Kamala Harris has been increasing her media appearances. Upon closer examination.
Following several sessions with various news outlets, Harris' approach to media exposure is becoming more defined, though it might not be immediately apparent to viewers in major cities like New York and Washington. Lately, Harris has engaged in face-to-face conversations with local media sources and addressed questions in unconventional platforms to target crucial voters in swing states and minority communities. Walz, her running mate, is adopting a similar approach.
This week, Harris skillfully handled challenging questions posed by the National Association of Black Journalists and recorded a segment with Stephanie “Chiquibaby” Himonidis, a renowned Spanish-language radio host and podcast star. On Thursday, she will participate in a live event hosted by Oprah Winfrey on a streaming platform.
Harris is tactfully navigating multiple avenues – making it a point to underscore "little bits." Access to Harris by the media remains restricted, and journalists are always eager for more information. Harris' advisors explain that the strategy employed reflects the current state of media in 2024.
Ian Sams, Harris' spokesperson, said, "She maintains a consistent media engagement schedule because she values reaching out to a wide range of voters through their preferred platforms for news and information." To achieve this, the campaign regularly produces exclusive content for social media platforms.
However, Sams admitted that Harris is under pressure to appear more spontaneous. The recent presidential debate, which was hosted by ABC News, provided voters nationwide with an opportunity to observe Harris in an unscripted environment and she performed well, according to several post-show polls.
Harris aims to contest another debate against Trump, despite him stating publicly that he won't participate. When booking interviews, the Harris campaign is simultaneously working to promote this objective. If Trump does not reconsider, then Harris might agree to participate in town hall events organized by TV networks.
Trump's media tactics are more flexible - he frequent his preferred Fox shows, briefs the press, and holds occasional press conferences. His public utterances are often filled with unsubstantiated claims and unverifiable assertions. Occasionally, his appearances backfire, as was the case with his audio conversation with X owner Elon Musk that was marred by technical difficulties.
Sams criticized Trump's approach while telling CNN that Harris is "engaging with audiences where they consume news and answers their questions – often tough ones – about her plans and agenda. It might be that a two-hour live space with Elon Musk or promoting a dubious crypto project is the ideal method to reach crucial swing voters, but I highly doubt it."
Harris and Walz's inaugural interview as their party's nominees occurred with CNN anchor Dana Bash at the end of August. This interview garnered over 6 million viewers and ranked as CNN's best 9 p.m. performance (excluding the June debate) since Joe Biden's inauguration day.
One week later, Harris connected with Rickey Smiley's Morning Show and Afternoon Vibes with Ms. Jessica, as well as a Spanish-language radio station in Phoenix. Although these discussions were later rebroadcast in various markets, the campaign appears to be focusing on swing states like Arizona and North Carolina.
This strategy – prioritizing local media – was also visible after the debate when Harris sat down with an anchor from WPVI, the dominant TV station in Philadelphia, better known as Action News.
Walz has also been appearing on local TV outlets, including Georgia, Wisconsin, and North Carolina this week.
In an attempt to counter criticism that Harris is seeking out easy platforms and avoiding tough questions, Harris also participated in a panel discussion with distinguished journalists at a National Association of Black Journalists forum in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This event was broadcast live by Fox News, as well as CNN and MSNBC.
Thursday's live stream with Winfrey promises to be a more relaxed event. Entitled "Unite for America," it will feature numerous grassroots groups that have held pro-Harris Zoom meetings recently. Winfrey, who endorsed Harris with a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention, will host the live stream across several social media platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch. Apart from online viewers, Winfrey will invite 400 local voters to join her for the conversation, concentrating particularly on voters in battleground states as the election approaches.
Reporting by Elizabeth Wagmeister
Given Harris' strategic approach to media engagement, her team is actively producing exclusive content for social media platforms to reach a wide range of voters. Moreover, business partnerships with influential media personalities, such as Oprah Winfrey for a live event, further enhance Harris' media presence.
