Strange press blackout of VP Kamala Harris at State dinner

[bigtree]

...among countless other photos of celebrities and others attending, there's apparently only one shot of the Vice President circulating today.

I wonder why?

The only photo I can find is from an instagram post by the Mayor of Houston:



photo in this spammed article is from an old event. smh. https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/12/02/kamala-harris-dress-joe-biden-state-dinner-photos/

[Polly Hennessey]

1. She looks great. The dress I like.

[Deuxcents]

2. Me, too. We usually see her only in suits.

I wonder why she’s treated like wallpaper. Biden always tells us she’s working hard but behind the scenes doesn’t mean she’s disappeared.

[Irish_Dem]

4. Yes I love the dress.

Don't know who designed it.

[bigtree]

30. she does look great

Douglas Emhoff @SecondGentleman 1h
Wouldn’t want to be on this ride with anyone else.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

3. I mean, we don't need to see public figures at each and every event...

Nt.

[bigtree]

6. whether we agree or not

...these events are a worldwide projection of power and influence. Those visuals are deliberate and intended to highlight our leadership in the presidency.

'We' may well not need to see the Vice President, but her absence from the press visuals is an unusual ommission which shortchanges that representation of our national leadership.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

8. I can understand that perception

And would add that we have plenty of support at all levels to maintain our projection of force through all means, even if it’s not always broadcast through the press. Naysayer competitor nation-states can stuff their opinions where the sun doesn’t shine though, I think we’re above that. You never know if someone accidentally did a select-all+delete on their dslr or whatever either and/or only had the chance to grab a couple replacements.

Fabulous dress either way.

[SheltieLover]

12. Absolutely!

[a kennedy]

24. Ah, she's the VICE PRESIDENT......we need to see her there.

Last edited Sat Dec 3, 2022, 10:59 AM - Edit history (1)

[Generic Brad]

46. We need to see more of Harris. Period.

I don’t want photos of her cooking a turkey. I want to see her meeting other dignitaries and leading meetings, representing the administration at events, casting the deciding vote in the Senate. Let’s get her out there more visually. Highlight her as a leader, not as a People magazine celebrity.

[niyad]

34. What flavour pizza do you like?

Surely you understand exactly what the reichwing media is doing to Vice President Kamala Harris, and why? And why we find it disheartening and disgusting?

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

36. What makes you think I side with them?

There is literally nothing in my statements, and especially in my belief system, supporting her suppression in any way, if that’s occurring. I can’t speak for the Biden admin’s choice to keep her at arm’s length, I think they should work with her more especially given her tie-breaking power and ability to lead the senate against filibustering, frankly now more than ever they should be pushing extremely hard to get things passed with the incoming house changes.

If anything I see this as her potential moment to shine. The conservative media can suck it. I’m not social media savvy, but honestly just like Obama’s team did with FB, she could bootstrap a team to lobby hard for this stuff herself too. She is her own woman and has powers that are not anything to scoff at especially with the current balance of power, Biden knows what can be done as VP, frankly I thought she was about to be the president for a while and I’m sure she still has ambition, so again, if a team can be assembled this is the time to do it.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

37. Also, I like mozzarella with pesto

As far as pizza goes

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

38. Pull in Jen Psazki to handle social/PR :)

And perhaps Lady Gaga could be coaxed to platform on the publicity side for the cause of doubling down on our star power?

Slingshot maneuver. We’re in a bad romance, but a bright future lies ahead if we come together

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

41. Actually, I had a POS abusive conservative guy call me that so now it's a badge of pride

Don’t tell me my story or what I can call myself.

I literally have an ongoing investigation against him for his gay bashing behavior. So I’ll be as woke as I want.

[Dorian Gray]

42. I didn't tell you what you can call yourself

I just answered your question: Why people may not trust where you're coming from. Your handle reads like an exaggerated parody. If you are cool with that for your own personal reasons.... great. No skin off my back. But you asked the question and i answered. Go to town, extremelywokematt!

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

43. Take some time to read my posts if you want to get to know me better

Sometimes people use words in ways that don’t conform perfectly with the status quo *and* aren’t neo-con BS. We have the power to define our language instead of letting them take ownership.

