Vice President Kamala Harris has not held a formal press conference since President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign last month, leading to growing frustration among reporters seeking access to her.
This week, as she neared Air Force Two in Michigan and opted to answer a few questions, the pent-up frustration of reporters became evident. They shouted questions at her, prompting her to admonish them by saying, “Calm down!”
Here’s how the exchange went:
Q Madam Vice President! Madam Vice President!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’m coming over there. Calm down!
Q She’s like, “I’m coming.” (Laughter.)
THE VICE PRESIDENT: What you got?
Q President Trump had a press conference today. He talked about a lot of things. Wondering if you have a reaction to what he talked about.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, I’m glad that he’s finally agreed to a debate on September 10th. I’m looking forward to it and hope he shows up.
Q Are you open to more debates?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I am happy to have that conversation about an additional debate for after September 10th, for sure.
Q He proposed two more — two more debates.
HE VICE PRESIDENT: Like I said, happy to have that conversation.
Q Why do you think he pulled out of the debate with you? Why do you think he’s —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I am beyond trying to speculate about how he thinks.
What else?
Q Can you comment on some of his other criticisms? He made a whole litany of them today.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I was —
Q Some of them are about your —
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I was too busy talking to voters. I didn’t hear them.
Q Some of the criticism has been about your vice presidential pick and his leaving the National Guard at 24 years. Vance said that he deserted his own troops or his own colleagues. What’s your take on that?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Listen, I praise anyone who has presented themselves to serve our country, and I think that we all should.
Q Madam Vice President, there’s been a lot of questions about when you’re going to sit down for your first interview since being the nominee.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’ve —
Q Do you have any update on that?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’ve talked to my team. I want us to get an interview scheduled before the end of the month.
AIDE: Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yeah.
Okay. Thank you.
Q What do you make of all the attacks on your husband’s faith?
WATCH:
Former President Donald Trump has retaken a lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in a broad new national survey, a potential indicator that her “honeymoon” period with voters saw her close the gap with her GOP opponent after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July could be waning.
According to a newly released Fox News poll, Trump bested Harris by a slim 1-point margin, 50-49 percent, which is well within the poll’s margin of error. Last month, the results were identical in terms of margins: Harris was behind Trump by one point, 48-49%—as was President Joe Biden, with the same 48-49% result.
Since the last poll, several high-profile events have occurred. Trump has survived an assassination attempt, chosen Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, and formally received the Republican nomination at the party’s convention. Meanwhile, the Democrats have seen significant changes, removing Biden from the ticket and nominating Harris, who did not receive any primary votes.
By a slim margin, more Democrats support Harris (94%) compared to the percentage of Republicans backing Trump (93%), with Independents favoring Trump by 8 points.
Trump maintains 95% of his 2020 supporters, while Harris retains 93% of Biden’s 2020 voters. New voters, who haven’t participated in the last four general elections, are evenly split at 49% for each candidate, a shift from last month when they preferred Trump over Biden by 7 points, Fox noted.
There is a 22-point gender gap, as men favor Trump by 12 points and women favor Harris by 10, the outlet reported.
In the expanded presidential ballot, both Harris and Trump each received 45% of the vote, while support for Kennedy is at 6%. The remaining candidates garner 1% each. Kennedy’s support has decreased from 10% in July and a high of 15% in November 2023. Among those backing Harris in the head-to-head matchup, 7% shift their support to third-party candidates, compared to 9% of Trump supporters who do the same, the poll found.
Harris has a slight edge in personal likability, with a 3-point negative net rating—48% of voters view her favorably, while 51% have an unfavorable opinion.
In comparison, Trump is 6 points underwater, with 47% viewing him favorably and 53% unfavorably, although these are his best ratings in over four years. Both candidates had seen improvements since last month when Harris had a 10-point negative net rating, and Trump was at negative 12.
In contrast, Biden’s favorable rating is significantly lower at 38%, compared to 61% unfavorable—his worst rating since before his selection as Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008.
Among the candidates, Walz stands out with a net positive rating: 41% view him favorably and 39% unfavorably, while 16% are unfamiliar with him.
Vance has a 13-point negative net rating (38% favorable, 51% unfavorable), with 9% not knowing him.
Notably, 21% of Republicans have a negative view of Vance, while only 10% of Democrats view Walz negatively, the survey found.
