Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) stirred the pot on Sunday, defending Vice President Kamala Harris and her apparent shift away from some of her previously staunch progressive positions.
On NBC’s Meet The Press, Sanders was asked point-blank if Harris had abandoned her progressive ideals—especially considering her former support for policies like Medicare for All and a ban on fracking, which she no longer champions.
On NBC’s “Meet The Press,” moderator Kristen Welker asked Sanders, “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’ response? No, she’s just being “pragmatic.” Sanders argued that Harris isn’t walking away from her ideals but rather adjusting her stance to win the 2024 election against former President Donald Trump. While Sanders has been consistent in his own views, particularly on issues like Medicare for All, he acknowledged that Harris has a different approach, one that she believes will resonate with more voters. For Sanders, this is part of a larger challenge in a political system, which he says is “too dominated by big-money interest.”
“No, I don’t think she’s abandoning her ideals,” Sanders replied. “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. I think that in America today there are a lot of people, rural people, working class people, who no longer believe that the United States Congress and government represents their interests, too dominated by big-money interest.”
The Trump campaign wasted no time amplifying Sanders’ comments, with their “War Room” social media account claiming Sanders had let the “QUIET PART OUT LOUD.” Meanwhile, conservative influencer Rogan O’Handley, aka “DC Draino,” jumped on the clip, arguing it proves that Harris is simply doing “whatever it takes to win” before allegedly enacting more radical policies later on.
🚨QUIET PART OUT LOUD🚨
Welker: “Do you think Kamala is abandoning her progressive ideals?”
Bernie: “I think she is trying to be pragmatic and do what she thinks is right in order to win the election.” pic.twitter.com/qtwmgui7vd
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 8, 2024
In his extended response, Sanders continued to push for the issues he’s always championed: expanding Medicare, raising the minimum wage, and increasing Social Security benefits. He acknowledged Harris has a different strategy for healthcare but praised her for supporting policies like making the Child Tax Credit permanent, building affordable housing, and empowering unions—moves that Sanders says are very much in line with progressive goals.
When pressed further on whether he still considers Harris a progressive, Sanders doubled down. “I do,” he affirmed, though he made it clear that she’s not as far left as he is. He highlighted her focus on reducing childhood poverty and addressing the housing crisis, framing these as core progressive concerns.
This video needs to be everywhere
Bernie Sanders is confirming that Kamala is doing whatever it takes to win the election
Then she’ll enact Marxist policies
They’re openly telling us their plans
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) September 8, 2024
So, there you have it—Bernie Sanders giving Kamala Harris a free pass for flip-flopping on just about every progressive policy she once stood for, all in the name of “pragmatism.” Translation: she’ll say whatever it takes to win. But don’t worry, Bernie assures us she’s still a progressive at heart. At this rate, maybe next, she’ll “pragmatically” embrace lower taxes and border security.
