Former NBC “Today” show co-anchor Katie Couric has openly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s communication style during campaign interviews. Couric took issue with Vice President Kamala Harris’s frequent inability to deliver concise and direct answers, a habit that frustrated voters and media observers.
She described this communication style as a significant drawback, recounting that many viewers were likely thinking, “Answer the (expletive) question, please!” She argued that Harris’ tendency toward vague or evasive responses missed the mark, especially in high-stakes campaign settings where clarity is critical.
Couric, speaking with Jen Psaki on the November 14, 2024, episode of her podcast “Next Question with Katie Couric,” contrasted Harris’ performance with Hillary Clinton’s, who demonstrated a stronger ability to effectively handle pointed and challenging questions.
According to Couric, more difficult questions often push politicians to sharpen their message and deliver clear, impactful statements. By comparison, Couric observed that Harris frequently faltered even when offered what she called “weird, like, amorphous softballs,” which she felt should have been easier to navigate but instead seemed to derail Harris’ ability to articulate a focused message.
The veteran journalist expressed particular concern over Harris’ performance on ABC’s “The View,” where the Vice President notably responded “nothing comes to mind” when asked what she would do differently than President Biden. Couric labeled this exchange “one of the most damaging things” from the campaign period.
Former White House Press Secretary Psaki provided context to Harris’ communication challenges, describing it as a “unique and painful summer” for the Biden administration, noting that Harris had to “navigate the politics of that in a very tricky way.”
Couric’s critique extended beyond specific instances to broader campaign strategy. She suggested that Harris’ team appeared underprepared for standard interview questions, arguing that a presidential campaign should maintain a prepared “template” for addressing common inquiries.
The criticism also focused on Harris’ temporary withdrawal from media appearances. Following her selection as the Democratic nominee, Harris reportedly avoided interviews for several weeks, a decision that drew additional scrutiny from media observers.