Staff Reports
Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio has no qualms about calling out Vice President Kamala Harris for her conspicuous absence from the media landscape. During a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, he challenged her to step up her game, suggesting that the country’s second-in-command is playing hide-and-seek instead of engaging with the public. Vance’s antics are aimed not just at Harris but also at providing a little boost to former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. After all, the more Harris speaks, the more she may help solidify Trump’s chances—at least that’s the plan.
Vance has some solid grounds for his critique, pointing out that Harris has engaged in a mere two interviews with high-profile national journalists since she declared her candidacy. While she has taken part in a handful of local media events, those hardly count as vigorous press engagement. In contrast, both Trump and Vance himself seem to be more than willing to face the cameras and answer questions, drawing clear attention to Harris’s reluctance. The senator argued that if one can’t engage with friendly American media, how can they expect to handle adversarial foreign leaders like Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping? Vance’s reasoning couldn’t be clearer: if Harris can’t handle a soft question from a hometown reporter, what chance does she have in the arena of international diplomacy?
New w/ @toreyvanoot
In the 59 days since Harris joined the race on July 21st, Trump and Vance have done >70 interviews/pressers w/ print and TV reporters
Harris and Walz have combined for just 7.
The ticket is on pace for the fewest in decades.https://t.co/omHZL4sZ2T pic.twitter.com/5N70Wf4u5m
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) September 19, 2024
The implications of Harris’s media aversion are not lost on Vance. The senator made a well-timed jab at her reluctance, suggesting that it reveals her inability to confront the very people she claims to represent. If her constituents are too much for her, how could the American public trust her with the nation’s interests on the global stage? Vance’s comments culminate in a stark reminder of the level of openness and accountability expected from elected leaders.
Vance’s motives were not entirely altruistic; he admitted that there’s a “selfish” element to his desires for more Harris interviews. The crowd erupted in laughter when Vance claimed that her floundering responses provided a comedic goldmine that could sway voters. Every time she opens her mouth in the context of a media interview, he joked, the Republican side gains nearly 100,000 votes. Bold humor or a shrewd political strategy? Either way, it’s hard to argue against the logic—especially when facing the reality of a state that hasn’t gone blue since 2008.
As the rally progressed, Vance continued to hammer home the point that Harris’s reliance on vague talking points does not bode well for her chances. When asked about specific solutions to pressing issues like rising grocery prices and housing costs, Harris’s response reportedly circled back to her middle-class upbringing. Vance clearly articulated what the voters are looking for: substantive answers and explanations for policy changes rather than a campaign centered solely on her personal narrative. With voters focused on real solutions, it’s evident that Harris’s approach is falling short, and Vance isn’t letting her get away with it.
Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio has no qualms about calling out Vice President Kamala Harris for her conspicuous absence from the media landscape. During a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, he challenged her to step up her game, suggesting that the country’s second-in-command is playing hide-and-seek instead of engaging with the public. Vance’s antics are aimed not just at Harris but also at providing a little boost to former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. After all, the more Harris speaks, the more she may help solidify Trump’s chances—at least that’s the plan.
Vance has some solid grounds for his critique, pointing out that Harris has engaged in a mere two interviews with high-profile national journalists since she declared her candidacy. While she has taken part in a handful of local media events, those hardly count as vigorous press engagement. In contrast, both Trump and Vance himself seem to be more than willing to face the cameras and answer questions, drawing clear attention to Harris’s reluctance. The senator argued that if one can’t engage with friendly American media, how can one expect to handle adversarial foreign leaders like Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping? Vance’s reasoning couldn’t be clearer: if Harris can’t handle a soft question from a hometown reporter, what chance does she have in the arena of international diplomacy?
New w/ @toreyvanoot
In the 59 days since Harris joined the race on July 21st, Trump and Vance have done >70 interviews/pressers w/ print and TV reporters
Harris and Walz have combined for just 7.
The ticket is on pace for the fewest in decades.https://t.co/omHZL4sZ2T pic.twitter.com/5N70Wf4u5m
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) September 19, 2024
The implications of Harris’s media aversion are not lost on Vance. The senator made a well-timed jab at her reluctance, suggesting that it reveals her inability to confront the very people she claims to represent. If her own constituents are too much for her, how could the American public trust her with the nation’s interests on the global stage? Vance’s comments culminate in a stark reminder of the level of openness and accountability expected from elected leaders.
Vance’s motives were not entirely altruistic; he admitted that there’s a “selfish” element to his desires for more Harris interviews. The crowd erupted in laughter when Vance claimed that her floundering responses provided a comedic goldmine that could sway voters. Every time she opens her mouth in the context of a media interview, he joked, the Republican side gains nearly 100,000 votes. Bold humor or a shrewd political strategy? Either way, it’s hard to argue against the logic—especially when facing the reality of a state that hasn’t gone blue since 2008.
As the rally progressed, Vance continued to hammer home the point that Harris’s reliance on vague talking points does not bode well for her chances. When asked about specific solutions to pressing issues like rising grocery prices and housing costs, Harris’s response reportedly circled back to her middle-class upbringing. Vance clearly articulated what the voters are looking for: substantive answers and explanations for policy changes rather than a campaign centered solely on her personal narrative. With voters focused on real solutions, it’s evident that Harris’s approach is falling short, and Vance isn’t letting her get away with it.
