In a state expected to help decide the presidency, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi did little to quell speculation about President Joe Biden’s path as the Democratic nominee before a roomful of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday. Pelosi addressed more than 900 people at the North Carolina Democratic Party fundraiser in Raleigh — an event billed as the annual “Unity Dinner” at a time of significant national disagreement over how the party will conduct itself in the 2024 presidential election. All eyes are on Democratic leaders like Pelosi, who colleagues say has her finger on the party’s pulse, for a glimpse of what Biden’s future holds.

Speed ​​reading

• Pelosi’s North Carolina speech and Biden’s nomination
• Event: House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi spoke at the North Carolina Democratic Party’s “Unity Dinner” in Raleigh, attended by more than 900 people.
• Content of the speech: Pelosi focused on past legislative battles and Democrats’ policy priorities, avoiding a direct discussion of President Joe Biden’s future as the Democratic presidential nominee.
• Biden’s future: Despite Pelosi’s indirect reference to Biden, there is growing internal Democratic concern about his ability to win in November. Some Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, have privately expressed doubts about Biden’s candidacy, though they have not publicly called on him to withdraw.
• Party sentiment: Biden’s campaign staff insists he remains committed to his candidacy. North Carolina’s Democratic delegates have not publicly endorsed any alternative candidates.
• Delegate Views: Representatives like Brenda Pollard voice their support for Biden, but also acknowledge that Vice President Kamala Harris is a viable candidate if Biden were to withdraw.
• State elections: The upcoming North Carolina gubernatorial race is highly competitive, with Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as the leading contenders. Stein stressed the importance of North Carolina in determining the political future.
• Governor Roy Cooper: Cooper, who supports Biden and Harris, has used his platform to focus on state issues, including breaking the GOP legislative supermajority, rather than Biden’s reelection campaign. His possible role as vice presidential nominee has been the subject of speculation.

The Associated Press has the following story:

Pelosi delivers speech to NC Democrats with notable absence: Biden’s future as nominee

News Releases – RALEIGH, NC (AP) —

In a state expected to help decide the presidency, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi did little to quell speculation about President Joe Biden’s path as the Democratic nominee before a roomful of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday. Pelosi addressed more than 900 people at the North Carolina Democratic Party fundraiser in Raleigh — an event billed as the annual “Unity Dinner” at a time of significant national disagreement over how the party will conduct itself in the 2024 presidential election. All eyes are on Democratic leaders like Pelosi, who colleagues say has her finger on the party’s pulse, for a glimpse of what Biden’s future holds.

The power she wields in the Democratic Party — and the direction the party is heading — was no better underscored than in her introduction by U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C. “When Nancy Pelosi speaks, everybody listens,” Adams said. And while everybody listened, Pelosi delivered a speech that largely ignored Biden’s presidential bid.

Pelosi spent most of her speech describing budget and policy battles in the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasizing the importance of funding public education and reiterating the dangers of the Republican agenda. When she did mention Biden, it was largely to tout his administration’s policies.

At the end of her speech, Pelosi shifted to discussing the party’s plans for the coming months, choosing to focus on Democratic mobilization efforts rather than who to mobilize. “Are you ready for a Democratic president?” Pelosi said to cheers. “I thought so.”

Since Biden’s poor performance during the June 27 debate with former Republican President Donald Trump, there has been significant disagreement within the Democratic Party over whether the president can beat Trump.

The former speaker is among a growing group of top Democratic leaders who have privately expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to win in November. Pelosi privately told Biden that Democrats might not be able to win control of the House if he doesn’t drop out, but she later said her conversations had been misrepresented.

Despite a wave of Democratic lawmakers calling for Biden’s impeachment, none of North Carolina’s seven Democratic representatives have publicly expressed support for finding a new candidate to lead the race.

While some reports suggest Biden is more open to the idea of ​​leaving the race privately, his campaign has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to remaining as the nominee. Brenda Pollard, a Durham delegate who has attended five Democratic conventions, said she has had conversations with Democrats in the state who want Biden to stay.

“As a pledged representative, until he says, ‘I’m not,’ I’ll remain pledged,” the 73-year-old said, later adding that she believes Vice President Kamala Harris has the credentials to be president if Biden drops out. About 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris has the credentials to be a good president, according to a recent AP-NORC Center poll.

North Carolina is also home to one of the most hotly contested gubernatorial races in the country, pitting Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein against Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. The latter has become known for a similarly brash political style to Trump, making Robinson a lightning rod for criticism over statements some have found offensive and damaging.

Reiterating the stakes of his race, Stein told the crowd that voters have a choice between “two competing visions” in a competitive election — one he said North Carolina will play a major role in deciding. “People in other states are hungry for the kind of power we have here in North Carolina. To have that political power is a privilege,” Stein said.

Stein did not mention Biden, but closed his speech by saying that Democrats “will keep the White House and defeat Donald Trump.”

Gov. Roy Cooper was greeted with a standing ovation and also took the stage. He said Biden and Harris are “all in for North Carolina.” But most of his speech focused on other issues, such as breaking the GOP legislative supermajority and getting Democrats into other statewide positions.

Cooper has become part of the national conversation about the presidential race as pundits weigh who Harris might be running mate if Biden drops out of the race. Cooper’s status as a term-limited governor, as well as his strong support for the Biden-Harris administration, has generated some interest in his prospects.

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