Staff Reports
The art of looking busy to dodge the spotlight might be one that many have mastered, but Kamala Harris appears to be stuck in a game of hide-and-seek with her own responsibilities. The Vice President, and Democratic presidential nominee, recently showcased her latest tactic in a pitiful attempt to avoid reporters, leaving many to wonder if her playbook includes more than just scripted lines.
Stepping out of her vehicle at Joint Base Andrews, Harris decided to give her fans a little wave before making her dash toward a plane bound for Michigan. But she didn’t make this move without a prop—she was spotted sporting earpieces and clutching a phone like a Hollywood actor dodging a paparazzi question. Unfortunately for Harris, the charade was about as convincing as a two-dollar bill in a casino.
Kamala Harris departs Joint Base Andrews, headed to Detroit, Michigan pic.twitter.com/QQY9UiXlQL
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) September 2, 2024
The optics were strikingly clear. This maneuver seemed like a desperate ploy to avoid pesky questions from the press. The timing was too perfect, and the headphones were obviously a great excuse to pretend she couldn’t hear anyone. In a world where authenticity is increasingly rare, Harris’s earpiece tactic was met with skepticism, not just from wary social media users but also from those keeping a watchful eye on the ever-looming 2024 election.
As she waved and made her way past the saluting military man, the Vice President’s faux distraction drew a few chuckles online. Jokes about her pretend phone conversation and the lengths to which she would go to avoid talking to reporters circulated swiftly. Commenters took to social media to quip that maybe Harris’s biggest achievement was perfecting the “pretend to be on the phone” stance. While they might jest, the underlying truth remains that Harris’s avoidance seems less like tactical genius and more like balancing on a tightrope of political survival.
This incident didn’t exist in a vacuum. In the days leading up to it, Harris has been notably MIA from unscripted appearances, with her campaign team seemingly keeping her under wraps like a state secret. Her recent interview with CNN was a disaster, further emphasizing that her handlers are working overtime to manage perceptions rather than allowing her to engage in direct dialogue. The avoidance tactics are glaringly obvious, and one can only guess what golden nuggets of wisdom — like her favorite ice cream flavor — the public is missing while she’s hiding behind a wall of silence.
As the election looms on the horizon, whether it’s dodging reporters or hiding policy positions, all signs point to a decline in credibility for Harris and her fellow Democrats. The electorate, it’s safe to say, is likely to notice the patterns of evasion and antics that come across as less presidential and more performative. One thing’s certain: when it comes time to cast the ballot on November 5, many will remember the stunts rather than the substance.
