden is not the best politician to ever play the game , and the challenges in front of him are enormous .
That ’ s especially true if the Senate holds its majority and stymies every attempt by Biden to get something done .
But the people have spoken , and they chose class over crass .
They chose decency , humility and grace over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose racial unity over blatant appeals to our worst instincts .
President Donald J. Trump , who began his presidency inflating his own inauguration day crowd and whining about the press coverage , ended election week moaning about the outcome and insisting without evidence that he was robbed .
It ’ s as if the meanest , worst-behaved child in history was put in charge of the country , and for four nightmarish years , we had to endure one tantrum after another .
If a story wasn ’ t favorable , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t deliver on his wall , or better and cheaper healthcare for all , or a national infrastructure program , it was the fault of Nancy Pelosi , or the radical left or all the Democrats who ever lived .
He mocked the appearance of women , insulted Sen. John McCain ’ s heroic Vietnam War service , attacked the Muslim parents of a U.S. serviceman killed in Iraq , insisted for years that President Obama was from Africa .
What must it have been like for the man who claimed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Abraham Lincoln to watch his presidency disintegrate as huge turnouts of black voters in Georgia and Pennsylvania turned a Trump victory into a Trump defeat ?
It ’ s over , and I ’ m betting what we ’ re looking at is two months of Trump doing two things : Actually , that ’ s not much different than what we ’ ve gotten from him the last four years .
Today is a good day for those who believe that a global pandemic is something to take seriously .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask instead of the guy who was airlifted to the hospital , and still didn ’ t get it .
Trump turned the White House into a super-spreader convention that just keeps going .
Now , it ’ s his chief of staff who ’ s fallen ill .
This is the man who wondered if you could inject disinfectants under the skin to cure the virus , and called the public health experts idiots .
This is a good day for Dr. Anthony Fauci , who deserves a medal for putting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have as president in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 235,000 lives and is surging as Trump cries about the tally , unable to see the connection between the two because his ego is the size of Jupiter .
This is the man who insisted he only hired the best and brightest , and when they turned on him or he fired him , they were the worst .
The lies and mistruths count stands at 25,000 .
Read it again .
The man who couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND TIMES !
So this is a good day for truth , and a very good day , finally , for science .
It is in fact a great day for those who have dedicated their lives to understanding the alarming degree to which the planet is in peril , even as Trump attempted to obliterate and repeal nearly 100 sensible environmental protections and climate change initiatives .
Today is a good day for the planet because there is no hope without an international strategy , and Trump walked the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden will lead us back to the table .
And it is a good day for California , which has had its strategies for dealing with climate change repeatedly nixed by the Trump administration .
Today is a good day for social media , because in two months , some of the most outrageous tweets won ’ t be coming from the White House .
“ I WON THIS ELECTION , BY A LOT !
” Trump tweeted just before Biden was declared the victor .
Of course you did , Donald .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the highest…and you all know it , ” he once tweeted .
“ Nobody has more respect for women than Donald Trump , ” he once tweeted .
“ I am the least racist person there is , ” he tweeted .
Today is a good day for teachers and for parents because they will no longer have to explain why it ’ s wrong to call people names .
Today is a good day for actually draining the swamp , because after claiming that he would , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes and go to prison for them .
The jig is up and the con is gone because 75 million Americans were exhausted by the greatest abomination in U.S. political history .
He was not defeated by his perceived enemies , or by the media .
He engineered his own demise by dividing , by failing to lead in one of the most critical moments in history , by treating the White House as a reality show set and by caring about no one but himself .
For all the swagger and confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were watching the most insecure man in history unravel before our eyes .
Way to go , Sleepy Joe .

The Lakers win, the Dodgers win, Trump loses.
I’m not sure this year can get any better.
Does Los Angeles have any fireworks left?
Thank you, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
Thank you, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Joe Biden is not the best politician to ever play the game, and the challenges in front of him are enormous. That’s especially true if the Senate holds its majority and stymies every attempt by Biden to get something done.
But the people have spoken, and they chose class over crass.
