Vice President Kamala Harris has been the official Democratic nominee for president for 91 days without hosting a formal press conference. In contrast, former President Trump has held six news conferences since August, including one this month after meeting with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to discuss hurricane relief efforts. President Biden also held a news conference earlier this month in the White House press briefing room.
Although Harris recently broke her streak of not appearing on Fox News by sitting down for an interview in Pennsylvania with chief political anchor Bret Baier, she has not yet held a formal press conference as a candidate. Despite increasing her interviews in recent weeks, including radio hits, a solo sit-down with a Philadelphia TV station, and appearances on shows like “The View,” Stephen Colbert, and Howard Stern, the possibility of a formal press conference remains uncertain.
Conservative Radio Libre host Jorge Bonilla believes that Harris should hold a press conference, but he also feels that the media’s leniency towards her makes it almost irrelevant. He pointed out that Harris has been able to maintain an illusion of accessibility while remaining inaccessible to the press, thereby avoiding accountability.
In a recent Fox News interview, Harris avoided questions about President Biden’s mental decline by focusing on her upbringing in a neighborhood where people took pride in their lawns. She emphasized the importance of dignity for all individuals and the need to provide resources for Americans to pursue their ambitions and dreams, particularly in starting small businesses.
While Trump has skipped some recent interviews, he did attend the annual Al Smith dinner, traditionally featuring presidential candidates doing lighthearted roasts. In contrast, Harris chose not to attend the event and instead sent a video message. Journalist Barbara Walters believes that Harris should engage in more interviews as part of the responsibilities of being president.
The lack of formal press conferences by Vice President Harris has raised concerns among some observers, with questions about her accessibility and accountability. The ongoing debate surrounding her approach to media interactions highlights the evolving dynamics of political communication in the modern era.
It remains to be seen whether Harris will eventually hold a formal press conference as a candidate, as the media landscape continues to shape the way political figures engage with the public and the press. The expectations for transparency and accessibility in political leadership may prompt Harris to address these concerns in the future.
