Vice President Kamala Harris has seen a surge in favorability among Americans, with 48% now viewing her favorably compared to 39% earlier in the year. This boost in popularity comes as Harris is set to be formally nominated as a presidential candidate in Chicago at the Democratic Party’s convention. The positive media coverage Harris has received following President Biden’s announcement of his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race has contributed to her increased favorability. This rise in popularity is a significant improvement over Biden’s own favorability when he dropped out of the race, further highlighting Harris’s potential as a candidate.
As the race for the White House remains neck-and-neck between Harris and former President Trump, most polls show the candidates within the margin of error. While some polls indicate Harris leading by a few points, others show Trump having the advantage. However, Harris has faced criticism for her lack of media transparency since her nomination, as she has gone 29 days without holding a press conference as of Monday. In contrast, Trump has been more accessible to the press, having held press conferences and interviews, answering 81 questions since August 6, including a two-hour session with supporter Elon Musk last week. Harris’s avoidance of formal press conferences and wide-ranging interviews has raised concerns about her transparency and accountability as a candidate.
Despite being active on the campaign trail and speaking at various events, Harris has not engaged in formal press conferences or wide-ranging interviews in the past four weeks. While she has participated in brief “gaggles” and off-the-record sessions with reporters, she has yet to have a formal interaction with the press. Harris did speak for a few minutes at a campaign stop with reporters in Pennsylvania, where she described herself as an “underdog” as the Democratic National Convention approached. The Washington Post editorial board and liberal columnist Perry Bacon have criticized Harris for avoiding the media and called on her to address her policy shifts, including on fracking, border security, and private health insurance.
The ongoing lack of media transparency from Harris has led to questions about her readiness as a candidate and her ability to effectively communicate with the public. With the presidential race heating up and the Democratic National Convention approaching, Harris’s limited engagement with the press has drawn further scrutiny. As Trump continues to hold press conferences and interviews, Harris’s avoidance of formal interactions with the media has raised concerns about her willingness to address important issues and answer difficult questions. The contrast between Trump’s accessibility to the press and Harris’s avoidance of formal press conferences highlights a key difference in their approaches to engaging with the public.
As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, Harris’s popularity among Americans has grown, but her lack of media transparency has raised questions about her candidacy. With Trump also vying for the presidency and actively engaging with the press, Harris’s avoidance of formal press conferences and wide-ranging interviews has become a point of contention. As the Democratic National Convention nears and the race for the White House remains close, Harris’s ability to effectively communicate with the public and address important issues will be crucial in determining her success as a candidate.
