'Harris on 60-Minutes: "Strengthening US Economy Through Taxation of the Wealthy"'

"It is not right for teachers, nurses, and firefighters to pay higher tax rates than billionaires and large corporations." U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed her policy on taxing the wealthy. Regarding the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, she firmly stated that she will not engage in peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin alone, excluding Ukraine.

On the 7th (local time), Vice President Harris appeared on CBS's news program '60 Minutes' and was asked how she plans to finance the economic promises in her platform. She responded, "My economic plan will strengthen the U.S. economy. His (Trump's) plan will weaken the U.S. economy." She emphasized, "My plan is to invest in small and medium-sized businesses and strengthen the American economy," adding, "One of the things I will do is ensure that the wealthiest among us pay their fair share of taxes." She explained that the additional revenue secured through taxing the wealthy would be invested in key promises to strengthen the middle class. She reiterated that teachers, nurses, and firefighters should not be taxed at higher rates than billionaires, saying, "We will make it fair."

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris appearing on CBS current affairs program 60 Minutes [Image source=Broadcast capture]

In the interview released on the evening marking one year since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the first question posed to Vice President Harris was about what role the U.S. could play to prevent the Middle East full-scale war crisis from spiraling out of control. Harris responded, "Israel has the right to defend itself," but also said, "Too many innocent Palestinians have died. This war must end." When asked whether the U.S. is a "truly close ally" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she avoided a direct answer, saying, "A better question is whether there is an important alliance between Americans and Israelis. The answer to that question is 'yes.'"

When asked if she would engage in bilateral peace talks with President Putin regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Harris flatly said, "Not without Ukraine." She emphasized, "Ukraine must have a say in its own future." Regarding Ukraine's request to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), she replied, "That is a matter to be addressed when the time comes," adding, "Right now, we are supporting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression." She then mentioned former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, saying, "If he were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now. He says he could end it on day one. Do you know what that means? Surrender," launching a sharp attack.

Additionally, Vice President Harris responded to criticisms that her stance on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas extraction and immigration policy has changed by saying, "Over the past four years as vice president, I have traveled everywhere, listened to people's opinions, and sought what is possible in common areas," explaining that her approach is to reach consensus to find sensible solutions. Regarding immigration policy, which Republicans have been attacking, she said, "The bill we proposed to Congress was to make Congress act to solve the problem and fix the broken immigration system. But it was not adopted due to Republican opposition." Harris claimed, "He (Trump) wanted to run with the problem rather than solve it, telling his congressional colleagues to 'kill the bill, don't advance it.'"

The interview also included questions about former President Trump, Harris's competitor in the November election. When asked how she explains that Trump, criticized for racist rhetoric, still has the support of millions of Americans, Harris replied, "The American people want leaders who do not divide or demean us." Regarding Trump's cancellation of his originally planned appearance on '60 Minutes,' she said, "If he does not give viewers a meaningful and in-depth Q&A opportunity, just watch his next rally," sarcastically adding, "You will hear all the conversations about his personal grievances." She continued, "You won't hear how he plans to unite the country," expressing confidence that "the American people are ready to turn the page."

The broadcast also briefly featured an interview with Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Governor of Minnesota. Walz, who apologized last week at the vice-presidential debate for a false statement about being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square incident, was asked about it again. He said, "I believe people know who I am and that I am not a pathological liar like Trump," adding, "Sometimes I can be a fool, but those close to me know I keep my promises."