A New York Times report highlights Vice President Kamala Harris's struggles in one-on-one televised interviews, citing her tendency to evade questions, use jargon, and deliver vague and imprecise answers.
Vice President Kamala Harris's performance in televised interviews has been a subject of scrutiny and concern, according to a recent report by The New York Times. The report, titled "Harris Has a Lot of Strengths. Giving Interviews Isn’t One of Them," sheds light on the shortcomings that have plagued Harris in these settings.
Kamala Harris's Televised Interviews: A Major Weakness
The Times' national politics reporter Rebecca Davis O'Brien acknowledges Harris's strengths in debating and campaigning but emphasizes that one-on-one televised interviews have remained a significant weakness throughout her political career. She observes Harris's tendency to approach questions indirectly, relying on jargon and canned responses, resulting in what is often described as "word salad."
Harris's reluctance to grant unscripted media appearances is attributed to campaign strategy, aiming to minimize her exposure to the potential risks associated with unscripted public speaking. O'Brien describes Harris's demeanor during interviews as "a nervousness that is palpable," suggesting that she feels uncomfortable and vulnerable in these situations.
Kamala Harris's Televised Interviews: A Major Weakness
O'Brien suggests that Harris's background as a prosecutor and her experience on the Senate Judiciary Committee may have contributed to her challenges in interviews. While these roles prepared her to question others aggressively, they provided less experience in being effectively questioned herself.
Dan Morain, a California-based journalist and Harris biographer, notes her ability to engage and connect with audiences in person, but observes her reluctance to directly address press inquiries. He suggests that this behavior is unlikely to change, as Harris prioritizes minimizing risks and avoiding potentially damaging situations.
Kamala Harris's Televised Interviews: A Major Weakness
O'Brien recalls a "clumsy" interview Harris conducted with NBC anchor Lester Holt about the southern border in 2021, which prompted her to avoid interviews for a significant period afterward. She notes that Harris's current interviews often consist of well-rehearsed talking points and circuitous language, often failing to directly address the questions posed to her.
O'Brien attributes Harris's speech patterns to her legal training, which emphasized a different approach to communication than that required of politicians. Prosecutors, unlike elected officials, are not expected to regularly engage with the press and are constrained in what they can share. This mindset, O'Brien argues, may have contributed to Harris's discomfort and avoidance of direct and transparent answers.
Kamala Harris's Televised Interviews: A Major Weakness
In 2023, "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin defended Harris's word salads, suggesting that they were a result of her legal training, which emphasized speaking in threes to enhance memorability.
The report concludes that Harris's struggles in televised interviews have become a persistent weakness that hinders her ability to effectively convey her message and connect with the public. It remains to be seen whether she will prioritize overcoming these challenges or continue to rely on avoidance as a protective measure.
