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Remarks: Joe Biden Addresses a Fundraising Event in Raleigh North Carolina - March 26, 2024
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Joe Biden Person
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Kamala Harris Person
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Note Person
Note
Neutral
"[The following is an official transcript of the event in Raleigh, North Carolina as provided by the White House. Neither The White House nor the campaign made the video available to the public. As a result, this transcript has not been cross-checked for accuracy.]"
1
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"Roy Cooper, everyone. Roy Cooper. [Applause] Thank you, Roy. Please, everybody, have a seat."
2
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"It is so good to be back in North Carolina. Every time I come to North Carolina as Vice President, Roy meets me on the tarmac at Air Force Two. And -- and as soon as I take the last step, he tells me what visit it is in terms of what number it is -- keeping track. And I think now we're at -- what? -- 11, I think -- 11 trips to North Carolina since I've been Vice President. And you are a dear friend and an extraordinary leader, Roy."
3
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"As Roy mentioned -- [applause] -- he and I did work together as attorneys general. And, of course, each state has a representative in that group at the National Association of Attorneys General. And Roy was always a leader among leaders."
4
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"And as governor of this state, you have been courageous, you have been fearless, you always do your work with incredible conviction, you believe in the foundational principles upon which we stand as a country, and you've been a dear friend to the President and me."
5
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"Can we please, again, applaud Roy Cooper for his work? [Applause] Truly. Truly."
6
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"And earlier today, it was good to see the next governor of North Carolina, Attorney General Josh Stein. [Applause] And I don't need to tell you all, as attorney general, he has a long track record of taking on special interests and defending the people of the state of North Carolina. And I look forward to continuing the work we will do together."
7
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"So, many of us have been through these election cycles, for years, every four years -- for many years now. And each time we have said, for good reason, "This is the one." Well, friends, this is the one. [Laughter and applause] This is the one."
8
Kamala Harris
Slightly Positive
"This is the most existential, consequential, and important election of our lifetime. We all know that."
9
Kamala Harris
Positive
"I'll tell you, as Vice President, I have now met with over 150 world leaders -- presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings -- including, many of them, multiple times. And most recently, saw a number of them at the Munich Security Conference just last month."
10
Kamala Harris
Slightly Positive
"More than a few world leaders have said to me in the last many months, "Kamala, is America going to be okay?" And understand, they ask that question purely out of self-interest."
11
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"The United States is a global role model for freedom, democracy, and rule of law. Imperfect though we may be, we have the earned and self-appointed authority to walk in those rooms and talk about the importance of democracy and rule of law."
12
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"But here's the thing about being a role model. It's a room full of role models. When you're a role model, people watch what you do to see if it lines up to what you say."
13
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"The world is watching America right now. They are watching. And they see, as we do, the urgency, then, of this moment. Across our nation, we witness a full-on attack on hard-fought, hard-won freedoms and rights: the freedom to vote, the freedom to live safe from the horror of gun violence, the freedom to be who you are and love who you love openly and with pride, and the freedom -- [applause] -- and the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body -- [applause] -- and not have her government telling her what to do."
14
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"And among the big issues that we are dealing with right now that are not binary, November, it's binary. This election: binary."
15
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"Just pull up the split screen. On the one hand, you have our President, Joe Biden, a champion of freedom and opportunity for all. And we have made historic progress on issues of longstanding concern. Roy was talking about them."
16
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"We have lowered prescription drug prices for our seniors. We have forgiven student loan debt for millions of people. We have invested billions of dollars in our entrepreneurs and small-business owners and passed the first major gun safety legislation in 30 years."
17
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"And when we win -- when we win reelection and when the United States Congress passes a bill that restores the protections of Roe, Joe Biden will sign it into law. [Applause]"
18
Kamala Harris
Somewhat Positive
"When we win in November, we will invest in affordable childcare and paid family leave. [Applause] We will invest billions of dollars in lower housing costs for millions of Americans -- [applause] -- renters, homeowners, and homebuyers -- building on the work of Erskine Bowles and the work he has done for years. I've talked to Erskine about this."
19
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"So, that's one side of the screen: competence, care, and calm. On the other side: cruelty and chaos; a former president who openly praises dictators and has said he will be a dictator on day one; who openly talks about his intention to weaponize the Department of Justice against his enemies; who openly says that he is, quote, "proud" that he handpicked three members of the highest court in our land -- the court of Thurgood and RBG -- with the intention that they would do what they did in overturning Roe."
