Staff Reports
When it comes to dodging tough questions, Kamala Harris appears to have mastered the art of evasion. And if anyone thought CNN’s Jim Acosta would let this slide, they were sorely mistaken. Acosta recently took on Harris’ communications director in a showdown that had all the suspense of a high-stakes game of chicken. The question on everyone’s lips? When, oh when, will the Vice President finally hold a press conference or sit down for some good old-fashioned chitchat with the friendly faces of mainstream media who can’t get enough of her self-promotional spin?
It seems the Harris campaign thinks that being “too busy” is an acceptable excuse for ignoring the pressing demands of the press. Acosta didn’t buy it, to his credit, and kept pressing the hapless communications director Michael Tyler for answers about when the Vice President would emerge from her self-imposed media blackout. Harris has been hiding from the press for nearly a month since she launched her campaign, and with that kind of absence, one might start to wonder if she’s taking a cue from the Great Houdini himself.
Even CNN's Acosta Pressed the Harris Campaign Over Their Scaredy-Cat Attitude Toward the Media https://t.co/BjoFwlfJaO
— Edward Gregory Jones (@EdwardJonesNYC) August 15, 2024
What’s particularly delicious about this whole situation is the incredible irony of Harris needing to resort to manipulating Google ads to make it appear that the media is more supportive of her than they actually are. This tactic smacks of desperation, and most people can see it for what it is: classic fake news in action. The irony doesn’t stop there; the mainstream media is already rolling out the red carpet for her, and yet, it seems Harris still isn’t convinced that she can handle the questions that might come her way.
In a rather embarrassing display for the Harris camp, Acosta didn’t just accept Tyler’s vague responses. He pushed for a commitment to a press conference, which would be a drop in the bucket compared to the numerous rallies Harris and Governor Walz have been hosting. One might think that a press conference would be an essential part of the campaign routine, but alas, it seems that Harris’ team is hell-bent on keeping the Vice President under wraps until they feel the numbers are just right for her grand debut.
The political landscape is tight, and right now, Harris is playing the old shell game, hoping no one notices the space where her press engagements should be. One can only wonder what her press conference would look like if it ever happens—probably a stage set with strict limitations akin to a North Korean news briefing. The clear takeaway from this is that Harris doesn’t just avoid difficult interview questions; she avoids interviews altogether. For someone who’s supposed to be a leader, it seems she’s far more afraid of facing the press than any campaign opponent.
Those hoping for an engaging press conference should not hold their breath. Harris has shown that she is more adept at avoiding the spotlight than shining in it. The potential for a press conference may exist, but just like Harris’ track record, it’s going to take a miracle for it to happen anytime soon. Keeping her away from unscripted moments might be the best strategy for a campaign that has relied heavily on her avoidance tactics and media manipulation.
