Vice President Kamala Harris has been largely absent from public view since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, prompting criticism for her lack of availability to answer questions from the media.
Vice President Kamala Harris has raised eyebrows for her limited press appearances since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. In the past two weeks, Harris has not held a formal press conference and has only briefly addressed reporters on a few occasions.
This absence from public view has drawn criticism from some who believe Harris should be more accessible to answer questions from the media. National Review senior writer Noah Rothman tweeted, "When is Kamala Harris going to hold a press conference?" Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro said Harris "has not answered ONE difficult question in the last week and a half."
Kamala Harris Breaks Silence with Limited Press Appearances
Harris has instead focused on campaign events and speeches, where she has often read from prepared remarks. She has also given interviews to select outlets, but these have not been wide-ranging or in-depth.
Experts believe Harris's limited press appearances are a strategic move to avoid facing tough questions and to control her message. DePauw University media studies professor Jeffrey McCall said, "The Harris camp is also well aware that their candidate doesn't do well in unscripted settings."
Kamala Harris Breaks Silence with Limited Press Appearances
He added that Harris's supporters do not expect her to be accountable and are more concerned with her not being like former President Trump or President Biden.
However, some argue that Harris's strategy could backfire. McCall said that Harris will eventually need to attract moderate or undecided voters who want to see her take questions.
Kamala Harris Breaks Silence with Limited Press Appearances
The Democratic National Convention, where Harris is expected to formally accept the nomination, is set to kick off on August 19 in Chicago. It remains to be seen whether Harris will hold a press conference or participate in a major interview before then.
In the meantime, the Biden administration has faced criticism for its limited access to the press. President Biden has held fewer press conferences than any of his recent predecessors, and his administration has been accused of being secretive.
The White House has defended its approach, saying that Biden is focused on his work and that he does not need to hold frequent press conferences to communicate with the public. However, the limited access to the press has led to concerns about transparency and accountability.
As the presidential campaign heats up, it remains to be seen whether Harris and Biden will become more accessible to the media. Their willingness to answer questions from reporters could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
