Ruhle Comments After Interview

By
Markus Noah
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It was quite a spectacle when MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris for a friendly chat. Well, “friendly” might be putting it mildly. From the moment the cameras started rolling, Ruhle seemed prepared to go full defense mode, ready to jump in and excuse any of Harris’ typical rambling responses.

In fact, she didn’t wait long to start the spin, telling fellow MSNBC host Chris Hayes, “One could watch and say she didn’t give a clear and direct answer. And that’s okay because we’re not talking about clear and direct issues.” Oh really? Since when are “clear and direct answers” no longer required when discussing policy?

First, Ruhle said this…

But Ruhle must have got a good talking to because it seems she later changed her tune to say it doesn’t matter if Kamala doesn’t give clear and direct answers. Sure, it’s ok, she’s only running to be our nation’s leader! Insert eye roll.

But this shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who’s been paying attention to Harris’ political rise. She became the Democratic Party’s candidate for president this year not because she wowed the country with her brilliant leadership or persuasive platform. No, she’s there because Joe Biden, at 81 years old, was quietly nudged out by powerful party insiders and big donors.

And Harris, who didn’t win a single primary vote on her own merits, was basically the last one standing. Now that she’s the candidate, you’d think she’d be making more of an effort to explain what she actually stands for. Instead, it’s been a non-stop stream of talking points and vague promises with little to no substance.

Her interview with Ruhle was no different. The cherry on top was when Ruhle tried to preemptively dismiss criticism, knowing full well that Harris’ answers weren’t going to win anyone over. And guess what? She was right. When Harris was asked how she planned to fight “price gouging,” something she’s made a big deal about lately despite no real evidence, she predictably dodged the question. Instead of explaining how she’d tackle the problem, she rambled on about disasters like the pandemic and climate-related events. What does that have to do with price gouging? Who knows. But she sure made it sound like she had a plan. Spoiler: she didn’t.

Harris couldn’t resist throwing in the classic line: “I’m never going to apologize for going after companies and corporations that take advantage of the desperation of the American people.” So, let’s get this straight: there is no real explanation for her economic policy, and instead, she just throws out another boilerplate talking point about evil corporations. It’s the same tired rhetoric we’ve been hearing for years.

Even Ruhle had to do some serious verbal gymnastics to keep Harris afloat. The fact that Harris’ first solo network appearance as the Democratic candidate didn’t include a more serious interrogation should raise some eyebrows. She previously did an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, but even then, she had Minnesota Governor Tim Walz by her side for moral support.

And if anyone thinks she’ll be different from her last three years as Vice President, here is Biden himself letting you know otherwise.

Ruhle’s sit-down with Harris felt more like a PR stunt than an actual interview. And when she defended Harris on Bill Maher’s show, saying that it doesn’t matter if she answers real policy questions because, well, she’s not Trump—this just about sums up the entire situation. Forget the answers; just remember she’s not the other guy.

If this is what we can expect from Harris moving forward, then brace yourselves for more incoherent non-answers and even more media shielding. At some point, though, Harris will have to answer for something—whether the mainstream media is ready for it or not.

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