CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As support for Vice President Kamala Harris grows in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's decision to leave the 2024 election, could North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper be her running mate?
Democratic Party insiders are reportedly floating the names of four moderate Democrats, including Cooper, who appeared on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Monday. The governor offered a diplomatic answer when asked if he'd be open to being Harris' running mate.
"I think it's really important that we keep the focus on her this week," Cooper said. "The vice presidential conversation needs to occur later. I want to make sure that Kamala Harris wins. I'm going to work for her all over this country and do what I can to make sure we stop Donald Trump, that's what I'm concentrating on."
While Cooper sidestepped the vice presidential discussion, he said he's excited that Harris can breathe new life into some of North Carolina's biggest races, including governor, attorney general and state superintendent.
"I appreciate people talking about me but I think the focus needs to be on her this week," Cooper said. "She needs to concentrate on making sure she secures this nomination and gets the campaign ready to go."
While Harris is expected to be the nominee, she won't officially become the Democratic candidate until the party's national convention in Chicago next month. So far, Harris has said she'll run for president but hasn't mentioned any potential running mates. Sen. Joe Manchin, the former governor of West Virginia who made a name for himself as a conservative Democrat, said on Monday that he doesn't plan to run for president.
"I feel confident she can win this presidency because she has to," Cooper said. "I've seen immediate excitement here."
Cooper's been a strong supporter of the Biden-Harris administration and has already issued his endorsement for Harris to be the Democratic nominee. He's also joined Harris at nearly all of her seven stops in North Carolina this year alone. The North Carolina Democratic Party announced Sunday that its delegates support Harris to be Biden's replacement on the ballot.
Cooper said he talked to Harris and Biden on Sunday. He offered a glowing review of Biden's legacy and credited him for "doing the right thing" by stepping down.
"I told him he cemented his legacy among the greatest of presidents," Cooper said. "He had two of his amazing character traits working side by side. Fighting through adversity and doing the right thing."
Cooper drove typical Democratic talking points home during his interview, too.
“If you want a nominee who can put Donald Trump's destruction of Roe v. Wade at center stage, if you want a nominee who actually prosecuted criminals like Donald Trump, and if you want a nominee who can put Trump's age and fitness in the forefront, Kamala Harris is the person," Cooper said.
Cooper's also considered a safe pick without any personal or political scandals on his record. Another positive is he's available, as he cannot run for governor again after serving two terms in Raleigh.
Other potential vice presidential nominees, according to NBC News, include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
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