Harris campaign defends VP for not sitting for an interview in weeks since she became nominee

Harris’ deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks on Sunday defended the vice president for not yet sitting down for an interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.

“The vice president has been interviewing . She’s been interviewing with the American people,” Fulks said during an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Weekend” Sunday. “And she respects the free media, respects the press, so that will come on her time, but right now our focus is making sure that we’re communicating with the voters, that they see her, that they understand her world view, her perspective, her upbringing, her record of delivering and fighting for American families to protect their freedoms and her vision for moving forward.”

MSNBC host Michael Steele dismissed concern about Harris’ lack of media appearances since President Biden dropped out of the race, stating he has found it “amusing to watch and hear many in the media sort of go after the vice president because she hasn’t done that face to face." He said he's observed Harris “seems to be talking directly to the people.”

Steele asked Fulks if that was intentional by the campaign so that Harris can “push past the noise of the Washington press corps and all of that drama.”

Fulks said the campaign enters the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week with “a lot of enthusiasm and momentum,” as Harris and running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have been “out on the ground talking to and communicating directly with voters.”

“They’re kicking off a bus tour today, going throughout Pennsylvania, they’re going to be at a rally in Wisconsin tomorrow before they head into the convention, and so we’re incredibly excited to continue to stay out on the road, in the battleground states, talking to the voters who are ultimately going to decide this election, making sure that they understand that this race is fundamentally a choice between two stark visions for the future of this country,” Fulks said. “One where we’re lowering costs, protecting freedoms, and continuing to deliver for the American people and one that is extreme, unstable, Project 2025 agenda that is led by Donald Trump and JD Vance.”