Vice President Kamala Harris’ strategy of avoiding the press is drawing criticism as new polls show a tightening race with President Donald Trump.
Since stepping into the role of Democratic frontrunner, Harris has yet to hold a formal press conference. This media dodge is raising questions about her readiness to face tough scrutiny.
Even left-leaning commentators have noticed. CNN’s Jim Acosta, not usually one to criticize Democrats, pointed out Harris’ absence from the media spotlight.
Political strategist Tom Johnson sees this as a risky move. “In today’s 24/7 news cycle, you can’t hide from the press and expect to win,” he said. “Voters want to hear directly from candidates, especially on tough issues.”
Recent polls suggest Harris’ media avoidance might be backfiring. A Cygnal poll shows her barely ahead of Trump, 47.6% to 47%. When third-party candidates are added, Trump actually pulls ahead by a hair.
Harris’ team defends the strategy, arguing she’s focusing on connecting with voters directly. But critics say this approach leaves too many questions unanswered.
“How can we trust her on the economy or immigration if she won’t face tough questions?” asked Sarah Miller, a swing voter from Michigan. “Trump may say controversial things, but at least he’s out there taking questions.”
The contrast with Trump’s media presence is stark. The former president regularly engages with reporters, for better or worse.
As the race tightens, pressure is mounting on Harris to step into the spotlight. With key issues like the economy and immigration favoring Trump in polls, Harris may soon find that silence is no longer a viable strategy.
The coming weeks will show if Harris can overcome her media shyness and make her case directly to the American people. If not, her slim poll lead may vanish faster than her next press conference.
