Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) didn’t shy away from challenging Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Vance, who was in the city for his own campaign event, approached reporters near Air Force Two and criticized Harris for her recent lack of media engagement.
“I wanted to take a close look at the plane—it could be mine soon,” Vance remarked, before turning his attention to Harris’s media strategy. “But I also figured you might be lonely since the Vice President hasn’t answered any questions from the press in 17 days.” His comments highlight a growing concern among conservatives that Harris is deliberately avoiding tough questions during her campaign.
Harris, who selected Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) as her running mate, has been scrutinized for what many see as a tightly controlled campaign that limits direct interactions with voters and the press. Vance’s remarks suggested that Harris is running a campaign that prioritizes scripted appearances over genuine engagement with the American public.
The interaction was captured on video and quickly spread on social media, with Vance sharing the clip and noting, “I thought the reporters traveling with Kamala might need some company since she never answers their questions.” His comments reflect broader Republican criticism of Harris’s approach to her presidential campaign.
As the 2024 election draws closer, polls show a tight race, with Harris leading former President Donald Trump by just 0.5%, according to Real Clear Politics. Vance’s public critique is part of a larger effort by Republicans to question Harris’s transparency and preparedness for the presidency.
