Opinion: Harris riffs with Stern and cracks a beer with Colbert while Americans suffer

You've no doubt heard the phrase, " Nero fiddled while Rome burned ." America isn't exactly burning, but millions of our fellow citizens are suffering from a series of disasters − natural and human-made.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, meanwhile, spent a significant part of the past week discussing Doritos and naps with shock jock Howard Stern, vibing and drinking beer on air with comedian Stephen Colbert and fielding questions from those hard-hitting journalists who host "The View."

While Harris yapped with Stern, thousands of citizens in western North Carolina, recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene , tried to cope without running water and electricity. Millions of other Americans in Florida were nervously bracing for Hurricane Milton. And our allies in Israel mourned the first anniversary of the horrific Oct. 7 attack while continuing to fight Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists.

Harris also appeared on "60 Minutes," fumbling a question in that interview about chaos at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The vice president even struggled on the progressive-friendly "The View," proclaiming " not a thing that comes to mind " when asked what she would have done differently from her unpopular boss, Joe Biden, in the past four years.

Really?

Harris' media blitz seems prosaic, and it should backfire. But can Republican nominee Donald Trump use this misstep to his advantage?

Kamala Harris appeals to young women on 'Call Her Daddy'

On Sunday, Harris appeared on one of the country's most popular podcasts, speaking with Alex Cooper, the host of “ Call Her Daddy .”

"Call Her Daddy" usually features interviews with celebrities and social media influencers who discuss topics like romance or mental health.

In The Atlantic , staff writer Helen Lewis claimed that conventional news hosts don't have Cooper's reach, so the interview was a smart move by Harris: ”This wasn’t a hard-hitting accountability interview, but it did contain a substantive policy discussion − not that you would guess from some of the more overheated right-wing attacks , which seemed to think the pair were braiding each other’s hair."

That substantive discussion was about abortion, or, as Democrats like to call it, "reproductive rights," a phrase that is intentionally vague and meaningless.

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When Cooper asked Harris why she chose to come on “Call Her Daddy,” Harris said , “I think especially now, this is a moment in the country and in life where people really want to know they’re seen and heard, and, and that they’re part of a community, that they’re not out there alone.”

At first glance, Harris' appearance might seem savvy. But Cooper’s listeners are mostly younger women . Harris already has these voters in her camp, although they still need to actually go vote.

Where is Harris' substance?

The relaxed atmosphere of podcasts and celebrity-oriented talk shows lends itself to superficial conversations. But appearing on these talk shows at this moment makes Harris look tone-deaf. Harris is laughing and chatting with Colbert and Stern while millions of Americans are hurting.

I understand the need to galvanize certain voting blocs. But Americans need a leader who can face scrutiny, discuss difficult subjects with substance and communicate intricate policies. No appearance on "The View" or "Call Her Daddy" will offer voters those insights.

Opinion: Helene exposed FEMA's weaknesses. Can they handle Milton's devastation in Florida?

I hate to toss any accolades Trump's way, but he has not shied from news conferences and has taken tough questions from journalists in formal interviews.

Trump ventures into unfriendly territory. That is a trait we want from our leaders.

Will Trump use Harris' superficiality to his advantage?

Trump should leverage to his advantage Harris' penchant for talk show chitchat over discussions of thoughtful ideas.

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But in some ways, Harris and Trump are two sides of the same coin: Neither is particularly strong when it comes to communication or robust discussions. Harris can't think of anything she would change about a failed presidency, and Trump posts on social media with the maturity of a hormone-raging adolescent.

For now, polls show Trump inching ahead in five of the seven swing states that will decide the election, including must-win Michigan and Pennsylvania. It's too soon to know, however, if Harris' talk-show blitz will help her or if Trump will benefit from her superficiality.

Less than a month from Election Day, it's hard to decide what's more disappointing: seeing a Democratic nominee for president flit around talk shows while Americans suffer, or seeing the Republican nominee fail to leverage such a flaw to his advantage.

Nicole Russell is an opinion columnist with USA TODAY. She lives in Texas with her four kids. Sign up for her newsletter, The Right Track , and get it delivered to your inbox .

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Harris riffs with Stern and cracks a beer with Colbert while Americans suffer