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(by Kirsten Fleming, NY Post) – Kamala Harris is finally doing a solo interview with a national reporter – and surprise! It’s with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle.
That’s the same reporter who on Friday publicly stated Harris owes the American people absolutely no interviews.
No real insight into how she will govern, if elected.
On “Real Time with Bill Maher,” she argued with New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, defending Harris for dodging real media scrutiny because “Kamala Harris isn’t running for perfect,” Ruhle said.
“She’s running against Trump. We have two choices. And so there are some things you might not know her answer to. And in 2024, unlike 2016, for a lot of the American people, we know exactly what Trump will do, who he is and the kind of threat he is to democracy.”
And with those statements, Ruhle revealed that she’s a high ranking member of the #Khive.
Ruhle declared herself a journalist against journalism signaling to Harris that the seat across from her was a soft place to land.
It’s pathetic and embarrassing for both Ruhle and Harris and should be a massive red flag to undecided voters.
Harris only goes where the water is warm.
She only speaks to friendly faces who won’t press her on that spontaneous political conversion from far left senator vowing to ban fracking and supporting federal prisoners getting sex changes to a champion of the working class.
Harris is simply unwilling to be tested – and her team, along with people like Ruhle – are giving her the protection of an elite offensive line.
Sure this bubble wrap strategy is great to sell “brat” and “joy” merch but it won’t inspire confidence when she has to do the actual job, especially as conflicts continue to mushroom in the Middle East.
How can she go toe to toe with Putin or China’s Xi Jinping or other hostile powers when she is unwilling to answer tough questions?
She’s so uncomfortable and out of her depth she’s even dodging the Al Smith dinner, which is meant to showcase a candidates’ humor, humanity and their ability to take and dish out some healthy ribbing. She is, as Cardinal Dolan ominously noted yesterday, the first presidential candidate to skip this since Walter Mondale in 1984.
Last week, CNN’s Brian Stelter assured us “Kamala Harris is doing more press interviews, if you look closely.” Say what?
In the piece, her spokesperson Ian Sams has painted this strategy as progressive and forward thinking. They aren’t bowing to tradition, but recalibrating for the shifting media landscape.
Harris is “going where people get their news, and in every setting she’s taking questions — often tough ones — about her plans and agenda.”
If she is meeting people where they get their news, why do we have to “look closely” for it all?
So far, she and Tim Walz sat down with CNN’s Dana Bash in pretaped softball chat where Bash couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. Harris did one interview with a local ABC affiliate, a friendly NABJ panel and of course, her live streamed pep rally with Oprah Winfrey.
That same special where Oprah introduced Harris in a long guttural call, sounding like Michael Buffer ushering Hulk Hogan to the ring.
This, as working class heroes Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lopez cheered her on.
Even at the DNC, reporters complained that they were boxed out by influencers there to make “yas kween” content.
Meanwhile Harris isn’t pressed on her border record, her economic policies and continues to act like she isn’t part of the current administration and its myriad of problems.
As for MSNBC’s Ruhle, she’s shown a complete disdain for her audience, saying they don’t deserve answers. The peasants will eat what they’re served.
During the Trump administration, Ruhle regularly tweeted demands for “transparency” on a number of issues, yet when it comes to Harris, less is more. Because she knows Harris is weak and needs a hand.
Ruhle is an establishment elite who sneers at working stiffs who genuinely want to vote based on kitchen table issues.
I have many problems with Trump, specifically his lack of discipline, but none of them include his willingness to engage with people, friend or foe. He and JD Vance have been sitting down for long ranging chats with podcasters and reporters. They’ve held press conferences. And Vance is a regular presence on Sunday morning shows.
And then there is Harris, who in dodging combative interviews, has shown us all we need to know.
Published at nypost .com on September 25, 2024. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.
Questions
1. The purpose of an editorial/commentary is to explain, persuade, warn, criticize, entertain, praise or answer. What do you think is the purpose of Kirsten Fleming’s commentary? Explain your answer.
2. What is the main idea of this commentary?
3. What is your reaction to each of the following points made in the article?
- “Kamala Harris was finally doing a solo interview with a national reporter – and surprise! It’s with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. That’s the same reporter who on Friday publicly stated Harris owes the American people absolutely no interviews. No real insight into how she will govern, if elected.”
- “How can she go toe to toe with Putin or China’s Xi Jinping or other hostile powers when she is unwilling to answer tough questions?”
- “Harris isn’t pressed [by the media] on her border record, her economic policies and continues to act like she isn’t part of the current administration and its myriad of problems.”
- During the Trump administration, MSNBC’s Ruhle regularly tweeted demands for “transparency” on a number of issues, yet when it comes to Harris, less is more. Because she knows Harris is weak and needs a hand.
- “Harris, who in dodging combative interviews, has shown us all we need to know.”
