The New York Times editorial board implored Vice President Kamala Harris to “do a better job” than her former running mate in answering reporters’ questions.
“Vice President Kamala Harris, now the likely Democratic nominee, has a chance to encourage and accept the kind of scrutiny the public has had little chance to witness so far during the 2024 campaign,” the Times editorial board wrote Friday. .
“Americans deserve a campaign that tests the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses; highlights their differences and allows for scrutiny of their plans; and by giving people a clear understanding of how their choices in this election will impact their lives. Motivate people to vote.
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While the Times said the rollout of Harris’ campaign offered “promising signs” of positive change, it said the vice president “needs to do more, and she needs to do it quickly.”
“Ms. Harris should challenge Mr. Trump to a series of debates or town halls on nationally important issues such as the economy, foreign policy, health care and immigration. Mr. Trump has claimed that he is ready and willing to participate once the Democrats formally select their nomination. Man, Americans would benefit from a direct comparison of the two candidates.
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The Times went on to insist that “both candidates also need to start taking questions from reporters.”
“Candidates have ample opportunities to speak directly to voters through social media and tightly controlled public appearances, without the mediation of journalists. However, most voters will never be able to speak directly to the candidates,” the editorial board said. “President Biden rarely allows the news media to ask questions on behalf of the American people, and on the rare occasions when he does, his team sometimes asks scripted questions. This leaves him ill-prepared for the campaign and to face his opponents. Trump Mr. Pugh also rarely answered Ms. Harris’s questions.
“Engaging with voters is especially important for Ms. Harris because she will be the first major-party presidential candidate in modern times not to go through a state primary process, where voters have the opportunity to weigh the candidates and ask questions about what matters most to their communities. Questions about questions,” the article continued. “Speaking to small crowds in small places and answering questions from local reporters is a ritual during primaries for a reason. Unlike large public gatherings, they are occasions for equal encounters, for both candidates and voters. An education.
“Good leaders speak, and they listen. They welcome oversight. They accept responsibility. Ms. Harris now has a chance to prove she will be the kind of leader worthy of the country’s support,” The Times later added.
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In April, the Times editorial board accused Biden of “avoiding interviews and questions from major news organizations” in a scathing article. The newspaper also called on the president to drop out of the race after his poor debate performance last month.
Harris has received intense media coverage since she began to rise to the top of the Democratic ticket on Sunday after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race and gained support. But despite becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, she has yet to be interviewed.