Harris ‘Truly Afraid’ To Face Media Despite Their Low Expectations: Hemingway
Senior editor Molly Hemingway of "The Federalist" commented on Friday during a Fox News segment that the current argument Democrats seem to present in support of Vice President Kamala Harris is that Americans shouldn’t be concerned because she won’t be actively running things.
This sentiment reflects a broader view from both left and right that Harris lacks governing skills and has been ineffective during her vice presidency, which raises doubts about her potential performance as president. However, Hemingway pointed out that Democrats appear to be reassuring the public that she would hold the title of commander-in-chief but not truly lead.
“It’s been remarkable to watch this campaign where Kamala Harris is hesitant, even afraid, to engage with the media,” Hemingway remarked. “It’s an unusual dynamic because the corporate press, they’re already backing her. They want her to succeed, and yet she’s reluctant to speak with them.”
As the incumbent vice president, Harris has been part of an administration under Biden that many view as having struggled. Hemingway added, “The narrative from Democrats seems to be, don’t stress about Kamala Harris. Don’t worry if you’ve heard she’s ineffective or lacks motivation because there’s this permanent Washington class that handles things behind the scenes.”
Hemingway acknowledged a certain truth to this, particularly within the Democratic Party, but warned that voters might not appreciate what that entrenched D.C. class has delivered. She cited concerns over foreign policy, border management, and the economy, arguing that Harris has had ample opportunities to challenge these policies but has chosen not to.
Soon after taking office, President Biden tasked Harris with managing the increasingly chaotic situation at the southern border. She was even referred to as the “border czar” by the media, though those same outlets now seem to downplay that label after years of record illegal crossings, which have made immigration a critical issue for the 2024 election.
In addition, Biden placed Harris in charge of the National Space Council in May 2021. At the time, she expressed her intent to put a personal touch on the council, focusing on areas such as commercial spaceflight, promoting responsible space behavior, and addressing climate change.
However, Harris seems to have struggled in this role as well. Recently, Boeing’s Starliner returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) without its two astronauts, due to technical problems with the capsule. NASA confirmed that the astronauts will need to remain on the ISS for another five to six months, extending into the next administration.
Further diminishing Harris’ campaign, CNN political analyst David Chalian shared concerns during a segment on Thursday, referencing polling data from key demographics.
Chalian pointed out that white voters without college degrees pose a particular challenge for Harris, with Trump enjoying a strong lead among this group. “If you look at white voters without college degrees, this is a core constituency for Trump,” Chalian said. “His numbers are very high with this group, and it signals trouble for Harris.”
He also noted that Harris is facing difficulty with another crucial demographic: white, college-educated voters in battleground states. “She’ll likely need to gain ground with white, college-educated voters in these key battlegrounds,” Chalian explained.
A continued decline in support from white voters, regardless of education level, could pose a significant risk to Harris' political future, according to the expert.