Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a rallying speech at a campaign event in Savannah, marking the end of her campaign's bus tour through Georgia. The event preceded a joint interview with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, set to air on CNN later in the evening. The interview, conducted by Dana Bash, presents an opportunity for Harris to address criticism of avoiding uncontrolled environments and to establish her campaign's narrative. It will also test her political acumen ahead of an upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump on September 10th.

The decision to hold a joint interview aligns with the campaign tradition during election years. Previous candidates such as Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Barack Obama all participated in similar interviews at this stage of the race. However, unlike these candidates, Harris has yet to have a comprehensive solo interview since becoming the Democratic Party's nominee five weeks ago. While she had previously engaged in multiple interviews as Biden's running mate, Harris and Walz are still actively introducing themselves to voters across the country, unlike the well-established profiles of Trump and Biden.

Campaign officials believe that in order to win against Trump in November, Harris must make inroads in Republican strongholds throughout Georgia. As part of her two-day bus tour, the CNN interview was scheduled to be taped during the campaign's visit to southeast Georgia. This new strategy seeks to tap into GOP-leaning areas that traditionally do not see the candidates in-person. The campaign hopes that these engagements will create viral moments capable of breaking through the crowded media landscape to reach voters across the country.

Republican criticism of Harris's limited media access in recent weeks has become a central attack strategy for the Trump campaign. They have tallied the number of days she has gone without granting interviews and have suggested that she needs a "babysitter," implying that Walz's presence is necessary. In anticipation of the CNN interview, Trump took to social media, with a tweet stating that if Bash gives a fair yet tough interview to Harris, it could expose her as unfit for the job of President.

Following the CNN interview, Walz will separate from Harris as she continues her bus tour alone. The campaign aims to motivate voters in traditionally conservative areas by visiting communities where candidates do not typically appear. These outings are intended to provide voters with a deeper understanding of Harris and Walz, beyond their policy positions, and allow people to connect with them on a personal level.

Overall, the CNN interview holds both opportunities and risks for Kamala Harris. It presents a chance for her to define her campaign, address criticism, and showcase her political mettle. As the final leg of her bus tour continues, the focus remains on rallying voters in Georgia and driving viral moments that resonate with voters across the nation.