Critics Slam Kamala Harris for Bringing Gov. Tim Walz to First Interview Since Nomination
Vice President Kamala Harris has faced mounting criticism for avoiding media interviews and press conferences since being officially named the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee by President Joe Biden over 35 days ago. The extended period of silence has not gone unnoticed, with political analysts and commentators questioning her readiness and confidence as a candidate.
This week, Harris finally broke her media hiatus, agreeing to a sit-down interview with CNN’s Dana Bash. However, the announcement was met with further backlash when it was revealed that Harris would not be attending the interview alone. Instead, she would be joined by her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a decision that quickly sparked controversy.
Critics, particularly from the conservative side, have pounced on Harris for bringing Walz to what was supposed to be her first solo media appearance since her nomination. CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings was among those voicing their disapproval. During a panel discussion with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, Jennings argued that this move highlights a perceived weakness in Harris as a candidate.
“Is the line now going to be, well, why isn’t she doing it by herself?” Cooper asked, alluding to the near 40-day absence of Harris from any significant media engagement.
Jennings responded, “Yeah, I do think people are going to bring that up,” adding that while he had “great confidence” in CNN and Dana Bash, it wasn’t a great look for Harris to bring Walz along. Jennings didn’t hold back, labeling the decision as “incredibly weak.”
He continued, “The fact that they don’t have enough confidence in her to let her sit, herself, the actual top of the ticket, and do a single interview … I think the hand-wringing and gyrations over this over the last month show a troubling lack of confidence in her political ability. Which also makes you wonder as a voter, well, what kind of president would you be if this kind of a small-time decision — can we do an interview or not? — what does that look like for your decision-making process?”
Jennings concluded his remarks by referring to Walz as Harris’ “emotional support animal” on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), underscoring his belief that the decision weakens Harris’ image as a leader.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway also weighed in, accusing Harris’ team of undermining her by not allowing her to speak or travel alone. During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Conway suggested that “sexists and misogynists” within the Democratic campaign were holding Harris back due to a lack of trust in her abilities.
Conway called on Democrats to “free Kamala already,” expressing disbelief at the level of control she believes Harris’ team exerts over her media appearances. “There’s something exciting about a woman and sexists and misogynists in her campaign are not allowing her to travel alone or to speak on her own extemporaneously to members of the media,” Conway stated. She went on to criticize Harris’ tax policies, labeling them “truly frightening” and warning that they could have devastating effects on family businesses and capital gains.
Conway contrasted Harris’ approach with that of former President Donald Trump, highlighting how he regularly engages with the media and addresses the concerns of everyday Americans, particularly in swing states.
As the 2024 campaign season heats up, Harris’ media strategy and public appearances will continue to be a focal point for both critics and supporters alike. Whether the decision to bring Walz along for her first major interview since her nomination will prove to be a minor blip or a significant misstep remains to be seen.