Staff Reports
The 2024 presidential race is tightening up—perhaps tighter than a pair of skinny jeans on a hipster after Thanksgiving. If there was any question, Kamala Harris is now the sparkling beacon of hope for a Democratic Party previously wallowing in existential despair. Her recent usurpation of the Biden presidency has given the left a much-needed charge, even if it is reminiscent of reanimating a long-dead corpse. For conservatives, this is not just fodder for political commentary; it’s an opportunity to chuckle at the Democrats’ newfound enthusiasm while shaking their heads in disbelief.
Harris is not exactly a candidate who sets the political world on fire. She was never a favorite among Biden’s inner circle, often described as a messy and quirky individual who might just be one bad interview away from generating a new meme. Thus far, she has cleverly avoided any serious questioning from the media, opting instead for a strategy resembling a game of dodgeball. The longer Harris stays off-script, the more likely she is to trip over her words—after all, her “word salad” skills are well-documented. In lieu of substantive discussions, the public is being treated to a deluge of press releases that probably get filed away faster than the new Netflix releases.
Despite her handlers clearly being aware of her speech shortcomings, Harris made a couple of half-hearted attempts to engage with the press earlier this year. However, most of these appearances seemed to be crafted to keep the narrative that’s beneficial to her campaign alive—think more “Stage Manager” than “Leader of the Free World.” She has even reportedly engaged in hush-hush chats with reporters off the record, ensuring that her narrative remains unsullied. Brilliant strategy or a sign of sheer desperation? The answer might depend on one’s political perspective.
Critics of the Harris campaign have pointed out that avoiding more prominent media interviews is not just a tactical choice but might also reflect an underlying fear of public scrutiny. Her inner circle has suggested that engaging with national media giants is overrated, arguing that local voters are what really matter. That line of thinking might be fine for a local election in Podunk, USA, but seeking the presidency? That’s a different ball game. This resistance to more mainstream engagements shines a light on how out-of-touch the Democrats are with reality, believing that TikTok followers and Instagram likes can replace the responsibility of engaging with the traditional media landscape.
Town Hall: Kamala Harris Has Found a Temporary Work-Around Regarding Press Conferences https://t.co/b6QjPND8C0
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 8, 2024
And let’s not overlook that not everyone in the media is on board with Harris’ avoidance strategy; some have made it quite clear that this will not serve her well in the long run. Ironically, for a party that supposedly controls the narrative, they appear to be more paranoid than ever about facing tough questions. If Harris thinks hiding behind teleprompters and carefully curated press encounters will shield her from genuine inquiry, she might want to reconsider her approach. In the end, even the left-leaning media may grow tired of playing along if the Democrats continue to shy away from the tough questions. It could be a long and rocky road ahead for the campaign if Harris chooses to stick to her calculated avoidance game.