They chose decency, humility and grace over bluster, lies and buffoonery.
They chose compassion over contempt.
They chose racial unity over blatant appeals to our worst instincts.
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President Donald J. Trump, who began his presidency inflating his own inauguration day crowd and whining about the press coverage, ended election week moaning about the outcome and insisting without evidence that he was robbed.
It’s as if the meanest, worst-behaved child in history was put in charge of the country, and for four nightmarish years, we had to endure one tantrum after another.
If a story wasn’t favorable, the news was fake.
When he didn’t deliver on his wall, or better and cheaper healthcare for all, or a national infrastructure program, it was the fault of Nancy Pelosi, or the radical left or all the Democrats who ever lived.
He mocked the appearance of women, insulted Sen. John McCain’s heroic Vietnam War service, attacked the Muslim parents of a U.S. serviceman killed in Iraq, insisted for years that President Obama was from Africa.
Ding-dong, the Donald’s gone.
What must it have been like for the man who claimed he was the best thing for black people since Abraham Lincoln to watch his presidency disintegrate as huge turnouts of black voters in Georgia and Pennsylvania turned a Trump victory into a Trump defeat?
It’s over, and I’m betting what we’re looking at is two months of Trump doing two things:
Playing golf, and playing the bad loser.
Actually, that’s not much different than what we’ve gotten from him the last four years.
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Politics Kamala Harris makes history many times over as vice president-elect Kamala Harris will be the first female vice president, as well as the first Black and Asian American person to occupy that post.
Today is a good day for those who believe that a global pandemic is something to take seriously.
We voted for the guy who wears a mask instead of the guy who was airlifted to the hospital, and still didn’t get it.
Trump turned the White House into a super-spreader convention that just keeps going. Now, it’s his chief of staff who’s fallen ill.
This is the man who wondered if you could inject disinfectants under the skin to cure the virus, and called the public health experts idiots.
This is a good day for Dr. Anthony Fauci, who deserves a medal for putting up with the worst man in the world to have as president in the middle of a pandemic that has claimed more than 235,000 lives and is surging as Trump cries about the tally, unable to see the connection between the two because his ego is the size of Jupiter.
This is the man who insisted he only hired the best and brightest, and when they turned on him or he fired him, they were the worst.
The lies and mistruths count stands at 25,000.
Read it again. The man who couldn’t stop blabbing about fake news made fake claims TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND TIMES!
And never flinched.
So this is a good day for truth, and a very good day, finally, for science.
It is in fact a great day for those who have dedicated their lives to understanding the alarming degree to which the planet is in peril, even as Trump attempted to obliterate and repeal nearly 100 sensible environmental protections and climate change initiatives.
Today is a good day for the planet because there is no hope without an international strategy, and Trump walked the United States out of the conversation, but Biden will lead us back to the table. And it is a good day for California, which has had its strategies for dealing with climate change repeatedly nixed by the Trump administration.
Today is a good day for social media, because in two months, some of the most outrageous tweets won’t be coming from the White House.
“I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” Trump tweeted just before Biden was declared the victor.
Of course you did, Donald. Keep repeating it.
“My IQ is one of the highest…and you all know it,” he once tweeted.
Yes, Mr. President.
“Nobody has more respect for women than Donald Trump,” he once tweeted.
Yes, Mr. President.
“I am the least racist person there is,” he tweeted.
Yes, Mr. President.
Today is a good day for teachers and for parents because they will no longer have to explain why it’s wrong to call people names.
Today is a good day for actually draining the swamp, because after claiming that he would, Trump has watched multiple close allies get charged with crimes and go to prison for them.
The jig is up and the con is gone because 75 million Americans were exhausted by the greatest abomination in U.S. political history.
He was not defeated by his perceived enemies, or by the media.
He engineered his own demise by dividing, by failing to lead in one of the most critical moments in history, by treating the White House as a reality show set and by caring about no one but himself.
For all the swagger and confidence, I wonder if all along we were watching the most insecure man in history unravel before our eyes.
Bye-bye, Donald.
Way to go, Sleepy Joe.
Steve.lopez@latimes.com