Vice President Kamala Harris has been the official Democratic nominee for president for 67 days without holding a formal press conference. This decision has attracted attention, and criticism, from a number of sources. However, she ended her interview drought last month in Georgia, when she was joined by running mate Tim Walz in a pre-taped piece with CNN's Dana Bash. The interview was conducted in a manner that diverged from the traditional format of a press conference.
Former President Trump has held three news conferences since the beginning of August, focusing on a variety of topics, including crime, immigration, and inflation. The contrast in media availability between Harris and Trump has not gone unnoticed, with Trump participating in several lengthy interviews in recent weeks.
Harris, despite not holding a formal press conference, has increased her media presence in recent weeks. She has conducted several interviews, including radio appearances and a solo sit-down with a Philadelphia TV station. Harris also appeared on MSNBC for an interview with Stephanie Ruhle.
During these interviews, Harris has been articulate in explaining her background and its influence on her political perspective. She has discussed her own experiences working at McDonald's as a student and how it has shaped her understanding of the struggles faced by many American families. Her comments reflect a focus on the needs of the American people and her belief in the responsibility of political leaders to meet those needs.
However, there have been criticisms about Harris's avoidance of specific policy questions, such as her approach to economic policy. In one instance, her response to a question about lowering prices highlighted her middle-class upbringing and belief in the dignity of all people, but did not directly address the specifics of her economic policy.
Harris has also discussed her economic vision for her administration during her speech at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. She emphasized the need for understanding the struggles of the middle class and highlighted her own working-class background as proof of her understanding.
In an interview with Stephanie Ruhle, Harris discussed her decision-making process, specifically mentioning her choice of running mate as a recent example of a "gut decision". She dismissed allegations of antisemitism influencing her choice and defended her decision as a demonstration of her ability to make wise decisions in a limited amount of time.
The media strategy of Vice President Kamala Harris, as a candidate for presidency, continues to be a topic of scrutiny and discussion. Some argue that hosting a formal press conference would be beneficial, while others suggest that her current approach of radio hits, TV interviews, and campaign events suffices. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how Harris' media strategy will evolve and what impact it will have on her campaign.