20
Kamala Harris
Slightly Negative
"So, North Carolina, ultimately, then, in this election, I believe we each face a question: What kind of country do we want to live in? What kind of country do we want to live in? A country of liberty, freedom, and rule of law or a country of disorder, fear, and hate?"
21
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"And we each have the power to answer that question with our voice, with our feet, and with our vote. [Applause]"
22
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"So, I'll close with this. The election is 224 days away. Sounds like a lot of lo- -- a lot -- a long time. It is not a lot of time. So, we know what is in front of us. We know that this is not a time for us to throw up our hands. This is a time for us to roll up our sleeves and to fight."
23
Kamala Harris
Slightly Positive
"And when we fight, we win. [Applause]"
24
Kamala Harris
Very Positive
"And now it is my great, great honor to introduce a leader who we know knows how to fight -- he likes a good fight -- [laughter] -- a leader who has a bold vision for our future and who has the strength, the skill, the capacity, and the compassion to make that vision real: our President, Joe Biden. [Applause]"
25
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
"Hello, North Carolina. Thank you."
26
Joe Biden
Neutral
"I should probably leave now. [Laughter]"
27
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Kamala, thank you for the introduction and, more -- much more importantly, for your -- for your partnership and your friendship all across the board. Kamala is incredible. She does what she says, she knows what she's talking about, and she has -- like Roy, she has enormous integrity."
28
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
"You know, and I want to thank Roy and Kristin Cooper also for -- incredible people and dear friends. You know, last thing -- and I've met both the kids -- two of the three girls -- and, you know, there's nothing like being the child of an elected official. [Laughter] You get to come to all those things that bore the living hell out of you. [Laughter]"
29
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"But all kidding aside, thank you for being here. I want to thank the Coopers because I think of -- when I think of Roy, I think of one word, and I've said this about half a dozen times since I've been here. The word that I think a -- the highest compliment an elected official can receive is he has great integrity. He has enormous integrity. [Applause]"
30
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
"Roy is going to be missed in the governor's office, and it's up to all of us to make sure integrity remains in that office. And he couldn't be here now, but we saw him earlier -- Josh Stein, your next governor. [Applause]"
31
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Folks, with your help, we're going to win North Carolina up and down the ticket."
32
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"And I also want to thank another great North Carolinian, a leader of integrity and a good friend of mine, former congressman, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, G. K. Butterfield. G. K. [Applause]"
33
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Folks, we're seeing an incredible enthusiasm all over the country. I've traveled to Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina, and I don't know how many other states. But Jill, Kamala, and Doug -- we all travel as well. Our dau- -- our husbands and our wives."
34
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Look, our grassroots support keeps getting stronger. So far, we have over 1,300,000 people who have contributed to our campaign. [Applause] Five hundred thousand of these contributors are new from 2020, and 97 percent of them have contributed less than $200. [Applause]"
35
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Folks, we're ramping up our campaign headquarters and field offices. We're opening up nearly 100 field offices so far. We're hiring staff across the country here in North Carolina, before Trump and MAGA Republicans even open one single office."
36
Joe Biden
Neutral
"And while we probably haven't read a lot about it, in the last few days, there have been several national polls showing us leading now. We're up five points in Pennsylvania. [Applause]"
37
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
"And I should have said at the outset: I thank you all, because many of you in this room are the reason why we were elected in the first place. Not a joke. You stood with us in 2020, and you're with us again."
38
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"You know, the first time, you can be -- blame it on you. You know what I mean? Second time, if you did it twice, it's all your fault. [Laughter]"
39
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"But, look, I know everyone is not feeling the enthusiasm. The other day, a defeated guy walked up to me and said, "Mr. President, I'm being crushed by debt. I'm completely wiped out." I had to look at him and say, "Sorry, Donald. I can't help you." [Laughter and applause] "Just ca- -- just can't do it." [Laughter]"
40
Joe Biden
Positive
"Speaking of Donald Trump, last week, he asked a famous question: Are you better off today than you were four years ago? [Audience replies "Yes"]"
41
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Well, the fact that we have the best economy in the world shouldn't matter much. But, Donald, I'm glad you asked. [Laughter]"
42
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
"I hope everyone in this country takes a moment to think back to th- -- what it was in March of 2020. COVID had come to America. Trump was president. Hospitals and emergency rooms were overwhelmed. First responders were literally risking their lives. Nurses were wearing garbage bags as garments because they couldn't get any other help. And there were ventilator shortages. Mobile morgues were being set up. And loved ones were dying all alone, and they couldn't even say goodbye to them. Unemployment shot up to 14 percent. The stock market crashed. Grocery store shelves were empty."
