Roy Cooper Says He Withdrew From Harris VP List Due To GOP Concerns

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is shedding light on his decision to remove himself from consideration as Kamala Harris running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

During a Sunday interview on The Weekend on MSNBC, Cooper explained to hosts Michael Steele and Symone Sanders-Townsend that his opponent, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson , played a role in his declining consideration for the vice president role.

After Sanders-Townsend asked Cooper if it was true that he proactively told the Harris team that he didnt want to be vetted for the VP spot, Cooper shared why it wasnt the right time for him to run alongside Harris in the campaign.

Its important for me to note, I am 100% behind Kamala Harris. She has to win and were going to do everything we can to win North Carolina, Cooper said . Yes, I did let the Harris campaign know early in the process that this was just not the right time for me or my state.

We have one of these archaic constitutional provisions I call them wagon wheel provisions where when the governor leaves the state, the constitution says the lieutenant governor becomes the governor, he added.

Robinson, a Republican, has a long history of making incendiary comments and pushing offensive and bigoted conspiracy theories . His past negative statements about women , Jewish people and LGBTQ+ people have drawn widespread criticism.

Cooper went on to say that the provisions dont make sense considering modern technology would allow him to handle his duties and communicate effectively even while away. He also pointed out some of the unsanctioned decisions Robinson once made while Cooper was away from North Carolina.

When I was in Japan on a trip, the lieutenant governor held a press conference [and] signed a proclamation honoring the state of Israel, I guess to make up for his antisemitic comments and for denying the Holocaust. But we believed that it was quite possible that if I were on the ticket as vice president, [Robinson] could be doing something every week, Cooper said. And he may or may not be successful in doing it, but he would certainly cause a distraction that would be magnified times 10 because of whats happening at the presidential level.

That was certainly part of the reason why I [declined the role], he added.

Watch the full clip below.

He would certainly cause distraction that would be magnified times 10 @NC_Governor Roy Cooper explains how his dangerous opponent running for Governor affected his decision to decline consideration for the VP role. pic.twitter.com/IWcoh8mT0C

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He would certainly cause distraction that would be magnified times 10 @NC_Governor Roy Cooper explains how his dangerous opponent running for Governor affected his decision to decline consideration for the VP role. pic.twitter.com/IWcoh8mT0C
The Weekend on MSNBC (@TheWeekendMSNBC) August 4, 2024