It has been more than two weeks since Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the Democratic nominee. During this time, she has not granted any interviews or held press conferences, setting a new precedent for candidate access to the press in an unprecedented election cycle.
Harris has experienced a honeymoon period with glowing media coverage, comparisons to Barack Obama, and a tightening of polls against former President Trump. The upcoming DNC convention and the selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate are expected to further boost her candidacy.
Unlike her ex-running mate, President Biden, who faced scrutiny following a debate performance, Harris has managed to avoid intense media scrutiny. Despite being in a favorable news cycle, she has not granted any interviews, in contrast to Biden who was quicker to engage with the press during a challenging period.
High-profile Harris supporters, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, have been actively promoting her candidacy in the media. On the other hand, Republican vice presidential pick JD Vance has criticized Harris for her lack of accessibility to reporters, calling it a 'basement strategy.'
Since launching her campaign, Harris has not faced questions on various important issues, including Biden's mental decline, Middle East escalation, recession concerns, her role as 'border czar,' and her past far-left positions. Some critics suggest that Harris's avoidance of unscripted press interactions may be due to her perceived difficulty in handling extemporaneous situations.
The international news editorial board has urged Harris to engage more with reporters, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in leadership. As the campaign progresses, the calls for Harris to address these issues and engage with the press are likely to increase.
