Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Sunday called Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to moderate her views on fracking and Medicare for All “pragmatic,” saying Harris was “doing what she thought was right to win the election.” and he still considers it “progressive”.
Still, Sanders added that Harris has a path to victory by campaigning on other progressive positions such as raising the minimum wage, raising taxes on the wealthy and increasing Social Security benefits.
“I think if you campaign on these issues — raising taxes on billionaires — you know he’s going to win, and I think he’s going to win big,” said Sanders, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020.
In recent weeks, Harris has shifted his stance on some issues, such as supporting fraud bans and proposals for Medicare for All.
In interview Speaking to ABC News last month, Harris defended his changing stance, saying that “the most important and most important aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is that my values have not changed.”
Sanders stopped supporting the vice president Because he replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the ticket.
In July, shortly after Biden dropped out of the re-election campaign, Sanders told NBC News that he looked forward to “strongly endorsing” Harris, but added a caveat: “If he’s going to win, he’s going to have to focus on one thing. There’s a lot of focus on the plight of the American working class.” “.
In recent days and weeks, Harris has focused on mapping out his economic agenda, which has softened several of Biden’s key proposals for the 2025 fiscal year budget.
For example, Biden proposed a 39.6% tax rate on long-term capital gains for households earning $1 million or more. Last week in New Hampshire Harris proposed a similar tax, but at a rate of 28%.
Asked directly about Harris’ proposed rate on Sunday, Sanders said, “I would go, I would go higher than that,” adding that while Biden and Harris have achieved some progressive victories, “there’s more to be done.”
Also last week Harris He supported a 25% minimum tax total comesincluding “unrealized gains,” often known as the “billionaire minimum tax.”
“It’s not right that those who can afford it the most often pay a lower tax rate than our teachers, nurses and firefighters. That’s why I support the billionaire’s minimum tax and corporations paying their fair share,” Harris said at a campaign event in New Hampshire.
On Sunday, Sanders said he still considers Harris a progressive.
“He’s not where I am,” Sanders added, but said his campaign’s positions on making the child tax credit permanent, expanding affordable housing options and strengthening unions are still “a big deal.”
“His views are not mine, but I consider him a progressive,” the senator said.