Vice President Kamala Harris has remained largely absent from formal press conferences since she was nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate.
According to Fox News, the Vice President has not held a single formal press interaction in over a week, raising eyebrows among critics and supporters alike.
Since confirming her nomination on July 22, Harris has partaken in numerous campaign trail events but steered clear from engaging in any press conferences or in-depth media interviews.
Kamala Harris's strategy mirrors a similar media approach taken by President Biden during the 2020 campaign. This pattern of limited press engagements has spurred discussions and criticism. National Review commentator Noah Rothman and NewsBusters executive editor Tim Graham have voiced significant concerns regarding this tactic.
Tim Graham specifically pointed out, "Either they think the press can never be servile enough or they are projecting a complete lack of confidence in their efforts to put complete sentences together."
Adding to the discussion, Jeffrey McCall, a Media Studies Professor at DePauw University, emphasized the importance of traditional media engagement. He noted that from a rhetorical and strategic standpoint, it would benefit Harris to face the press directly.
Harris has been active in other public capacities despite avoiding formal press events. She most notably appeared at Joint Base Andrews to welcome Americans released from Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich.
During this event, Harris made a pointed remark about the importance of diplomacy, stressing its role in strengthening alliances.
Yet, her absence was noted at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, an event that former President Donald Trump attended, engaging in a Q&A session that garnered much attention.
As the Democratic National Convention approaches on August 19 in Chicago, questions continue about when Harris will break her silence and engage more directly with the media.
Her avoidance of press conferences has not gone unnoticed, with many speculating that her campaign strategy might involve minimizing potential gaffes or difficult questions. Prominent figures like conservative pundit Ben Shapiro have expressed dissatisfaction with Harris’s reluctance to face challenging media questions openly.
Jeffrey McCall further elaborated on the implications of Harris’s media strategy:
The Harris camp is also well aware that their candidate doesn't do well in unscripted settings, not to mention that a presser or legitimate sit-down interview would necessarily require her to defend some of her positions, previous statements and record. Thus, a rerun of the Biden basement campaign sounds pretty good, as long as you throw in a couple of rallies with Megan Thee Stallion.
In summary, Vice President Kamala Harris's absence from the formal press circuit since her nomination announcement has ignited discussions and criticisms across the political spectrum. As the Democratic National Convention looms, the political and public eye remains fixed on Harris, awaiting her next move in a campaign marked by cautious engagement with the media.
