Here’s what insiders are claiming.
On Monday, Alex Thompson, a political analyst for CNN and national political reporter for Axios, discussed Vice President Kamala Harris’s cautious approach to media appearances. Thompson pointed out that although Harris is slated to give an interview, her hesitation stems from previous bad experiences during live interviews that have exposed some of her less favorable moments in the Biden administration.
According to Thompson, the nature of the interview plays a crucial role in Harris’s strategy. “The significant factors include the interviewer’s disposition, whether the interview will be live or pre-recorded, and its duration,” he said. This cautious approach is partly why some prominent Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, preferred a more open selection process for the vice-presidential nominee, fearing that Harris’s performance in live interviews could potentially undermine her candidacy.
Since being named the presumptive Democratic nominee at the end of July, Harris has avoided interviews and formal press conferences for 36 days. Matt Gorman, who previously advised Senator Tim Scott’s presidential campaign, understands Harris’s reluctance but stresses the importance of media engagement. “From experience, media preparation is integral to debate preparation. Candidates improve their performance by repeatedly facing the media, as it helps them refine their arguments and anticipate public scrutiny,” Gorman noted.
Meghan Hays, a former Biden White House staffer, suggested that Harris doesn’t necessarily need to rush into interviews but should begin preparing for debates. “Managing media coverage is crucial to prevent a minor issue from becoming a larger media problem. With the positive momentum and substantial fundraising since the convention, Harris should consider starting with a less demanding interview format, such as a morning show,” Hays recommended.
Despite recently declining an interview with TIME magazine, which had featured her on the cover positively, Thompson warned that the stakes for Harris are high. “Any mistakes she makes in future interviews will be eagerly seized upon by Trump and his campaign,” Thompson concluded.
