Additional Coverage:
Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed that the upcoming presidential campaign will be intense but remains optimistic about Vice President Kamala Harris’s prospects, suggesting she stands a strong chance to triumph in the election. According to Sanders, speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Harris is likely to secure the popular vote by a significant margin and perform well in crucial battleground states. He attributed this potential success to voter exhaustion with what he described as former President Trump’s ongoing falsehoods, asserting that the public desires stability in the presidency.
Following a vibrant Democratic convention that emphasized “freedom” as a key campaign theme, Sanders commented on recent statements by Harris regarding national defense. He voiced concerns over excessive military spending, pointing out that the U.S. expenditure far exceeds that of the next ten countries combined. Despite agreeing with the need for a robust defense, Sanders highlighted the soaring profits of military contractors and advocated for achieving strong defense capabilities without exorbitant spending.
During the campaign event in Philadelphia alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Sanders advised Harris to concentrate her campaign messages on economic issues and voter welfare, citing record-high income and wealth disparities and significant child poverty levels in the U.S.
The issue of platform representation at the Democratic National Convention was also discussed, with specific reference to the “Uncommitted” movement, which supports Palestinian rights and had sought a speaking slot. Sanders, a vocal critic of Israeli policies and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized that U.S. funds should not support Netanyahu’s government nor contribute to the hardships faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
On immigration, Sanders acknowledged the crisis at the border and discussed Harris’s evolving stance since her 2020 presidential race. He acknowledged her previous support for decriminalizing illegal border crossings and reassessing the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while underscoring the need for comprehensive immigration reform which he believes Harris supports.