Kamala Harris's Hesitancy to Give Interviews: A Strategic Move to Avoid "Worst Moments

Kamala Harris has faced criticism for her performance in live interviews, which have resulted in some of her "worst moments" as Vice President. To mitigate this, Harris's team has opted for caution and has not granted interviews to the media or held formal press conferences since the end of July.

Kamala Harris's reluctance to give interviews has become a topic of discussion, with analysts attributing it to her desire to avoid potential missteps in live settings. According to CNN political analyst Alex Thompson, Harris's team has been cautious about scheduling interviews due to her past experiences in live interviews, which have often resulted in setbacks.

Thompson highlighted that Harris's "worst moments" as Vice President have occurred during live interviews, a factor that has contributed to her hesitation. He emphasized the importance of considering the format of interviews, including the host's familiarity and the presence of editing, as part of Harris's cautious approach.

Kamala Harris's Hesitancy to Give Interviews: A Strategic Move to Avoid "Worst Moments

This cautiousness is rooted in concerns raised by some Democrats during the nomination process. Prominent figures like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer had expressed reservations about making Harris the nominee due to her tendency to make mistakes in live interviews.

Harris's decision not to participate in interviews has spanned 36 days, creating speculation about her media strategy. Matt Gorman, a former adviser on Tim Scott's presidential campaign, believes that while interviews are crucial for improvement, he understands Harris's reluctance.

Kamala Harris's Hesitancy to Give Interviews: A Strategic Move to Avoid "Worst Moments

Meghan Hays, a former Biden White House staffer, suggested that Harris initiate with "softer" interviews and gradually work her way up. However, she believes that Harris can postpone interviews until after the convention due to her current positive momentum.

Thompson emphasized the heightened stakes for Harris in any upcoming interviews, as any errors would be swiftly exploited by her political opponents, specifically former President Trump.

Kamala Harris's Hesitancy to Give Interviews: A Strategic Move to Avoid "Worst Moments

Harris's recent decline to give an interview to TIME magazine, despite receiving a favorable cover story, further underscores her team's cautious approach.

According to Thompson, Harris's strategy is designed to minimize the risk of gaffes that could damage her political standing during the upcoming election cycle. The decision to avoid interviews reflects the challenges she has faced in live settings and the need for careful planning to mitigate potential pitfalls.