CNBC Anchor Criticizes Kamala Harris Surrogate for Avoiding Questions
Gina Raimondo, the Commerce Secretary and surrogate for Kamala Harris, was recently called out by a CNBC anchor for Harris' lack of interaction with the press and the American public since becoming the Democratic nominee.
"Squawk Box" Anchor Challenges Raimondo
Joe Kernen, co-host of "Squawk Box", did not hold back when Raimondo asserted that Harris is "reaching out" to people, spending her time talking to Americans, and has a punishing schedule. Kernen responded by pointing out that Harris has not been engaging with the press. He expressed the frustration of both the media and the American people over the limited access they've had to Harris for the past 41 days.
Lack of Clarity and Access
Kernen further criticized Harris for avoiding questions and not providing clear answers. He pointed out that while some information has been released in bits and pieces through her policymakers or scripted speeches, Harris has been difficult to pin down on any issue due to her lack of accessibility. Kernen concluded by asking Raimondo if she agreed with his assessment, to which she responded affirmatively.
Previous Controversy
Raimondo has previously been called out during an interview for falsely suggesting that Donald Trump fabricated statistics released by President Joe Biden’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. When challenged by the reporter, Raimondo claimed she was "not familiar" with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a department of the U.S. government that has been in existence for 140 years. The report in question announced a downward revision of job growth by 818,000 jobs over the 12 months ending in March, representing 0.5% of total jobs, the largest number in decades.
Bottom Line
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between the media and political figures, with the former constantly seeking access and transparency, and the latter often attempting to control the narrative. It raises questions about the role of surrogates in political campaigns and the importance of open communication with the public. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Also, don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
