Since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris has been notably absent from formal press conferences and in-depth interviews. This absence, which has extended for over a month, has drawn criticism from various political quarters.

Despite being visible on the campaign circuit and participating in several events such as the Democratic National Convention, Harris has consciously avoided engaging with traditional media. This decision has led to scrutiny from The Washington Post editorial board, which pointed out that even her opponent, former President Donald Trump, has fielded questions from the press. The board stressed the need for Harris to clarify her positions on key policy issues like fracking, border security, and private health insurance.

Liberal columnist Perry Bacon also expressed a similar sentiment, stating in a recent article, “At this stage in the campaign, the American people deserve to hear directly from Kamala Harris on where she stands on the issues that will shape our future.”

CNN anchor Jim Acosta added to the growing pressure when he questioned Michael Tyler, Harris’ communications director, about the lack of press conferences. Tyler responded, “We will commit to directly engage with the voters who are actually going to decide this election. And that is going to be complete with rallies, with sit-down interviews, with press conferences, with all the digital assets that we have at our disposal.”

Despite these promises, the continued avoidance of direct media engagement has led to criticism, with GOP vice-presidential nominee JD Vance accusing Harris of neglecting her duties as a presidential candidate. During an interview with CBS, Vance stated, “She needs to do the job of a presidential candidate by speaking to the American people through the press.”

Former President Donald Trump also criticized Harris for her lack of press interaction during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month. Trump’s comments amplified his campaign’s narrative of portraying Harris as evasive and underprepared.

The criticism has drawn parallels between Harris’ media strategy and that of President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign, when he was often accused of shying away from the media during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, despite the criticism, Harris’ campaign team maintains their strategy. A representative from her campaign told Fox News Digital that with less than three months left before the election, Harris is focusing on garnering voter support. The campaign is prioritizing innovative and efficient strategies to effectively communicate their message to voters in the limited time available.

The Harris campaign’s emphasis on direct voter engagement over traditional media appearances reflects a shift in modern political campaign strategies. The campaign team has highlighted the importance of connecting with voters through social media platforms and digital outreach.

Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia under the Obama administration, shared his perspective suggesting that Harris should only hold a press conference if it advances her campaign. He stressed that her obligation to engage with the press is determined by whether it aids her election goal. This viewpoint, however, contradicts an earlier stance where he stressed the importance of transparency and engagement with the press.

As the campaign intensifies, it remains to be seen whether Harris will eventually engage with the press in a formal setting or continue her selective engagement policy. For now, her campaign appears committed to focusing on direct voter outreach, leaving the media and the public in anticipation.