The Harris Fox News interview sparks sharp reactions on both sides

(NewsNation) — Sean Spicer wasn’t impressed with Vice President Harris’ interview on Fox News. And some Harris supporters weren’t happy with how the vice president was questioned by Fox contributor Bret Baier.

“Today was another example of ‘I say what I have to say depending on who I’m talking to.’ Nothing changed tonight,” Spicer, a NewsNation contributor and former Trump White House press secretary, told On Balance.

“She didn’t get her second debate with Donald Trump, but she got the opportunity to debate one of his biggest cheerleaders,” said Democratic strategist Shaniqua McClendon, referring to Baier.

McClendon also believed that Democrats, and perhaps some Republicans, would be impressed if Harris went “on equal terms” with Baier.

Geraldo Rivera, who recently announced he would support Harris, said the vice president impressed him with a tougher demeanor than she has shown in other recent interviews. But on “Dan Abrams Live,” Rivera said he was “amazed” by what he called their lack of preparation.

“How could she not be willing to answer questions about Laken Riley and Mollie Tibbetts,” Rivera asked. He pointed out that Harris could have scored some points if he had simply taken a moment to express his sympathy for the prominent victims of violence committed illegally in the United States. He called it “Politics 101.”

Former Harris advisor Symone Sanders-Townsend was very critical of Baier.

“What I saw tonight is something I have never experienced before,” Sanders-Townsend posted on .

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized Baier for questioning Harris about President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities:

“Why are you asking the Democratic nominee for President of the United States to fire her boss?”

Smith told NewsNation’s “CUOMO” he wanted to delve deeper into what Harris would do if she became president.

“Ask them about the problems…and why they are that way. She talked about how this presidency will be hers. It won’t be Joe Biden’s. Now, what exactly do you mean? How is the economy currently looking? What about inflation?”

But journalist Chris Cillizza said Harris’ key to victory will be to continue to distance himself from Biden.

“If she wins, it will be because of this answer… which is, ‘I’m not Joe Biden,'” Cillizza told On Balance.

“If she actually wins, it will be because someone in her campaign or she realized that you can’t associate with a president whose approval rating is at 40 percent or less,” he added.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Find the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos on The Hill.