Former Clinton aide scoffs at media putting pressure on Harris to take interviews: 'Who cares?'
Ex- Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala claimed that voters don't care if Vice President Kamala Harris talks to the media, as she goes 24 days without a formal press conference or sit-down interview since emerging as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala defended Vice President Kamala Harris for avoiding the press as she faces mounting criticism for not doing media interviews.
During a CNN panel discussion on Wednesday, Republican commentator Lance Trover argued that voters are looking "to get answers" from Harris on where she stands on the issues, as she's been accused of flip-flopping on several of her far-left policy positions. However, liberal CNN commentators Ana Navarro and Begala defended Harris.
Begala argued that Harris' strategy of avoiding the press may irk the media, but it wouldn't matter to voters.
"Just one question: Who cares?" he retorted.
DEMOCRATIC GOV. MURPHY DEFENDS HARRIS FOR AVOIDING MEDIA INTERVIEWS: ‘PLENTY OF TIME’
Former Bill Clinton strategist Paul Begala dismissed criticism Vice President Harris is facing for avoiding the media since announcing her 2024 presidential run. (CNN/Screenshot)
As of Wednesday, Harris has gone 24 days without holding a formal press conference or participating in a sit-down interview since becoming the nominee.
Begala said that he personally cares if Harris does interviews but called the concerns "a media issue" instead of a voter issue.
"There‘s nobody at the Tractor Supply shop who say, ‘Gee, I like that Kamala wants to raise the minimum wage. I like that she wants to cut the cost of prescription drugs. I like that she‘s going to protect my sister’s right to choose. But she hasn‘t done enough interviews with [Jim] Acosta,'" he said.
"I think she should. Okay? But let‘s just put this into perspective," Begala continued.
The flippant remark drew chuckles from anchor Jim Acosta before he pushed back on Begala's argument.
"Thanks for standing up for the free press, Paul, we appreciate that," Acosta joked. "No, but I mean, she should. There's just no question about it."
Earlier in the hour, Acosta pressed a Harris-Walz campaign official on why the vice president was avoiding the media.
Vice President Kamala Harris has faced criticism from conservatives for not holding a formal press conference or interview since entering the presidential race.
Navarro also defended Harris in the segment, claiming the VP hasn't had time to talk to the media since she announced her candidacy roughly three weeks ago, but said she was confident Harris would eventually do so.
"Of course she needs to do that," Navarro concluded.
Other Democrats have come out to defend Harris' avoidance of the media this week.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told CNN on Tuesday that Harris would have "plenty of time" to talk to the media before November.
"She’s on a roll," Murphy said. "She’s brought joy back into the whole arena of politics. There will be plenty of time to do interviews," he told host Kate Bolduan.
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The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Fox News' Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.
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