It’s been nearly a month since President Joe Biden decided to end his reelection bid and anoint Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party nominee, but despite mounting calls for her to do so, she has yet to hold a formal press conference.
Although she has been active on the campaign trail, speaking at various events and giving informal remarks to reporters since taking Biden’s place on the ticket last month, she has yet to hold a formal press conference or a comprehensive interview in a month.
During this period, she has conducted brief “gaggles” and off-the-record sessions with traveling reporters but has yet to engage in a formal press conference or interview. She declined a formal interview request from TIME, which featured a flattering cover story titled “Her Moment” this week. Additionally, running mate Tim Walz turned down a formal interview request from the New York Times regarding his response to the George Floyd riots in Minnesota.
“The left-leaning Washington Post editorial board challenged Harris over dodging the media on Sunday, saying of her opponent, ‘at least he has taken questions.’ The Post said she should account for her numerous policy shifts, including on fracking, border security, and private health insurance,” Fox noted.
CNN’s John Berman questioned Harris spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod about the vice president’s reluctance to give interviews, suggesting that if Harris were willing, she would find the time. On the same day, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., told Berman that Harris avoided tough questions because her record was “indefensible.”
Last week, Harris finally spoke to reporters for the first time — and only for a few moments — when she was preparing to board Air Force Two at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport after a rally.
Harris answered complaints that she hadn’t held a formal press conference or an in-depth interview since she was declared the presumptive candidate.
“I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month,” Harris said. In addition, the vice president talked about the deal she made with Trump to hold at least one presidential debate before November 5.
“Well, I’m glad that he’s finally agreed to a debate on Sept. 10,” she said, adding she would be willing to schedule additional debates with the former president.
Trump said on Thursday that he would be in three debates next month on Fox News Channel, NBC, and ABC.
Harris also talked to Republicans who were skeptical about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s military service after she chose him as her running mate on Tuesday.
“Listen, I praise anyone who has presented themselves to serve our country,” she said. “And I think that we all should.”
Republicans said Walz was using “stolen valor garbage” to hide his service credentials, which caused the controversy.
Sports journalist and podcast host Stephen A. Smith has added his voice to the call for Harris to grant interviews as the Democratic presidential nominee, emphasizing the need to address “legitimate questions” from voters.
On his show on Wednesday, Smith expressed his intention to vote for Harris over former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election, citing significant concerns about the Republican nominee. However, he praised Trump for his numerous interviews as a candidate and argued that Harris must also engage with the media if she hopes to secure victory.
“The only damn place we’ve seen Kamala Harris is at pep rallies,” Smith said on his podcast. “What’s up? Somebody got to say something. And it can’t just be the conservatives; right is right! I’m talking to my sister here, come on now! You’re running for the presidency of the United States of America. You got my vote! You’re running for the presidency of the United States of America. What’re you hiding for?”
