Katie Couric, former co-anchor of NBC’s “Today” show, has publicly expressed her criticism regarding the communication style of Vice President Kamala Harris during her campaign interviews. Couric highlighted Harris’s frequent struggle to deliver succinct and straightforward answers, a behavior that was a source of frustration for many voters and media observers.

During the November 14, 2024 episode of her podcast “Next Question with Katie Couric,” Couric discussed these issues with Jen Psaki. She termed this communication style as a significant weakness, suggesting many viewers were likely thinking, “Answer the (expletive) question, please!” Couric asserted that Harris’ vague or evasive responses were particularly problematic in high-pressure campaign environments, where clear and concise answers are essential.

Couric compared Harris’ responses to those of Hillary Clinton, noting that Clinton had demonstrated a superior ability to handle challenging questions effectively. Couric emphasized that tough questions often prompt politicians to refine their message and deliver compelling, clear statements. However, she noticed that Harris seemed to stumble even when faced with what Couric termed “amorphous softballs,” questions that should have been straightforward to address but seemed to throw off Harris’ ability to communicate a clear message.

Couric expressed specific concern about Harris’ performance during her appearance on ABC’s “The View.” Notably, when asked what she would do differently than President Biden, the Vice President responded, “Nothing comes to mind.” Couric identified this exchange as one of the most detrimental moments of the campaign period.

Jen Psaki, former White House Press Secretary, provided some context to these communication issues. She described the period as a “unique and painful summer” for the Biden administration, suggesting that Harris was challenged to navigate the politics of the situation.

Couric’s criticism extended to the overall campaign strategy. She claimed that Harris’ team seemed unprepared for common interview questions, suggesting that any presidential campaign should have a ready “template” for addressing such inquiries. Furthermore, Couric criticized Harris’ temporary absence from media appearances after her nomination as the Democratic candidate. This decision attracted further criticism from media observers.