43
Joe Biden
Positive
"And it was -- you know, Trump tried to downplay the virus. He told us -- remember this? -- hard to believe now. He said, "Don't worry. Just stay calm. We'll be out of this by Easter.""
44
Joe Biden
Neutral
"He also said: Why don't you just go and inject a little bleach in your system? [Laughter] Not a joke."
45
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Folks, look -- [Audience member calls out "Crazy"]"
46
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Yes. [Laughter] Yes."
47
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Of course, we now know from Bob Woodward's book that Trump was lying to the American people all along. He knew how dangerous this virus was, but he tried to h- -- hide it from us because he thought it would hurt him politically."
48
Joe Biden
Neutral
"He told Americans, as I said, to inject bleach. He told us to hit the body -- hit our body with UV light."
49
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"And then, by the summer, American's peaceful protested for justice in front of the White House. He wanted to tear-gas them for a photo op."
50
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"And then, after losing in 2-20 election -- the 2020 election, I should say -- Trump finished his presidency by sending a mob to attack the Capitol."
51
Joe Biden
Negative
"Think about it. I mean -- I mean, it's hard to ima- -- if I said that in 2019, this is going -- even though we knew a little bit about him, I doubt whether anybody would have thought that would happen."
52
Joe Biden
Neutral
"But four years later, look how far we've come. Donald Trump is not president. I am, and Kamala is a historic vice president. [Applause]"
53
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
"COVID no long controls our lives. We've created 15 million new jobs. We have the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years. We have record growth, record small-business creation. The stock market is as high as it's ever been. American manufacturing is booming -- over 800,000 manufacturing jobs."
54
Joe Biden
Neutral
"I was always asked, "What makes you think we can be man- --manufacturing is done in America?" Where is it written that we can't lead the world again in manufacturing?"
55
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"We've attracted $650 billion in private investment for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors all across America, including right here in North Carolina. [Applause]"
56
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
"We made the biggest investment in history to combat climate change."
57
Joe Biden
Positive
"And in January, I came here to North Carolina to announce an $82 million to deliver high-speed Internet to everyone in this state by the end of the decade -- everyone. [Applause] It's going to save them an average of $75 a month."
58
Joe Biden
Neutral
"We're doing the same thing to replace lead pipes so every child in North Carolina can drink clean water without fear of brain damage. [Applause]"
59
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"And, folks -- and today, Kamala and I come back to North Carolina to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. You know, as you know, I thought it was a big deal at that time. [Laughter] [The President makes the sign of the cross] [Laughter] Thank God my mom wasn't around."
60
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Well, it's an even bigger deal today. Because of Roy Cooper, it's even a bigger deal because he expanded Medicare coverage, which is already -- [applause] -- what you did, Roy -- you're already expanding and helping nearly 400,000 North Carolinians so far -- 400,000."
61
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"And, folks, Josh Stein defended it as Attorney General. He's going to make a hell of a governor. [Applause]"
62
Joe Biden
Neutral
"But that's not all. Because of the law I signed, insulin for seniors costs 35 bucks a month instead of $40 -- $400 a month. And you know what? You know how much it costs to make it? The guy who invented it did not patent it because he wanted everybody to have access to it. It costs 10 -- T-E-N -- dollars to make it; $12 to -- total to make it and package it. And they're still making three times that."
63
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Folks, look, if I said to you -- if you had a prescription to be filled by any -- any American drug company, I said, "Let's go get in Air Force One, and I'll fly you to any city in the world." Not a joke. "Toronto, Paris, London, an- -- anywhere in the world. I can buy you that same prescription for 40 to 60 percent less than you pay for it right here." And it's wrong."
64
Joe Biden
Neutral
"I've been fighting to get Medicare under control -- excuse me -- allow Medicare to negotiate prices for drugs since I was a senator. And, folks, we finally made it."
65
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Like I said, we will also have in the bill that's already passed pocket -- out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for seniors is capped beginning in 2025 at $2,000 a year no matter what their costs are. [Applause] No matter what. And as you know, a lot of cancer drugs are $10-, $12-, $14-, $15,000 a year."
