Did Kamala Harris Do Enough to Convince Voters to Support Her Campaign on ‘The View’ and ‘Call Her Daddy’?

As a seasoned political observer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Vice President Kamala Harris‘ recent media blitz has been nothing short of impressive. Her appearance on “Call Her Daddy” was a masterclass in communication and authenticity, two skills that are crucial in today’s fast-paced political landscape.

During her interview on ‘Call Her Daddy,’ Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that one effective method for connecting with individuals is by being authentic.

During her conversation with podcast host Alex Cooper, Harris was answering a straightforward and impartial question: Why had she chosen to appear on this particular show, given that she’d only done a few in-depth interviews during her short yet intense presidential campaign? This week, “Call Her Daddy” marked the start of a flurry of media appearances for Harris, which also included “60 Minutes,” “The View,” “The Howard Stern Show,” and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” Throughout these interviews, Harris aimed to clarify an issue that has been a persistent challenge for her throughout her career: defining her often unclear public image.

During her initial two significant interviews post-candidacy – one collaborative with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on CNN, and another solo appearance on MSNBC – Harris performed adequately but unexceptionally. As a contender, Harris has excelled in scenarios where she holds the reins, such as her rallies, or situations that allowed her to utilize her prosecutor background effectively, like during her impressive debate against former President Donald Trump. However, interviews demand a more delicate approach, and Harris has occasionally struggled to keep up.

Among this week’s significant interviews, “60 Minutes” was the one that saw the greatest level of achievement, despite not being a total triumph. This interview effectively silenced a persisting debate among columnists who had accused Harris of avoiding mainstream media interviews. Interestingly, Trump declined an invitation to appear on the same show. However, the interview format didn’t seem to favor a candidate like Harris, who tends to speak in paragraphs rather than sentences. Moreover, her attempt to steer journalist Bill Whitaker’s questions about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t present Harris at her best.

During an appearance on Colbert’s show, Harris found it challenging to provide a specific answer regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza when asked for reasons Americans might find hope for a peaceful resolution. She emphasized the importance of optimism but admitted that the topic needed more time and discussion than they had available at that moment. Later, Colbert helped steer the conversation towards the administration’s efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. In a lighter segment, they both enjoyed Miller High Lifes, with Harris requesting the beer from Wisconsin, a key swing state, which Colbert playfully joked about.

Each media appearance helped Harris address different challenges – for instance, “Colbert” exposed her to a primarily Democratic audience to boost enthusiasm, while avoiding mentioning Florida’s governor in a hurricane-related segment. The interviews on shows like “The View” and “Howard Stern” provided a more balanced platform, albeit with some stumbles, such as Harris struggling to articulate differences from the incumbent during an open-ended question on “The View.” However, Harris’s performance on “Call Her Daddy” was particularly effective – allowing her to express herself clearly and engage in discussions about reproductive health, a key issue for her campaign. Given the polarized nature of the current election and the potential influence of small voter groups, these conversations could be crucial.

As I listened to “Call Her Daddy,” the path for future campaigns became clearer. Some candidates excel at interviews more than Harris, while others struggle, but similar to Trump who bypassed “60 Minutes” in favor of podcasts like Theo Von’s, Harris appears to derive less benefit from traditional media outlets and gain more from engaging with a specific, niche audience on shows like hers. At present, it seems that Trump avoiding “60 Minutes” showcases his unique approach, while Harris’ limited interview portfolio reflects the abbreviated nature of her campaign. However, these are just impressions. In two decades, it could be astonishing if any candidate still relies on traditional media at all.

2024-10-09 20:46

Did Kamala Harris Do Enough to Convince Voters to Support Her Campaign on ‘The View’ and ‘Call Her Daddy’?

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