Also I’m not perfect at social media messaging at all, I haven’t been officially diagnosed as being on the spectrum but my social awareness sometimes gives way to theory discussions so even though I’ll reply back I really don’t mean anything to be offensive, I do regret that tone of voice doesn’t carry easily in shorter text based communication. Not sure why accounts here can’t rename their visible handles either.

[Mr.Bill]

5. I feel like there's pretty much

been a press blackout of her since January 21st 2021.

[bigtree]

7. that's not an exaggeration

...and it's had a political impact, I think, which is likely deliberate in most cases.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

9. Hm

I thought she was fairly visible…

But maybe I was seeing recycled press?

I can’t always distinguish between events myself.

[a kennedy]

25. and thank you for your participation, now you can go back to wherever you came from.

Bye bye.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

27. Yeah... no, if Biden's team chose to highlight her more I'd cheer it on like everyone else here

Stating a rationale is no excuse for shade. Elon is already polluting the internet enough as it is, we should stay positive.

[niyad]

44. Considering that you keep insisting that it is President Biden's team, of which

she is an integral part, ignoring her, and refusing to acknowledge what the reichwing spin machine is doing, it looks fairly obvious.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

47. You extrapolate a lot from too little

Last edited Sat Dec 3, 2022, 10:40 AM - Edit history (1)

How am I supposed to know what the cause of the publicity stuff is? And how are you? Considering neither of us are able to declare that we are part of the admin or have access to that info, it’s all fluff anyway on the forums.

If you assume it’s always a right wing conspiracy (not saying they don’t have an outsized influence on the media, even on previously more liberal networks like MSNBC) then there’s nothing I can say to change your mind. But I’m not here to agree with every theory someone on the left supports, the policy is to support Democrats generally. I’m here for the community. Not the high school grade snark and infighting. Or to herd cats.

[bigtree]

55. you might start with capitalizing 'Democrats'

...and draft off of that recognition of who this board supports.

Also, this is a determinedly progressive site. Might want to read the terms and conditions.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

57. If you wish.

Some of us didn’t grow up with that level of pickiness around us. A little flexibility would go a long way to encouraging more people to support your cause. Even in a Democratic (capital D) board. That is, if you want to extend your reach instead of shrink it. It’s not even primary season and I’ve had multiple commenters dog pile on me for not being ‘to the letter’ presenting the way you want.

Also I did read them. And I’m a determinedly progressive person. So, end of discussion.

[bigtree]

58. refusing to capitalize 'Democrats' is a right wing practice

...has been for decades.

The other slur is to refer to the 'Democrats' party instead of the 'Democratic party,' because they're sore their 'republican' moniker is insufficient to identification with our nation's tradition of democratic representation; preferring as they do to regard the nation as a 'republic.'

You do what you want, but that particular punctuation error will be recognizable to many Democrats as a slur.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

59. I'm aware, and I didn't refuse, do you want me to edit the earlier post?

Nt.

[Bettie]

10. Right?

It's like they are afraid to even talk about her.

[SheltieLover]

13. Yup!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

18. A 51-49 Senate might free her time up for higher profile duties.

[ExtremelyWokeMatt]

28. Definitely

Warnock winning would mean so much for the entire party to move forward

[uponit7771]

39. THIS !!!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

[mcar]

11. They decided early on that she was ineffective

and, as with most things MSM does, steadfastly refuse to budge from that stance.

Granted, most VPs get largely ignored but in this case, there seems to be more to it. The first female VP and a woman of color. One would think she'd be of interest to them. But, just as with their midterm predictions and so much else, they have a theme and they are sticking to it.

Only time they report on her is if a staffer leaves - and they act like it's a huge deal that reflects poorly on her.

In the meantime, she was immensly helpful for our midterm success and seems to be respected wherever she goes overseas.

[Elessar Zappa]

14. They're giving her the "Hillary" treatment.

It’s disgraceful.

[mcar]

15. They are and it is

[FakeNoose]

22. Doesn't the White House staff publish the photos?

If so, then her own staff would be consulted, I should think. I mean, they're all on the same team so why wouldn't they talk to each other about the publicity photos?

