Kamala Harris has enjoyed positive media coverage since taking Biden’s nomination. But it seems like the honeymoon is over with the selection of her running mate. Some media pundits, along with many critics, were surprised that she selected a far-left progressive to be her vice president. Tim Walz’s record is as progressive as California’s, sparking fears among Democrats that he will turn off moderate and swing voters.
But there is another strategist mistake Kamala has made—and continues to make. She might be able to hide behind campaign speeches, but she can’t count on the media forever.
According to reports, Harris has not sat down for a one-on-one interview since Biden dropped out of the race. Not only that, but she has refused to speak off-script at a press conference since taking over the campaign. Everyone’s noticed, especially the Trump campaign. As it happened, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance landed on a tarmac at the same time as Kamala Harris. Harris ignored the crowd of reporters waiting for her. So, Vance decided to show them some sympathy.
From Daily Wire:
Ohio Senator and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance was on the same tarmac as Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin on Wednesday and felt some sympathy for the group of reporters covering the Democratic nominee…
“I figured I’d come by … hopefully it’s going to be my plane in a few months,” Vance said pointing back at Air Force Two. “I also thought you guys may get lonely because the vice president doesn’t answer questions from reporters and hasn’t for seventeen days.”
Avoiding the Press
The tension on the campaign trail reached a new level in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, as both Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator JD Vance landed around the same time. Harris has taken flack for avoiding interviews, much to the frustration of the media. Vance, seizing the moment, approached the reporters waiting for Harris, highlighting her lack of engagement with the press.
Harris, along with her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, has been on a campaign tour across battleground states. Despite the high stakes, she has refrained from participating in long-form interviews, drawing criticism. During a rally in Philadelphia, Harris boasted about Walz’s qualifications, ignoring his radical and dangerous far-left policies.
Vance’s Challenge
Capitalizing on the media’s frustration, Vance addressed the gathered reporters, suggesting that Harris’s refusal to answer questions was unfair to both the press and the American public. “Have they given you guys an explanation for why she won’t take questions from reporters?” Vance asked, receiving no answer. He criticized Harris for running a “basement campaign” and urged her to engage more openly with voters and the media.
This incident underscores a broader issue in the campaign. With the election only weeks away, candidates’ accessibility and willingness to answer tough questions are becoming critical points of contention. As both sides ramp up their efforts, voters are left to ponder which candidate will be more transparent and accountable. But we all know why Harris is avoiding unscripted events. She is as bad at speaking off-script as Biden is. Harris is known for her incoherent comments, often called “word salads” by listeners. She got far hiding behind Biden and other politicians. But thrust into the spotlight all by herself, she is in big trouble.
But, she will have to speak candidly eventually. She might run from a Trump debate, she might run from press conferences. She won’t be able to run from her own incompetence.
Key Takeaways:
- Harris has been avoiding long-form interviews, drawing criticism.
- Vance seized an opportunity to call out Harris’s evasiveness on the tarmac where they both landed.
- Critics suspect Harris is avoiding unscripted events, due to her poor ability to communicate.
Source: Daily Wire