Vice President Kamala Harris made headlines this Sunday when she appeared on the wildly popular podcast Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper. The 40-minute interview reached an audience of 5 million listeners, a non-traditional media choice that sparked both praise and criticism. While some political pundits and Democratic strategists applauded the Harris campaign’s decision to reach new demographics, others, including former Obama strategist David Axelrod, expressed concerns that Harris was avoiding tougher interviews on more traditional platforms like Meet the Press or Face the Nation.
A Strategic Shift in Media Engagement
The Harris campaign’s media strategy has raised eyebrows within the political press and Democratic circles. Critics argue that by focusing on podcasts like Call Her Daddy and upcoming appearances on The Howard Stern Show, Harris may be shying away from more substantive interviews where reporters could press her on challenging issues. This sentiment reflects a broader debate about the changing media landscape, where traditional outlets are losing viewership and influence.
Democratic strategist Eric Schultz, a former Obama White House spokesperson, defended the approach, emphasizing that Harris is adapting to the new reality of fragmented media. He pointed out that political campaigns must strategically allocate their time and resources to reach undecided voters, many of whom are not tuning into traditional news programs. Schultz added, “We don’t live in an age when everyone gets their news from three white guys at 6:30 every night.”
Reaching Key Demographics
Podcasts like Call Her Daddy offer the Harris campaign a unique opportunity to connect with a younger, more politically diverse audience. Data from Edison Research revealed that nearly half of the show’s listeners identify as Republican or independent, a crucial group Harris needs to persuade. With much of her base already secure, the vice president is making strategic moves to capture the attention of those who may not engage with traditional political coverage.
The decision to appear on Cooper’s podcast aligns with a broader trend of political figures reaching out to non-traditional platforms in an effort to connect with voters where they spend their time. Earlier this year, Harris appeared on All the Smoke, a basketball podcast, and she has scheduled upcoming appearances on The View and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—programs with millions of viewers, particularly among younger and female demographics.
Responding to Criticism
While some Democratic strategists have voiced concerns, the Harris team is standing firm in its approach. Deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty defended the media choices in a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that undecided voters are less likely to consume traditional political content. He suggested that traditional political journalists may not fully grasp the need for campaigns to engage with voters across a variety of platforms.
Harris’ appearance on Call Her Daddy represents a calculated effort to balance outreach to non-traditional audiences while still engaging with mainstream political coverage. Her upcoming interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes will provide an opportunity to address more in-depth topics in front of a conventional audience.
As the 2024 election nears, Harris’ media strategy underscores the evolving nature of political campaigns in the digital age. Her campaign’s ability to adapt to the changing media environment may prove critical in reaching key voter demographics as she faces off against Donald Trump.
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