Kamala Harris is increasing her media presence with direct appeals to Black voters and other demographics, as she faces the challenge of competing against Donald Trump with only three weeks left in the presidential race. On Tuesday, Harris participated in an interview with Charlamagne tha God, a radio host popular among young Black Americans. The following day, she was scheduled to appear on Fox News with presenter Bret Baier, marking her first appearance on a conservative cable channel owned by Rupert Murdoch, in an attempt to connect with centrists and anti-Trump Republicans.
This media campaign, which may also include a potential interview on Joe Rogan’s controversial podcast, represents a strategic effort by Harris to engage a broader audience amidst concerns among key Democrats about her waning momentum against Trump. Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, a centrist Democratic think-tank, noted that the focus is on undecided voters or those unsure of their choice, emphasizing the significance of this group.
Some observers view Harris’s approach as risky, with Bennett stating that engaging with Charlamagne and Baier involves taking calculated risks, which are necessary at this stage since she cannot conduct her campaign as though she is leading. Harris, who has faced criticism for being overly scripted in public, defended her approach as disciplined when speaking to Charlamagne. She expressed confidence in her chances, labeling the race as close, but assured her intention to win by highlighting policies aimed at supporting Black Americans, such as aid for small businesses and first-time homebuyers. She also reaffirmed her plan to decriminalize marijuana and acknowledged the necessity of studying reparations for descendants of slaves.
Reports suggest Harris’s campaign is in discussions about an appearance on Rogan’s podcast, known for its vast reach among younger male audiences, but Spotify, which hosts the podcast, did not comment. Harris’s recent media engagements include appearances on CBS’s 60 Minutes, Howard Stern’s radio show, and the Call Her Daddy podcast popular with younger women.
With only three weeks remaining until the November election, Harris faces limited opportunities to significantly alter the presidential race, particularly after Trump declined further debate invitations. Dan Pfeiffer, former senior adviser to President Obama, emphasized that the campaign needs to capture the attention of voters who are less engaged with political news.
Financial Times polling data indicates Harris is leading Trump by 2.6 percentage points nationally, although the race remains tight in crucial swing states. An NBC News poll recently reported a dip in her popularity. Non-partisan analyst Kyle Kondik from the University of Virginia noted a shift in the political atmosphere, with improving prospects for Trump and concerns over Harris’s campaign strategies.
Amid suggestions from prominent Democrats, including former Obama chief campaign strategist David Axelrod, that she should spend more time in swing states, Harris is scheduled for nearly a dozen campaign events in four such states this week. During a rally in Pennsylvania, she criticized Trump for suggesting military intervention against internal threats, stating a second Trump term would pose significant risks to America.
Harris had previously been cautious in addressing Trump’s rhetoric but recognized the need to strengthen her critiques. Bennett noted a shift in campaign strategy from reintroducing Harris to highlighting contrasts, questioning voters’ support for American democracy. Additional reporting was provided by Anna Nicolaou in New York.
