Vice President Kamala Harris | 60 Minutes Archive

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Israel has begun what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls the second stage of the war by expanding its military ground operations in Gaza. We spoke with Vice President Kamala Harris this past week as the Biden Administration was trying to balance Israel’s need to retaliate against Hamas with the urgent need to get relief to the Palestinian people. Vice President Harris told us she is also involved in the administration's efforts on the war in Ukraine as well as countless intractable problems including gun violence at home. But with the Middle East on a razor’s edge, we started our conversation there.

Q: How close is this to becoming a regional conflict that could draw in US troops? We have absolutely no intention nor do we have any plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza, period.

Vice President Harris acknowledges the US is not dictating Israel’s actions but is providing advice, equipment, and diplomatic support.

A terrorist organization, Hamas, slaughtered hundreds of young people at a concert. By most estimates, at least 1,400 Israelis are dead. Israel without any question has a right to defend itself. That being said, it is very important that there be no conflation between Hamas and the Palestinians. 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 must be humanitarian aid that flows.

US Response and Diplomatic Efforts

Harris emphasized that the US wants to keep the conflict from escalating, but that’s proving difficult. In the last two weeks, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, both proxies of Iran, have launched missiles, rockets, and drones against Israel. Iranian-backed militias have fired on US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria. In response, the US launched air strikes against Iranian weapons facilities in Syria. The Pentagon has also deployed two imposing aircraft carrier strike groups to the region.

Q: What’s the message to Iran? As President Biden said, just don’t. Exactly. One word. Pretty straightforward.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel, Harris says she has spoken with President Isaac Herzog of Israel and joined President Biden on calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. President Joe Biden told us in a statement, “This is as high stakes and complex a situation as it gets and Kamala is my partner in all of it,” emphasizing that Harris’s advice and counsel are invaluable.

Relationship with President Biden

When asked if she has the same relationship with President Biden that he famously had with President Obama, Harris confirmed that she does and takes that responsibility quite seriously, meeting with him multiple times a day unless he or she is traveling. They are in total agreement that the US must stand with Israel and Ukraine, two democracies under attack.

Q: Does this war in the Middle East put Ukraine on the back burner? Not for us. No, it does not put them on the back burner at all.

Domestic Priorities and Upcoming Election

Besides her international responsibilities, Vice President Harris has been the administration’s point person on domestic priorities, particularly gun violence and issues important to the Democrats ahead of the 2024 election. She has been traveling the country, talking up the Democrats’ key issues, like the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and gun violence.

We joined the Vice President and the Second Gentleman on Air Force 2 for a trip to Las Vegas, five days after the terror attack on Israel. While in the air, Harris joined a secure video call with the President and their national security teams to discuss measures to keep the homeland safe.

At the College of Southern Nevada, Harris continued her “Fight for Our Freedoms” College Tour.

Q: Why is the current administration not generating as much enthusiasm as seen during the 2020 election? Harris attributes it to a lack of media coverage, emphasizing the importance of getting their message out.

Polls and Public Perception

Despite her international and domestic efforts, a recent CBS poll found that at the beginning of President Biden's term, 70% of young people under 30 said he was doing a good job; now it’s less than 50%.

When asked why people don’t think the administration is doing a good job on the border, Harris points to the need for a safe, orderly, and humane border policy and the necessity for Congress to act.

Vice President's Signature and Historical Significance

Harris is proud of the responsibility she carries as the first woman, first African American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President. She emphasizes her focus on the Biden-Harris ticket's re-election next year amid growing concerns from some Democrats about Biden's age and her poll numbers.

Q: What do you say to donors who are worried about President Biden’s health and your readiness to step up? First of all, I’m not going to engage in that hypothetical because Joe Biden is very much alive and running for re-election. I hear from a lot of different people. But let me just tell you, I’m focused on the job.

Economic Challenges and Achievements

Harris highlights the administration's economic achievements, emphasizing the creation of over 14 million new jobs and 800,000 new manufacturing jobs, but acknowledges that prices for basics remain high.

Q: With these achievements, why are you running neck and neck with Donald Trump? When the American people take a close look at election time, I think the choice is going to be clear. We’re going to win.

Keywords

Israel-Hamas Conflict
Diplomatic Support
Hezbollah
Houthis
Iran
Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups
Humanitarian Aid
Ukraine
Gun Violence
Roe v. Wade
College Tour
Border Policy
First Woman Vice President
Biden-Harris Re-election
Economic Challenges
Job Creation

FAQ

Q: What is the second stage of the war that Prime Minister Netanyahu mentioned? A: The second stage involves expanding Israel’s military ground operations in Gaza.

Q: Is the US planning to send combat troops to Israel or Gaza? A: No, the US has absolutely no intention or plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza.

Q: What kind of support is the US providing to Israel? A: The US is providing advice, equipment, and diplomatic support.

Q: What is the US doing to prevent the conflict from escalating? A: The US has launched air strikes against Iranian weapons facilities in Syria and deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region.

Q: How often does Vice President Harris meet with President Biden? A: Multiple times a day, unless either of them is traveling.

Q: Does the war in the Middle East impact US support for Ukraine? A: No, the US remains committed to supporting Ukraine.

Q: What are some of the domestic priorities Vice President Harris is focusing on? A: She is focusing on gun violence, the protection of reproductive rights, and bringing enthusiasm to Democratic supporters ahead of the 2024 election.

Q: What are the main economic achievements of the Biden-Harris administration? A: They include reducing inflation, creating over 14 million new jobs, and 800,000 new manufacturing jobs.

Q: Why is the Biden-Harris ticket not leading significantly in the polls despite their achievements? A: Vice President Harris believes that as the election approaches and people closely evaluate their options, the choice will be clear in favor of the Biden-Harris ticket.

Q: What does Kamala Harris focus on regarding her historical significance as VP? A: She focuses on making sure she is not the last to achieve these milestones and on the collective work of getting the Biden-Harris ticket re-elected.