Harris hears calls from some Democrats to ramp up media presence
Democrats who were once satisfied with Vice President Harris’s low-key media strategy would like to see her ramp up her appearances in the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
While questions build around Harris’s lack of discussion about her policy proposals — including this week after her interview with a panel of journalists representing the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) — Democrats say she needs to do more to talk about her plans.
“More. More. More,” Van Jones, the Democratic pundit and former Obama administration official, said Tuesday evening on CNN. “The polls show the more you see Kamala, the more you like Kamala.”
Democrats say they were pleased with Harris’s recent performance at the presidential debate, where they felt Harris not only held her own, but also far exceeded expectations with her statements and overall demeanor. But they’d like to see her take some risks and sit down for more interviews, both nationally and locally.
After dodging interviews for weeks — and receiving criticism for it from Republicans — Harris has done a handful of sit-down interviews, including a high-profile one after the Democratic convention on CNN alongside her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).
Harris has also done smaller interviews, including with the local ABC affiliate in Philadelphia and this week’s NABJ interview, along with a few interviews aimed at Hispanic audiences, including this week’s appearance on Nueva Network’s "Chiquibaby Show."
“Her face to face with voters is very controlled,” said Tobe Berkovitz, a communications professor emeritus at Boston University, who worked as a political media consultant.
“The Harris campaign makes it seem like she is not to be following the Biden 2020 Delaware basement strategy,” Berkovitz added. “Harris appears at large campaign rallies but avoids most politicking and interacting with voters.”
Even Democrats acknowledge the interviews — largely held at the end of the week — have been glossed over by the public, and they worry Harris is not getting the traction she needs from them in the final sprint of the presidential race.
“They need to find a way of putting her out there in big ways, and not just on CNN, where most of those viewers are already committed to her,” said one Democratic strategist. “And they have to keep doing media consistently in ways big and small throughout the final weeks. She can’t just do rallies or scripted in-person appearances.”
Recent polls show Harris slightly behind former President Trump or within the margin of error on the issue of the economy. A PBS/NPR/Marist poll out earlier this month, for example, showed 52 percent of voters thought Trump would handle the economy better than Harris, who received 48 percent.
Overall, the race remains tight, with Harris and Trump locked in close battles in all seven of the swing states set to decide the contest.
In the final weeks before Election Day, Harris has to work on convincing voters she understands their concerns about high prices and inflation and that she has a detailed plan in the coming years to help ease their trepidation on the issue.
Democratic strategist Brad Bannon said “it would be a good idea” to find ways of keeping Harris out there — with traditional media and on social media — while taking questions on her plans for the economy.
Bannon said the Harris campaign should also do more niche media around young voters and Black voters.
“This will be a close race, and the turnout among these voters is crucial,” he said. “But the Harris campaign clings to the successful Biden 2020 model, which was to let Trump hog the limelight and speak stupidly.
Harris, he added, “is not as well-known as Biden was then."
“She needs to flesh out her profile,” Bannon said.
Those close to the Harris campaign maintain they are conducting a multifaceted approach to winning over voters, including recent TikTok videos. Harris has made a point, they say, of engaging youth in various events and community college visits.
The outreach is working on some level, political observers say, because of the movement in recent polls among likely voters. But political observers say voters need to see her address policy and see how she acts when she is under pressure, such as during a tough interview.
“Strategically, if you’re winning without doing an interview, don’t do an interview, don’t do interviews,” said Peter Loge, the director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University. “You control fewer variables in an interview than you do at a rally.”
But, Loge added, “A different question is whether voters deserve to hear you answering questions, even gotcha questions.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Kamala Harris |
-
CBS News - Top stories
Early voting begins in some states as officials ramp up election protections
Early voting has started in some states with 47 days remaining until Election Day. As voters begin to cast their ballots, officials are engaged in heightened security efforts for the election. CBS ...4 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Vance calls out Democrats, media after apparent Trump assassination attempt
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) slammed Democrats and the media Tuesday over their rhetoric about former President Trump, just days after the former president faced a second apparent assassination attempt. ...2 days ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Entertainment
Control of Murdoch media empire at stake as hearing to proceed with mogul and children
Rupert Murdoch and his four children are in Nevada where they're scheduled to return to court Tuesday at an evidentiary hearing that could decide who control’s Murdoch’s media empire after his death2 days ago -
CBS News - Top stories
Springfield, Ohio, schools ramp up security after false claims, bomb threats
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday he's sending three dozen state troopers to be stationed around Springfield schools.2 days ago -
The Hill - Politics
Senators, parents ramp up pressure on House to pass Kids Online Safety Act
Senators and parents are ratcheting up pressure on House lawmakers this week to push forward with legislation aimed at increasing children’s digital safety and privacy as a House committee prepares ...Yesterday -
The Hill - Politics
Democrat calls GOP stopgap fight 'fanatic-on-fanatic violence'
The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday called the Republicans’ stopgap funding fight “fanatic-on-fanatic violence,” calling out his colleagues for not being able to ...1 hour ago -
BBC News - Top stories
England call up Mahmood for Australia ODI series
Lancashire pace bowler Saqib Mahmood is added to the England squad for the upcoming one-day international series against Australia.2 days ago - Australia -
The Hill - Politics
Harris calls Trump after apparent assassination attempt
Vice President Harris called former President Trump on Tuesday for a quick conservation following the apparent second assassination attempt against him on Sunday. Harris expressed to Trump “that ...2 days ago - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Casey leading McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate polling
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D) is leading his Republican rival Dave McCormick in new Keystone State polling. In a new poll from The Philadelphia Inquirer/The New York Times/Siena College, Casey ...27 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Moskowitz swipes after Comer says to take medication: ‘We know who’s taking more’
House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) traded personal swipes over who takes more medication after Moskowitz attacked Comer’s ...29 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Robinson says he's staying in NC governor's race
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R) on Thursday said he’s staying in the gubernatorial race following speculation throughout the day that he might drop out in response to a forthcoming story ...37 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Ocasio-Cortez, Teamsters head spar over Trump-Harris support
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Teamsters President Sean O'Brien sparred following the union's decision to not endorse Vice President Harris or former President Trump in the presidential ...37 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
44 percent have favorable view of Taylor Swift after Harris endorsement: Poll
Less than half of likely 2024 presidential election voters have a favorable view of pop superstar Taylor Swift after her endorsement of Vice President Harris, according to a New York Times, ...39 minutes ago