Bernie Sanders Explains Away VP Harris’ Policy Flip-Flops
During an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, Sen. Bernie Sanders defended Vice President Kamala Harris against criticism regarding her shifting policy positions, while also affirming her commitment to progressive values.
Welker confronted Sanders, saying, “You have described Vice President Kamala Harris as a progressive. She has previously supported Medicare-for-All, now she does not. She’s previously supported a ban on fracking, now she does not. These, Senator, are ideas that you have campaigned on. Do you think that she is abandoning her progressive ideals?”
Sanders responded, “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. My own view is slightly different." He emphasized his belief that many Americans feel disconnected from a government dominated by special interests and reiterated his support for Medicare-for-All, which Harris no longer supports in the same form.
During her 2020 presidential run, Harris backed Medicare-for-All, but according to Sanders, she now advocates a different approach to achieving universal healthcare. He explained that while he and Harris differ on the specifics of healthcare policy, her overall progressive stance remains intact. Sanders went on to highlight key issues he believes are essential for winning elections, such as raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicare and Social Security, and increasing taxes on billionaires.
When asked directly if he still considered Harris a progressive, Sanders affirmed, “I do." He cited her support for making the child tax credit permanent, reducing childhood poverty, building affordable housing, and expanding workers' rights through the PRO Act as evidence of her progressive commitments.
Sanders acknowledged that while Harris’ views differ from his, he still sees her as aligned with the progressive movement, pointing to her advocacy for key policies like union rights and addressing poverty.
Meanwhile, commentators from Fox News, including Jeanine Pirro and Sean Hannity, criticized Harris for what they described as policy "flip-flops." They speculated that her changes in stance on issues like fracking and immigration might be efforts to appeal to a broader, more moderate electorate.