The Democrats are known for putting appearances before substance. They’re the champions of DEI.
And now Kamala’s racist power play has come back to bite her.
UPDATE: Harris and her team have agreed to a sit-down interview with CNN’s Dana Bash
In a move that underscores Vice President Kamala Harris’ characteristic hesitancy to face tough questions, her presidential campaign staffers are reportedly reaching out to friendly reporters to decide who should get the privilege of her first sit-down interview as the Democratic nominee.
Earlier this month, Harris, who has largely avoided the press since taking over as the nominee, mentioned in one of her rare interactions with a reporter that she and her team aimed to schedule an interview before the end of August.
With that deadline rapidly approaching, her campaign seems to be scrambling to find the perfect, likely soft, landing spot for her first big media moment.
“Harris campaign staff have been asking reporters who they think she should talk to,” POLITICO reported, revealing the behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
“Behind the scenes, TV producers from big name anchors have been calling the campaign to pitch their talent as the person she has to do it with.”
It’s still unclear who’s actually calling the shots on this decision within the Harris camp.
While Brian Fallon, senior adviser for communications, would seem like the obvious choice to handle such a task, POLITICO points out that this delicate operation also needs to be coordinated with Harris’ vice presidential office, led by Kirsten Allen.
However, in true Harris fashion, there’s a crowd involved in the decision-making. POLITICO notes that up to five other people have a stake in who gets the interview.
“Stephanie Cutter, senior adviser for message and strategy, will have an outsized role as well,” the report states.
Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and senior advisor David Plouffe are also in the mix, along with Harris’ sister and brother-in-law, Maya Harris and Tony West.
This group of political operatives, all well-connected with TV networks, seems determined to choreograph this interview down to the last detail.
Interestingly, POLITICO also reports that race and gender are key factors in Harris’ decision.
“Almost everyone we talked to said Harris will consider race and gender in making her choice, and that she would be keen to sit down with a Black and/or female reporter, though nobody believes that’s a requirement,” the outlet noted.
This echoes the identity politics that marked Biden’s selection of Harris as his running mate in 2020 when he openly declared his desire to choose a Black woman.
As Harris continues to dodge meaningful engagement with the press, her campaign website remains devoid of any policy positions.
Meanwhile, her staffers have suggested to the media that Harris no longer supports many of her previous stances, though Harris herself has conveniently remained silent on the matter.
It seems Harris is carefully crafting her image, selecting her interviewer with the same caution she uses to sidestep difficult questions— another chapter in her ongoing reluctance to be transparent with the American public.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
