An interview with Vice President Kamala Harris on MSNBC, which aired on the night of September 25, has attracted significant attention on social media. Both political commentators and the general public criticized Harris for her repeated use of the word “holistic” throughout her discussion on housing policy.
During her conversation with host Stephanie Ruhle, Harris attempted to articulate her strategies to address housing and transit problems by considering the larger context. “Some of the work is going to be through what we do in terms of giving benefits and assistance to state and local governments around transit dollars and looking holistically at the connection between that and housing,” Harris explained. She added, “And looking holistically at the incentives we in the federal government can create for local and state governments to actually engage in planning in a holistic manner that includes prioritizing affordable housing for working people.”
Her frequent use of the term “holistic” was quickly picked up by critics, particularly conservative commentator Clay Travis, who noted Harris’ repeated usage on social media.
The Trump campaign also took this opportunity to criticize Harris, with the Trump War Room account humorously implying that she had just learned the word “holistically.” This comment was among several that spread across different platforms, with some critics likening Harris’ frequent use of the term to a “word salad.”
Despite the criticism, Harris defended her approach, emphasizing the importance of a “holistic” perspective in addressing interconnected issues like housing, transportation, and the economy. However, political analysts pointed out that her broad responses often lacked concrete solutions.
The New York Times, in its analysis of the interview, made a similar observation, noting that Harris’ responses lacked specificity, especially regarding voter concerns about the economy: “When asked why voters still trust Donald Trump to handle the economy, Harris avoided providing a direct answer and instead attacked Trump’s record on jobs and manufacturing.”
In contrast, Harris’ supporters argue that the criticism around her interview is exaggerated. They emphasize that politicians often resort to generalized statements during interviews. They believe that Harris’ frequent use of “holistic” indicates a sincere effort to tackle systemic issues comprehensively.
Criticism was also directed at Stephanie Ruhle, the interview host, who was accused by some viewers of giving Harris an easy ride, allowing her to avoid directly answering tough questions about her policies.
For instance, when queried about the future of the U.S. Senate and the feasibility of implementing her administration’s proposed policies without a Democratic majority, Harris did not give a detailed response. Instead, she reiterated her stance on corporate taxation, insisting that major corporations and billionaires should contribute more.
This MSNBC interview was Harris’ first significant stand-alone appearance since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee following President Biden’s withdrawal. The interview provided fresh ammunition for her critics, underscoring what they view as her struggle to engage voters with clear, concise messages. However, it should be noted that Harris has given only a few high-profile interviews since Biden’s exit, and most have been with local or niche media.
As the election approaches, the Vice President’s media strategy is still a topic of debate. While some believe her preference for “friendly” interviewers enables her to control the narrative, others claim it hinders her from addressing tough questions that could influence undecided voters.