Sanders defends Harris’ shift from progressive policies as strategic move

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, offered a measured response to questions about Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent shifts in policy positions, which have been seen as departures from her previously progressive stances. In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sanders acknowledged that Harris has moved away from several far-left policies but framed this as a strategic decision rather than an abandonment of her core values.

When NBC anchor Kristen Welker queried Sanders about Harris’ changes on issues such as Medicare-For-All and fracking bans, 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.”

Harris, who has emerged as the Democratic nominee, has indeed distanced herself from several progressive positions she previously championed. In August, she addressed these shifts during her first sit-down interview as the nominee, asserting that her core values remain intact despite the changes in policy focus. She cited her ongoing commitment to climate action, border security, and other key issues as evidence of her enduring principles.

Sanders, while acknowledging his differences with Harris on some issues, still considers her a progressive. He highlighted shared policy goals, such as expanding Medicare, raising the minimum wage, and addressing childhood poverty. “She has another approach toward moving to universal health care,” Sanders noted, “but I think she can win big” by focusing on these and other progressive issues.

A spokesperson for the Harris campaign confirmed that the Vice President’s policy shifts were a result of a pragmatic approach aimed at uniting various political factions. “While Donald Trump is wedded to extreme ideas, Vice President Harris believes real leadership means bringing all sides together to build consensus,” said campaign spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg. This approach, according to Ehrenberg, has facilitated bipartisan achievements in infrastructure and gun violence prevention.

As the election approaches, Harris and Trump are set to face off in a high-stakes debate hosted by ABC News on Tuesday. The debate will likely be a critical moment in determining how voters perceive Harris’ policy evolution and her overall candidacy.