Vice President Kamala Harris has not held a formal press conference in 15 days, despite becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after President Biden’s endorsement and withdrawal from the race on July 21.
Since clinching the nomination, Harris has been active on the campaign trail and has spoken at various events, but she has not engaged in a wide-ranging interview or press conference. Her absence from such formal settings has raised questions about her visibility and readiness for the upcoming election.
Harris missed the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, where former President Trump made headlines with a vigorous Q&A session.
Although she briefly addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews during a significant prisoner swap involving Americans freed from Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, she has otherwise remained elusive in terms of formal media interactions. This has led to speculation about her strategy as she nears the selection of her running mate for the November election.
Kamala Harris
Critics have noted Harris’s lack of formal press engagements since becoming the presumptive nominee. National Review senior writer Noah Rothman has pointed out that a prolonged press conference is crucial for Harris to address tough questions and clarify her positions.
Similarly, NewsBusters executive editor Tim Graham suggests that Harris’s avoidance of press conferences mirrors President Biden’s strategy during the 2020 campaign, where Biden was accused of avoiding media scrutiny.
DePauw University media studies professor Jeffrey McCall suggests that Harris’s campaign may be following Biden’s 2020 playbook, which included limited media exposure.
McCall argues that Harris’s campaign may avoid unscripted settings due to concerns over her performance in such environments and the potential need to defend her record. He also points out that Democratic supporters may be content with Harris’s lack of press interaction as long as she is not Trump.
As the Democratic National Convention approaches on August 19, Harris’s campaign strategy remains under scrutiny. Critics argue that while avoiding press conferences may be a tactical choice, engaging with the media through formal settings could help Harris appeal to undecided voters and moderates.
The Harris campaign has yet to comment on these concerns, leaving her public engagement strategy open to further speculation.
