Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized recently for avoiding specifics and dodging questions during interviews, leading many media pundits to call for her to answer questions directly from the press. Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan described Harris as an “artless dodger” and criticized her for not providing clear answers on important issues like illegal immigration. Harris has spoken to journalists in interviews with the National Association of Black Journalists and Oprah Winfrey, but has yet to hold a formal press conference since becoming the nominee.
Some pundits, like The New York Times’ Todd Purdum, argue that Harris cannot afford to be vague in her responses to questions and needs to provide direct answers. Purdum suggested that concise and clear explanations from Harris would go a long way in persuading voters and shaping the national discussion, especially as polls show her running behind Joe Biden’s level of support in key groups. He emphasized the importance of Harris communicating effectively with voters to gain their trust and support.
On the other hand, some commentators like MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have defended Harris’ approach, arguing that she does not need to provide specific policy details. Clinton stressed that having a strong policy platform did not guarantee success in elections, pointing to her own experience in the 2016 presidential race. Ruhle echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Harris did not need to be perfect in her responses, as she is ultimately running against the controversial figure of Donald Trump.
However, other commentators, including anti-Trump columnist Bret Stephens, have also called on Harris to be more direct in her responses to questions. Stephens criticized Harris for not providing detailed answers to pressing policy questions and urged her to move beyond rehearsed talking points. He emphasized the importance of Harris demonstrating her ability to engage with difficult questions and offer substantive proposals on key issues. Some reports have also noted instances where Harris failed to provide specific answers during interviews, sticking to scripted responses instead.
Criticism of Harris’s evasiveness during interviews has intensified, with media outlets like CNN highlighting her tendency to pivot back to talking points instead of directly answering questions. ABC and CNN correspondents pointed out instances where Harris avoided providing policy specifics or offering direct responses. Some commentators have expressed frustration over Harris’s apparent unwillingness to deviate from established talking points and engage more substantively with interview questions. Politico reported that Harris refused to “veer off script” during a recent interview, reinforcing the perception that she is avoiding direct and specific answers to important issues.
Overall, the debate surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris’s communication style and willingness to address questions directly has intensified in recent weeks. While some pundits argue that she needs to be more specific and provide clear responses to important policy questions to gain voter trust, others defend her approach by emphasizing her focus on running against Donald Trump. The pressure on Harris to engage more directly with questions and move away from scripted responses continues to grow, with commentators calling for her to demonstrate a deeper understanding of pressing policy issues and present a clear vision for the future.
