CHARLESTON / HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – After airing Thursday evening, WSAZ’s exclusive interview with Vice President Kamala Harris caught national attention.
On Friday morning, the White House answered questions about the vice president’s appearance at two stations: one in Arizona and the other at WSAZ.
The interview even surprised U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, DW.Va. On Friday morning, Manchin visited one of West Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics. His visit comes just a day after the vice president spoke with WSAZ’s Amanda Barren about the proposed “American rescue plan” (ARP).
“I saw [the interview], I could not believe it. No one called me [about it]”We will try to find a bipartisan way forward, but we have to work together. It’s not a way to work together.”
During a White House press conference, Press Secretary Jen Psaki answered questions on a variety of topics, including the vice president’s appearance on two local televisions on Thursday.
“We want to pay attention to the American people across the country (…) This is one way to do that,” Psaki said.
Then a reporter asked Psaki why Arizona and West Virginia were specifically chosen.
“I think [the vice president will] do a series of additional regional calls and regional interviews, as do team members, ”Psaki replied.
If passed, ARP would give $ 1,400 checks to virtually every American. Senator Manchin believes, however, that payments should be specific targets.
“We found [Pres. Biden’s] economic team and they published what they wanted. We said, “They just show us the numbers.” Because people need to know. We want to help everyone who needs help, ”said Manchin. “But if a person earns $ 250,000 or $ 300,000, I don’t think it’s as necessary as a person earning $ 40,000 or $ 50,000. We’ll keep pointing it out.”
Two different approaches from the same political party.
On Thursday, the vice president told WSAZ’s Amanda Barren that she and President Joe Biden were running as Democrats, but “we are Americans and we will lead as Americans.” Vice President Harris added, “The reason I’m here in West Virginia talking to you is because everyone cares if you voted for us or not.”
Manchin says Congress has already invested $ 4.8 trillion in less than a year. That’s more than the entire U.S. budget, according to Sen Manchin.
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