CNBC host Joe Kernen pushes Kamala Harris replacement for claiming ‘clear’ views, not giving interviews: ‘People are frustrated’

CNBC host Joe Kernen dismissed Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s claims that Vice President Kamala Harris’ views are “crystal clear” and criticized the Democratic nominee for avoiding the press during an interview Monday.

“She hasn’t talked to the press, Gina,” Kernen said. “I know you’re a surrogate, but the American people are frustrated, the media is frustrated by the amount of access that somebody has gotten to her over the last 41 days. I know you’ve seen this.”

His comments followed a claim by Raimondo that Harris has been “clear in her values, what she wants to fight for and how she will do it”.

Raimondo said Harris “talks to people.”

“She is addressing me. It’s reaching out to businesses,” Raimondo said.

But Kernen echoed voters’ frustration with Harris’ relative radio silence since announcing her presidential campaign on July 21, hours after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her.

“She sat down for an interview that was taped and then cut and a few little things came out of it, but it’s been a master class in dodging every question and nothing has been made clear by it,” Kernen said. “Maybe it’s made clear in dribs and drabs from policymakers when it comes out in print or off a teleprompter in one of her written speeches.”

Harris sat down for her first interview since announcing her campaign two weeks ago with CNN’s Dana Bash.

Most of the CNN panelists didn’t seem to see the vice president’s interview as a big step forward or backward, though she has long drawn criticism for speaking to the media after announcing her campaign.

“It has been impossible to find anything because it has not given any access,” said Kernen. “The American people deserve it, wouldn’t you agree?”

Raimondo said she “respectfully” disagreed because of the unusual circumstances involved.

“This is a presidential election like no other. She only has a few weeks to do everything and is spending the time talking to the Americans,” said Raimondo. “She has a punishing schedule everywhere, being with the people she wants to choose her.”

Kernen has previously criticized some of Harris’ proposed policies, particularly a price-gouging ban to counter inflated prices at grocery stores, which he called a “misguided idea.”

CNBC did not respond to requests for comment.