Tulsi Gabbard on Kamala Harris: ‘I Pointed Out’ Some ‘Huge Problems’ with Her ‘Leadership’ in California

As Democratic candidates prepare for the next round of primary debates — to be held on September 12 and possibly September 13 as well, in Houston, Texas — Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) (shown above right) commented on Wednesday about her recent criticism of fellow presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

“This comes down to leadership,” said Gabbard about Harris during an interview with host Maria Bartiromo of “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business Network. “You know, what kind of leadership … would she bring and what kind of leader was she as attorney general in California. And it’s pointing to the truth and the facts. She claims to be very proud of the record that she had, as the attorney general in California,” added Gabbard.

Related: Kamala Harris Campaign Is Struggling, Polling at 1 Percent with Black Americans

“I pointed out some of the huge problems with the kind of leadership that she brought, where she claims to be a champion for the people, but instead made decisions that caused more harm, hardship and suffering for people in California. And I gave some of those examples in the debate. She needs to answer to the American people on these facts.”

Gabbard also spoke about why she’s suing Google for $50 million.

“During the first [Democratic] debate, and the hours that came after it, we were prepared with all of our Google ads. We were the most searched candidate and campaign of the night — when all of a sudden our Google ad account was shut down without any clear kind of explanation or how to get it back up.”

“And it was later reinstated after that critical window had closed, again without any real explanation. So we’re suing Google really because of the power that these Big Tech monopolies have over influencing our public discourse, our freedom of speech, and really, ultimately, our fair elections … If they can do this to me as a sitting member of Congress, running for the highest office of the land, this means they can do it to anyone running for office at any level in this country, or any person if they don’t like what you’re saying.”

“And this is — this is really not about me. It’s really about the American people and about standing up for and protecting our freedom of speech. Whether we agree or disagree with that speech, this goes to the core and founding principles of our country. And they shouldn’t have the power to be able to do that.”

In terms of a possible course of action to change Big Tech companies like Google, Gabbard added, “Eighty-eight percent of all internet searches in the United States take place in Google — 92 percent in the world. So when you look at a monopoly like Google, having total control of what pops up when you — when you search for something, this is what we’re talking about.”

“So I think there’s two approaches that we need to take. One is to break up these Big Tech monopolies — because that’s exactly what they are, and also look legislatively at what kind of transparency oversight and accountability is put in place to make sure that there is not an infringement on our freedom of speech and to make sure things are fair and transparent.”

“We’re suing Google really because of the power that these Big Tech monopolies have over influencing our public discourse, our freedom of speech, and really, ultimately, our fair elections.”

With another round of debates up ahead very soon, Gabbard shared her plan for trying to “resonate” with voters.

“Well, we can see how impactful these debates can be. And this is why it’s important and we’re continuing to build our support. We’ve gone way past the donor requirement, which is 130,000 individual donors, to qualify for the next round of debates.”

“And we’re looking forward to the next round of polls that we hope to be able to meet that polling threshold as well. But really what this comes down to is the work we are doing every day to reach out to voters, directly to voters across this country, let them know who I am, why I’m running for president, and why I’m the best qualified to serve them as president and commander in chief.”

She also said she wants “our troops home from Afghanistan. It should have happened long ago. Right now, in Afghanistan, we are spending $4 billion every month. Four billion dollars. And when you look at folks in communities across the country who don’t even have clean water to drink, when you look at the infrastructure needs in our country, when you look at the lack of affordable housing — there are so many things that we need to address.”

“We’ve got to get our priorities straight and make sure that we are using our military for the function[s] they [were intended for], which is to keep the American people safe, and investing our limited resources into empowering and serving the needs of our people.”

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