California Senator and presidential candidate Kamala Harris is really having trouble articulating and defending her healthcare policy. As we've previously highlighted, Harris has endorsed Bernie Sanders' radical single-payer healthcare bill, which would effectively outlaw private insurance in America. During her CNN town hall meeting several months ago, Harris leaned into this consequence of her preferred policy as a feature of the plan. Following a backlash, she attempted to 'clarify' her position, then reverted to doubling down on her support for BernieCare. In a new interview, Harris took another crack at her answer:
“I support Medicare for All," says Sen. Kamala Harris clarifying that the bill doesn't get rid of private insurance #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/dVFA7KdMrt
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 12, 2019
Harris: I support Medicare for all, but I really do need to clear up what happened on that stage. It was in the context of saying, ‘Let's get rid of all the bureaucracy. Let's get rid of–‘
Tapper: Not the insurance companies?
Harris: No, that's not what I meant. I know it was interpreted that way. If you watch the tape, I think you'll see that there are obviously many interpretations of what I said. What I meant is let's get rid of the bureaucracy.
The problem with this new spin is that the legislation she's endorsed actually does ban private coverage. The point she makes in the clip about permitting "supplemental" plans is misleading. Under the bill she's co-sponsored, it would be illegal for Americans to buy any private coverage that would include any services or elements that the government system offers. So any "supplementary" additions would be for care and procedures at the margins, like cosmetic surgery -- and nothing else. Federal bureaucrats would have total control over all core health care options and decisions for every citizen. As we've covered many times, the price tag for Harris' regime is shockingly exorbitant and would require giant tax hikes, would be massively disruptive for many tens of millions of consumers, and would result in worse care, rationing and longer wait times. Harris' interview with Jake Tapper was part of a "reset" that the candidate and campaign reportedly felt like it needs to execute just several months after entering the race:
Kamala Harris is attempting to reset her campaign after stagnating in Democratic primary polls by using her strengths as a prosecutor — which were on display during a recent face-off with William Barr — to mount a sharp indictment of President Trump https://t.co/2ctA6Ol2UI
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 8, 2019
She's shifting gears, and her new plan is to...sharply criticize Trump? How novel. Beto O'Rourke is also in reset mode, according to the Washington Post. Meanwhile, the clear (if early) frontrunner in the Democratic race keeps looking stronger. He's ahead in Iowa, New Hampshire, and is opening up quite a lead in South Carolina, further underscoring his strength among nonwhite voters. Electability looms large:
Biden is preferred by 46 percent of likely S.C. Democratic primary voters, up 14 points from a month ago, according to a Post and Courier-Change Research Poll released Sunday....Nearly nine out of 10 of those polled believe Biden has the best chance to topple Trump. Sanders was the only other candidate to win support from a majority of those polled. Harris and Warren were each considered potential Trump-beaters by about one-third of voters. “Voters figure, ‘We know a white man can win the presidency,’” Vinson said. “Biden seems to be the safe choice.”
A 31-point lead is nothing to sniff at, nor is a 23-point lead in Florida. Again, it can't be said enough: It's very early and anything can happen. Biden may prove to have a glass jaw. If he does, and it gets shattered, the entire playing field would be reshaped. But at this moment, Biden is the dominant leader of the pack.