Staff Reports
The recent announcement from Vice President Kamala Harris about her first interview since being crowned the Democratic presidential nominee has left many scratching their heads and chuckling at the apparent chaos of her campaign. It’s quite amusing to think that after a supposed palace coup that ushered her into the spotlight, Harris still finds herself needing a cozy companion for her media debut. Bring on the emotional support from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, because heaven forbid she face the tough questions alone.
From the outset, the choice of CNN’s Dana Bash as the interviewer raises an eyebrow. Her reputation as a staunch defender of the Democratic party doesn’t exactly scream objectivity. While this interview is, in theory, a chance for the Vice President to engage with the public, it won’t be live, meaning any bloopers or questionable responses will be scrubbed clean with edits. The optics are not good—voters might wonder why team Harris feels so threatened that they can’t handle a straightforward conversation.
The joint ticket interview is an election year summer tradition going back 20 years. Kerry/Edwards, Obama/Biden, Romney/Ryan, Trump/Pence, Clinton/Kaine, Biden/Harris all did them. Almost always right around the conventions. Harris/Walz join this rich tradition on CNN tomorrow. https://t.co/6puWYyS8Rg
— Ian Sams (@IanSams) August 28, 2024
As pundits point out, having Walz tag along for the ride sends a clear message: the Harris campaign is worried. And rightfully so. The last time this Vice President was in the spotlight, she fumbled through questions like a toddler attempting to ride a bike without training wheels. Analysts are already speculating on her readiness for the highest office, especially given her recent disappearing act from unscripted press interactions. A joint interview as a comfort measure is a new low in a campaign already built on defensiveness and evasiveness.
This so-called “tradition” Harris’ spokesperson attempted to tout is hilariously misplaced. Past candidates, like Barack Obama and Joe Biden, earned their places through intense competition and media scrutiny—something Harris has largely sidestepped. Drawing parallels between her launch and the established norms of political candidacies not only insults the intelligence of voters but also makes her campaign look even less serious. The path to nomination typically involves rigorous deliberation and dialogue; instead, Harris has skated in, ready to bask in the glory without the heavy lifting.
What’s more sobering is the idea that, while Harris has avoided tough questions and media engagement, she’s simultaneously trying to solidify her stance as a legitimate candidate. Many are questioning whether she’s really ready to handle the demands of leadership or whether she’ll continue to hide behind pre-recorded interviews and an entourage of emotional support. As time goes on, voters are left to ponder what kind of leader Harris might actually be if faced with real challenges—after all, if she can’t manage a simple talk-show appearance alone, what about a 3 AM emergency call?
In her ongoing sidestepping of responsibility, Harris continues to stray from the traditional path of transparency that voters crave, and instead, she has resorted to PR spin and buddy-system interviews to navigate her political landscape. The absurdity of it all only underscores the skepticism surrounding the Harris-Walz campaign as they try to roll with the punches in an increasingly scrutinized political arena.
