GREENSBORO, NC – Hours before Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the Greensboro Coliseum, there was already a party going on. Supporters stood in line for hours and once admitted, they were entertained by a disc jockey with a varied and popular playlist. There was dancing in the stands, and on the arena floor. When Harris finally appeared, she was greeted by a thunderously loud standing ovation in an area packed to the rafters with supporters. She wasted no time in keeping the crowd’s energy going.
“It’s time to turn the page,” Harris said. “We need to chart a new way forward with a new generation of leadership. I will be a president for all America and together, we will build a brighter future for our nation.”
Two days removed from her debate against former President Donald Trump, Harris chose the battleground state of North Carolina to resume her campaign, making a stop in Charlotte early Thursday afternoon, and in Greensboro later Thursday evening. According to a CNN flash poll taken right after Tuesday’s debate, Harris outperformed Trump 63 percent to 37 percent. The same poll also showed that among independent voters, Harris’ favorability increased from 30 percent to 48 percent. The cheers continued when Harris talked about the debate and what a future under a second Donald Trump presidency would look like.
“Donald Trump laid out a detailed and dangerous blueprint, called Project 2025,” Harris said.
“He will cut social security and Medicare. He will cut the Affordable Care Act. And he has no plan to replace it, he said he has “concepts” of a plan. He will institute a sales tax. Top economists have said that my plan will grow the economy, while his plan will send us into a recession.”
She also emphasized the danger of a Donald Trump presidency with “no guardrails”, due to the recent Supreme Court ruling granting him immunity, and restating Trump’s own words that he will be a dictator on day one.
“He has called for the termination of our constitution,” Harris said, before delivering one of the loudest applause lines of the evening. “Donald Trump is someone who should never again stand behind the seal of the presidency!”
Turning to reproductive freedoms, Harris stated emphatically that the government should not tell women what to do with their bodies.
“We will pass legislation restoring reproductive freedom, and I will proudly sign it into law.”
Harris stated that her legislative priorities will include passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and a ban on assault weapons.
Prior to Harris appearance, Greensboro mayor Nancy Vaughn took the stage and touted Harris’ record on job creation, and capping the cost of copay’s for insulin at $35 per month. Vaughn made the accomplishment personal, as she is a Type I insulin-dependent diabetic herself and called being able to afford insulin a life-and-death matter for her and millions of others across the country.
“She will fight for and protect our fundamental freedoms,” Vaughn said. “She represents joy and hope. Under her leadership, we will not just get by but thrive.”
Attorney General Josh Stein, Democratic candidate for governor, emphasized that the road to the White House runs right through North Carolina.
“We must invest in our people and our future,” Stein said. “We must make sure our personal freedoms are protected, we must defend the right to choose and the right to vote.”
Stein also said that as governor, he would veto any restrictions on reproductive freedoms. Stein compared his vision with that of his opponent, Republican Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, who Stein called a conspiracy theorist with a vision that is all about division and hate.
“Our vision, and Kamala Harris’ vision, is about creating a brighter vision for everyone,” Stein said.
Governor Roy Cooper began his remarks with a recap of what he called a decisive victory by Harris over Trump during Tuesday’s debate.
“He defends dictators, she defends democracy,” Cooper said. He drew a sharp contract over what Harris would do and what Trump would do as president.
“She is charting a new way forward,” Cooper said. “He is too focused on himself to get anything done for you. She showed us why we can’t let Donald Trump anywhere near the White House. Kamala will fight for you.”
As he repeated her accomplishments, Cooper soon had the crowd repeating, and shouting, his tagline several times – “Kamala will fight for you.”
Harris closed out her speech with an appeal to North Carolina leaders and voters to continue to fight for our freedoms.
“We are here because we love our county,” Harris said. “We need to fight for our ideals and the promise of America. We know the power is with the people.”
Polling data from the website 538 has North Carolina in a virtual dead heat, with Trump polling at 46.0 percent, and Harris polling at 46.2 percent. Harris will continue her swing across the battleground states with a visit to Pennsylvania on Friday.