CNN is usually in the back pocket of the Democrats. But they have serious concerns about VP Harris.
As this former CNN employee just went rogue to share this huge Kamala Harris confession.
Kamala Harris’ Cautious Strategy May Backfire, Warns Former CNN Analyst
Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism for her cautious campaign strategy, which some believe could jeopardize her chances of defeating former President Donald Trump in November. According to former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza, Harris’ avoidance of media engagement and her limited discussion of policy could echo mistakes made by Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Harris delayed her first sit-down national solo interview until July 21, speaking with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle. During a segment on his YouTube channel, Cillizza suggested that Harris’ reluctance to take risks with the media could become a major factor if she loses to Trump. He compared her approach to that of Clinton’s 2016 campaign, which also shied away from aggressive media exposure.
“I think it might be a winning political strategy,” Cillizza noted. However, he added a stark warning, “If we look back and Kamala Harris does lose this race to Donald Trump — and I think she could — I think we will look back and say they were too risk-averse.”
He expanded on this thought, arguing that the Harris campaign’s strategy seems to be about meeting “a low bar of credibility” and banking on voters simply rejecting Trump, rather than actively choosing Harris. This, Cillizza warned, mirrors Clinton’s assumption in 2016 that Trump’s polarizing persona would drive voters to her by default, even if they were lukewarm about her.
Cillizza drew a direct line between the two campaigns, stating, “That may work. The only thing I will say is it does remind me a little bit of eight years ago … Clinton was risk-averse … They didn’t do all that much on the offensive end; they mostly played defense.” He emphasized that Clinton’s overly cautious approach ultimately contributed to her defeat.
Harris, during her interview with Ruhle, focused heavily on economic issues, particularly calling for the wealthiest Americans and corporations to “pay their fair share” in taxes. However, this message may not resonate with all voters. Pollster Frank Luntz pointed out that voters are growing tired of such slogans and are instead looking for detailed policy solutions, which Harris has yet to deliver.
Cillizza further commented, “So, if Harris loses, I think we might look back and say she should have taken a few more risks. She should have been a little more willing to put herself out there, even though that putting yourself out there does have risk because there’s opportunity in that.”
On Friday, Cillizza added another layer of critique, suggesting that Harris is limiting her media appearances because “she’s not great in those settings,” a possible indication of the campaign’s strategic caution.
According to the RealClearPolling average, Harris currently leads Trump by a slim margin of 2%, a figure that suggests her conservative approach may not be galvanizing voters as effectively as needed.
Analysis of The Harris Strategy
Harris’ strategy appears to center around avoiding missteps rather than making bold moves. While this cautious approach may minimize controversy, it also limits opportunities to define herself beyond being a mere alternative to Trump. Cillizza’s critique highlights the potential risk of relying too heavily on a “not Trump” campaign, especially in a race where voters may seek more dynamic leadership. The challenge for Harris will be balancing safety with a willingness to engage more aggressively, both with the media and voters.
It was recently reported by Axios that Kamala Harris is set for the fewest interviews with the press during the general election season than any Presidential candidate in modern American history.
CNBC's Joe Kernen grilled Harris surrogate Chris Coons on Harris' lack of interviews this am
Harris and Walz have participated in 7 interviews, while Trump and Vance have done over 70 interviews and press conferences@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/zkAOIOKle4
— Nicole Silverio (@NicoleMSilverio) September 24, 2024
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