Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Nithya Raman is facing another viral campaign moment after delivering what critics are calling a word salad answer to a straightforward question about defunding the police.
During an interview with ABC7 reporter Josh Haskell, Raman was pressed on where she stands on defunding the police. Haskell referenced criticism from fellow mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who accused Raman of changing positions now that public opinion on policing has shifted.
Reporter:@spencerpratthas said that you supported defunding the police when it was trendy with your base, but now you don’t. Where do you stand on defunding the police?Nithya Raman: *A minute straight of garbled talking points and deflection.*Truly incredible to watch her…pic.twitter.com/IaJ6VNQde9
“‘When defunding the police was trendy with her base,’ talking about you, ‘she leaned in. Now that families are less safe, suddenly she’s against it.’ Where do you stand on defunding the police?” Haskell asked.
Raman never gave a direct answer.
“You know, I voted for budgets at the city that have maintained and expanded the police force,” Raman responded. “But I pushed back against contracts that I felt were fiscally irresponsible.”
She then launched into a lengthy explanation about police union contracts, budget deficits and 911 staffing shortages, while never clearly stating whether she still supports the national “defund the police” movement.
The latest exchange comes just days after Raman sparked pushback during a separateCNN interview.
During that interview, CNN anchor Jessica Dean asked Raman directly whether she still believed in defunding police.
Nithya Raman also has a long record at City Hall of voting against police raises, staffing increases and LAPD contracts, positions that are now resurfacing as scrutiny over her past comments on policing intensifies.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
