Her refusal speaks volumes.
Vice President Kamala Harris has officially been the Democratic nominee for president for 104 days without conducting a formal press conference. In contrast, former President Donald Trump has held at least six press conferences since early August, engaging directly with the media. Although Harris has participated in several informal media interactions while campaigning, including criticizing Trump’s rhetoric during a rally in New York City, she has not yet scheduled an official press conference.
This week, Harris delivered a speech in Washington, D.C., where she outlined her vision for the nation, emphasizing the differences between her approach and what she characterized as Trump’s radical agenda. Recently, she made headlines by appearing on Fox News for the first time in months, participating in an interview with Bret Baier. Additionally, she has taken part in various other media formats, including a CNN town hall and interviews with NBC, Telemundo, and CBS, along with appearances on podcasts and local news outlets.
Despite increasing her media presence, there remains no indication that Harris plans to hold a formal press conference as a candidate. Some critics, like Jorge Bonilla of Conservative Radio Libre, argue that while a press conference would be beneficial, Harris’s strategy appears to prioritize maintaining an illusion of accessibility while remaining largely unaccountable to the press. This situation has led to a perception that the media has enabled her approach.
Moreover, Harris chose not to attend the traditional Al Smith dinner, which typically features candidates engaging in lighthearted roasts, opting instead to send a video message. Her previous appearance on “60 Minutes” also sparked controversy due to the editing of her comments regarding Israel, prompting discussions about the impact of media portrayal on political figures and their messages.
Overall, while Harris continues to navigate the campaign trail and engage with various media outlets, her absence from formal press conferences has raised questions about her communication strategy and accountability as she seeks to solidify her candidacy for the presidency.
