Congressman Ro Khanna: Biden will be “bridge” to progressive future

Congressman Ro Khanna is known for his progressive politics, and served as co-chair of Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. However, he has now fully thrown his support behind former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, and says that a Biden presidency would be far preferable to four more years of President Trump.

“Look, I don’t sugarcoat it. I don’t think Joe Biden is going to lead us to the next progressive era. I think he’s going to be the bridge,” Khanna told CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett in an interview for this week’s episode of “The Takeout” podcast.

Khanna said he was “enthusiastic” about preventing Mr. Trump from winning a second term in office, and added that it should be a clear choice for progressives who they should vote for in November.

“You can get Joe Biden, who can stop the damage and be a bridge, and then we can get a progressive future after that,” Khanna said.

Highlights from this week’s episode:

• Ro Khanna on Joe Biden’s candidacy: “Look, I don’t sugarcoat it. I don’t think Joe Biden is going to lead us to the next progressive era. I think he’s going to be the bridge.”
• Ro Khanna on Joe Biden’s personal advantages against President Trump: “Ultimately it’s about his sense of decency, his sense of American character.”
• Ro Khanna on essential workers: “This is a sobering reminder of how much we’re still dependent on physical labor.”
• Ro Khanna on how the president should respond to the pandemic: “I think the president would do better just leveling with people.”

Khanna also said he was satisfied with Biden’s response to allegations of sexual assault against him by a former Senate staffer, Tara Reade. He said he had come to this conclusion after listening to interviews with Reade, and hearing Biden’s vehement denials.

Khanna argued that Biden’s “sense of decency” would make him a strong challenger to Mr. Trump.

“Ultimately it’s about his sense of decency, his sense of American character,” Khanna said.

Khanna also talked about Mr. Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and argued that Mr. Trump should be more focused on expressing empathy with victims than pushing to reopen the economy.

“I think the president would do better just leveling with people,” Khanna said, encouraging Mr. Trump to be honest about a possible second wave of coronavirus cases later this year. “This is our challenge, and can we find the common American purpose?”

Khanna represents a district in California which contains several tech companies, including Apple. He said the coronavirus pandemic had made him appreciate the value of “essential” workers, such as grocery store employees and janitors.

“This is a sobering reminder of how much we’re still dependent on physical labor,” he said. Khanna is a member of the bipartisan White House legislative task force to reopen the economy, and advocated for protecting these workers and paying them more. 

“If we’re so dependent on these workers, how do we make sure that they’re protected – how do we make sure they get paid more?” Khanna asked. “I think this country needs to have that conversation about the dignity of labor.”

For more of Major’s conversation with Khanna, download “The Takeout” podcast on Art19, iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify and Stitcher. New episodes are available every Friday morning. Also, you can watch “The Takeout” on CBSN Friday at 5pm, 9pm, and 12am ET and Saturday at 1pm, 9pm, and 12am ET. For a full archive of “The Takeout” episodes, visit www.takeoutpodcast.com. And you can listen to “The Takeout” on select CBS News Radio affiliates (check your local listings).  

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