State Sen. Val Applewhite is among Democrats nationwide praising President Joe Biden as a selfless man after the 81-year-year-old commander-in-chief on Sunday ended his bid for a second Oval Office term against former president Donald Trump.
The 46th U.S. president suspended his campaign amid growing concerns from Congressional leaders of his party, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California) who was among Democrats suggesting that, for Biden, there was no path for victory in the Nov. 5 election, and his candidacy could jeopardize other Democrat races in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Calls for Biden to withdraw followed in the wake of a televised CNN Presidential Debate on June 27, when the president drew criticism for what was described as a suspect and often detached and disoriented appearance that left Biden’s cognitive skills in question.
He vowed to see his campaign effort to the end until Sunday.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
He addressed the nation again Wednesday night.
“I revere this office,” the president said, “but I love my country more.”
He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, to challenge Trump.
“I want to express my sincerest gratitude and deepest appreciation for President Biden’s lifelong service to our country,” says Applewhite, who represents Dist. 19 of Cumberland County. “To say that his decision to step out of the race was in the best interest of the Democratic Party and the country is a reflection of who he is as a leader.
“However, I was prepared to support him all the way.
“Just days prior, I had the honor to meet with and welcome Vice President Harris to Fayetteville,” Applewhite says about Harris’ visit on July 18 for a Biden-Harris campaign rally at Westover High School. “Now, as our presumptive nominee for president, she has ignited excitement across the Democratic Party and the nation.”
Democratic Party donors, according to published reports, are pouring their dollars behind Harris to the tune of more than $100 million thus far. Hollywood and other notable celebrities, published reports tell us, from George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Beyonce, John Legend, Jamie Lee Curtis, Arian Grande, Shonda Rhimes, Jessica Alba, Cher, Spike Lee, Viola Davis, Amy Schumer, Kerry Washington, Lynda Carter and Academy award winner Robert De Niro of “Godfather” and “Goodfellas” film fame all have expressed support for the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“I’ve received numerous messages from people asking how they can get involved,” Applewhite says. “The entire North Carolina Senate Democratic caucus has endorsed Kamala Harris for president. With her leadership, Democrats will continue the legacy of progress and resilience established by President Biden.”
‘Formidable candidate’
George Breece is the local politico who saw the Democratic national landscape transforming in these recent weeks.
“Over the past month since the now-famous debate, I have thought that Vice President Harris had a much better chance to win in 2024 than President Biden did,” he says. “In the past 72 hours, the Harris presidential campaign has raised $126 million as the Democratic nominee. It took Vice President Harris two days to surpass the delegates needed to win the nomination. Vice President will be a formidable candidate for president. Vice President Harris will have to try to separate herself from some of the policies that have caused Biden’s popularity to tank.”
Breece told City View on July 5 that the decision to suspend Biden’s presidential campaign would be a decision for Joe Biden to make alone.
But …
“I am now convinced that Biden was, for a better term, pushed off the stage,” Breece says of what he describes as the “Four Horsemen” of the Democratic Party — former President Barack Obama, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), and Hakeem Jeffries, (D-New York), minority leader in the U.S. House. “Biden had clearly lost the confidence of the National Democratic Party leadership and the congressional leadership, and, more importantly, poll after poll showed he would lose and take down the U.S. Senate and House.”
Along with senators and congress members, Breece says, calling for Biden to step aside, the decision was imminent.
“Biden understands politics and the perceptions that drive it,” Breece says. “He saw the growing waves crashing in on his beach. I, for one, believe President Joe Biden deserves to leave with dignity. And yes, Father Time caught up with Joe Biden. His departure from the race means his health will no longer be an issue in the 2024 presidential campaign.”
‘The perfect ticket’
Harris is the presumptive Democrat for president heading into the Democratic National Convention scheduled for Aug. 19-22 at the United Center in Chicago, where delegates are expected to ratify her presidential bid.
The question is who will join Harris on the presidential ticket?
Among potential choices, according to published reports, are Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona; Gov Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania; Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky; Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan; Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois; Gov. Gavin Newsom of California; Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland; U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota; and Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina.
Applewhite is a strong ally to Cooper.
“Gov. Cooper as the VP choice?” Applewhite says. “How amazing that would be. Gov. Cooper has served North Carolina well and would be a tremendous asset to a President Harris and the country. They have a friendship that goes back to when they both served as attorney generals” for California and North Carolina. “The fact that he is one of a few names still being considered is a testament to his leadership.”
She can see it in her political mind’s eye.
“It would be the perfect ticket,” Applewhite says.
No argument from George Breece when it comes to the 67-year-old Tar Heel governor.
“It would be great for North Carolina for Gov. Roy Cooper to become the vice president of the United States,” he says. “If Gov. Cooper is the Democratic vice presidential nominee, North Carolina will move from a purple state to a blue state. I believe Gov. Cooper would be the difference in North Carolina, if there were a Harris-Cooper ticket in 2024. If Cooper isn’t the vice president nominee, he will be in a Harris cabinet if Harris becomes president, which isn’t a given, or he certainly would be positioned to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. After finishing his term as governor, Roy Cooper will be an elected official in the future of North Carolina or America, depending on Kamala Harris’s decision as to who her vice president is.”
Epilogue
So, there you have it.
The Democratic national stage is set, with only former president Donald J. Trump standing between Vice President Kamala Harris and the Oval Office.
“It’s a different race now,” Sen. Val Applewhite says, “and I am committed to doing everything possible to turn North Carolina blue for her.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
Next: “Describing the assassination attempt, the room went silent.’
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