According to Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha, Harris’ selective media engagement isn’t necessarily a poor strategy. “You always just have to do enough national stuff to keep the press off your a–,” he said. Rocha emphasized that media appearances are less impactful today than they were decades ago when there were fewer channels and broader national media reach. He suggested that Harris should concentrate on media interviews in battleground states, where voter persuasion is critical, while national interviews do little to sway voters.
Still, others within the Democratic Party see her approach as problematic. An anonymous Democratic strategist told NBC News, “I don’t think you can hide for 56 more days from media interviews.” This strategist pointed out that Harris still remains somewhat of an enigma to many voters, which could hurt her chances in a close election. “It’s going to take a lot more than one debate and one CNN interview to scratch the itch,” they argued, noting that voters are looking for more comprehensive exposure to the candidates they are considering.
After her debate with former President Trump, Harris’ media team reportedly discussed increasing her appearances in local news outlets. Although many pundits declared her the winner of the debate, there were complaints from independent voters that she still evaded specific answers to critical questions. As the election approaches, the call for Harris to be more transparent and to face more direct questioning has only grown.
Democratic strategist Paul Maslin, however, stands by Harris’ current strategy, suggesting that she focus on swing states rather than national media. “Concentrate on those seven [battleground] states with paid communication and unpaid communication,” Maslin told NBC News. He dismissed the need for a stronger national media presence, saying, “I don’t think she’s going to give a hoot about the national media.”
Ultimately, the split over Harris’ media strategy reveals a deeper concern about her ability to connect with voters. While her supporters see targeted communication as a way to maximize effectiveness in critical areas, others worry that limiting her engagement with the press could make voters feel she is avoiding important questions. In an election where voter trust and transparency are paramount, this strategy could become a deciding factor in her ability to sway undecided voters.
