It's great work if you can find it.
Being the press secretary for a Democratic campaign is one of the easiest gigs in politics, especially when your candidate is running against a Republican in a general election, and no one has ever had it easier than the people handling media relations for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.
The vast majority of journalists want Harris to win, so they have no real interest in challenging her (nonexistent) policy positions, asking tough questions, or "speaking truth to power." But they have to write about something, and the result is often indistinguishable from the state-run propaganda you might see in China or North Korea.
Imagine how easy, how joyful, how relaxing it must for the Harris campaign press aides whose job is to interact with friendly journalists and keep track of the stories they publish about the Democratic candidate and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Consider the following examples from the past week:
• The New York Times wants some background on a story about how Kamala Harris learned to laugh again and embrace joy. First, you might want the Times journalist to clarify that this is for a news report, as opposed to a an opinion column. Then you can tell her about the "emotionally resonant trips during which [Harris] carefully honed her image" and how "along the way, laughter never really left her."
• Oh look, someone from Politico is reaching out for a story about Walz's fashion choices. He might ask for guidance as to whether the "folksy" Midwesterner's camouflage hats are as important as people think. "More," you tell him. You are pleased to read the finished product, which asserts that Walz "is one of the few male politicians who looks normal in the kind of unpretentious clothing many voters prefer to wear themselves." Nice!
• A reporter from the Atlantic reaches out with a question: Do Kamala Harris and Tim Walz enjoy food? They do, right? Of course, you tell her. On deep background, you assure the journalist that this is "the most food-centric presidential campaign in American history" and are pleasantly surprised to see that exact line appear in the story, which include some amazing artwork. Vibes, fam!
• Speaking of vibes, Washington Post opinion columnist Jennifer Rubin is once again asking for column suggestions. She's really pumped up about the Walz pick, and she wants to write about the vibes. She asks if vibes are the only thing Walz brings to the ticket. Nonsense, you reply. He brings so much more, including but not limited to his "authentic life experience that will give Democrats credibility on critical issues that affect voters wherever they live." Rubin delivers the goods.
• This is not good. Some Axios reporter slides into your DMs with some bad news: Her editor is making her write about the Republican Party's racist attacks on Kamala's alleged flip-flops. You do the right thing and berate the filthy journalist, who apologizes profusely like a dog. Then you answer some questions. "Pivot" sounds better than "flip-flop," you suggest. Kamala's thinking has "evolved," and there might be a few positions that she "quietly is dialing back." The reporter asks if you could be more specific. Evolved how? What policies is she dialing back? You hang up after telling her to go to hell. The story turns out just fine. Phew!