66
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"And it doesn't just save seniors money. It saves the American taxpayers money by reducing the deficit. Guess what? The one -- just the one implementation so far for -- of that legislation, which not one Republican voted for, you know how much it reduced the deficit -- it will reduce the deficit over 10 years? One hundred and sixty billion dollars. One hundred and sixty billion dollars. [Applause]"
67
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"And I might add, when Trump was President, he increased the deficit more in one term than any other president has. I've lowered the deficit. [Applause]"
68
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
"Look, folks, we have more to do, of course. Inflation peaked at 9 percent a little over a year ago. Now it's down -- dropped to 3 percent, the lowest in the world and still dropping. But more to do."
69
Joe Biden
Neutral
"So, let me ask you: Does anyone here want to go back to 2020? [Audience calls out "No", individual audience member shouts "Hell no"] [Laughter]"
70
Joe Biden
Negative
"When fear ruled our lives, when Trump was president -- I don't think so."
71
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
"But, look, folks, the problem isn't just looking back to where Trump had the -- had the country. The problem is where he and the MAGA Re- -- extremists want to take it now. I didn't think they could get worse, but -- I'm being deadly earnest. I'm serious."
72
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Look what they're saying. Trump and his MAGA extremists want to, quote, "terminate" -- his phrase -- I love this choi- -- choice of word -- "terminate" the ACA, as he says. He wants to get rid of the savings just the la- -- and put all -- that we just put into law for lower prescription drug prices. He wants to get rid of allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices so we're back up to 400 bucks a month."
73
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Look, he -- he -- he's enacted a $2 trillion tax cut. Okay. I -- that's -- that's not bad, if it -- as long as everybody starts paying their fair share."
74
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
"You know, we have a thousand billionaires in America right now. You know, at the end -- I -- I'm a capitalist. If you can make a billion bucks, have at it, as long as you do it under the law and as long as you pay your taxes. You know what the average tax rate of billionaire is today? Not a joke. It is 8.3 percent. Anybody want to change tax brackets? [Laughter]"
75
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
"No, I -- I'm being deadly earnest. It's way out of whack."
76
Joe Biden
Somewhat Negative
"As I said, the last time he exploded the national debt more than any previous president has."
77
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
"And if anyone doubts that Trump and the Republicans want to cut Social Security and Medicare, just look at what he said in the last few weeks. Trump recently said Social Security and Medicare, quote, "There's a lot we can do in terms of cutting." Right on cue, 180 Republicans in the House of Representatives introduced their budget for next year, where they raise the retirement age and cut Social Security."
78
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"I got a better idea. Let's protect Social Security and Medicare."
79
Joe Biden
Neutral
"And that's not all the Trump extremists want to do across America and here in North Carolina. Another school shooting recently, about th- -- three months ago, as you recall -- remember what he said when they said, "What are you going to -- what do you think about that?" He said, quote -- I'm quoting him now; I'm not making this up -- "Just get over it." "Just get over it." Geez."
80
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"No, I want to stop it. I don't want to get over it; I want to stop it."
81
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Trump brags about how he's the reason Roe v. Wade was overturned -- that's already been mentioned -- and the freedom to choose was taken away. America needs to know Donald Trump and his extremist MAGA friends are calling for a national ban, not just -- not just some states, every state in America. That's what they're pushing."
82
Joe Biden
Neutral
"On top of that, the MAGA candidate for governor here said, quote -- quote, "I want -- absolutely want to go back to the America where women couldn't vote." What an enlightened guy. [Laughter] Where the hell -- I -- [laughter]."
83
Joe Biden
Neutral
"I -- I never thought I'd see that. I've been involved in politics for a couple of days. [Laughter] You should know, with a Democrat in Congress, Kamala and I are going to make Roe v. Wade again the law of the land -- again, again, and again. [Applause]"
84
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Folks, but for all the threats posed to the country, the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy, and that's not hyperbole. The violence of two thou- -- of January 6th, Trump embraced it. He's running on it."
85
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"You know, if you ever watch his -- his rallies, he starts off with the folks in prison that have either been convicted or pled guilty singing the National Anthem, and he's repeating the Pledge of Allegiance over top of it."
86
Joe Biden
Leans Negative
"He calls insurrectionists who are imprisoned -- he calls them "patriots." And he says, if reelected, he wants to pardon them."
