Why Is Kamala Harris Silent? No Press Conferences in 23 Days…

Vice President Kamala Harris has been conspicuously absent from the press circuit, going 23 days without holding a formal press conference or sit-down interview since securing the Democratic presidential nomination. After President Biden’s endorsement on July 21st,  and his subsequent exit from the race, Harris stepped up as the presumptive nominee. Despite her campaign trail appearances and brief remarks to the media, she has avoided the kind of rigorous questioning that comes with a formal press event, as told by Fox News.

On Thursday, Harris spoke briefly to reporters in Michigan, mentioning her eagerness to debate former President Trump on September 10th. She also defended her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, focusing on his military record. While her team promised an interview by the end of the month, this was little consolation to those expecting more transparency.

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Even the left-leaning Washington Post editorial board took Harris to task, pointing out that while her opponent at least answers questions, Harris has been dodging the media. They called on her to address her shifting stances on issues like fracking, border security, and private health insurance.

This media avoidance hasn’t gone unnoticed by GOP vice-presidential candidate JD Vance. During a press conference in Detroit, Vance urged journalists to hold Harris accountable, stating, “Until she does, you guys have got to stop giving her a honeymoon and pretending that she is something she isn’t.” Vance himself has faced tough questions on multiple Sunday shows, in stark contrast to Harris, who has relied on surrogates to represent her campaign.

Former President Trump also criticized Harris’s lack of media engagement, claiming, “She doesn’t know how to do a news conference; she’s not smart enough to do a news conference.” National Review’s Noah Rothman echoed this sentiment, questioning when Harris would finally face the press. He argued that a prolonged press conference is essential for a candidate, especially given the demands placed on Biden to do the same during his campaign.

Rothman further highlighted the irony of Trump granting wide access to media outlets that frequently criticize him, while Harris and Biden avoid interviews with friendly networks. The contrast is striking and raises questions about the confidence Harris has in her ability to handle unscripted interactions.

The Harris campaign has defended its strategy, emphasizing the need to reach voters effectively in the limited time left before the election. A spokesperson dismissed Trump’s criticisms, suggesting that his campaign strategy of attacking the media and voters is ineffective. However, with less than 90 days to go, Harris’s reluctance to engage with the press could raise doubts among voters about her readiness to lead.