Vice President Kamala Harris' past "damaging moments" in interviews are weighing on her mind and her team's as she has yet to grant an interview or hold a press conference since becoming the Democratic nominee, according to a reporter.
Vice President Kamala Harris' past "damaging moments" in interviews with the press are on her mind and her team's as she continues to dodge formal media engagements, according to NOTUS reporter Jasmine Wright.
Harris has not granted any interviews or held formal press conferences since ascending as the Democratic nominee, which has raised questions about her media strategy and her ability to handle tough questions from reporters.
Harris' "Damaging Moments" Haunt Her Campaign as She Avoids Press
In an interview with MSNBC on Thursday, Wright said that Harris' team is aware of her past missteps in interviews, particularly the infamous moment when she scrambled to answer a question about her visit to the southern border during an interview with Lester Holt in 2021.
"I think that is something that’s always been on the mind of her office, and the vice president herself, of course," Wright said. "We’ve reported that she has been doing some media training."
Harris' "Damaging Moments" Haunt Her Campaign as She Avoids Press
Wright also noted that Harris has been engaging with the press on her own terms, such as making off-the-record comments on her plane and giving statements under the wing of Air Force Two but then turning away before answering questions.
"I think that is actually the question of the hour," Wright said when asked if Harris would be holding her own press conference soon. "So it is not that she hasn’t engaged the press, but it’s certainly been on the vice president’s own terms, as it has kind of been for the last three years as she’s been vice president."
Harris' "Damaging Moments" Haunt Her Campaign as She Avoids Press
Wright's comments echo those of CNN's Van Jones, who said that Harris' apparent avoiding of the press "can't last" and that all nominees for president needed to make themselves as available as possible.
Harris' media strategy has come under scrutiny as she prepares to face off against Republican nominee Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential election. Haley has already granted several interviews and held press conferences, and she has criticized Harris for her lack of engagement with the media.
Harris' team has reportedly been urging her to do more interviews and press conferences, but she has been reluctant to do so. Sources close to Harris say that she is concerned about making further mistakes in interviews and that she is also worried about being attacked by Haley.
However, some analysts believe that Harris' avoidance of the press is a mistake. They argue that she needs to show that she can handle tough questions from reporters and that she is prepared to be the president.
As the election approaches, Harris' media strategy will likely come under even more scrutiny. She will need to find a way to engage with the press without making further mistakes that could damage her campaign.
In addition to Wright's comments, the New York Times editorial board has also urged Harris to "do better" than Biden in taking questions from reporters. The editorial board said that Harris "has a responsibility to be accountable to the public" and that she "needs to be able to answer questions about her record and her plans for the country."
It remains to be seen whether Harris will heed the advice of her critics and start granting more interviews and holding more press conferences. However, her reluctance to engage with the press is sure to be a major talking point in the upcoming election.