87
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Trump says if he loses again in November, there will be, quote, "a bloodbath." What in the hell is going on here?"
88
Joe Biden
Neutral
"No, I'm serious. Think about it. Think -- did you ever think that any president of the United States would say that?"
89
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Folks, we can't stand this, including here in North Carolina, where you have MAGA extremists on the ballot. Not just for governor, but the MAGA candidate for State Superintendent of Education said the potential for killing a public official is that she, quote, prefers to watch it on Pay-Per-View "in front of the firing squad.""
90
Joe Biden
Positive
"I mean, this is the United States of America. Folks, that's not North Carolina, and it's not America."
91
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"We have to say, with one vote -- as Americans, as Democrats, as independents, and Republicans -- there's no place in -- in America for any political violence, period, period, period. [Applause]"
92
Joe Biden
Neutral
"I don't want to get started. [Laughter] Some of you are standing and -- anyway."
93
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Let me close with this. There's a lot of focus these days on how old Trump and I are. I'm 40 -- [laughter] -- times 2, plus 1. [Laughter]"
94
Joe Biden
Neutral
"But the real question is: How old are our ideas? That's the question."
95
Joe Biden
Positive
"And, by the way, I'll be happy to compare physical characteristics with Donald Trump. Granted, I don't have his orange hair, but I -- [laughter]."
96
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Donald Trump's vision for America is one of anger -- for real -- anger, hate, revenge, retribution -- some of the oldest ideas known to humankind. I generally have a different vision for America -- focused on our future and answers another important question: Will we be better off four years from now?"
97
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"Here's the future I see, and I mean this. I see a future where democracy is defended, not diminished. I see a future where we restore the right to choose and protect our freedoms, not take them away. I see a future where the middle class finally has a fair shot and the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes."
98
Joe Biden
Neutral
"My dad used to have an expression -- for real. My dad was a wonderful man, very well-read. He got into Johns Hopkins during -- just before the war, but he ended up working in a -- in the shipyards, and he never got to go. But my dad used to say -- and I mean th- -- give you my word to this. He'd always come home before he went back and closed the dealership -- he didn't own, but he managed."
99
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"And he'd say, "Remember, Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. A job is about your dignity. A job is about respect. A job is about being able to look your child in the eye and say, 'Honey, it's going to be okay,' and mean it.""
100
Joe Biden
Slightly Negative
"I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun vi- -- did you ever think -- those of you or anybody over 40 years old -- none of the women are in this audience, but some of the men are. [Laughter]"
101
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
"All kidding aside, did you ever think you'd see where your children or grandchildren went to school and were learning how to duck and cover? Not -- not a joke. Duck and cover."
102
Joe Biden
Very Negative
"Look, above all, like all of you, I see a future for all Americans, where we demonize no one, where we give hate no safe harbor. We leave nobody behind. It's a future we can build together. And it's the reason I've never been more optimistic."
103
Joe Biden
Slightly Positive
"We just have to remember who in the hell we are. We're the United States of America. There is nothing -- and I mean this from the bottom of my heart. All the time I've been in public office, I've never been more optimistic about our potential -- not because I'm President; because the world is changing."
104
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
"Things are in flux. What we do in the next -- the last two years and the next four or five years is going to determine what the next four or five decades are going to look like."
105
Joe Biden
Neutral
"But there's nothing beyond our capacity -- nothing we -- beyond our capacity when we act together."
106
Joe Biden
Very Positive
"And that's what you all are allowing me to do. Your generosity has allowed me to stay in the game in a way that we're going to be able to make our case. And I'm confident -- I'm confident, over the next -- between now and November, we're going to make the case as strongly as we can. And I believe we'll prevail because of you."
107
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
"Thank you. [Applause]"
108
Joe Biden
Somewhat Positive
"Thank you very much."
109
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Every time I'd walk out of my grandfather Ambrose Finnegan's house up in Scranton, Pennsylvania -- he came out -- he came out west to go to school. He went to Santa Clara. He was -- by the way, he was an All-American football player in 1906. But any rate."
110
Joe Biden
Leans Positive
"He -- he was in the newspaper business on the business side. And he'd look and he'd yell, "Joey, keep the faith." And my grandmother would say, "No, Joey, spread it.""
111
Kamala Harris
Neutral
"There we go."
112
Joe Biden
Neutral
"Let's go spread it. [Applause]"
113