Top 10 Kamala Harris quotes from Veep's '60 Minutes' interview
WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris displayed her fierce and high-powered personality as she sat down for an interview on CBS News’ '60 Minutes'.
The 59-year-old, who is the first woman and person of color to occupy her office, delivered a one-word warning to Iran while addressing the ongoing, lethal conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.
Moreover, she guaranteed reelection for President Joe Biden in the 2024 election run and shared her plan of action to tackle several domestic issues, including gun violence and a supposedly broken immigration system.
So, let's have a look at Harris's top ten remarks from her most recent interview with '60 Minutes', which aired on Sunday, October 29.
'No plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza'
Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that the US has no plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza amid fears over a wider regional conflict.
The Middle Eastern nation has been at war with Hamas since October 7, when the militant organization launched dozens of ground attacks and nearly 2,000 missiles, resulting in the death of nearly 1,400 Israeli citizens.
In retaliation, Israel began to attack Gaza, leading to the deaths of more than 7,700 people. In the wake of the conflict, President Joe Biden made a wartime visit to the nation and announced a $100 million humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During the interview, Harris said, "We have absolutely no intention, nor do we have any plans, to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza, period," and asserted instead of exerting control over Israel's actions in the conflict, the US chooses to provide them with weapons, guidance, and diplomatic support.
'Don’t'
In light of the Israel-Hamas crisis, host Bill Whitaker questioned Kamala Harris on her message for Iran. To which the Vice President replied with a single word, "Don’t."
The host pressed for further details, but Harris remained unwavering, confirming, "Exactly, one word. Very straightforward."
Her answer was remarkably identical to President Biden's, who said, "Don't, don't, don't, don't," in response to the same question.
Harris also declared that the Biden administration is concentrated on preventing the conflict from escalating in the region.
'The Palestinians deserve equal measures of safety'
Kamala Harris, who has been involved in briefings and phone conversations about the Middle East issue, mostly adhered to the administration's strategy, endorsing Israel's right to self-defense while also advocating for the safety of civilians.
"By most estimates, at least 1,400 Israelis are dead. Israel, without any question, has a right to defend itself," said the Vice President, and reiterated that it's critical to keep Palestinians safe and secure as well as to keep them apart from Hamas.
"The Palestinians deserve equal measures of safety and security, self-determination and dignity, and we have been very clear that the rules of war must be adhered to and that there be humanitarian aid that flows," affirmed Harris.
'Joe Biden is very much alive'
At one point in the interview, Bill Whitaker asked Kamala Harris if she would happily step into the breach if President Joe Biden opted not to run for re-election in 2024.
She awkwardly replied, "Well, first of all, I'm not gonna engage in that hypothetical, because Joe Biden is very much alive and running for reelection. So there we are."
When the host pressed the former California senator for an answer, she claimed that she didn't have time for "parlor games."
Moreover, Harris stated, "I hear from a lot of different people a lot of different things. But let me just tell you, I'm focused on the job. I truly am. Our democracy is on the line, Bill. And I frankly, in my head, do not have time for parlor games, when we have a president who is running for reelection. That's it."
'We will win. I have no doubt'
Kamala Harris guaranteed re-election for President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential run after the host asked her why the current administration is running neck and neck with former POTUS Donald Trump in the polling.
She replied, "I'm not a political pundit, so I'm not gonna speak to that. But what I will say is this: When the American people can take a close look at election time on their options, I think the choice is gonna be clear. ... We're gonna win. And I'm not saying it's gonna be easy. But we will win. I have no doubt."
'We got to make our case to the American people'
Kamala Harris also attributed the poor polling to the media's failure to highlight the administration's accomplishments.
"I look at it more as let's keep getting out there," said the Vice President, adding "And, as with any election, we got to make our case to the American people. That's part of our responsibility. And that's this process. And that's what it is. And that's a fair process."
'We are still committed to Ukraine'
During the interview, Vice President Kamala Harris further reassured that the war in the Middle East does not put Ukraine on a back burner.
"We are as committed to Ukraine as we've always been to authorize additional aid, to defend itself against Russia's unprovoked aggression," asserted Harris, and added, "That is not going to waver."
When Bill Whitaker inquired, "Does this war in the Middle East put Ukraine on a back burner?" Harris answered, "Not for us, no. It does not put them on a back burner at all."
'We still need an assault weapons ban'
"You have a portfolio that includes gun violence, the root cause of migration. These are some of the most intractable issues facing the country," asked Bill Whitaker, questioning Kamala Harris' current stance on the ban on assault weapons.
The Vice President responded, "We've done some of the most significant gun safety laws in 30 years. But we still need an assault weapons ban. It doesn't have to be this way. There was an assault weapons ban at one time. It expired. Let's renew it."
'We need a safe, orderly, and humane border policy'
Kamala Harris also addressed the problem of illegal migration and border problems, saying, "It's no secret that we have a broken immigration system. Short term, we need a safe, orderly, and humane border policy. And the long term, we need to invest in the root causes of migration. But the bottom line?"
She added, "Congress needs to act. Come on. Participate in the solution instead of political gamesmanship."
'Make sure you're not the last'
When Bill Whitaker asked Kamala Harris if she felt any pressure from being the first woman and person of color to hold her office, the Vice President answered, "No doubt. No doubt. You know, my mother, she would say, 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things. Make sure you're not the last'."
"And among the responsibilities that I carry and maybe impose on myself, that is one of them," continued Harris.