Since being chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris has been absent from formal press conferences and comprehensive interviews for over a month. This has sparked criticism from both political parties and prompted questions about her media engagement strategy.
Despite her activity on the campaign trail and participation in events such as the Democratic National Convention, Harris’s avoidance of traditional media scrutiny has led to criticism. The Washington Post editorial board has challenged Harris to address her varying policy positions, including her stance on fracking, border security, and private health insurance, noting that even her opponent, former President Donald Trump, has fielded questions from the press.
“At this stage in the campaign, the American people deserve to hear directly from Kamala Harris on where she stands on the issues that will shape our future,” wrote liberal columnist Perry Bacon, calling for Harris to engage with the media.
Further pressure came from CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who queried Harris’ communications director, Michael Tyler, about the lack of press conferences. Tyler responded, “We will commit to directly engage with the voters who are actually going to decide this election. And that is going to be complete with rallies, with sit-down interviews, with press conferences, with all the digital assets that we have at our disposal.”
Yet, the scarcity of direct media engagement continues to be contentious. GOP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance urged the press to hold Harris accountable, stating in a CBS interview, “She needs to do the job of a presidential candidate by speaking to the American people through the press.” Donald Trump, too, has criticized Harris for her lack of press interactions.
Harris’ approach has drawn comparisons to Biden’s 2020 campaign strategy, which was often accused of avoiding media presence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the criticism, the Harris campaign maintains its strategy, focusing on securing voter support with less than 90 days remaining before the election. They emphasize innovative and efficient strategies to communicate effectively with key voters, prioritizing targeted voter engagement over traditional media appearances.
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, suggested that Harris should only engage with the press if it benefits her campaign. This perspective underscores a growing sentiment among some of Harris’ supporters that traditional media engagement may not be as essential as in the past. However, this view contrasts with McFaul’s previous emphasis on the importance of transparency and engagement with the press.
As the campaign intensifies, it remains to be seen whether Harris will engage with the press formally or continue her strategy of selective engagement. For now, the focus of the Harris campaign is on direct voter outreach, leaving the media and the public in anticipation.