North Carolina Democrats on Friday flocked to the state fairgrounds in Raleigh to hear from President Joe Biden, fresh off what many here considered a lackluster debate performance against his Republican opponent Donald Trump in Atlanta.
Several hundred pre-approved Biden supporters were ushered into the Jim Graham building, named for a longtime state commissioner of agriculture, and corralled not unlike the livestock that fills the halls for judging during the annual State Fair.
Some decked out in campaign gear, all hoping North Carolina goes blue in November, people filed into the venue ahead of Biden’s remarks, scheduled for just after noon.
All those who spoke to Southeast Politics were excited to be at the rally, if somewhat chastened and subdued by Biden’s performance on Thursday night in Atlanta, which multiple outlets have reported has created a panic among the Democratic establishment.
Amy Katz, a Democrat who drove in from Charlotte Friday morning to show her support for Biden, is also a prolific supporter of progressive political campaigns. She was invited to the rally at the fairgrounds as a special guest of Josh Stein’s campaign for Governor.
Stein, the Democratic Attorney General running against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is allied with Biden and often lumped in with his policies by his opponent.
“I feel really strongly about putting my time where my mouth is, showing up and engaging and voting,” Katz said.
Because she was helping her daughter color her hair on Thursday night, Katz missed the Biden-Trump debate, but said she caught some highlights on social media. Surrendering a nod to Biden’s apparent difficulties on the debate stage, Katz was forgiving of the candidate she will support in November.
“My overall thought is that I get flustered when people are gaslighting and being rude around me, too,” she said. “I believe in (Biden) and so last night doesn’t really have any impact on what I think we’re doing here.”
“I’m just excited to be here,” Katz added.
Declaring “I am a Democrat” with her blue T-shirt, Liz Clerkin of Raleigh also showed up to the state fairgrounds simply to show support for the President. She sighed when asked how Biden fared at last night’s debate, but like others filing in, defended his policies and candidacy over Trump.
“He started out slow,” Clerkin acknowledged. “I think he did better as the night went on, but it was a little weak.”
A recent transplant from Ohio, Clerkin said she had high hopes that Biden would show up in a fine fettle on Friday.
“I’d like to see him come back, bounce back from last night with a little bit more energy,” she said.
Clerkin’s husband, Will McCracken, agreed that not only did Biden seem to stumble through his debate performance, the event was difficult to watch for ardent Democrats like he and his wife.
“It was a really hard time, watching the debate,” he said
The pair are focused on a variety of tight, ideologically split races in the state from Governor to Superintendent of Education and others.
Biden “had a long night,” McCracken said. “I’m not really looking for anything better, but I’m here to support him and get through it. We will do that.”
Nina Oyin of Cary, just down the road from Raleigh, agreed that Biden’s performance Thursday night was less than stellar. She wants to hear from Biden what he and state level Democrats can do to elevate North Carolina over the next four years.
“It wasn’t his best, but it’s one debate. It’s one night,” Oyin said. “I want to hear policy updates, what he’s going to do over the next four years. We can do better in North Carolina, all the way around. Politically, economically and with race relations, we could do better in North Carolina. But there is always hope.”
Katz, a sexual assault survivor, feels the outcome of the November election is critical to protecting her daughter from similar tragedy. She credits Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper with having her rape kit processed by the State Medical Examiner’s Office after a lengthy delay and for eventually putting her attacker behind bars. She is focused on not only the Governor’s race, but the contest to replace Stein should he become the state’s chief executive.
“I’m really scared with what could happen if things keep rolling backwards with women’s rights,” Katz said. “If we don’t have attorney generals … who prioritize things like helping women after such terrible events, I’m worried for my kids.”
As if Stein heard Katz’s concerns, when he took the stage he vowed to protect women’s rights from attacks by conservative Republicans.
“As Governor, I will veto any further restrictions on women’s reproductive health,” he said.
