Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris has yet to grant a single interview, raising concerns about her ability to handle media scrutiny and raising questions about her candidacy.
Over three weeks have passed since Kamala Harris became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party, yet she has not deigned to give a single interview or hold a single press conference, aside from answering two questions on a tarmac on Thursday. This unprecedented media avoidance has drawn severe criticism from both political commentators and the general public, who argue that it is unacceptable and dangerous for a candidate for the highest office in the land to refuse to face the scrutiny of the press.
In an unprecedented move, Harris will accept the Democratic nomination without having received any votes in the primary or having participated in any debates or interviews as a presidential candidate. Instead, her campaign has relied on surrogates and campaign officials to speak on her behalf, raising concerns about her ability to communicate directly with the American people and to answer tough questions about her policies and positions.
Kamala Harris's Media Avoidance: Unacceptable and Dangerous
This media avoidance has not gone unnoticed by the liberal news media, which has been criticized for its fawning coverage of Harris and its unwillingness to hold her accountable for her lack of transparency and accessibility. Critics argue that the media has a responsibility to demand that Harris come out of hiding and speak for herself, rather than allowing her campaign to control her message through carefully curated public appearances and selective leaks to friendly outlets.
There are numerous unanswered questions that Harris needs to address directly with the American public. When did she realize that Biden was incapable of running for a second term? Why wasn't this decision made earlier to allow for a more inclusive and democratic process? Is President Biden still making the major decisions today, despite his obvious cognitive decline?
Kamala Harris's Media Avoidance: Unacceptable and Dangerous
Harris's media avoidance is particularly troubling given her troubling record as a prosecutor in California. She has been criticized for her support of mass incarceration, her opposition to criminal justice reform, and her close ties to law enforcement unions. These concerns need to be addressed directly by Harris, rather than being deflected or dismissed by her surrogates.
Harris's campaign has claimed that she is working to schedule an interview by the end of the month, but this is not enough. If elected, Harris will be responsible for making life-or-death decisions on behalf of the American people. She cannot afford to wait 45 days to respond to difficult questions. It is time for her to come out of hiding and face the scrutiny of the press.
Kamala Harris's Media Avoidance: Unacceptable and Dangerous
