Kamala Still Hiding From The Media
Following Vice President Kamala Harris’s notable debate performance against former President Donald Trump, her campaign has announced a more assertive media strategy. However, this approach still lags behind the proactive media engagement seen in Trump’s campaign.
In a memo released on Thursday, Harris’s team promised increased media engagements, albeit primarily with local press in key battleground states. Additionally, Harris is set to participate in a panel discussion with the National Association of Black Journalists—a group she had previously declined to address at their annual convention in July.
Since being named the Democratic nominee on July 21, Harris has maintained a relatively low profile with the press. She has given only one interview with a major television network, and that was alongside her running mate, Governor Tim Walz. In contrast, Trump has been highly accessible, frequently engaging with reporters and participating in extended interviews on platforms like podcasts.
Harris has avoided press conferences and has only sporadically answered questions from traveling journalists. Despite a strong performance in the debate, Harris’s campaign requested an additional debate, which Trump declined. Trump had earlier proposed debates on September 4 and September 25, both of which were rejected by Harris.
The tension between Harris and the media came to light this week through a letter from the White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA). The letter criticized the Harris campaign for reducing the travel pool from thirteen to nine, marking a significant cut in media access for a major presidential candidate. Endorsed by major news outlets such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, the letter urged for a “chaser plane” to ensure better media coverage.
WHNPA President Jessica Koscielniak expressed concern that this reduction in access could set a troubling precedent. She emphasized the importance of including photographers and video journalists as integral members of the press corps.
In response, Harris’s press secretary, Ernie Apreza, asserted that the number of media members traveling with Harris has remained consistent at nine, matching the practice followed during her campaign. He dismissed the suggestion of a chaser plane or additional seats on Air Force Two as impractical, recommending that photographers attend events independently instead.
Harris’s campaign has also encountered local media friction. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a major news source in battleground Pennsylvania, has been barred from future Harris events due to a labor dispute involving a significant portion of the outlet’s unionized workforce.
Rutgers University professor David Greenberg suggests that Harris’s cautious media strategy might be a misstep. He notes that while controlling media access was an effective tactic for Richard Nixon in 1968 and somewhat for Joe Biden during the 2020 pandemic campaign, it may not suit Harris’s current situation. Greenberg argues that more spontaneous interactions with reporters and voters could benefit Harris, providing a chance to connect beyond prepared statements and talking points.
