During a campaign event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) took a direct shot at Vice President Kamala Harris for her recent reluctance to engage with the media. While reporters were gathered near Air Force Two, where Harris was scheduled to arrive, Vance made his way over to the press, highlighting her lack of public statements and media interaction in recent days.
“I wanted to take a good look at the plane because, hopefully, it’s going to be my plane in a few months,” Vance said with a grin. He then added, “I also thought you guys might be lonely since the Vice President hasn’t taken any questions from reporters in 17 days.” His remarks underscored the criticism from conservatives who have accused Harris of avoiding tough questions during her campaign.
Harris, who recently selected Gov. Tim Walz (D) as her running mate, has faced scrutiny for what some perceive as a cautious approach to media interactions. Vance’s comments came at a time when Harris was set to speak at a rally in Eau Claire, where she was expected to address supporters.
Vance didn’t stop at critiquing Harris’s media strategy. He went on to suggest that Harris is running a campaign “from her basement with a teleprompter” rather than engaging directly with the American people. This line of criticism echoes similar attacks made by Republicans during previous election cycles, where they accused Democratic candidates of being overly controlled and avoiding spontaneous interactions with voters.
The encounter quickly gained traction on social media, with Vance sharing a video clip of his remarks, accompanied by a comment, “I figured I’d come say hello and check out my new plane while I was at it.” His post highlighted a growing frustration among conservatives over Harris’s perceived inaccessibility.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, recent polls show Harris leading former President Donald Trump by a narrow margin of 0.5%, according to the Real Clear Politics average. This slim lead is even more precarious when factoring in third-party candidates like Dr. Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose presence could influence the outcome of the election.
Vance’s pointed remarks on the tarmac are part of a broader effort by Republicans to question Harris’s transparency and readiness for the presidency. Whether this strategy will resonate with voters remains to be seen as both campaigns intensify their efforts in the months leading up to the election.
