Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has taken aim at former Vice President Kamala Harris and her failed 2024 campaign.
During an interview on Sunday, Sanders accused Harris of being too cozy with billionaires and failing to connect with working-class Americans.
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Sanders was confronted by host Dana Bash over remarks he made during his recent “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
Bash played a clip of multi-millionaire Sanders telling a crowd:
“One of the reasons, in my view, that Kamala Harris lost this election is she had too many billionaires telling her not to speak up for the working class of this country.”
“I like her, she’s a friend of mine,” Sanders told Bash.
“But her core consultants were heavily influenced by very wealthy people.
“How do you run for president and not develop a strong agenda which speaks to the economic crises facing working families?”
Sanders blasted the Democratic Party’s leadership for ignoring the real issues plaguing everyday Americans.
“We’ve got more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had,” the senator said.
“You have 60% of our people living paycheck to paycheck.
“You’ve got a healthcare system which is broken and dysfunctional — and despite spending so much — we’re the only major country not to guarantee healthcare to all people.
“How do you not talk about these issues?”
Bash pushed back, however, arguing that Harris did talk about affordability.
Sanders dismissed her messaging as vague and ineffective.
“I think the clue to Democratic victories is to understand that you’ve got to stand unequivocally with the working class of this country,” he said.
“You need an agenda that speaks to the needs of working people.”
Sanders also reiterated his calls for socialist policies, including government-run healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and taxpayer-funded college.
“Is it radical to say that in the midst of a competitive global economy, we need to make sure we have the best educated workforce — that all of our kids, regardless of income, should be able to get a higher education?” Sanders said.
“These ideas exist all over the world.
“They don’t exist in America because of the power of the oligarchs,” he claimed.
The self-described socialist went on to label America’s political system “broken and corrupt,” taking direct aim at the influence of “economically and politically” powerful elites.
When asked about a potential 2028 presidential run, Sanders brushed it off.
“Oh, God. Let’s not worry about that,” he said.
“I am going to be 84 years of age next month.
“I think that speaks for itself.
Sanders added that his priority now is to “rally the grassroots of America” behind a “progressive” candidate.
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Sanders’ comments come as Democrats continue to grapple with the fallout of Harris’s loss.
Many on the Left are quietly blaming the defeat on her inability to energize voters outside of the party’s donor class.
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