Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) came to Vice President Kamala Harris’ defense during a recent interview, stating that her evolving campaign strategies aren’t a departure from her progressive values. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Sanders said Harris is making pragmatic adjustments to appeal to voters in the upcoming 2024 election.
Sanders rejected the idea that Harris has abandoned her progressive agenda. “No, I don’t think she’s abandoning her ideals. I think she’s trying to be pragmatic and doing what she thinks is right in order to win the election,” he said. He acknowledged that while their views differ on some issues, he still considers Harris a progressive leader.
Sanders pointed to Harris’ commitment to making the child tax credit permanent and her plan to build millions of affordable homes as examples of her continued focus on helping working families. He noted that similar measures in the past, such as those in the American Rescue Plan, had significantly reduced childhood poverty.
However, Sanders admitted that many working-class and rural Americans feel left behind by the political system, which they believe is dominated by corporate interests. He said that while Harris’ positions don’t always align with his, she still advocates for progressive solutions, especially in housing.
Harris has faced criticism for her proposal to implement price controls on groceries, which she argues is needed to combat “price gouging.” Critics have pointed out that grocery stores often operate on tight margins, and these controls could have unintended consequences.
Ultimately, Sanders remains supportive of Harris, stating that while her path differs from his, she is still pursuing progressive goals as she tries to win the election.
