A former Obama administration official is defending Vice President Kamala Harris for shying away from the press.
Michael McFaul served as U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. He is also a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a professor at Stanford University.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday, McFaul highlighted attacks over the VP’s cautious approach toward the press. The vice president, he said, has no obligation to engage with reporters.
“The paramount objective for @KamalaHarris is to win this election,” he wrote. “If a press conference helps her win, she should do it. If not, she shouldn’t do it. It’s just that simple. She has no ‘moral obligation’ to talk to the press. Tone it down folks.”
The president and vice president are not required to speak to the press, though doing so is widely considered healthy for democracy as it allows American citizens to learn about their leaders. Regular press appearances also provide the opportunity for journalists to hold leaders accountable on behalf of the American public.
While Harris has seemingly avoided speaking to the press, she has made several public appearances at campaign rallies with running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, this month greeted reporters during dueling events for both campaigns in Wisconsin and highlighted Harris’s avoidance of the press.
“I figured I’d come by — one, just to get a good look at the plane, hopefully it’s going to be my plane in a few months — but I also thought you guys might be lonely because the vice president doesn’t answer questions from reporters,” the senator said.
“I think it’d be good for you all if she actually ran a real campaign instead of one from her basement with teleprompters,” he added.
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