Staff Reports
Kamala Harris has taken a masterclass in press avoidance since her elevation as the presumptive Democratic nominee to replace President Biden, and it seems her inner circle just can’t help but share the secret sauce behind her strategy. Senator JD Vance from Ohio has not held back, emphasizing the VP’s remarkable ability to elude the press and attacking the mainstream media for their uncritical acceptance of this behavior. The Washington establishment appears to be playing along, but it’s hard to mask the discomfort of a politician hiding from questions while positioning themselves for the Presidency.
In a classic display of political theater, Vance used an airplane tarmac to highlight Harris’ awkward press dodge routine. He noted, with a hint of sarcasm, that the media might want to pay him a visit because the VP treats their inquiries like a bad habit she’s trying to shake. It’s an amusing scene that underscores the growing frustration among conservatives regarding the media’s role in letting Democrats slip through the cracks of accountability.
Harris’ inner circle has been candid about the reasoning behind her strategic media blackout. They argue that there’s little benefit in allowing her to answer tough questions when she can simply reach voters directly. The claim that voters at the local level aren’t tuning into national press is not only an insult to the electorate but a transparent tactic to dodge scrutiny. With such a dismissive attitude towards the press, Harris’ team seems to believe they’ll get away with this charade without consequences.
Historically, candidates from both parties have shied away from the press when they sense vulnerability. Yet Republicans still engage—and certainly take their fair share of brutal questioning. The Democrats, however, have perfected the art of sidestepping the tough stuff, betting that the fewer questions Harris answers, the less chance there is for her to deliver a rambling response reminiscent of her previous gaffes. It’s all well and good for a candidate to bypass the mainstream media, but avoiding local reporters doesn’t come off as savvy, rather it appears cowardly.
It’s all about imagery, not issues. In another age, she would be called the MTV Candidate. Her dull supporters are mesmerized by the sights and sounds. https://t.co/9pzJ3X9SKl
— Charles X Proxy™ (@Charlemagne0814) August 9, 2024
The quote from a Harris ally about the electorate being “at the local level” while denouncing their inquiries is telling. Local journalists are known for digging deeper and asking those uncomfortable questions, which Harris is evidently unwilling to tackle head-on. Her reluctance to appear before any reporters, whether local or national, raises eyebrows across the political spectrum. It’s a gamble that suggests both she and her team are aware of the potential fallout should she actually face the music.
The coordinated silence from Harris hints at a deliberate strategy to control the narrative and sidestep substance—an approach not lost on the American public. With Harris’ past performances fueling skepticism and ridicule, one can’t help but wonder how long this tactic can hold up and what will happen when she eventually has to answer for her lack of engagement. Observers are ready and waiting to see if the “quiet part” will soon become the loudest part of her campaign.
