Hillary Clinton: "I've always tried" to tell the truth
LAS VEGAS -- For Hillary Clinton, these are high roller stakes in Nevada after losing New Hampshire in a landslide and essentially tying in Iowa.
She has decided to stay in Nevada through the caucus on Saturday. CBS News spoke to her at her Las Vegas campaign office.
SCOTT PELLEY:What do you think Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have tapped into? It's a powerful thing.
HILLARY CLINTON:Look, I do think, Scott, people are angry. People feel here government's not working for them. The economy's not working. The political system is not working. But I also see in the eyes of the people I'm meeting with, "Okay, tell me something I can believe. Don't over-promise. Tell me what I can believe you will do for me and my family." And that's what I've tried to do.
PELLEY: Your resume checks almost every box in terms of experience, but that doesn't seem to be what the American people want in this election.
CLINTON:You know, I think at the end of the day, voters understand they are selecting someone to be both president and commander-in-chief. And I'm proud of the experience that I have that will enable me on day one to do all aspects of the job. I know how to go after what Republicans stand for and to defeat them because I believe with all my heart every one of the ones running on the Republican side would be really bad for America.
PELLEY:What's your tax plan? Who gets a tax increase? Who gets a tax cut?
CLINTON:Well, first, I am not raising taxes on the middle class. Period. I'm going after income $5 million or more that I think have too many opportunities to game the system and escape paying the taxes that they should. I'm going after corporations that are gaming the system. I wanna have a sensible corporate tax policy.
PELLEY:Senator Sanders said that he would raise taxes on any family that made $250,000 and above. Is that your level, $250,000?
CLINTON: Well, I've said I will not raise taxes on anybody $250,000 or below. But here's the problem with Senator Sanders' plan. His numbers don't add up. There is no way for him to fulfill the promises he's making without raising taxes on the middle class.
PELLEY:You know, in '76, Jimmy Carter famously said, "I will not lie to you."
CLINTON: Well, I have to tell you I have tried in every way I know how literally from my years as a young lawyer all the way through my time as secretary of state to level with the American people.
PELLEY:You talk about leveling with the American people. Have you always told the truth?
CLINTON:I've always tried to. Always. Always.
PELLEY:Some people are gonna call that wiggle room that you just gave yourself.
CLINTON:Well, no, I've always tried --
PELLEY:I mean, Jimmy Carter said, "I will never lie to you."
CLINTON:Well, but, you know, you're asking me to say, "Have I ever?" I don't believe I ever have. I don't believe I ever have. I don't believe I ever will. I'm gonna do the best I can to level with the American people.