Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized for her lack of press accessibility, with conservative commentators accusing her of "stonewalling" and "hiding" from the media.
Conservative commentators are criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her lack of press accessibility, accusing her of "stonewalling" and "hiding" from the media.
Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, has gone eight weeks without holding an official press conference. She has also declined to give solo television interviews, only appearing alongside running mate Tim Walz in a pre-taped interview with CNN's Dana Bash.
Kamala Harris Faces Criticism for Lack of Press Accessibility
In contrast, former President Donald Trump has held three news conferences since the beginning of August. He has also sat for several lengthy interviews in recent weeks.
Conservative Radio Libre host Jorge Bonilla said Harris should do a press conference but said it's almost "irrelevant" because she continues to get a pass from the media.
Kamala Harris Faces Criticism for Lack of Press Accessibility
"She is highly unlikely to do a press conference because the media have enabled and encouraged her ‘plexiglass basement’ strategy, wherein she preserves the illusion of being out there while remaining wholly inaccessible to the press and therefore unaccountable," Bonilla told Fox News Digital.
Trump has sought to highlight the contrast in media availability between the two, sitting for several lengthy interviews in recent weeks, in addition to his three news conferences.
Kamala Harris Faces Criticism for Lack of Press Accessibility
In her interview on Friday in Philadelphia, her answer citing her middle-class upbringing when asked about specifics of her economic policy drew sharp criticism.
"You know, I grew up in a neighborhood of folks who were very proud of their lawn," she said. "And I was raised to believe and to know that all people deserve dignity, and that we as Americans have a beautiful character. You know, we have ambitions and aspirations and dreams, but not everyone necessarily has access to the resources that can help them fuel those dreams and ambitions.
"So when I talk about building an opportunity economy, it is very much with the mind of investing in the ambitions and aspirations and the incredible work ethic of the American people and creating opportunity for people, for example, to start a small business."
Fox News host Jesse Watters also criticized Harris for her lack of solo interviews, saying that she "couldn't get it together for her first solo interview" since becoming the Democratic nominee.
"She's not used to being asked tough questions," Watters said. "She's used to being spoon-fed questions by the liberal media."
The criticism of Harris comes as she faces an increasingly difficult political environment. The economy is struggling, and President Biden's approval ratings are at a record low. Harris is also facing pressure from within her own party, with some Democrats questioning her ability to win the general election.
It remains to be seen whether Harris will change her approach to press accessibility. However, the criticism she is facing is likely to intensify as the presidential campaign heats up.
