CNBC’s Joe Kernan did not hold back on Thursday, challenging New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on his liberal talking points. He grilled the progressive Democrat on Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies and how they could harm America’s economy if she wins next week’s election. With glasses perched on his nose, Murphy listened patiently as the “Squawk Box” host pressed him on issues like “getting rid of private insurance,” taxing unrealized gains, and nationalizing the U.S. energy grid—all positions that Harris currently advocates or has supported during her lengthy political career.
Kernan also cited other proposals, such as instituting mandatory gun buybacks, decriminalizing border crossings, and ending cash bail, challenging Murphy to justify why Harris is the commonsense choice this year. “What are your favorite proposals from Kamala Harris that make you like her so much?” Kernan asked. “Joe, for a Jersey guy you sound like you’re on the Trump campaign for crying out loud. C’mon, man!” Murphy claimed with a diplomatic laugh. “You’re cherry-picking stuff!” But in reality, these are all positions Harris has taken, and there are videos of each one.
Kernan then asked the governor to go down the list, starting with ending the Senate filibuster. “Are you in favor?” he asked again. “I’m not sure on the filibuster, honestly, but I think fair tax policy is sensible,” Murphy replied. Asked by Kernan to clarify what he thinks is “fair,” the Democrat replied lamely, “Fair means you pay what you should pay.”
“Well you know I live in your state, Governor. Do you think if I pay fifty-five percent total, that’s fair for me, or do I need to pay eighty percent? What would be fair for you?” the host pressed ahead. After complaining again that Kernan “sounds like you’re on the Trump campaign,” Murphy admitted, “I don’t know what the right number is.” Rather, he pointed to New Jersey’s millionaires tax passed in 2019. “Everybody, Joe, including you said it would drive people out of New Jersey. We have more millionaires today than we’ve ever had in our history. So tax fairness isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” he claimed.
Kernan wasn’t convinced and questioned his guest about whether he believes the U.S. tax system “isn’t progressive enough” and if he agrees that unrealized gains in the stock market should be taxed. Gov. Murphy conceded that he “isn’t wild” about the proposal, indicating how unpopular some of the vice president’s past or present positions have become. What he is passionate about, the Democrat stated, is “a democracy that works,” without really explaining what that meant. When Kernan noted that President Joe Biden has “weaponized the justice system” to prosecute Trump, Murphy shook his head. “I mean, come on, Joe, come on. You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
WATCH:
? New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Gets Roasted by Squawk Box’s Joe Kernen
“I live in your state Governor. Do you think if I pay 55% total [in taxes] is that fair for me, or do I need to pay 80%? What would be fair for you?”@JoeSquawk pic.twitter.com/dlt0dDApEq
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) October 30, 2024
