Staff Reports
A longtime CNN host recently took the Vice President to task for what can only be described as her Houdini act regarding the media. Kamala Harris, after being officially named the Democratic presidential nominee, seems to have taken a crash course in public invisibility, shying away from the very press that once couldn’t get enough of her predecessor. While other politicians leap at the chance to chat with reporters, Harris appears to be content to remain quiet, leading to raised eyebrows and a few chuckles from political commentators.
Chris Cillizza, who has more than a decade under his belt at CNN, highlighted the glaring silence surrounding Harris’s media presence. In his X account, he detailed the staggering timeline: 23 days since Biden officially bowed out, and a mere seven days since Harris grabbed the Democratic nomination, yet she has failed to face a single media outlet. The overwhelming lack of transparency, with fewer than five questions taken, is a stark reminder of how far she is from the media-friendly approach of past Democratic figures.
While Harris plays hide-and-seek with the press, former President Donald Trump is filling the airwaves with his usual bravado. In a lengthy sit-down with Elon Musk, Trump made headlines, answering every question thrown his way and directly taking aim at Harris’s record on issues like immigration and the economy. This contrast could not be more pronounced, as Harris’s absence on the issue has been so egregious, it feels like she’s counting on a different kind of magic to win votes.
There’s no shortage of conspiracy theories on why Harris is dodging the media. Some suggest she is taking a strategic pause, hoping to hoard questions for that big media splash during the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago. But with demonstrations poised to erupt as progressives continue to voice discontent with the Democratic establishment, her carefully laid plans may end up being about as effective as a wet paper bag. The real question is whether her supporters will still feel that excitement bubbling over come Election Day or if they’ll be disillusioned by a candidate who doesn’t seem willing to stand in the spotlight.
CNN’s resident polling expert Harry Enten has already begun sounding the alarm about Harris’s media strategy—or lack thereof. With just weeks until the general election and Trump’s support ballooning, it’s evident that the GOP has crafted a robust narrative around their leader, one that Harris may very well underestimate. Enten’s warnings shouldn’t be overlooked, as he’s hinting that the Trump train may be leaving the station, potentially with a lot more passengers than last time.
"🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Longtime CNN host exposes Kamala Harris’s refusal to engage with major media outlets. An alarming 7 days since her nomination and NO interviews! 😱 Is this transparency? Click to read more 👉 https://t.co/hbrk45xWhk"— Patriot911 (@Patriot911News) August 13, 2024
The bottom line looms large: Kamala Harris can’t afford to play hide-and-seek while Trump is chalk-full of media appearances. If anyone thought the champagne corks would be popping for the Harris camp, it might be wise to hit pause until after November. Without her equally vocal and vibrant presence in these crucial weeks, those thoughts of an easy Democratic victory may swirl down the drain faster than she can say “presidential nominee.”
