Vice President Kamala Harris has gone 20 days without holding a formal press conference, prompting criticism from opponents and media outlets.
Vice President Kamala Harris has become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, yet she has not held a formal press conference in 20 days. Critics are questioning her transparency and ability to handle the demands of the office.
Harris, who clinched the nomination last week after President Biden endorsed her, has been busy on the campaign trail and has spoken at various events. However, she has not given a formal press conference or wide-ranging interview since becoming the de facto nominee.
Kamala Harris' Lack of Press Conferences Raises Eyebrows
This week, Harris made headlines by picking Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. However, the two have not yet been questioned formally in interviews or press conferences.
GOP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has implored the media to get Harris to answer questions. "Until she does, you guys have got to stop giving her a honeymoon and pretending that she is something she isn't," he said.
Kamala Harris' Lack of Press Conferences Raises Eyebrows
National Review senior writer Noah Rothman recently asked his social media followers, "When is Kamala Harris going to hold a press conference?"
NewsBusters executive editor Tim Graham expects Harris to avoid press conferences, as President Biden did in 2020. "We cannot expect her to break from Biden's serial avoidance of press conferences," he said.
Kamala Harris' Lack of Press Conferences Raises Eyebrows
Critics argue that press conferences are essential for transparency and accountability. They say that Harris should be willing to answer questions from the media, especially since she is now the presumptive Democratic nominee.
U.S. News & World Report senior national correspondent Oliver Knox wrote that "of course" Harris should take questions from the press. He said that the pressure on her to do so will only increase as non-journalists begin to wonder about her positions on certain issues.
Kamala Harris' Lack of Press Conferences Raises Eyebrows
The Democratic National Convention is set to begin on August 19 in Chicago. It is unclear whether Harris will hold a press conference before then.
Some analysts believe that Harris may be avoiding press conferences to minimize potential damage to her campaign. Others believe that it is simply a sign of her inexperience and discomfort with the media.
Regardless of the reason, Harris' lack of press conferences is becoming a major issue in the campaign. It is a sign that she is not yet ready for the demands of the office and that she may not be able to handle the scrutiny that comes with being president.
