Vice President Kamala Harris's media absence has raised eyebrows and criticisms from political analysts and media professionals.
According to Fox News, CNN reporter Sara Sidner questioned if Vice President Kamala Harris' lack of media appearances since becoming the de facto Democratic nominee might harm her campaign.
On Tuesday’s installment of “CNN News Central,” CNN reporter Sara Sidner questioned Harris’s lack of formal media engagements. This comes as she has not held a press conference or conducted a wide-ranging interview in over two weeks, raising questions about her strategy and transparency.
While Harris has yet to formally address the media, Robby Mook, former campaign manager for Hillary Clinton, stepped in to explain the rationale. Harris has been preoccupied with selecting her vice president and preparing for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Mook assured the public that Harris would have "plenty of time" for media appearances to lay out her policies and answer questions after these significant events.
On Tuesday, Harris named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, a choice that has brought additional scrutiny and interest. Walz recently emerged as a prominent figure in Harris's campaign, further adding to the anticipation surrounding her official statements on various issues.
Harris has not been completely silent despite the backlash regarding her lack of press conferences. She has remained actively involved on the campaign trail, delivering speeches at various events and making informal remarks to reporters.
Additionally, she briefly addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday while greeting Americans freed from Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
The DNC recently announced that Harris officially clinched the 2024 presidential nomination after securing a majority of pledged delegates’ votes. This has only increased the stakes for Harris to maintain a visible and accessible presence in the media.
Harris did not attend the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Chicago, an event where former President Donald Trump made headlines with a heated Q&A session. Her absence fueled criticism about her engagement and availability for hard-hitting media interactions. Though she missed this significant event, there are indications that Harris might make a future appearance with the NABJ.
Sara Sidner raised pointed questions about Harris’s media engagement choices, suggesting it could be a "big mistake" not to hold a press conference under these circumstances. The lack of formal media appearances is seen as particularly concerning because Harris will have to address difficult questions regarding policies such as border management.
Harris's campaign strategy has thus become a subject of intense discussion. Mook reiterated that Harris's current priorities are focused on essential campaign milestones, suggesting these will lay the groundwork for subsequent media engagement.
Once these milestones are crossed, Harris is expected to engage more formally with the press. Mook pointed out that events such as the upcoming DNC would offer a platform for Harris to articulate her vision and policies clearly. This assurance comes as her supporters eagerly await more in-depth media interactions.
To summarize, Vice President Kamala Harris has faced scrutiny for not engaging in formal media appearances despite her active campaign presence. Key campaign events and her recent VP pick have kept her occupied, with plans for future media engagements to unfold post-DNC. Her absence at significant events like the NABJ convention has sparked further criticism, though answers from her team assure more visibility soon.
