Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) mentioned Wednesday that the U.S. is shifting towards an “oligarchic type of society” and urged Vice President Harris to make that message extra central to her campaign.
In doing so, Sanders mentioned on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” Harris would enchantment to the supporters of former President Trump who as soon as backed the senator in his presidential bids.
“This is the message,” Sanders mentioned, when requested how Harris might goal those voters. “And it is a message that I do know is troublesome for a lot of politicians to carry forth. And that’s the recognition that more and more, the USA is shifting towards an oligarchic type of society.”
Sanders, who ran for the White Home within the 2016 and 2020 elections, pointed to the rising inequality within the nation and the buildup of wealth amongst a handful of choose billionaires.
“The billionaire class and the 1 % have by no means, ever had it so good. Interval. Finish of debate,” the senator mentioned, noting they’ve “extra revenue and wealth inequality than any time in American historical past.”
At the identical time, Sanders continued, “tens of thousands and thousands of individuals, working individuals, struggling to place meals on the desk. That’s the actuality.”
He didn’t place blame on any particular politician however known as on in the present day’s political leaders to address the inequality, in addition to the outsized affect that rich Individuals can have on elections.
“It is not Kamala Harris’s fault, it isn’t Joe Biden’s fault, not Donald Trump’s fault, it has been that means for a very long time, getting worse,” the Vermont unbiased mentioned. “However, you already know what? You bought to acknowledge that.”
Sanders additionally gave Harris advice for what her message must be: “Look, working individuals of America: I’m in your aspect, and I’m ready to tackle the billionaire class, together with these rich marketing campaign contributors who proper now are dominating the political course of.”
He mentioned she ought to work to eliminate the Supreme Court docket’s Residents United determination, which paved the best way for firms and different outdoors teams to spend limitless funds on elections.
He added that the choice “permits billionaires to purchase elections.”
“I feel you bought a working class that’s hurting, that I feel is popping to Trump solely as a result of they do not see actual alternate options,” Sanders mentioned. “And I feel if she offers them an financial various that claims, ‘I’m going to face for you, I will tackle these grasping individuals who need all of it,’ I feel she might flip some Trump individuals round and win this election, possibly win it huge.”
The Hill has reached out to the Harris marketing campaign for a response.
