Vice President Kamala Harris remains silent on the press conference front.
Fox News reported that Vice President Kamala Harris has not conducted a formal press conference since being named the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee 16 days ago.
Following President Joe Biden’s endorsement on July 21, which led to his exit from the electoral race, Harris took the lead as the likely Democratic candidate. Despite this significant role, she has avoided wide-ranging interviews and has only made informal remarks at various events.
The Vice President has been active on other fronts; she recently greeted American prisoners freed from Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich, at Joint Base Andrews. This event underlined her continuous engagement in high-profile situations despite her absence from press-focused events.
Further drawing attention to her campaign tactics, Harris chose not to attend the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, an event that former President Donald Trump attended, highlighting a sharp contrast in public engagement strategies between political adversaries.
Despite her visible role in key events, Harris’s approach has sparked a debate on the strategic avoidance of media scrutiny. Critics argue that this mirrors the so-called "basement" strategy of President Biden's 2020 campaign, where limited press interaction was observed.
Media experts suggest that Harris’s strategy might be influenced by a perceived difficulty in handling unscripted interactions. She is expected to announce her vice-presidential running mate soon, with a rally planned in Philadelphia, which many speculate may also serve to shift media focus.
Here is what Noah Rothman, a commentator on presidential campaigns, had to say regarding Harris’s absence from the press podium:
The most revealing exposure to which a candidate can submit is a prolonged press conference — and that’s precisely what Harris needs to do. Indeed, we know that’s what she needs to do because it was only a few weeks ago that Democratic political professionals and their allies insisted that was what Biden had to do.
The Democratic National Convention, scheduled to begin on August 19 in Chicago, is approaching fast, and many are watching closely to see if Harris will adjust her media strategy in the days leading up to this significant political event.
Tim Graham, an expert on media and politics, expressed skepticism about Harris breaking from the patterns established in the 2020 Biden campaign:
Kamala Harris should absolutely hold a press conference... However, it seems unlikely given the previous patterns of avoiding press scrutiny. This could either indicate a disregard for media compliance or a lack of confidence in their message consistency.
Jeffrey McCall, a professor of communication, hinted at the advantages of a low-exposure strategy but pointed out its risks, suggesting that direct media engagement could be more beneficial for the Vice President.
As the Democratic National Convention nears, all eyes will be on Vice President Kamala Harris to see if she will step forth to engage more directly with the press. Her choices could very well shape the public perception and media narrative as the presidential campaign intensifies. With critics calling for more openness and direct interaction, the coming weeks are crucial for the Vice President’s media strategy.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris's avoidance of press conferences since her nomination has led to significant scrutiny. Her handful of public appearances and the impending announcement of her vice-presidential pick suggest a carefully curated approach. How these strategies will impact her campaign and public perception as the Democratic National Convention approaches remains a pivotal question.
