CNN’s John Berman questioned Kamala Harris’ campaign spokeswoman, Adrienne Elrod, on Tuesday about the candidate’s ongoing avoidance of the media following her clinching of the Democratic nomination.
Berman repeatedly inquired about Harris’ schedule for the day, while Elrod highlighted their fundraising success and noted that Harris, along with her running mate Tim Walz, had made several appearances in key swing states over the past week. Harris has not given a formal press interview or held a press conference in 23 days since effectively taking over President Biden’s position at the top of the ticket.
JUST IN: CNN asks Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson Adrienne Elrod (@adrienneelrod) why Harris can't do an interview today since she has no campaign event and nothing to do. She says Harris has a campaign event on Friday. CNN says they are asking about today not Friday. WATCH pic.twitter.com/fB8nLKqcEH
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) August 13, 2024
Berman pointedly asked, “The reason I was asking you about today is because it seems like she has time if she wanted to do an interview with a member of the media or do a news conference, correct? There does appear to be that time, if she wanted.”
Elrod responded by stating that Harris had mentioned she would schedule an interview and emphasized that Harris was focusing on “taking her message to the American people” through rallies and other events across the country.
“She hit a number of battleground states. I think we had 15,000 people in Detroit last week, 12 to 13,000 in Nevada. She’s been taking her message to the voters and drawing large crowds. So she’s actually having those direct conversations,” Elrod explained before Berman interjected.
“But not today — all I’m saying is not today. She could do an interview today, I would think, you know, because she’s not out there today,” Berman remarked.
Republicans shouldn’t be surprised we’re running against Kamala Harris. It’s time to stop complaining and start calling out her liberal agenda.
We don’t need an interview from her. We need to take her at her word.
She’s said she wants to raise taxes. She’s said she thinks… pic.twitter.com/Gi1YuklSbe
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) August 14, 2024
Elrod reiterated that Harris was directly engaging with voters. “Well, look, she’s taking her message directly to voters. And, just because she doesn’t have anything, an interview schedule on her public schedule, doesn’t mean that she’s not taking her message directly to voters about how she’s going to improve their lives, how she’s going to protect their economic freedoms, how she’s going to expand their rights as Americans,” Elrod said.
Harris briefly addressed reporters on the tarmac at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport following a campaign event in Michigan, responding to the criticism regarding her limited media engagement.
“I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month,” Harris said.
CNN: "Would it kill you guys to have a press conference?"
HARRIS SPOX: Kamala holds rallies so she can read from her teleprompter!
CNN: "A campaign rally is not a press conference."
HARRIS SPOX: "We're gonna be having a sit-down interview here before the end of the month."… pic.twitter.com/TaVI6qLGci
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 14, 2024
As Harris continues her rapid ascent to the top of the Democratic ticket after Biden dropped out and endorsed her on July 21, she faces increasing pressure from pundits and media figures to engage with the press.
The Washington Post editorial board recently urged Harris to address her policy reversals on issues like fracking, health care, and immigration by participating in more interviews with reporters.
