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Praising Harris as “joyful warrior,” Emhoff shows personal side in DNC speech
Doug Emhoff, the nation’s first second gentleman, introduced himself to Democratic delegates and the nation, praising his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, for her dedication to their family and tying it to how she would approach leading the nation if elected president.
“Wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion. And she did it for me and my family,” Emhoff said. “And now that the country needs her, she’s showing you what we already know: she’s ready to lead.”
The second gentleman recalled his childhood growing up in New Jersey and California, to his career as an entertainment lawyer, to meeting Harris. He revealed that he first called her at 8:30 a.m.
“I got Kamala’s voicemail and I just started rambling, ‘Hey, it’s Doug. I’m on my way to an early meeting again, it’s Doug.’ I remember I was trying to grab the words out of the air and just put them back in my mouth,” Emhoff said.
Harris saved that message, and plays it for him on every anniversary, Emhoff said.
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The two will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary Thursday, the night Harris will deliver the keynote address to accept the Democratic presidential nomination.
“As I got to know her better and just fell in love fast, I learned what drives Kamala. And it’s what you’ve seen over these past four years and especially these past four weeks,” Emhoff said. “She finds joy in pursuing justice. She stands up to bullies, just like my parents taught me to. She likes to see people do well, but hates when they’re treated unfairly.”
He lauded Harris for standing up against antisemitism and all forms of faith.
“Her empathy is her strength,” Emhoff said, calling her a “joyful warrior.”
“She will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and that look, with compassion and conviction,” he said. “She’ll lead from the belief that wherever we come from, whatever we look like, we’re strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just against what we fear.”
In 2020, as Harris made history as the nation’s first ever female vice president, Emhoff in turn made some history of his own as the first-ever second gentleman, as well as the first Jewish spouse of vice president or president. Emhoff has been vocal about his Jewish identity and has made battling antisemitism a key part of his platform.
“She’s the one who encouraged me as second gentleman to take up that fight, which is so personal to me,” Emhoff said.
Emhoff said that he met Harris at an “important moment” in his life.
“And at this moment in our nation’s history, she is exactly the right president,” he said.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
