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Republicans are criticizing Vice President Harris for avoiding the media by not participating in sit-down interviews and press conferences since emerging as the likely Democratic presidential nominee.
Harris is currently enjoying a political high, having brought unity to a previously divided Democratic Party, a time when questions about President Biden’s future loomed large. However, some Democrats worry that she might follow a restrictive media strategy similar to Biden’s, which could become problematic.
A Democratic strategist with experience in recent presidential campaigns emphasized the importance of Harris facing the media soon to counteract Republican claims that she is dodging tough questions. “They’ve got to get her out there soon, because they can’t let this be part of the narrative,” the strategist remarked.
While some Democrats think Harris should eventually engage in sit-down interviews, others believe she can continue her current strategy a bit longer. They point out her ability to attract media attention and energize voters merely through her rally appearances, like the large-scale event in Atlanta that generated significant enthusiasm, reminiscent of President Obama’s 2008 campaign.
Democratic strategist Christy Setzer highlighted Harris’s effective communication strategy, which doesn’t necessarily rely on traditional interviews but benefits from vibrant rallies and media coverage. “The vice president is showing all of us that you don’t need to do high-profile interviews or press conferences in order to get attention from the media or from voters,” Setzer stated.
In agreement, another Democratic strategist praised the momentum of the Harris campaign, noting its smooth progress since her nomination. However, they also recognized the risks of engaging in challenging interviews, as demonstrated by Trump’s controversial performance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, which attracted negative attention due to his comments.
Trump’s willingness to face the media, despite potential drawbacks, contrasts sharply with Harris’s approach, a point Republicans, like Senator Tom Cotton, are highlighting as a comparative advantage.
Despite criticisms, Harris has been active on the campaign trail, as detailed by a Biden campaign aide who cited her participation in 80 interviews this year and numerous campaign activities. According to Biden campaign spokesperson Seth Schuster, Harris is actively engaging with voters across the nation, while Trump’s rare public appearances continue to alienate necessary voters.
While Democrats are thrilled about Harris’s traction since Biden exited the race, they remain cautious about her media interactions, recalling some past interviews that didn’t cast her in the best light.
Republican strategist Matt Gorman compares Harris’s current situation to the early stages of her primary campaign in the 2020 presidential race, noting her difficulties with improvised responses.
A Democratic strategist predicts Harris might engage more with the press post-vice-presidential pick due to the increased expectation for the running mate to appear in interviews. However, as of now, the urgency for her to face tough questions hasn’t quite manifested.
Despite these concerns, recent polls show Harris narrowing the gap with Trump, even leading in some, bolstering Democratic hopes but also underscoring the eventual necessity for her to address tougher questions directly.