Vice President Kamala Harris plans to increase her media appearances in the coming weeks, with a focus on interviews with local news outlets in battleground states.
Vice President Kamala Harris's 2024 campaign intends to prioritize interviews in the upcoming weeks, with an emphasis on local news outlets in crucial swing states. This strategy comes in response to criticism that Harris needs to clarify her policy positions and engage with a broader audience.
Since emerging as the Democratic ticket for president last month, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have conducted at least 13 formal interviews. Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), have granted at least 54 interviews during the same period.
Kamala Harris to Focus on Local Media in 2024 Campaign
Harris's campaign has indicated that she will participate in more interviews, particularly with local news outlets in states like Pennsylvania, which is considered a key battleground in the 2024 election. Harris's campaign advisor, Brian Fallon, stated that her past actions provide insight into her plans: "If you want to know the kind of things we plan to do, look at the things she was doing all year before the ticket switch."
Despite requests from major news networks, Harris has prioritized interviews with local and non-traditional media outlets, whose audiences tend to be smaller and less likely to press her on her policy positions. Governor Walz recently spoke to an affiliate in Macon, Georgia, while Harris gave an interview to a Philadelphia news station, where her response to a question about the economy was criticized for being evasive.
Kamala Harris to Focus on Local Media in 2024 Campaign
The Times report follows an NBC report last week in which Democratic allies urged Harris to conduct more local interviews: "I don’t think you can hide for 56 more days from media interviews," an anonymous Democratic strategist told NBC News. "The biggest issues with her are because people still don’t know enough about her. It’s going to take a lot more than one debate and one CNN interview to scratch the itch."
Harris gave an interview to Spanish radio on Monday, which aired Tuesday morning. On Tuesday afternoon, she responded to questions from reporters at an event held by the National Association of Black Journalists. In July, Trump clashed with journalists at the same forum.
Kamala Harris to Focus on Local Media in 2024 Campaign
Despite these recent interviews, Harris has yet to hold a formal press conference since replacing President Biden as the Democratic nominee. Former President Trump has frequently taken part in media interviews and rallies, providing a stark contrast to Harris's current approach.
Harris's decision to focus on local media has been met with mixed reactions. While some argue that it enables her to connect with voters on a more personal level, others maintain that she needs to face tougher questioning from major news organizations to demonstrate her ability to handle the presidency.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris's campaign strategy will likely face further scrutiny. Whether her focus on local media will prove effective in communicating her message to a broader audience and countering the narrative of her opponents remains to be seen.
