It has been over two weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris was declared the Democratic nominee for president, yet she has not held any press engagements.
Fox News reported that Vice President Kamala Harris has avoided interviews for over two weeks since becoming the Democratic nominee as her presidential campaign enjoys its initial phase.
Vice President Kamala Harris has enjoyed largely favorable media coverage despite her silence. This has occurred even as her polling numbers against former President Donald Trump have tightened.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, selected as her running mate, may boost her appeal within the party. Some speculate that the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) will further bolster her standing.
In the wake of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race due to poor debate performance, his successor as the nominee has taken a markedly different approach to media interactions.
Unlike Biden, who participated in an interview eight days after his debate fallout, Harris has remained out of the media's direct reach for weeks. Her previous engagements, including a defense of Biden's performance on major networks, starkly contrast her current strategy of seclusion.
The absence of Harris from public media forums has not gone unnoticed. This approach, termed a "basement strategy" by Republican VP candidate JD Vance, invites scrutiny. Vance argues that American voters are entitled to a more transparent interaction with their potential leaders.
JD Vance articulated his concerns about Harris's media avoidance:
This is a person who has been a presumptive Democrat nominee for 16 days. She hasn’t taken a single real question from a reporter... The American people deserve to get to know the people who want to lead them, and I think it’s shameful for Kamala Harris, but increasingly for the media, that she is taking a basement strategy of running from reporters instead of getting in front of them and answering tough questions about her record and letting the American people know who she is.
Despite the ongoing silence, there's minimal pressure from the press for Harris to be more forthcoming. Some observers suggest that the press may be cautious to avoid influencing the election negatively. The Democratic nominee was previously critiqued heavily following a 2021 interview about the border crisis, which may influence her current reluctance for free-form interviews.
Additionally, analysts note that avoiding unscripted situations might be strategic, considering the past instances where Harris faced challenges during spontaneous interactions. Jeffrey McCall, a communication professor, noted, "Harris has shown repeatedly over her political career that she's just not very good at speaking in extemporaneous situations."
Highly supportive remarks from party members like Pete Buttigieg continue to underscore the internal party support for Harris despite external criticisms.
The New York Times Editorial Board weighed in, urging Harris to be more accessible. Comparatively, President Biden had also faced criticism for limited press interaction, which was believed to weaken his campaign readiness. The editorial board highlighted this as a cautionary precedent.
Vice President Kamala Harris's approach to media after her nomination starkly contrasts with her previous engagements. Critics argue this could impact voter perception, while supporters deem it a cautious strategy. With the DNC on the horizon and Trump's contrasting media activity, the decisions made in Harris's campaign could prove pivotal in the intense race ahead.
