Republicans are claiming that Vice President Harris is avoiding the press by not participating in sit-down interviews or holding press conferences since emerging as the likely Democratic presidential nominee.
While Harris enjoys a political honeymoon after successfully unifying a fractured Democratic Party in the wake of President Biden’s withdrawal, some Democrats worry she might fall into the same trap as Biden, who was also heavily controlled in his interactions with the press.
“They need to get her out in front of the media soon, to avoid the narrative that she’s hiding from tough questions,” a Democratic strategist involved in recent presidential campaigns remarked, referring to the growing Republican criticism. “We may be riding a high now, but that won’t last forever. Then what?” the strategist added.
VP Kamala Harris continues to close the gap with Trump in polls
Although other Democrats acknowledge that Harris will eventually need to give interviews, they suggest there’s no rush and that she should continue her current approach. They point out that Harris has been making headlines and capturing public attention by speaking at rallies, like the one in Atlanta, where she addressed a lively, packed arena. The excitement at that event reminded Democrats of the energy from President Obama’s 2008 campaign.
Democratic strategist Christy Setzer noted, “The vice president is showing that high-profile interviews aren’t necessary to garner media or voter attention. Her strategy of holding large rallies, focusing on swing states, and using ads and press statements to generate buzz is working. Plus, she’s clearly enjoying herself.” Another Democratic strategist agreed, noting that the Harris campaign has gained momentum and hasn’t faced any major setbacks since her nomination.
“There’s no need for a major interview in the middle of such an energizing moment, especially with Trump sail across a minefield of damaging comments,” the strategist said. Trump’s recent contentious interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, where he made controversial remarks about Harris and his running mate, highlighted the risks of taking tough questions.
Republicans are trying to leverage Trump’s willingness to face the media as a contrast to Harris. “It’s refreshing to see a candidate willing to take on tough interviews, something Trump has been doing for years,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), pointing out Harris’s relative silence.
Harris, however, has remained active, participating in 14 events since becoming the candidate, including rallies, fundraisers, and organizing calls. A Biden campaign aide also noted that Harris has given 80 interviews this year. “Since becoming the nominee, Harris has been connecting with voters and mobilizing a historic coalition ready to win in November,” said Biden campaign spokesperson Seth Schuster.
Despite Harris’s recent surge in the polls after Biden’s exit, some Democrats are concerned about potential missteps when she eventually faces tougher press scrutiny, recalling past interviews that cast her in an unfavorable light.
Republican strategist Matt Gorman likened her current situation to her 2020 presidential primary campaign, where she started strong but faltered after her announcement. “She’s fine when she controls the narrative, but struggles when she’s put on the spot,” Gorman said, predicting her team will limit press interactions over the next 96 days.
The second Democratic strategist suggested that Harris might engage with the press after selecting her running mate, as there will be pressure for the running mate to do an interview. However, the urgency to do so hasn’t yet emerged.
As Harris continues to close the gap with Trump in polls, some Democrats warn that she shouldn’t avoid tough questions for too long. “We don’t want to look back and have regrets about missed opportunities,” said a third Democratic strategist.
