in 2024 Election, Kamala Harris, Leftism, Media Bias
Kamala Harris’s refusal to submit to questions from the press has drawn criticism, including, in a few cases, from Democratic Party sources. Now Harris has announced that she and Tim Walz–dubbed by one wag her “emotional support governor”–will sit for a joint interview. Including Walz is probably a good idea; he can come up with a lie for any occasion, and he lies with shameless abandon, whereas Harris occasionally shows signs of having a conscience.
But the real question is, why should Kamala fear the Reaper? If she agrees to let reporters question her, what is the down side?
That question is answered by the New York Times, whose email this morning was headlined “21 Questions for Harris.” This is the premise:
Kamala Harris has largely avoided answering questions since her campaign began: She hasn’t participated in a town hall or given an extended media interview.
She and her aides say she will do one soon. In the meantime, I’ve worked with my Times colleagues to put together a list of 21 questions that could help the country understand how she would govern.
So what are the Times’s 21 questions for Kamala? We don’t have space for all of them, but here is a sampling. The common denominator is that they come from the Left:
1. Madam Vice President, your agenda revolves around helping the middle class — such as offering a credit of up to $25,000 for first-time home buyers and increasing the child tax credit. You haven’t said much about some big related issues, though, including paid leave and universal preschool. Will you try to revive President Biden’s plans?
In other words, please assure us that you will be as left-wing as we hope!
4. Biden has cracked down on monopoly power, and a central player in this fight is Lina Khan of the Federal Trade Commission, who has focused on Big Tech. Some of your campaign donors in Silicon Valley want you to fire her. Would you?
Even Kamala is smart enough to figure out the answer to this one.
5. The Biden administration made an important change on climate policy, emphasizing subsidies for clean energy rather than taxes on dirty energy. This approach is more politically popular. Is it delivering fast enough climate progress?
A more sensible question would be, Will you continue your administration’s policy of subsidizing and mandating costly, inefficient and unreliable energy sources that are driving up the cost of living for all Americans? Don’t hold your breath waiting for any reporter to ask that one.
6. You support the PRO Act, which would make it easier for workers to join unions. Recent Democratic presidents have supported similar bills — but failed to pass them. How would you give wary labor leaders confidence that the PRO Act will be a priority?
The PRO Act is radical, and probably would be interpreted to do away with right to work laws in 26 states. That doesn’t bother the Times, which just wants assurance that Harris is radical enough to support it.
9. Would you support eliminating the filibuster to pass a bill that restores nationwide abortion rights?
Another question with the answer written on a cue card. And not exactly the question the Times would ask of a Republican.
Most of the questions are of that ilk, but I will close with these two:
19. Donald Trump can sound unhinged, telling frequent lies and rejecting basic democratic traditions. Yet millions of Americans — including more voters of color than in the past — support him. Why do you think so many people are frustrated enough that they find Trump appealing?
Can you imagine the Times asking Trump a parallel question, about how anyone can possibly support the failed and incompetent Harris? And finally:
20. Your campaign spends less time describing Trump as an existential threat than Biden or Hillary Clinton did and more time ridiculing Trump. What do you think are the most effective ways to persuade swing voters that he shouldn’t be president?
Basically, the Times wants to interrogate Harris as to whether she is radical enough, or effective enough in attacking Donald Trump. I don’t know; maybe there is a news outlet on the right that would treat Trump with such deference, but I can’t imagine what it might be.
So Kamala, don’t fear the Reaper. The press is your friend. They only want to help you. And they are OK with your bringing along your emotional support governor, if you need him.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2024/08/answer-questions-why-not.php
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