Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are set to participate in their first joint campaign interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash in Atlanta. Harris has faced criticism for avoiding substantive press questions for the last 38 days, while former President Trump has been more accessible to the media. Both Harris and Trump are expected to participate in a televised debate on September 10th.
Leading up to the interview, viewers have been reminded of Harris’ past appearances, including a viral moment with NBC’s Lester Holt where she was criticized for her response to a question about visiting the Mexican border. Despite some critiques of her lack of policy substance, Harris has gained support from high-profile surrogates on the campaign trail, including Kerry Kennedy, sister of former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who recently endorsed Trump.
Harris has also faced criticism for not participating in interviews by herself and instead choosing to include Walz in the upcoming CNN interview. Some believe that Walz, a better communicator than Harris, will serve as her support animal during the interview. The campaign has also embarked on a South Georgia bus tour to reach voters in traditionally Republican-leaning areas, as they hope to expand their support base.
Georgia has been a battleground state for both parties, with Democrats flipping both U.S. Senate seats in recent years and Trump warring with popular GOP Governor Brian Kemp. Republicans see an opportunity in the region, as longtime Democrat Rep. Sanford Bishop’s seat is seen as a potential pickup along with other GOP-held seats. The campaign remains optimistic about competing in all communities and bringing more voters into the Harris-Walz fold.
Despite criticisms and challenges, the Harris campaign continues to push forward with their strategy, including bringing in high-profile surrogates and participating in key interviews. The upcoming joint interview with CNN will provide an opportunity for both Harris and Walz to showcase their policies and plans for the future. As the campaign progresses, both candidates will continue to engage with voters and work towards expanding their base of support ahead of the upcoming election.
