Senator Bernie Sanders is urging Vice President Kamala Harris to embrace her left-wing roots, citing a recent poll that suggests liberal policies could be a winning strategy for her campaign. Although Sanders has yet to endorse Harris, he has been working behind the scenes to build support for the vice president.
The poll, conducted in six swing states, found that a majority of voters support progressive policies such as raising the minimum wage, increasing taxes on the wealthy and corporations, implementing Medicare for All, and making public colleges tuition-free. The results showed that 59% of voters support making public college free, while 63% back Medicare for All.
Sanders noted that these “radical progressive ideas” are not new, but rather a reflection of the concerns and values of the working class. The poll also found that 70% of voters believe the minimum wage should be raised to $17 an hour.
The top issues on voters’ minds this election season are the economy, jobs, and inflation, with 55% citing inflation as the most pressing concern. Despite the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce inflation, many consumers are still struggling to make ends meet.
Sanders believes that Harris should focus her campaign on addressing the economic concerns of working-class Americans. “That’s the main thrust of the poll,” he said. The poll also found that Harris and former President Donald Trump are currently tied at 49% in a head-to-head matchup.
