While Republicans have accused Harris of “hiding from the press”, Senator Tom Cotton defended Trump’s appearance on the National Association of Black Journalists by stating: “It’s refreshing to see a presidential candidate who’s willing to go in front of the media, something that Donald Trump knew would be a tough interview. It turned out to be a hostile, adversarial interview, but he’s been doing that for nine years. Kamala Harris, meanwhile, has been hiding out for the 10 days that she’s been a nominee.”
Earlier, when asked if she would do an interview, she said: “I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month (August 2024).”
What the Time profile says about Harris
According to the recent profile in
Time
magazine, Vice President Kamala Harris is still considered the underdog in the 2024 presidential race, despite the early momentum of her campaign. The piece highlights that former President Donald Trump appears to have a clearer path to securing the 270 electoral votes needed to win, and currently holds an edge on issues most important to voters.
Time
reports that Harris will have to defend the Biden Administration’s record on key concerns such as inflation and border security. Republican strategists are already casting her as a “coastal elite,” pointing to positions she took during the 2020 Democratic primary—including her support for gun buybacks, a ban on fracking, and a major overhaul of the health-insurance system—which may be seen as too liberal by the swing voters crucial to winning the election.
The article notes that Harris has less than 90 days to prove that her campaign can transform the initial excitement into a robust operation capable of challenging Trump, who boasts a loyal base and a strong stage presence.
Time
underscores that Harris’ campaign is a mix of inherited infrastructure and her own energy, with her choice of running mate, Tim Walz, signalling that this election might hinge as much on “feelings” as on policy fundamentals.
Despite her current standing, the profile reveals that Harris’ journey to this moment has been years in the making. After the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Harris became a leading advocate for reproductive rights, an issue she has consistently championed.
Time
describes how, even before Biden stepped down, Harris and her team had quietly laid the groundwork for her presidential bid, preparing a comprehensive list of allies and potential delegates across the nation.
The profile also highlights the rapid and strategic response of Harris’ campaign following Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Within hours of Biden’s announcement, Harris began reaching out to delegates and securing endorsements, a testament to her political dexterity. This swift action led to her near-immediate consolidation of the Democratic nomination, described by
Time
as a “triumph of work ethic and political dexterity.”
However, the piece also points to challenges Harris may face in sustaining this early success. The coming months will be critical as she works to maintain momentum, broaden her appeal, and navigate the complex dynamics of the 2024 race.
How is the US election poised?
The trajectory of the US presidential election has shifted significantly over the past two months. It began with a debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, which was widely deemed a disaster. This was followed by a shocking assassination attempt on Trump by a 20-year-old kitchen worker. Subsequently, Biden withdrew from the race and swiftly endorsed Kamala Harris for the presidency. Within 24 hours of the announcement, Harris’s campaign raised $81 million.
However, Trump campaign officials dismissed the latest poll, conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, claiming it “dramatically understated” Trump’s support. According to a memo obtained by
Newsweek
, the campaign argued that these public surveys were deliberately intended to suppress enthusiasm for Trump. Over the weekend, Trump reinforced this narrative on Truth Social, stating, “I’m doing really well in the presidential race, leading in almost all of the REAL polls, despite the Democrats’ unprecedented move to change their primary candidate. I did great in 2016 and WON, did much better in 2020, getting many millions more votes than in ’16, but this 2024 campaign is shaping up to be my best yet.”