Riding the Wave: The Harris Campaign Gains Momentum Towards Victory
In 1992, when George H.W. Bush avoided debates, Bill Clinton’s campaign used large chicken mascots to mock him, leading to Bush eventually agreeing to three debates. The tactic worked, establishing Clinton as the dominant figure against Bush. The incident mirrored a current situation where Kamala Harris is facing questions about her readiness, with her recent soft CNN interview not addressing the issue adequately.
The issue of preparedness follows Harris due to past missteps and her avoidance of unscripted interactions with the media. This reluctance to face tough questions has raised concerns about her capabilities, especially after her lack of clarity on key issues in prior interviews.
Criticism towards Harris has come from various sources, including The New York Times, Biden himself, and former staff members. This negative spotlight on Harris has raised doubts about her political strength and readiness to lead. Despite current media bias in her favor, there are concerns that she might struggle with public perception if faced with challenges.
The protective shield around Harris from critical media scrutiny might backfire, as it did with Biden during his debates. This shielding can give credibility to the notion that Harris is hiding something, which could impact her image negatively. Voters have a right to see her face tough questions and demonstrate her knowledge and abilities in various situations.
Regular media exposure is crucial for candidates to showcase their talents and connect with voters authentically. While Harris has started to engage in interviews, the lack of in-depth policy discussions and her shifting positions on issues might leave voters questioning her consistency and authenticity.
The current polling numbers, which show Harris leading but with smaller margins compared to past Democratic nominees, suggest that the race is still open. The focus will shift to policy discussions, where Harris might face challenges given the public’s disapproval of the Biden-Harris administration’s record.
The lack of transparency in Harris’s media interactions goes against democratic principles and could lead to a backlash similar to the one faced by past candidates like Dukakis. To avoid pitfalls, Harris should embrace more open and rigorous engagement with the media and the public.
Julian Epstein is the former Democratic chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee.
