Almost a month has passed since President Joe Biden withdrew his bid for reelection and handed the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, declaring her the Democratic nominee. Yet, despite mounting pressure, Harris remains elusive, avoiding a formal press conference. Her presence on the campaign circuit hasn't translated into substantial media engagement; she's given no comprehensive interviews or held any significant press conferences since stepping up as Biden's successor.
Despite participating in casual encounters with the press and holding off-the-record discussions, a formal sit-down remains off her agenda. Even TIME magazine was left hanging after extending an interview invitation, despite dedicating a cover story to Harris titled "Her Moment." Meanwhile, her running mate Tim Walz also sidestepped a formal interview with The New York Times concerning his handling of the George Floyd protests in Minnesota.
Criticism isn't just coming from right-leaning outlets; even The Washington Post has called her out for dodging media scrutiny. They've pointedly noted that unlike Harris, her opponent hasn't shied away from tough questions. CNN's John Berman highlighted this avoidance tactic when he tackled Harris' spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod on the issue, suggesting that time isn't the barrier here—it's willingness. Echoing this sentiment was Senator Eric Schmitt from Missouri who argued on CNN that Harris steers clear of hard questions due to an "indefensible" record.
Harris briefly broke her silence last week before boarding Air Force Two, responding to criticism about her lack of formal press engagements by promising an interview by month-end. She also acknowledged an agreement with Trump for at least one presidential debate by September 10th—her readiness to engage in further debates stands in stark contrast to her current media strategy.
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The choice of Tim Walz as vice president has not been without controversy either; accusations from Republicans about his military service have sparked debate. Yet, Harris defended him publicly, advocating respect for anyone willing to serve their country.
Adding to the chorus for more transparency is sports journalist Stephen A. Smith who criticized Harris' absence from meaningful media interactions while acknowledging his intent to vote for her over Trump. Highlighting Trump's accessibility to the press during his candidacy, Smith calls out Harris for not doing enough to connect with voters through the media: “The only damn place we’ve seen Kamala Harris is at pep rallies,” he lamented on his podcast.
This scenario lays bare a critical issue: In politics, visibility and accountability are crucial. As Harris navigates her campaign trail towards potentially becoming President of the United States, voters and critics alike demand more than just rally appearances—they seek answers and engagement that go beyond the surface level interactions so far provided by the Democratic nominee.
Despite participating in casual encounters with the press and holding off-the-record discussions, a formal sit-down remains off her agenda. Even TIME magazine was left hanging after extending an interview invitation, despite dedicating a cover story to Harris titled "Her Moment." Meanwhile, her running mate Tim Walz also sidestepped a formal interview with The New York Times concerning his handling of the George Floyd protests in Minnesota.
Criticism isn't just coming from right-leaning outlets; even The Washington Post has called her out for dodging media scrutiny. They've pointedly noted that unlike Harris, her opponent hasn't shied away from tough questions. CNN's John Berman highlighted this avoidance tactic when he tackled Harris' spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod on the issue, suggesting that time isn't the barrier here—it's willingness. Echoing this sentiment was Senator Eric Schmitt from Missouri who argued on CNN that Harris steers clear of hard questions due to an "indefensible" record.
Harris briefly broke her silence last week before boarding Air Force Two, responding to criticism about her lack of formal press engagements by promising an interview by month-end. She also acknowledged an agreement with Trump for at least one presidential debate by September 10th—her readiness to engage in further debates stands in stark contrast to her current media strategy.
Get the latest, most crucial news stories on the web – sent straight to your inbox for FREE as soon as they hit! Sign up for WayneDupree.com Email News Alerts in just 30 seconds!
The choice of Tim Walz as vice president has not been without controversy either; accusations from Republicans about his military service have sparked debate. Yet, Harris defended him publicly, advocating respect for anyone willing to serve their country.
Adding to the chorus for more transparency is sports journalist Stephen A. Smith who criticized Harris' absence from meaningful media interactions while acknowledging his intent to vote for her over Trump. Highlighting Trump's accessibility to the press during his candidacy, Smith calls out Harris for not doing enough to connect with voters through the media: “The only damn place we’ve seen Kamala Harris is at pep rallies,” he lamented on his podcast.
This scenario lays bare a critical issue: In politics, visibility and accountability are crucial. As Harris navigates her campaign trail towards potentially becoming President of the United States, voters and critics alike demand more than just rally appearances—they seek answers and engagement that go beyond the surface level interactions so far provided by the Democratic nominee.
