Harris and Trump Compete for Key Voters in Fox News Strategy \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Kamala Harris’ interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier highlights a strategic shift by Democrats to engage with audiences beyond their usual base. With more Democrats appearing on Fox than in past campaigns, the Harris team aims to reach undecided voters. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has criticized Fox’s perceived softer approach, underscoring the network’s pivotal role in the final campaign stretch.
Democrats Open Up to Fox News: Quick Looks
- Harris Interview Strategy: Kamala Harris’ interview with Fox’s Bret Baier signals a willingness to engage with a network popular among Donald Trump supporters, marking a shift from previous Democratic campaigns.
- More Democrats on Fox: Since the Democratic convention, there has been a noticeable increase in Democratic figures appearing on Fox News, doubling the presence compared to Biden’s 2020 campaign.
- Trump’s Reaction: Donald Trump expressed displeasure over Democrats’ increasing presence on Fox, accusing the network of being “soft” on the Harris campaign.
- Republican vs. Democrat Strategies: Both Harris and Trump are targeting key voter groups, with Harris seeking to win over undecided and moderate viewers, while Trump sticks to his base and attacks his opponents on familiar platforms.
Deep Look
Harris’ Fox News Interview Signals Broader Democratic Strategy
The 2024 presidential campaign has seen a marked change in how Democrats engage with media, particularly with Kamala Harris taking the lead. Her appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report” with Bret Baier on Wednesday illustrates a new willingness to step into a space traditionally dominated by conservative views. Harris’ move to engage with Fox’s audience underscores a strategic shift that has doubled the presence of Democrats on the network compared to previous campaigns.
Increased Engagement with Fox Viewers
Since the Democratic convention in August, Fox News has hosted twice as many Democrats as it did during Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. This shift represents a broader strategy to reach voters who may be undecided or lean Republican but are open to hearing different perspectives. According to Fox, Democrats’ presence has also increased significantly compared to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
Historically, Democrats have debated whether to boycott Fox News or use it as a platform to sway some of its viewers. During the 2020 campaign, President Joe Biden chose not to make specific appearances on Fox, while Hillary Clinton made only two. In contrast, Harris’ campaign has chosen a more aggressive approach.
“Talking to All Americans”
Ian Sams, a spokesman for the Harris campaign, emphasized the importance of directly engaging with viewers on platforms they trust. “The vice president, Governor Walz, and our campaign believe it is important to speak to all Americans, wherever they are getting their information or entertainment,” Sams said. “This way, they can hear directly from us — not through a filter — who Vice President Harris is, what she stands for, and what she’s running to do.”
Trump Responds to Democratic Presence on Fox
Unsurprisingly, the increased engagement by Democrats on Fox News has not gone unnoticed by Donald Trump. Earlier this week, Trump expressed his frustration on his Truth Social platform, accusing the network of being overly accommodating to Harris and her allies. Referring to Ian Sams, who appeared on Fox multiple times within the same week, Trump complained, “It’s not worthwhile doing interviews on Fox because it all just averages out into NOTHING… Fox News has totally lost its way.”
Fox News Attracts a Diverse Audience
Fox argues that its reach extends beyond traditional conservative viewers, drawing a sizable share of independents and even Democrats. This extensive audience base makes it difficult for any campaign to ignore. In key swing states, Fox’s cable news viewership often surpasses that of CNN and MSNBC combined, making it a crucial platform for candidates looking to reach undecided voters.
Bret Baier’s Approach to the Harris Interview
Bret Baier, known for his relatively balanced and probing interviews, hosted Harris in a segment designed to address key issues and policies. Baier’s 6 p.m. news hour, co-hosted by Martha MacCallum for major events, typically brings a straightforward approach to political interviews. Tom Jones, writing for the Poynter Institute, said Baier’s approach is known for being “strong, tough questions with aggressive follow-up. In a word: fair.”
Despite this, Baier is also mindful of Fox’s core audience. His name surfaced in a lawsuit involving the network’s handling of the 2020 election results, where he was found to have urged the network to reconsider its early call of Arizona for Biden, fearing backlash. Trump, ever vocal, suggested that Baier was “too soft” to handle Harris in the way he felt necessary, lamenting that the interview didn’t include a “hard-hitting” journalist.
Fox Viewers’ Concerns Addressed by Baier
Leading up to the Harris interview, some Fox viewers expressed skepticism online, suggesting that the interview might be pre-scripted or softened. Baier took to social media to refute these claims, clarifying that no questions were shared beforehand and that the interview would be “live to tape,” airing in its entirety. This transparency was intended to ensure viewers that the conversation would be authentic and unfiltered.
Broader Democratic Presence on Fox
Apart from Harris, other high-profile Democrats have been making appearances on Fox, further signaling a shift. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, has appeared on “Fox News Sunday” for two consecutive weeks, sharing his thoughts with host Shannon Bream. Walz acknowledged, “I think folks are still undecided out there… and your viewers get a chance to hear [our message].”
Earlier in the campaign, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gained attention for his skillful engagements on Fox, earning him the nickname “Fox whisperer” for his ability to deftly navigate challenging questions. Other Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Representatives Jared Moskowitz and Ro Khanna, have also leveraged the platform to connect with a broader audience.
Limited Prime-Time Exposure for Democrats
Despite increased Democratic appearances, these engagements are generally confined to daytime or weekend slots. Rarely do Democrats venture into the prime-time hours occupied by Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, or Greg Gutfeld — shows known for their more partisan stance. Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of “Pod Save America” and a former aide to President Obama, views this calculated exposure as a strategic move, emphasizing that “Democrats engaging with Fox can attract attention and sway soft Republicans and independents — crucial targets in this election.”
Conclusion: Both Candidates Seek Broader Appeal
In the last stretch of the campaign, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are focused on reaching audiences beyond their traditional bases. While Harris’ Fox News appearance indicates a bold strategy to engage with conservative-leaning viewers, Trump’s frequent criticisms underscore the tight competition for every vote. With the election mere weeks away, these strategic media engagements on both sides illustrate the high stakes and the narrow margins that could determine the next president.
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