In her first campaign rally since Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday used her remarks in front of a rowdy North Carolina crowd to slam her GOP rival’s performance and declare that America is ready to “turn the page.” 

What You Need To Know

  • In her first campaign rally since Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday used her remarks in front of a North Carolina crowd to slam her GOP rival’s performance and declare that America is ready to “turn the page"
  • The vice president said her and former President Donald Trump “owe it to the voters” to hold an additional debate, something her campaign called for almost immediately after the pair left the stage Tuesday night and an idea the former president has already thrown cold water on
  • Harris specifically slammed Trump for his answers on health care and abortion in Tuesday night's debate
  • The vice president held another rally later Thursday night in Greensboro, speaking to a crowd of more than 17,000, per her campaign

“On Tuesday night, I talked about issues that I know matter to families across America,” Harris said at the beginning of her remarks in Charlotte, listing lowering costs, investing in small businesses and protecting reproductive rights.

“But that’s not what we heard from Donald Trump,” Harris continued. “Instead, it was the same old show, that same tired playbook that we’ve heard for years.” 

The vice president said she and Trump “owe it to the voters” to hold an additional debate, something her campaign called for almost immediately after the pair left the stage Tuesday night and an idea the former president has already thrown cold water on. 

The vice president went on to hit on familiar topics that have become staples of her speeches on the trail, including her plan for an “opportunity economy” that includes tax breaks for small business start-ups and building more homes to address the housing shorting, fighting for access to reproductive health care like abortion, expanding voting rights and cracking down on gun violence. This time, she threw in a few specific references to moments in Tuesday’s showdown. 

On health care, Harris accused her GOP rival of wanting to end the Affordable Care Act, known colloquially as Obamacare, referencing Trump’s answer when asked on Tuesday whether he had a plan that could replace it. 

“He said ‘concepts of a plan,’” Harris said as she and the crowd laughed. “Oh, you all watched the debate.” 

“Forty-five million Americans are insured through the Affordable Care Act and he’s going to end it based on a concept,” she said, emphasizing the word "concept" as the boisterous crowd reacted. 

Trump on Tuesday explained he would only “change” Obamacare if he and his team “come up with something better and less expensive," but when pressed by the debate's moderators about his specific proposal, he said he had the "concepts of a plan."

Harris reiterated her typical campaign talking points on abortion but added that Trump did not answer in the debate whether he would veto a national abortion ban if it made it to her desk as president. (Trump did say on Tuesday that “I’m not signing a ban.”)

“It’s been over two years now since that decision came down,” Harris said on Thursday, referring to the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. “The impact of this is so real.”

While the vice president accused Trump of being “all about him,” she touted the endorsements she has received from some Republicans, pledging to put “duty to our country above partisanship and defend our constitution.”

“I will always put country before party and I will be a President for all Americans,” she said. 

Over the last few weeks, Harris has received the backing of more than 200 former staffers for President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Mitt Romney as well as former GOP Vice President Dick Cheney and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney. 

Harris rounded out her North Carolina rally once again declaring herself the underdog in the race and urging the crowd to use their voice. 

“There are powerful forces trying to convince people that their vote doesn’t matter,” she warned. 

The vice president also reminded North Carolina about the importance of voting in other races down the ballot, including the state’s gubernatorial race. 

Harris held another rally later Thursday night in Greensboro, speaking to a crowd of more than 17,000, per her campaign. At her second stop of the day, she echoed her sentiment from earlier that the two candidates "owe it" to America's voters to hold another debate.

"We owe it to the voters," she said. "Because here's the thing: In this election, what's at stake could not be more important. On Tuesday night, I talked about issues that I know matter to the families across America, like bringing down the cost of living, investing in America's small businesses, protecting reproductive freedom, and keeping our nation safe and secure."

"But that's not what we heard from Donald Trump," she added.

Supporters packed Greensboro Coliseum to hear Harris talk about her proposals for what she'll do if elected, including what she calls her "Opportunity Economy" agenda: helping small business owners, tax breaks for families with newborns and helping first-time homebuyers, including working with the private sector to build new homes.

"I know the challenges that Americans and working people and families are having right now in terms of affordable housing," she said. "And we need to build more housing in America. So, part of my plan, part of my vision for an 'opportunity economy' is we are going to cut red tape and work with the private sector to build three million new homes by the end of my first term."

Following her trip to the Tar Heel State, Harris will make her way to Pennsylvania, the biggest swing state in the nation, for campaign events on Friday.

NOTE: This article has been updated to correct a spelling error.