Press Telegram in Long Beach, California

Harris says a black running mate would be acceptable

Democratic candidate Fred Harris insists a black vice presidential candidate could win white voters, citing California's black schools chief Wilson Riles as an example, but he declines to endorse any specific individual. He urges a new populism with wealth redistribution and broad coalitions to empower low income earners facing inflation. He criticizes Nixon’s wage price freeze and tax policy, proposing relief for those earning under $18,000 and noting Reagan paid no state income tax in 1970. He compares foreign policy ideals with Huey Long’s ideas.