Why Kamala Harris is Bringing Tim Walz to Her First Major Interview
Kamala Harris, recently confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee, is preparing for her first significant interview since accepting the nomination. Three weeks ago, when asked about her interview plans, Harris stated she aimed to have one scheduled before the month’s end. Now, she is set to fulfill that promise with a prime-time interview on CNN, conducted by Dana Bash at 9:00 PM EDT.
Interestingly, Harris will not face this interview alone. Joining her will be Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, her running mate. This decision to make the appearance a joint one has sparked debate. Critics argue that Harris is avoiding the scrutiny of a solo interview, while her supporters believe it’s a smart move given the unique circumstances of her candidacy, which follows President Joe Biden’s unexpected exit from the race.
Some have pointed out that joint interviews are not unprecedented for presidential candidates. For instance, Barack Obama and Joe Biden appeared together on “60 Minutes” after Biden was chosen as Obama’s running mate in 2008. Similarly, Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine had a joint interview in 2016, and Harris herself joined Biden for an interview on ABC’s “20/20” in 2020. Despite this history, some critics, including Republican commentator Scott Jennings, suggest Harris’s decision reflects a lack of confidence in her abilities. Jennings described her choice as “weak” and indicative of a “troubling lack of confidence” in her own political acumen.
Harris has largely avoided unscripted media interactions since Biden passed the torch to her, with her last formal interview being over two months ago. Her limited press engagement has only fueled Republican criticisms that she is dodging tough questions. Former President Donald Trump even claimed Harris “isn’t smart enough to do a news conference.”
However, Democratic strategists like Peter Giangreco defend Harris’s approach, arguing she is pacing herself wisely. They point out that Harris has been steadily rolling out her campaign strategy: securing the nomination, selecting her running mate, outlining her economic plan, and now preparing for media engagements. This strategy, they believe, allows her to maintain control over her narrative and campaign message.
By opting for a joint interview, Harris may also aim to share the burden of tough questioning with Walz. This could help ensure consistent messaging on key policy issues, especially those on which Harris’s position has shifted, such as Medicare for All and border security funding. Her evolving stance on these topics could potentially open her up to accusations of inconsistency, a vulnerability she might be hoping to mitigate through this joint appearance.
Supporters like Giangreco believe the joint interview will also provide an opportunity to highlight their economic agenda, which focuses on reducing living costs and enhancing economic security. Additionally, it could offer a chance to draw a contrast between Walz and his Republican counterpart, JD Vance.
While the outcome of this joint appearance remains to be seen, the Harris campaign likely hopes that a strong performance will silence some critics. Republican strategist Chip Felkel notes that Harris needs to demonstrate she can handle pressure, a critical quality for any presidential candidate. A successful interview could help reinforce her momentum and counter the narrative that she is avoiding tough scrutiny.
Ultimately, the impact of this joint interview will be measured by Harris’s ability to navigate challenging questions and present herself as a confident and capable leader. If she succeeds, her campaign will have a stronger foundation to build upon as the election draws nearer.
