Vice President Kamala Harris' recent interview on MSNBC has drawn sharp criticism from an unexpected source, raising questions about her media strategy and communication style.
The New York Times published a scathing report on Harris' interview with MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle, accusing the Vice President of employing evasive tactics and providing roundabout responses to straightforward questions.
According to the Times, Harris has been adhering to a strategy of granting interviews to "friendly inquisitors" who are unlikely to pose challenging questions or press her when her responses are evasive. This approach has come under scrutiny, particularly as Harris recently increased her media appearances.
The Times report suggests that Harris' media strategy involves carefully selecting interviewers who are less likely to ask probing questions or challenge her on policy specifics. This approach has been evident in her recent media engagements, including the interview with Stephanie Ruhle on MSNBC.
Critics argue that this strategy limits the depth and substance of Harris' public discourse, particularly on important policy matters. The report notes that Harris responded to "fairly basic and predictable questions with roundabout responses that did not provide a substantive answer."
The MSNBC interview, which was Harris' first solo interview with a major network, has become a focal point of discussion. The Times report pointed out that Ruhle had previously defended Harris against criticisms of dodging questions and avoiding policy specifics.
The report from the New York Times stated:
Ms. Harris responded to the fairly basic and predictable questions with roundabout responses that did not provide a substantive answer.
The Times report also scrutinized Ruhle's interviewing style, noting that she failed to press Harris on certain key issues. For instance, the report mentioned that Ruhle did not push Harris on whether she had prior knowledge about President Biden's health before the June debate that led to his withdrawal from the race.
Additionally, the report suggested that Ruhle joined Harris in criticizing former President Trump without posing challenging questions about Harris' own positions or her knowledge of Biden's condition during his campaign.
This approach by Ruhle, according to the Times, may have been a factor in Harris agreeing to the interview in the first place. The report implies that the Vice President's team may be selecting interviewers who are less likely to challenge her or delve into uncomfortable topics.
During the interview, Harris was asked about her economic proposals and how she would fund them if faced with opposition from Republicans in Congress. The Times report noted that when Ruhle asked if Harris would proceed with her plans and borrow if unable to raise corporate taxes, the Vice President's response was deemed insufficient. Harris replied:
But we're going to have to raise corporate taxes. We're going to have to make sure that the biggest corporations and billionaires pay their fair share. That's just it. It's about paying their fair share.
The report highlighted that even Ruhle, while discussing the interview later on MSNBC's "Deadline: White House," conceded that Harris "doesn't answer the question."
The New York Times report on Vice President Kamala Harris' MSNBC interview has shed light on her media strategy and communication style. The critique focuses on Harris' tendency to provide evasive answers and her preference for friendly interviewers. The report also questions the effectiveness of this approach in addressing substantive policy issues, particularly as Harris positions herself as a presidential candidate. This analysis raises important considerations about the balance between media accessibility and the need for thorough, direct responses from high-ranking public officials.
