When people see "the mayor's office did not respond to repeated requests for comment"/"a list of questions," etc.—especially when that mayor is known for playing games with access—they don't think "wow, what did PubliCola do?", they think "wow, he really doesn't want to answer questions."

I also default assume the worst. When Harrell is dodging questions I assume he's funneled a bunch of public money to a friend or is helping an ex mayor cover up crimes or something.

Yup.