Sen. Bernie Sanders gave an honest response when asked about Vice President Kamala Harris changing some of her progressive stances just months before the election.
"She’s previously supported Medicare-For-All, now she does not. She’s previously supported a ban on fracking, now she does not. Do you think she’s abandoning her progressive ideals?" NBC anchor Kristen Welker asked Sanders.
"No, I don’t think she’s abandoning her ideals," Sanders replied. "She’s being pragmatic and doing what she thinks is right to win the election."
Harris has shifted away from some far-left policies on immigration, energy, and health care.
In August, Harris defended her position changes, saying her "values have not changed."
"My values haven't changed," Harris told CNN's Dana Bash. "I've always believed the climate crisis is real, and we must act with urgency. We did that with the Inflation Reduction Act."
Harris said the U.S. has set clear goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that remains consistent.
"My values on securing the border also haven't changed," she continued, citing her background as California’s attorney general.
Sanders acknowledged his views were "slightly different" but still sees Harris as a "progressive."
"She’s taking a different approach to universal health care," he explained, referencing Harris no longer backing Medicare-For-All.
"But on issues like expanding Medicare and Social Security, raising the minimum wage, and questioning billionaires, she’s still progressive. I think she can win big," Sanders said.
He emphasized shared goals like making the child tax credit permanent and addressing housing and union issues.
A Harris campaign spokesperson said she’s taking a "pragmatic" approach to unite people.
"Real leadership means bringing all sides together to build consensus," the spokesperson added.
Harris and Trump will face off in a debate hosted by ABC News on Tuesday.