THE STORY
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Fresh off a strong debate performance, Vice President Kamala Harris began her post debate blitz with two rallies in North Carolina on Thursday in front of raucous crowds.
At events in Charlotte and Greensburo, Harris told supporters it was time to turn the page from Donald Trump and begin a new way forward while also issuing another debate challenge to the former president.
“We owe it to the voters. Because here’s the thing: In this election, what’s at stake could not be more important,” she said.
Earlier Thursday, Trump said he would not participate in another debate against Harris and complained that the ABC News moderators were unfair.
Harris continued to take the case against Trump on the road, pointing out he would not respect the U.S. Constitution if he were re-elected, reminding voters of his comments that he would be a dictator on Day One.
“Put that all in the context of people who have been talking about how he was when they served with him in the White House, people who saw him every day, his national security adviser, his defense secretary, his chief of staff and his vice president, all, all of whom have warned America Donald Trump is not fit to be president,” she said.
GOING IN DEPTH
Harris packed a crowd of over 17,000 people in Greensburo and 7,500 in Charlotte, totaling 25,000 for the two events. That’s a hopeful sign for Democrats, who are hoping to turn North Carolina blue for the first time since Barack Obama won in 2008.
“We know that if Kamala Harris wins North Carolina, she is the next president of the United States,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said. “We did this in 2008. North Carolina voted for Barack Obama and made history. North Carolina is ready to make history again.”
