Cooper delivers remarks ahead of Harris nomination
By Theresa Opeka, Carolina Journal
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper set the stage Thursday night to introduce Vice President Kamala Harris before she accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president at the Democrat National Convention in Chicago.
The importance of the Tar Heel State and Cooper’s friendship with Harris were recognized, with his positioning as the last speaker before she took the stage.
He shared a story about when he was attorney general of North Carolina in 2011 while she was serving in the same role in California. Attorneys general across the country were close to reaching a settlement with banks for those who lost their homes due to the housing crisis of 2008.
Cooper recounted that instead of accepting a deal for $4 billion, the banks agreed to shell out $20 billion.
“That was the first time I witnessed Kamala in action, and what I saw was a leader who does exactly what she says she's going to do, who never will settle for less,” Cooper told the crowd. “America, we got a lot of big fights that are ahead of us, and we've got one hell of a fighter ready to take them on. I know that because I know her, and tonight, I want the American people to know that even if you don't agree with her on everything, Kamala Harris will fight for you to the very end.”
He repeated the phrase “Kamala will fight for you” referencing issues like parents who want better schools for their kids, to the country’s allies anywhere in the world who wonder if America still has their backs.
Cooper was seen as a possible VP pick for Harris last month after President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump in late June, and subsequent exit from the race..
But, on July 29, it was announced that Cooper was out of the running for the VP slot, as Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor and now vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz moved to the top of the list.
Later that evening, Cooper posted on X that it “wasn’t the right time” for him to be on a national ticket. Many have speculated that he intends to run against Republican US Sen. Thom Tillis when he is up for re-election in 2026.
Harris opened her acceptance speech by thanking Biden, stating that “his record is extraordinary, and his character is inspiring.” She also thanked Walz, the delegates, and everyone who has had faith in her campaign.
After sharing stories of her childhood, she said she would be president for the people, regardless of party, race, or gender.
“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight, and I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans, you can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America’s fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power,” Harris said.
She shifted her comments to Trump, who she called “an unserious man” and said he would only serve himself while she would serve the people.
“The consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious,” Harris told the crowd. “Consider not only the chaos and calamity when he was in office but also the gravity of what has happened since he lost the last election.”
Trump hit back on his Truth Social page.
"She didn’t mention China, she didn’t mention fracking, she didn’t mention Energy, she didn’t mention, meaningfully, Russia and Ukraine, she didn’t mention the big subjects of the day that are destroying our Country. There are 60 million people in poverty in the U.S., under their watch, and she doesn’t even talk about them!" Trump posted.
Harris also claimed that she has fought against the cartels who traffic guns and drugs and human beings who threaten the security of our border and the safety of our communities and will reform the “broken immigration system.”
“We can create an earned pathway to citizenship and secure our border,” Harris said.
Harris was tasked to be the “border czar” by Biden, despite never visiting the border. Since she and Biden took office, there have been more than 9.5 million encounters with illegal aliens nationwide and more than 7.8 million encounters at the Southwest border.
On the Democrats’ pro-choice platform, she said that as president, she would also sign a reproductive freedom bill into law.
Harris said that building the middle class would be a defining goal of her presidency and talked about creating an opportunity economy.
In addition to creating jobs, she claimed that she would grow the economy, lower the cost of health care, housing, and groceries, provide access to capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs, end America’s housing shortage, and protect Social Security and Medicare.
Harris did not discuss her record, either in the US Senate or the Biden administration, regarding these same issues.
She has visited North Carolina multiple times this past year, including with Biden while he was still campaigning for re-election.
With North Carolina in play, Harris’ visit to Wake Tech Community College North Campus in Raleigh last week definitely won’t be her last.
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