Harris Surrogate Gina Raimondo Under Fire for Defending VP's Avoidance of Media and Voters

Biden Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, a key surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, found herself in hot water this week during a CNBC interview. Raimondo attempted to defend Harris' growing reputation for avoiding media scrutiny and dodging tough questions, but her claims only sparked further criticism.

Raimondo insisted that Harris has been “crystal clear” on her values and objectives. However, CNBC host Joe Kernen didn’t hold back, pointing out the frustration felt by both the media and American voters over Harris' unwillingness to engage. Kernen noted that Harris hasn’t allowed any real access to the press in over 41 days, a period marked by scripted speeches and carefully curated appearances.

“The American people deserve it,” Kernen fired back. “She’s been impossible to pin down on anything because she hasn’t given any access.” His criticism echoed growing concerns that Harris has been elusive during a critical time in her campaign, with even traditionally friendly media outlets calling her out for refusing to sit for unscripted interviews or answer tough questions.

• Harris has gone over 40 days without giving meaningful access to the press, opting instead for controlled, pre-recorded interviews.

• Even mainstream outlets, typically friendly to Democrats, have expressed frustration at her avoidance tactics.

• Harris' refusal to engage is raising questions about her transparency and accountability, especially as she campaigns for the White House.

Raimondo's defense of Harris also included a puzzling moment in a previous interview with ABC News, where she dismissed legitimate concerns about the economy. When asked about a massive revision of 818,000 jobs reported by President Biden’s own Bureau of Labor Statistics, Raimondo falsely implied that Donald Trump made up the numbers. The ABC host had to interject, clarifying that the data came from the Bureau of Labor, not Trump.

This type of dodging and denial has only fueled skepticism around Harris' candidacy and the credibility of her surrogates. As public dissatisfaction mounts, the pressure is on for Harris to stop hiding behind scripted speeches and face the voters—and the media—head-on. Her continued avoidance raises concerns about her readiness to lead and accountability to the American people.

If you found this article insightful, share it with others or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.