Harris’s VP Interviews Gone Wrong: Will Her CNN Appearance Be Different?

On Thursday, Kamala Harris will have her first joint interview with Tim Walz on CNN since they were nominated as the Democratic ticket. This marks Harris’s return to sit-down interviews with media after a lengthy absence, and it promises to capture significant attention, especially from political observers.

The interview represents the first significant challenge for Harris as vice president since the convention, following the successful announcement of her running mate, Walz. His selection has garnered praise from both progressive and centrist factions of the party, as well as some anti-Trump conservatives who are backing Harris’s campaign this year.

However, this forthcoming interview takes on an added weight. Harris has not yet faced a rigorous line of questioning from journalists since taking over the campaign. Although she has answered questions sporadically—such as during the welcome of American captives returning from Russia—this interview format differs significantly, allowing for more in-depth follow-ups and increasing the stakes for her responses.

Harris is no stranger to handling tough questions, yet past experiences suggest that she must tread carefully. Her time in the spotlight has seen her occasionally struggle with difficult inquiries, especially during her vice presidency. A notable example from 2021 involved an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, where she responded awkwardly to questions regarding her plans to visit the U.S.-Mexico border amidst her role in addressing migration issues from Central America.

When pressed by Holt, Harris asserted that she had indeed visited the border. The exchange elicited a quick rebuttal from Holt, highlighting her absence from the area. This moment drew immediate criticism and confusion, leading to disclosures of frustration among Biden White House officials about her performance in such critical discussions.

The fallout from that interview illustrated a broader pattern of Harris being perceived as somewhat unprepared for the hard questions essential to her role. Reports indicated that several aides and family members had exerted informal influence within her office, which further complicated her public image.

Despite these challenges, some observers have noted that the initial negative press surrounding Harris might have overshadowed the collective challenges the administration faces. As her responsibilities included leading initiatives on migration and voting rights, it became clear that she was contending with significant obstacles that many believed were beyond her control.

Additionally, Harris’s tendency to respond defensively when confronted with sensitive topics has sometimes led to a combative tone, especially in interviews. A recent example involved an interview on *The Breakfast Club*, where she reacted to a question about political power dynamics with a dismissal of its relevance, missing an opportunity to engage in a meaningful dialogue.

As her campaign evolves, there lies an uncertain path ahead. Encouragingly for Harris, her fundraising efforts have shown remarkable success, with reports indicating over half a billion dollars in contributions within just a month of her campaign launch. Moreover, local and national Democratic organizations have documented a surge in volunteer enlistment.

Despite this momentum, her past as a candidate raises questions about her effectiveness in campaigning. The challenges she experienced during her 2020 presidential bid—a campaign that ended prematurely without winning a single state—serve as a reminder of how quickly perception can shift in politics.

Another misstep during this crucial interview could impede the positive trends her campaign is experiencing, particularly as she prepares to go head-to-head with Donald Trump. Should her performance reflect the enthusiasm of her recent speech at the Democratic convention, she may very well emerge as a strong contender with a revitalized public image.

Ultimately, how Harris navigates this interview will set the stage for her ongoing campaign and influence how she’s perceived moving forward. This pivotal moment may either solidify her standing or introduce new hurdles in what could shape up to be a tightly contested race ahead.