Harris on Campaign Trail Approaches Self-Imposed Deadline for Interview

Vice President Kamala Harris is preparing for a significant moment as she faces her first formal interview since the Democratic National Convention. Harris previously mentioned her intention to participate in such interviews by the end of August, but she has not yet scheduled one.

The absence of plans for a media sit-down has drawn criticism from Republican opponents, who accuse her of avoiding the press. Former President Donald Trump, speaking at an event in North Carolina, remarked, “She refuses to do any interviews or press conferences; almost 30 days now, she has not done an interview. You know why she hasn’t? Because she’s not smart. She’s not intelligent.”

Trump’s campaign has claimed that Harris is attempting to “duck and hide” from the media as scrutiny of her performance builds.

Despite the criticism, Harris’s absence from the press has not negatively impacted her standing in the polls. Recent data from 538’s national polling average shows her performing better than President Joe Biden did in a similar position during his campaign. As of Tuesday, Harris is polling at 47.2%, compared to Trump’s 43.6%; when Biden exited the race, he was at 40.2% versus Trump’s 43.5%.

Harris’s candidacy has sparked renewed enthusiasm among Democrats, a trend that gained traction following the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago last week.

In a strategic move, she selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz’s rural roots are seen as advantageous in appealing to voters in more conservative regions, thereby bolstering their campaign message.

Meanwhile, Trump has shown signs of straying from the disciplined approach that some Republicans praised earlier in the summer. His recent comments have included misleading claims regarding crowd sizes at a Harris rally, as well as some disorganized moments, such as failing to announce a key policy initiative during an event in Michigan.

Looking ahead, Democrats acknowledge that Harris faces several challenges in the upcoming weeks. The anticipated media interview will likely require her to address Biden administration policies and clarify her positions on various issues.

On Monday, Trump highlighted Harris’s ties to the Biden administration’s contentious withdrawal from Afghanistan. He laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery to mark the third anniversary of a bombing that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members, stating, “Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world.” This statement was made to National Guardsmen at a Detroit event, underscoring the connection he is attempting to draw between Harris and the administration’s failures.

Harris is also likely to be questioned about her awareness of Biden’s capabilities prior to a pivotal debate on June 27, where she urged voters to consider his performance over his years in office rather than just the debate itself. Interestingly, her debate performance sparked efforts among prominent Democrats to encourage Biden to withdraw from the race.

As Harris has held the role of Biden’s chief deputy, an interviewer may press her on her insider knowledge of the administration’s activities, particularly those going on behind closed doors.

In addition, she may be confronted with questions regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza. Recently, she stated, “We need a cease-fire,” yet her administration has not brokered any peace talks to support such a declaration.

The issue of the southern border is also likely to come up. Republicans have drawn connections linking Harris to the surge in unauthorized border crossings earlier in Biden’s presidency, labeling her as the “border czar,” a title that critics argue is misaligned with her actual role.

Furthermore, Harris may need to respond to the backlash regarding her economic plan, which includes a proposal to eliminate grocery “price-gouging.” Critics have accused her of advocating for what they perceive as “communist price controls.”

This week, Harris is scheduled to travel to south Georgia, where she plans to embark on a bus tour and hold a rally in Savannah.