Democratic Nomination Acceptance Speech

Remarks from Election Night:

It's a great night and I have a lot of people to thank, and I will do that in a minute.

But first, I want to emphasize that this is not a victory. It is a beginning. It is the beginning of a journey to make North Carolina a leader in the 21st century economy. It is a journey that will use innovation and creativity to accomplish that goal. It is a journey that will value education and treat teachers with respect. It is a journey that will take us to victory in November and that will move North Carolina forward, and North Carolina will again be a state of vision and opportunity.

You know our state has historically always been bold and a state of vision and opportunity. We're proud to be the state that created the first public university. We're the state that said, "If you have the talent, the ability, and the desire, in North Carolina you'll have the opportunity to be the best you can be."

But with Pat McCrory and the Republican leadership in the legislature, North Carolina has lost its vision and the people have lost opportunities and our present and our future have been damaged. This legislature, with Pat McCrory's encouragement, has limited opportunity by cutting education unduly and by cutting financial aid to more than 6000 students, depriving them of the opportunity they deserve.

We're the state that married education and business and created the Research Triangle Park. 45,000 people work there today, but many companies there also have facilities in the rural areas, creating thousands of jobs.

But this legislature, with Pat McCrory as their cheerleader, tried to freeze economic development, hurting our most vulnerable communities the most.

We're the state that has created the best community college system in the nation, expanding opportunity for people and retraining our workforce.

But this legislature, with Pat McCrory in tow, cut our community colleges and universities, damaging our current economy and damaging our future.

When the Republican leadership took control of the legislature, they said they were going to cut fraud and waste. Instead, they cut education, economic development funds, and healthcare, and Pat McCrory supported them every step of the way. In my book that's not fraud and waste. Those things are investments in our future. Furthermore, I believe that not only do Democrats think that way. I believe Independents and many Republicans think that way, and they all want North Carolina to move forward and be a leader.

I don't believe our classrooms are full of fraud and waste. I think about that second-grade teacher who has not had a raise in the past three years -- but who continues to spend a good chunk of her salary on classroom supplies. She's seen her class sizes grow larger and, thanks to the Republican budget this year, no longer has a teacher assistant to help her educate tomorrow's workers and leaders. I say to all of North Carolina, we can do better.

Indeed, North Carolina has a great history, but we will not be judged by our past. We will be judged by our future. The choice is clear. Will we be bold and move forward, or will we stagnate and let others pass us by?

I believe the people of North Carolina of all political persuasions want our state to move forward---to create jobs now and jobs for the future. They want our schools to be excellent and prepare our students for the 21st century economy.

I have traveled this state from Manteo to Murphy as your Lt. Governor, talking to real people and I have listened to their concerns, but I have also heard about their dreams. They want the opportunity to work and build a better life for themselves and their children. And they are a resilient and determined bunch.

People like Oliver Maye, who lost his manufacturing job a few years ago. He went through a paramedic training program at Pitt Community College, where according to his instructor he was the top student in his class and graduated in June 2010.

Today Oliver works as a paramedic for CareFirst, a vital job in our rapidly growing health care industry. He is one of many North Carolinians who have faced adversity, seized an opportunity through education, and worked hard toward a better future.

I want a better future for all of us. And as we begin this journey together, I will be true to our roots -- roots in education, creativity, and innovation -- and we will use those tools to create great schools and grow jobs now and for the future. And North Carolina's greatest strength, its people, will be able to achieve their greatest dreams.

And we will do it by working together -- not as Democrats, Independents, or Republicans, but as North Carolinians moving forward toward a better future.

So, as we launch this campaign, let me thank those who have brought us to this night.

First and foremost, I want to thank my wife Lucille, who is my biggest cheerleader. Additionally, I want to thank my children Brian and Elizabeth.

I want to thank Bobby Etheridge and Bill Faison and the other candidates for their dedication to North Carolina and for their public service and for running a hard fought campaign.

I want to thank all who supported me by voting, volunteering and contributing to this campaign. I would not be here without you.

Finally, I want to thank and welcome those of all political persuasions who will join in this journey to progress and prosperity and a better future for North Carolina.

Thank you and God Bless you, and now on to victory in November.

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