Despite criticism for avoiding press conferences, Vice President Kamala Harris has finally broken her silence with a joint interview with running mate Tim Walz. However, experts believe she should do more to engage with the media and address pressing policy issues.
Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire for her reluctance to hold press conferences during her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. For 47 days, she remained silent, dodging requests for interviews and avoiding direct engagement with the press. This has sparked concerns about her transparency and accountability to the public.
Under pressure to address the issue, Harris finally participated in a pre-taped interview with CNN's Dana Bash last week alongside her running mate, Tim Walz. However, the interview format raised questions about its resemblance to a traditional press conference, as Harris faced limited follow-up questions and received support from Walz.
Kamala Harris Faces Pressure to Hold Press Conferences Ahead of Election
Conservative critics have argued that Harris should hold regular press conferences to provide clarity on her policy stances. They argue that it is essential for the public to understand her views and that her silence is a sign of weakness or avoidance.
Tim Young, a conservative influencer, told Fox News Digital, "She should absolutely hold regular press conferences. Americans have the right and need to know what her policy stances are."
Kamala Harris Faces Pressure to Hold Press Conferences Ahead of Election
"Anyone who wants to lead the free world should be able to handle questions from the press," Young continued.
During her interview with CNN, Harris defended her policy flip-flops on issues like fracking and immigration, claiming that her "values" remained consistent. She also addressed her support for President Biden's mental acuity after the debate, given that he dropped out of the race shortly after.
Kamala Harris Faces Pressure to Hold Press Conferences Ahead of Election
Harris expressed her desire to move on from the past decade, which she characterized as "contrary to where the spirit of our country really lies." However, Bash pointed out that she had been Vice President for three-and-a-half years, leading to a response from Harris that she was referring to the political rise of Donald Trump.
Despite the interview, some critics remained unimpressed. NBC News Washington correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, known for her favorable coverage of Biden and Harris, questioned Harris's explanation of her policy changes, stating that she "keeps saying ‘my values haven’t changed’ while not explaining why her positions have changed."
Kamala Harris Faces Pressure to Hold Press Conferences Ahead of Election
Meanwhile, Fox News contributor Joe Concha predicted that Harris would avoid any formal press conferences until Election Day, stating, "You will not see one press conference from her in the next 75 days until Election Day."
Conservative radio host Jorge Bonilla believes that Harris's continued avoidance of press conferences is due to media enablement and her ability to maintain a facade of accessibility while remaining unaccountable.
"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."
NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck emphasized the need for unbiased press conferences where reporters can ask follow-up questions.
"For every softball from, say, ABC or NPR, you'll hope a liberal journalist will show some courage to do the right thing," Houck told Fox News Digital.
Houck also criticized the interview's softball approach, highlighting missed opportunities to address topics such as prison voting, immigration, healthcare, and race.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in a CNN interview. Source: CNN
Former President Trump has sought to highlight the contrast in media availability between himself and Harris, conducting several lengthy interviews and holding press conferences.
Harris received mixed reviews for her performance in the CNN interview, where she faced criticism for her dismissal of a question about Trump's suggestion that she did not embrace her Blackness until adulthood. However, her pointed dismissal of such attacks was praised by some liberals.
Conservative commentator Scott Jennings suggested that the Trump campaign could use Harris's embrace of "Bidenomics" to their advantage in the election.
Despite meeting her self-imposed deadline of one interview by the end of August, Harris's engagement with the press remains limited. Whether she will face further pressure to do more interviews and engage in solo press conferences is yet to be seen.
"My fear is, because Bash wasn't like, say, CBS's Steve Kroft or NPR's Steve Inskeep salivating at the sight of Barack Obama, the liberal media will claim this and the upcoming ABC debate are sufficient interview time for the campaign," Houck said.
As the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris has an obligation to provide transparency and accountability to the American people. Regular press conferences are essential for engaging with the public, addressing policy issues, and building trust with voters. Her continued avoidance of direct press engagement raises concerns about her commitment to transparency and her ability to effectively lead the country.