Maybe Kamala herself has asked to select which photos she wants released? I don't know but that's the only reason I can think of why they might have waited.

[niyad]

45. You forget the time she. . .oh, the HORROR!!. . bought a cookpot!

[mcar]

60. I did forget that

The scandal11!!

[Solly Mack]

16. K&R

[brooklynite]

17. Perhaps its because she wasn't the focal point of the dinner?

[onenote]

19. Yep. And from what I've heard, she didn't do the entrance "walk" where photos were taken of guests.

The photos of the guests were taken as they entered. I spoke to someone in the press corp and was told the VP generally does not enter with the other guests.

Keep in mind that the VP always attends state dinners, so its not all that photo worthy compared to the gallery of the invited guests. One might notice that the media focused on the "celebrity" attendees in the published galleries of photos.

It's nots some sort of organized media plot.

[bigtree]

21. from what I heard, the VP had to publish her own photos, 5min ago

Vice President Kamala Harris @VP 7m
Doug and I were honored to attend @POTUS and @FLOTUS’ State Dinner in celebration of the Macrons and the enduring relationship between the United States and France.







...it doesn't need to be a 'media plot' to omit black women from recognition where others in their positions have been afforded that coverage. It's a documented, longstanding condition of black political leaders and others in positions of power to be neglected, or deliberately denied the same level of coverage or regard in the press as their white counterparts.

There's always some excuse, but this one doesn't hold a bit of water when you look back at the contemporary history of coverage of other VP's at these State functions.

It's a little incredible to assume VP Harris has less importance at these events than, say, FVP Pence.


https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-state-dinner-pictures-details-emmanuel-macron-2018-4#and-heres-the-vice-president-and-second-lady-mike-pence-and-karen-pence-12

[brooklynite]

32. What is the relevance of a picture of Mike Pence?

There was a picture of Pence; there was a picture of Harris. Both were, FYI, taken by a pool photographer for use by all media outlets, not some network trying to “lower her numbers”.
Not clear why people imagine e there should be an entire portfolio of pictures.

[bigtree]

61. that particular pose was widely distributed by several media outlets in actual articles

...in the wake of an identical event. Typically RW sources, so not posting them here, but covered, nonetheless.

Silly expecting me to produce what should be obvious to you. Pence got pictorial coverage in articles showing he attended a State dinner honoring the French president. VP Harris has, apparently, none.

There are many other examples of VPs pictured in coverage of State dinners in the past, but I'll be darned if I'm going to produce every one them to be rationalized away by fallacious arguments full of exaggerations, like 'people imagine there should be an entire portfolio of pictures.'

VP Harris didn't get ANY press photos that I can find in any media coverage of the event. Pence and other VPs have traditionally gotten that coverage, notably in an identical event.

I made a simple query, and it's not sufficiently answered by these exaggerations of history, past practice, or the intent of my complaint.

[Hortensis]

62. :) I think you've marched off the edge on this one. THIS black woman

is VP of the United States, elected by the people, first in line of succession to the presidency and first in line for Democratic Party presidential nominee after Biden.

Here's the most significant part of the rest of the big picture as I see it: The Democratic Party is an existential threat to the ultrawealthy classes. We'll erase them from existence when we get enough power for long enough to do it.

I watched for and saw the Republicans, their media and the enormous powers they're agents for, start "Hillarying" Harris from the first day she was named the VP candidate, swiftboating EVERYTHING she is and does, and smearing her with whatever they want to make up, to defeat her candidacy from the beginning.

Not mainly because she's black or even a woman. Much as some may loathe both or either. It's because the Democratic Party is an existential threat to their interests. She's Biden's presumptive running mate in 2024, or potentially the front runner for our Democratic candidate for POTUS.

Fwiw, she was openly brought in to "train" for taking Biden's place if anything happened to him, in addition to 2024. My own best assumption is that she's busy learning on the job, but that her stepping back from the spotlight was mostly our strategic decision with the first wave of vicious, already daily attacks starting out at full strength, claiming everything from constant ineptitude to appallingly clothing choices. Of course she was immediately tagged as as personally "unlikeable" and "untrustworthy" as Hillary. Remember?
That's going to all resume at full strength at some point.

