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Kamala Sits Down For Big Interview With The NABJ
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Kamala Sits Down For Big Interview With The NABJ

Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent interview with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is raising eyebrows, but not necessarily for the reasons her team might have hoped. The event, which Harris’s campaign billed as a "campaign event" despite NABJ insisting it was not a rally, highlighted several issues, from awkward interactions to canned responses. For a vice president trying to paint herself as the face of the future, the interview did little to inspire confidence in her message or her connection with the audience.

As my colleague Jennifer Oliver O'Connell pointed out, the treatment Harris received during the interview was a stark contrast to how NABJ handled interviews with former President Donald Trump. Whereas Trump faced tough questions and more direct engagement, Harris seemed to glide through the session, handled with "kid gloves." Despite this, Harris still struggled to give clear, meaningful answers, especially when confronted with a straightforward question: Are Americans better off now than they were four years ago?

It's a question that should be simple to answer for an administration that claims economic and social progress. Yet Harris hesitated, pivoting instead to familiar talking points that have come to define the Biden-Harris tenure. She repeated the oft-cited and widely disputed claim about "creating 16 million new jobs," a statistic that’s been critiqued for misrepresenting the post-pandemic recovery. This is part of the administration’s attempt to spin economic recovery from COVID-related job losses as a grand accomplishment, even though these jobs were not "created" so much as "recovered."

Harris’s interview continued in this vein, sticking to scripted remarks rather than engaging with the interviewers or addressing the real concerns of everyday Americans. The comparison to Donald Trump’s spontaneous and often fiery interviews was palpable. Harris seemed incapable of generating the same energy or authenticity that Trump is known for, especially given his appearance on "Gutfeld" the night before, where he was as sharp and charismatic as ever. Harris, by contrast, appeared uncomfortable and rehearsed.

Perhaps even more telling than her responses were the optics surrounding the interview. Twitchy, always quick to catch these moments, highlighted a key part of the interview’s aftermath. As the event concluded, Harris appeared eager to make her exit. Instead of offering a warm farewell, she waved dismissively without even making eye contact with the audience. The interviewers’ reactions said it all—watch closely at the 13-second mark, and you can almost hear their internal dialogue: "What just happened?" Their faces displayed confusion, perhaps disappointment, as if they had expected more from this high-profile moment.

It’s difficult to ignore the impression this leaves. The Harris campaign’s labeling of the interview as a "campaign event" sends a message about how they view NABJ—not as independent journalists, but as another tool for the campaign’s messaging. This lack of respect for the organization, coupled with the weak engagement on the part of Harris, reflects poorly on both the campaign and the vice president herself. The NABJ, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to press Harris on key issues, opting instead for a light touch when what’s needed is accountability.

At a time when voters are seeking authenticity and leadership, Harris’s performance here did little to bolster her image. Rather than seizing the moment to present herself as a strong, independent leader, she leaned heavily on the talking points that have defined the Biden administration's messaging strategy. The result? A flat, forgettable performance that left even the interviewers puzzled.

Written by Arthur Higgens - September 22, 2024