GOP accuses Harris of ‘hiding’ from press. Most Dems don’t care — for now

Republicans are accusing Vice President Harris of “hiding” from the press by not doing sit-down interviews and press conferences since becoming the likely Democratic presidential nominee.  

And while Harris is in the middle of a political honeymoon after unifying a Democratic Party that had been badly divided over President Biden’s future, some Democrats fear the vice president could fall into the same trap as Biden, who was also under strict controls with the press.

“They’ve got to get her out there soon, because they can’t let this be part of the narrative,” one Democratic strategist who has worked on recent presidential campaigns said of the emerging line of GOP attacks that Harris is hiding from tougher questions.

“I know we’re riding high at the moment, but that’s going to end soon. And then what?” the strategist said.

Other Democrats acknowledge Harris will need to do some sit-down interviews. But for now, they suggest that can wait, and she should keep doing what she’s doing.

These voices note Harris has garnered headlines and has captured the zeitgeist just by appearing at rallies, such as the one in Atlanta this week, where she spoke to a packed and energized arena crowd. The Atlanta stop had Democrats saying they hadn’t seen so much excitement from one of their own presidential candidates since President Obama’s 2008 campaign.

“The vice president is showing all of us that you don’t need to do high-profile interviews or press conferences in order to get attention from the media or from voters,” Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said. “I’d say she has a robust communications strategy: large, energetic rallies, barnstorming the swing states, and a wildly different tone in ads and press statements designed to generate media. Plus, there’s true joy — she’s having so much fun.” 

A second Democratic strategist who spoke to The Hill agreed with Setzer: “The Harris campaign is riding a high and has momentum.”

“They have not had a bad day since her launch,” the strategist said. “There is no reason to sit for a big interview in the middle of an energizing veepstakes, especially when [former President] Trump is out walking in a minefield, making damaging comments.” 

There are dangers to taking tough questions, something on high display during Trump’s testy onstage interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention Wednesday.

During the interview with three journalists before a large crowd, Trump falsely questioned Harris’s race and doubled down on his promise to pardon Jan. 6 defendants, all while undermining his own running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) by saying vice presidential picks don’t matter. He also repeatedly snapped at the moderators.

“It was a disaster,” said one Republican who worked in the Trump administration. “All he had to do was come out and talk about his policies and how he would make life better for Black Americans. Period. Going after Harris’s race is idiotic and won’t get him any more votes.” 

Still, Trump’s willingness to take on tough questions is something Republicans are trying to use to go on the attack against Harris.

“It’s refreshing to see a presidential candidate who’s willing to go in front of the media, something that Donald Trump knew would be a tough interview,” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said Wednesday during an appearance on CNN where he defended Trump’s statements.

“It turned out to be a hostile, adversarial interview, but he’s been doing that for nine years,” Cotton said. “Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has been hiding out for the 10 days that she’s been a nominee.”

Harris has had 14 events since becoming the candidate including campaign rallies, fundraisers, organizing calls and official events. A Biden campaign aide also pointed to 80 interviews Harris has taken part in this year. 

“Since becoming the candidate, Vice President Harris has been blitzing the country, talking directly to voters, and mobilizing a historic coalition that’s ready to win in November,” said Seth Schuster, a Biden campaign spokesperson. 

Speaking of Trump, Schuster added, “On the rare occasion he addresses people outside his MAGA base, he’s putting his foot in his mouth, turning off the voters he needs to win, and talking about anything but a positive vision for the future — ranting about Black jobs, attacking journalists, and promising to pardon insurrectionists.” 

Harris has gained steam in recent days since Biden withdrew from the Democratic race. But while Democrats are overjoyed at the momentum, they worry about potential Harris missteps when she does take questions from reporters, pointing to interviews she has done since becoming vice president that portrayed her in an unfavorable light. 

Republican strategist Matt Gorman — who has worked on recent presidential campaigns — drew parallels to her primary campaign during the 2020 presidential race, when Harris had a strong launch but then floundered in the weeks following her announcement. 

“She is fine when she controls every variable and can have her prepared lines,” Gorman said. “It goes south for her when she’s back on her heels in scenarios she doesn’t entirely control. 

“I’d expect her team to limit [interactions with the press] extensively and ride out the next 96 days,” he added. 

The second Democratic strategist predicted Harris would face the press after she picks her running mate, because there will be pressure for the running mate to do an interview. But at this point, “the pressure to force it just has not materialized yet.” 

Since becoming the likely Democratic nominee following Biden’s departure from the race, Harris has narrowed the gap with Trump in polls and has even taken the lead in some surveys.

Still, some Democrats warn she can’t wait forever to take on tougher questions.

“We don’t want to look back at this time and have regrets,” a third Democratic strategist said.