MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle pressed Vice President Kamala Harris on how she would fund her economic proposals if Republicans block her efforts to raise corporate taxes, but Harris dodged the question.
MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle has criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not providing clear answers on how she plans to raise taxes, particularly in the face of potential opposition from Republicans in Congress.
During a recent interview with Harris, Ruhle directly asked the vice president how she would "get the money" to fund her expensive economic proposals if Republicans on Capitol Hill block her efforts to raise the corporate tax rate. Harris responded by reiterating her commitment to raising taxes on corporations and billionaires, but she did not provide any specific details on how she would achieve this goal.
Stephanie Ruhle Calls Out Kamala Harris' Lack of Answers on Tax Hike Plans
Ruhle later expressed her frustration with Harris's lack of specificity, saying that she "doesn't answer the question." She argued that if Republicans control the Senate and block Harris's tax hike plans, she would be left with no clear path to funding her economic agenda.
"The issue is, if it means we're gonna just borrow again, then what we're doing is we're just never addressing the deficit," Ruhle said. "And back in the days when you were a proud Republican, debts and deficits matters."
Stephanie Ruhle Calls Out Kamala Harris' Lack of Answers on Tax Hike Plans
Despite her criticism of Harris, Ruhle also defended the vice president, insisting that former President Donald Trump would "balloon" the deficit "significantly bigger."
"It's like the American people have forgot or we no longer think debt and deficits matter. They will at some point as they balloon," Ruhle said. "She's saying, 'it doesn't matter, we're going full steam ahead.'"
Stephanie Ruhle Calls Out Kamala Harris' Lack of Answers on Tax Hike Plans
Ruhle's comments come just days after she argued that Harris didn't have to answer tough policy questions because she wasn't "running for perfect. She's running against Trump." On Friday's installment of "Real Time with Bill Maher," Ruhle suggested that the idea of Harris sitting down for a tough interview that would extract specific policy proposals is as out of reach as "Nirvana."
Ruhle's defense of Harris's evasiveness has been met with criticism from some quarters, who argue that it is essential for voters to understand the specifics of a candidate's plans before they can make an informed decision. Others have defended Ruhle's position, saying that it is unrealistic to expect a candidate to have all the answers, particularly when they are facing a formidable opponent like Trump.
Stephanie Ruhle Calls Out Kamala Harris' Lack of Answers on Tax Hike Plans
The debate over Harris's tax hike plans is likely to continue as the 2024 presidential election approaches. Republicans are expected to make the issue a major campaign theme, arguing that Harris's plans would harm the economy and raise taxes on middle-class families. Democrats, on the other hand, will argue that Harris's plans are necessary to address income inequality and fund essential government programs.
The outcome of the debate will have a significant impact on the future of the U.S. economy. If Harris is successful in raising taxes on corporations and billionaires, it could lead to a more progressive tax system and increased funding for social programs. However, if Republicans block Harris's plans, she may be forced to borrow more money to fund her agenda, which could lead to higher interest rates and a larger budget deficit.
Only time will tell how the debate over Harris's tax hike plans will play out. However, it is clear that the issue is likely to remain a major focus of the 2024 presidential election.
