Wimp: Harris Faces Criticism for Joint Interview With Tim Walz: A Sign of Weakness

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism for choosing to bring her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to her first interview since President Biden announced he would not seek re-election. Some critics view this decision as a sign of “weakness” and a lack of confidence.

Harris, 59, is set to appear alongside Walz in a “joint interview” scheduled to air on CNN Thursday night. The choice has drawn swift backlash, with some accusing Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, of relying on Walz to help defend her record and policies after avoiding such exchanges for weeks.

Scott Jennings, a former special assistant to President George W. Bush, told CNN on Tuesday that bringing a running mate to the interview was a “weak” move, reflecting poorly on her political abilities. He added that it might raise concerns among voters about her potential as a president.

Others echoed these sentiments, pointing to Harris’ past verbal missteps as a possible reason Democrats might not trust her to handle the interview solo. Some critics on social media suggested that the presence of Walz indicated a lack of confidence in her ability to navigate the conversation alone.

Harris, who has long been in the public eye, has previously faced ridicule for struggling to respond to criticism, including her role as Biden’s “border czar.” A particularly awkward moment came during a 2021 interview with Lester Holt, where she awkwardly defended not visiting the US-Mexico border despite rising illegal immigration.

The upcoming interview will be her first since Biden endorsed her as his successor after withdrawing from the 2024 race on July 21. The interview will be conducted by CNN’s Dana Bash and is set to air at 9 p.m. ET from Savannah, Georgia.