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Vice President Kamala Harris has ended a 42-day interview drought with a high-profile sit-down on Thursday, but her campaign continues to draw scrutiny for its media strategy. Harris, who officially became the Democratic nominee for president after President Biden’s withdrawal, sat for an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash in Georgia, joined by running mate Tim Walz.
In the interview, Harris addressed several key issues, including her shifting stances on fracking and immigration. She defended her record, insisting that her core values remained unchanged despite the policy evolution. Harris also tackled questions about President Biden’s mental acuity, following his abrupt exit from the race less than a month after their debate. She expressed a desire to “turn the page” from what she described as an era contrary to the country’s spirit, implicitly referring to the rise of Donald Trump.
The interview, however, was met with mixed reviews. NBC News Washington correspondent Yamiche Alcindor criticized Harris for not adequately explaining her policy shifts. Meanwhile, conservative commentators like Fox News’ Joe Concha and NewsBusters’ Curtis Houck expressed frustration with the lack of a formal press conference. Concha predicted that Harris might avoid such appearances until Election Day, while Houck argued that the interview lacked depth and failed to cover significant policy areas.
Former President Trump has highlighted the contrast in media availability, noting his own recent lengthy interviews and press conferences. Despite praise from some liberals for her dismissal of racially charged questions from Trump, Harris’ interview did not address several contentious issues, including police reform and systemic racism.
The Biden campaign has yet to schedule a formal press conference for Harris, raising concerns about transparency and media engagement. The absence of such events leaves some observers questioning whether Harris will face more rigorous questioning before the election.
As Harris continues her campaign, the pressure for a more comprehensive media strategy and solo interviews is likely to intensify, with many watching to see how her campaign handles future opportunities for public engagement.