Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire from several media outlets for her lack of specific policy proposals during her few interviews since joining the presidential race.

Harris’s reluctance to dive into detailed plans on key issues has led to growing concerns about her transparency as a candidate, with the VP conducting only three interviews since launching her campaign and media critics accusing her of avoiding substantive policy discussions, as Breitbart reports.

As she attempts to balance her role in the Biden-Harris administration while distinguishing herself as a presidential contender, Harris has been criticized for sticking closely to her talking points and being vague on important topics.

Limited Interviews Draw Media Criticism

In September, Harris faced significant backlash for her lack of clarity during interviews. CNN’s Stephen Collinson highlighted Harris's unwillingness to provide a detailed plan for her presidency, a sentiment echoed by many others.

At a recent event with the National Association of Black Journalists, Collinson noted that Harris seemed "either unwilling or unable to spell out" her vision for the country.

Politico reporters Holly Otterbein, Lauren Egan, and Brittany Gibson observed that during the same event, Harris stayed closely aligned with her script and did not stray far from her prepared remarks. This pattern has been noted in most of her public appearances, leaving some to question the depth of her policy proposals.

Harris Struggles to Differentiate from Biden Administration

As the current vice president, Harris is in a unique position where she must promote the policies of the Biden administration while attempting to carve out her identity as a presidential candidate.

This balancing act has made it difficult for her to present a distinct platform. Despite this, she has been criticized for failing to clarify her stances on key issues, such as immigration, climate change, and healthcare.

According to The Hill’s Alex Gangitano, Harris has yet to provide any specific plans regarding gun violence or health care reform, two pressing issues in the 2024 election cycle.

She has also faced scrutiny over her lack of clarity on abortion rights. Politico Playbook’s Eugine Daniels, Rachael Bade, and Ryan Lizza reported that Harris did not reveal whether she would expand abortion rights beyond the parameters of Roe v. Wade or offer any differences from President Biden's policy on Gaza.

Polling Reflects Public Skepticism

Harris's struggles with conveying her policy positions may be impacting her standing with the public. A recent Economist/YouGov poll shows that 48% of Americans believe Harris says what she thinks people want to hear, while only 36% feel she speaks her true views. This disconnect between Harris and potential voters is likely due in part to her cautious approach during interviews and public events.

Even though her campaign has announced plans for more interviews, including a potential appearance on CBS’s 60 Minutes, critics remain doubtful about whether these interviews will offer any substantive policy insights.

Axios’s Alex Thompson and Torey Van Oot reported that Harris’s campaign is on track to conduct fewer interviews and press conferences than any major party ticket in recent history.

Refusal to Engage with Critical Media Outlets

Another aspect drawing attention is Harris’s selective engagement with the media. Reports suggest that her campaign prefers interviews with media outlets that are less likely to challenge her record or push for detailed answers. Harris’s team even declined a request from Axios for a five- to ten-minute interview specifically to address her stance on immigration.

This decision to avoid more direct media engagement has led to additional criticisms that Harris is deliberately avoiding opportunities to be held accountable for her views. With only limited interviews on her schedule, the public and the media are left waiting for more concrete answers on where she stands on pivotal issues.

Future Campaign Strategy in Question

As Harris continues her campaign, it remains to be seen how her team will adjust its media strategy. While staff plan to increase her visibility with more interviews, the current perception is that her campaign is reluctant to face tough questions on the issues that matter most to voters.

The balance Harris must strike between promoting the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration and outlining her vision for the future is a difficult one. However, with ongoing criticism from media figures and a skeptical public, her approach will likely need to evolve if she hopes to gain broader support.

The challenge now for Harris is not just increasing the number of interviews but providing the level of detail voters expect from a presidential candidate. Whether or not she succeeds in this will play a significant role in the trajectory of her campaign moving forward.