Fox News host Bret Baier shared insights regarding his interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, which aired on Wednesday night. Baier noted that he sensed early in the discussion that redirecting Harris would be challenging without interrupting her.
This marked Harris’ first appearance on the conservative network since being named the Democratic nominee. The interview, recorded shortly before it went live on Special Report, was initially set for 5 p.m., but Harris arrived 15 minutes late. Baier compared the delay to “icing the kicker” in football.
Baier explained, “We were scheduled for 5 p.m., and at first, we planned for 25 or 30 minutes. Then, they told us to aim for 20. By the time Harris arrived at 5:15 p.m., we were already pressed for time.”
During the interview, which included several instances of Baier interrupting Harris, the discussion on immigration made it clear to him that Harris would be difficult to manage in terms of redirecting the conversation. Baier compared the experience to his interviews with former President Barack Obama, recalling moments where he had to directly address Obama’s tendency to dominate discussions.
As the interview neared its end, Baier mentioned noticing members of Harris’ team signaling that time was running out, with several people visibly indicating it was time to stop. He suggested that Harris might benefit from participating in similar interviews more frequently, stating, “Maybe she should do more of these.”
In a follow-up conversation with conservative host Mark Levin, Baier expressed a tinge of frustration regarding the interview’s format and timing, emphasizing his desire for a more interactive discussion. He acknowledged that while it was beneficial for Harris to appear on the show, he was focused on addressing key talking points within the limited time.
Baier elaborated that he had hoped for a conversational exchange on various topics but felt the interview ended up being more about achieving a viral moment rather than a genuine policy discussion. He expressed a desire for more opportunities to engage with Harris when she might be more open and expansive in her responses.