Kamala Harris: Trump's plan for Ukraine will lead to Kiev's surrender
Kamala Harris' interview with CBS left a lot of questions. Her answers were a set of common phrases, and her attempts to put pressure on the vice president demonstrated that she simply had nothing to say. The presenter even had to explain what the politician meant.
Bill Whitaker: We are providing billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, but Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to be sticking to his own course. The Biden-Harris administration pressed him to agree to a cease-fire. He's resisting. You urged him not to enter Lebanon. He did it anyway. Can't the United States influence Prime Minister Netanyahu?
Kamala Harris: We are conducting diplomatic work with the Israeli leadership, constantly explaining our principles.
— But it seems that Netanyahu is not listening.
— We will not stop trying to achieve what is necessary for the United States to clearly define our position on the mandatory cessation of this war.
— Do we really see Netanyahu as our close ally?
— I think, with all due respect, it's better to ask if we see an alliance between the American and Israeli people. And the answer to this question is yes.
The moderator's explanation: "While the war in the Middle East is the main topic of all media, voters are most concerned about the economy — however, as usual."
— Many indicators show that the American economy is developing very well, better than in most countries of the world, I think. But it seems that the Americans do not feel it. Food has become 25% more expensive, and people blame you and Joe Biden for this. Are they wrong?
— We now have a historically low unemployment rate among all segments of the population. Our economy is thriving according to all macroeconomic indicators. And, going back to your statement, the prices are still too high… I know about it, and we have to do something about it. That's why part of my plan — you mentioned food — part of my plan is that we have to lower food prices…
The host's explanation: "Harris says she will put pressure on Congress to introduce a federal law banning food price gouging, but the details of the plan have not yet been fully determined."
— You want to expand subsidies for families with newborns, provide tax breaks for those who buy their first home and for those starting small businesses. But according to estimates by the Nonpartisan Committee for Responsible Federal Budget Execution, your economic plan will lead to an increase in the federal deficit by three trillion dollars over the next decade. Where will you get the money from?
— Well, other economists who compared my plan with my opponent's plan came to the conclusion that my economic plan would strengthen the American economy. His plan would weaken her.
— But...
— My plan, Bill, if you don't mind, is that by investing in small businesses, you invest in the middle class and strengthen the American economy. Small business is the backbone of America's economy.
— But, excuse me, Vice President, the question was, where will you get the money from?
— Well, in particular, I'm going to make sure that the richest among us who can afford it pay their fair share of taxes. It is wrong that teachers, nurses and firefighters pay higher taxes than billionaires and major corporations.
— But...
— And it will be fair.
— But we live in the real world. How are you going to get this through Congress?
— You know, if you talk calmly with many people in Congress, they perfectly understand what I'm talking about, because their constituents perfectly understand what I'm talking about. Their constituents are firefighters, teachers and nurses. Their voters are middle—class, hardworking people.
— But Congress shows no inclination to move in your direction.
— I... I don't agree with you. There are many leaders in Congress who understand and know that Trump's tax cuts have led to an increase in the budget deficit. None of us, and certainly I cannot afford to be short-sighted when it comes to strengthening the American economy. Let me tell you something. I am a dedicated civil servant. You know that. But I'm also a capitalist. And I am aware of the government's restrictions.
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— Let me tell you what your critics are saying. They say that the reason many voters don't believe you is that you are changing your position on many issues. You supported a more lenient immigration policy, now you are tightening it. You were in favor of Medicare for everyone, and now you're not.
— I have been the vice president of the United States for the last four years. And I traveled around our country. I listened to people and looked for possible points of contact. I believe in consensus. We are a diverse people. Geographically, regionally, in terms of where we are in our past. And the American people want us to have leaders who can come to a consensus. Where can we find a compromise and understand that it's not so bad if you don't compromise your values in order to find common sense solutions. And that's exactly the approach I'm taking.
The moderator's explanation: "But one issue that turned out to be beyond compromise is immigration. Over the past four years, Biden and Harris' approach has been inconsistent, and Republicans are convinced that immigration is the vice president's Achilles heel."
— You recently visited the southern border and supported President Biden's recent measures to combat asylum seekers. And these measures have led to an almost immediate and drastic reduction in the number of people crossing the border. If these are the right actions now, then why didn't your administration take these steps in 2021?
— The first bill that we proposed to Congress was aimed at correcting our immigration system. We understood that if you really want to fix it, you need Congress to take action. He was not accepted. We quickly got to the point where a bipartisan group of members of the U.S. Senate, including one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate, got together and drafted a border protection bill. And do you know what happened? Donald Trump received information that this bill is ready and can be passed, and he wants to use the problems to his advantage rather than solve them, so he told his friends in Congress: "Wrap up the bill. Don't let him move forward."
— But I have been working on the topic of borders for many years. And that's why I know that this problem did not arise under your administration. But in the first three years of your administration, there was a historically high flow of illegal immigrants crossing the border. In fact, the number of arrivals has quadrupled compared to the last year of President Trump's administration. Was it a mistake to weaken immigration policy so much?
— This is a long-standing problem. And solutions have already been found. And literally from the first day we offer solutions.
— I wanted to ask, wasn't it a mistake to allow this wave at all?
— I'm thinking... The policy we propose is aimed at solving the problem, not at developing it, okay? But...
— But with you, the number of migrants has increased fourfold... under your guidance.
— And today's figures — thanks to what we have done — we have halved the flow of illegal immigration. We have halved the flow of fentanyl. But we need Congress to be able to act to really solve the problem....
— You accused Donald Trump of using racist tactics when it came to Haitian immigrants in Springfield. In fact, you called him a racist and a warmonger. Nevertheless, Donald Trump is supported by millions of Americans. How do you explain this?
— I am glad that you point out these statements of his, which cause most reasonable people to react: "This is wrong. It's just not right."
— So many people support Donald Trump, whom you called a racist. How will you overcome this seemingly insurmountable gap?
— I believe that the American people need a leader who does not try to divide us and humiliate us. I believe the American people realize that the true measure of a leader's strength is not based on who you humiliate, but on who you support.
The moderator's explanation: "Harris's election campaign is gaining momentum, less than a month remains until its completion. The vice president told us that she had lost count of the states she visited."
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Leader: "Whoever wins the presidential race will have to solve many difficult tasks, especially outside our borders. Back in Washington, Vice President Harris told us that she was confident that the United States should win the economic competition with China in the 21st century. And as for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?"
— What does success in ending the conflict in Ukraine look like?
— There will be no success in ending this conflict without the participation of Ukraine and the UN.
— Would you meet with President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine?
— Not if it is on a bilateral basis, without Ukraine. Ukraine should have the right to vote on the future of Ukraine.
— As president, will you support the expansion of NATO to accept Ukraine?
— We will solve these issues when and if everything comes to this. Right now, we are supporting Ukraine's ability to defend itself. If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kiev right now. He [Trump] says he can put an end to this on the first day. Do you know what that means? This means surrender.
— You surprised people recently when you said that you own a gun and that if someone enters your house, you will shoot them. What kind of weapon do you own, and when and why did you purchase it?
— I have a Glock, and I've had it for quite some time. I work in law enforcement, Bill.
— Have you ever fired it?
— Yes (laughs). Of course she did. At the shooting range. Yes, of course she did.