[bigtree]

63. what does this have to do with anything I wrote?

...talk about 'deep end.'

[Hortensis]

65. Did I put this under the wrong post? Someone seemed to think

that there was only one photo of her had to do with her race and didn't mention other possibilities.

Btw, this is a Democratic White House event, and whatever the truth is, at least we can believe Biden's staff wouldn't instruct the WH photographers to not take the VP's picture because she's "black."

[bigtree]

20. I'd say that was a really weak argument against bothering to publish a photo of the VP

Mike and Karen Pence at the state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron | Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

[rogue emissary]

23. SOP.

They only want to cover her to drive her numbers down. Also, the same thing happened when she was holding forums and meetings with key women's health groups we got crickets from the MSM.

[Hortensis]

26. Maybe she needed to be elsewhere to tend to something.

These are very busy people, and the planet doesn't stop spinning while they have a state dinner.

She does look very nice in that dress.

[bigtree]

29. why defend this?

...and with such homilies as 'they're busy people' and 'the planet doesn't stop spinning, as if it's the VP's fault that the press didn't bother to picture her there.

[msongs]

33. let's see a database analysis of picture presence comparing pence and harris nt

[bigtree]

49. easy

...start with VP Harris at zero for this event.

Then formulate your own database from that.

[BannonsLiver]

35. It'S a CoNsPiRaCy!11

🙄

[bigtree]

50. it's a double-standard

...which many, if not most black women (and men, as well) aren't unfamiliar with experiencing in their professional careers as they seek recognition that their white male counterparts take for granted.

Wild that you're openly mocking this on this Democratic board, though. Strange times.

[BannonsLiver]

64. I'm openly mocking the concept of an organized blackout

Which is the case made in the OP and subsequent responses without a shred of evidence. And no, not seeing as many photos as one would like of their favorite politician does not constitute a “blackout” or organized conspiracy to sideline them.

BTW, outside of a line of succession scenario it’s extremely unlikely Harris will ever be president anyway. In fact if Biden were not to run in 2024 I would bet the rest of the Democratic field and feel really good about that bet. My guess is the overwhelming majority of posters would draw the same conclusions.

[bigtree]

66. all of that your own wording and intent

...projected onto a simple query and observation.

The history of the dearth of coverage of black leaders and officials isn't in dispute. The near media blackout of VP Harris throughout this administration is glaring and obvious to people who bother to look for these things, or care.

My guess, from this response, is that no coverage suits you fine. It's stunning to see such a display of open hostility to the VP here (for whatever reason), but not a surprise to me.

[Marthe48]

48. VPs are historically under the radar

I was looking for a specific quote from a past VP about the postition, and found a trove of comments on the office.
Such as
"I do not plan to be buried until I'm dead" Daniel Webster on turning down the spot
"I'll tell you Lyndon, the vice presidency isn't worth a pitcher of warm spit" John Nance Garner

I understand that you are wondering why the press is obliterating VP Harris, but regardless of coverage or lack of it, she is honing her skills, and becoming more adept at her political craft. She is learning at the side of one of the best, President Biden, and when her turn comes, she will melt the front pages of every media that is trying to bury her.

We know she is there, and we know she is working her butt off.

[bigtree]

51. this one's being cloaked in invisibility

...and performing admirably despite the dearth of recognition.

I'm old enough to know how other VPs have been covered, and this is a glaring omission. That's why I question it.


...but, yeah, she's working.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[48656c6c6f20]

52. Dos anyone here ask the VP if she wanted her photo taken?

Some nasty back and forth in this thread. Seems like someone would have thought to get info from the allegedly slighted person?
It's not quite bomb throwing but it is.

[bigtree]

53. no, because that would be an absurd excuse

...not grounded in reality.

[48656c6c6f20]

54. Ahh. You can toss em my way

I don't mind. It cements your character.

[bigtree]

56. I call them like I see them

...your mileage may vary.