Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire for bringing her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to her first major interview since President Biden withdrew his re-election bid last month. Scheduled to air on CNN at 9 p.m. Thursday, this joint interview is being criticized as a strategic misstep, as reported by the New York Post.

Conservative commentators have pounced on Harris’s decision to include Walz in the interview, arguing it reflects poorly on her confidence and preparedness.

Scott Jennings, a CNN contributor and former special assistant to President George W. Bush, labeled the move as “weak sauce,” suggesting it reveals a troubling lack of confidence in her own political skills. “It makes you wonder as a voter, ‘What kind of president would you be?’” Jennings remarked, questioning the wisdom of having Walz share the spotlight and consume half the interview time.

Weak sauce for Kamala Harris to demand an emotional support animal for her first interview. Shows an extreme lack of confidence for Thursday night event on @cnn pic.twitter.com/ZrjGF2nNLz

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) August 28, 2024

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Critics have not been shy about pointing out Harris’s history of verbal missteps and gaffes, which they argue might explain why her team is hesitant to let her face tough questions alone. National Review writer Jeff Blehar quipped on X, “LOL, a joint interview. She simply cannot be left unattended.” He humorously suggested that Harris might soon require a “phone a friend” option in future debates.

LOL, a joint interview. She simply cannot be left unattended. https://t.co/ipJiD4IMXh

— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) August 27, 2024

"See, loser conservatives? She's sitting down for a pre-taped, edited interview with her running mate on hand to interrupt and bail her out when needed!"

At this point I expect Harris to demand the "phone a friend" option at the September 10th debate.

— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) August 27, 2024

Further scrutiny came from other corners, with some likening the situation to a young job applicant bringing their parents to an interview. Author Carol Roth tweeted, “Kamala Harris bringing Walz to her first interview is like the young job candidates who bring their parents to their first interview. I wouldn’t hire either.”

Kamala Harris bringing Walz to her first interview is like the young job candidates who bring their parents to their first interview.

I wouldn’t hire either.

— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) August 27, 2024

Harris’s track record in interviews has been marred by a series of awkward and cringe-worthy moments. One particularly notable instance occurred in June 2021 during an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt. When questioned about her decision not to visit the U.S.-Mexico border amidst a surge in illegal immigration, Harris attempted to defend her stance by saying, “And I haven’t been to Europe. And I mean, I don’t understand the point that you’re making.” Her response was widely criticized for being out of touch with the gravity of the situation and failing to address the pressing concerns of border security and immigration effectively.

The Harris-Walz interview, set to be conducted by CNN anchor Dana Bash in Savannah, Georgia, marks Harris’s first major media appearance since Biden’s endorsement of her as his successor following his exit from the race on July 21. The choice to pair with Walz has fueled speculation and criticism, reflecting ongoing concerns about Harris’s readiness for the role of President.