Quick Hit:

Vice President Kamala Harris has gone fifteen days without holding a formal press conference since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, drawing criticism from Republicans including Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton.

Key Details:

• Harris clinched the Democratic nomination on July 21 after President Biden endorsed her and withdrew from the race.
• She has not held a formal press conference or wide-ranging interview in the 15 days following her nomination.
• Critics compare her current strategy to Biden's 2020 "basement" approach, emphasizing the need for transparency and media engagement.

Diving Deeper:

According to Fox News, Vice President Kamala Harris has faced criticism for not holding a formal press conference since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. This period, now extending to 15 days, has seen Harris active on the campaign trail and making brief remarks to reporters but avoiding a structured press conference or extensive interview.

Harris assumed the role of the de facto nominee after President Joe Biden endorsed her on July 21 and exited the race. Despite her active campaign schedule and informal engagements with the media, the absence of a formal press conference has not gone unnoticed.

Critics point out Harris' non-appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago, a venue where former President Trump engaged in a heated Q&A session. Although she briefly addressed reporters at Joint Base Andrews alongside Biden, her lack of a comprehensive press interaction has raised eyebrows.

Noah Rothman, a senior writer at National Review, voiced his concerns on social media, emphasizing the necessity of a prolonged press conference to provide transparent exposure to the electorate. He referenced previous calls from Democratic professionals insisting on such media engagements for Biden in past elections.

Tim Graham, executive editor of NewsBusters, suggested Harris might be adopting a strategy similar to Biden’s 2020 campaign, which involved limited press access. He criticized the disparity between Trump's open media interactions and the more guarded approach of Biden and Harris.

According to Fox News, Sen. Tom Cotton predicted that Harris would struggle under media scrutiny. During an interview on CBS, Cotton noted that Harris had not faced substantial media questioning since becoming the nominee. He argued that her lack of unscripted moments, save for a brief interaction at Andrews Air Force Base, was indicative of her campaign's media strategy.

Cotton highlighted Harris' need to address critical policy questions, such as her stance on oil and gas production, the banning of gas-powered cars, and firearm confiscation. He expressed skepticism about her ability to defend her positions and suggested that her radical policies might alienate voters.

The reluctance to engage in a formal press conference echoes tactics from the 2020 campaign, where Biden faced similar accusations of media avoidance. Jeffrey McCall, a media studies professor at DePauw University, noted that the Harris campaign is likely aware of the precedent set by Biden’s successful yet media-averse strategy. McCall argued that while her core supporters may not demand accountability, attracting undecided voters would eventually necessitate facing the press.