Pool Reports by Emily Goodin, Daily Mail
| Sent: | Reports: |
| July 8, 2024 10:11 |
FLOTUS pool report #1 - departing JBA for North Carolina
FLOTUS motorcade left the White House at 9:43 am (while POTUS was speaking on Morning Joe) and arrived at Joint Base Andrews at 10:05 am. Dr. Biden, wearing a black and white skirt with a white blazer, boarded at 10:07 am. Dr. Biden is traveling to North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia today to launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden. This is a campaign trip. Rykia Dorsey is now the First Lady's campaign spokesperson and is traveling with the pool. First stop is Wilmington, NC. Arrival time there is approximately 11:30 am. New York Times' Katie Rogers and I will be your copoolers today during this three-state one-day trip. Please reach out with any questions. Executive One Foxtrot is wheels up shortly. |
| July 8, 2024 11:35 |
FLOTUS pool report #2 - Wilmington NC arrival
Executive One Foxtrot was wheels down at Wilmington, N.C., International Airport at 11:17 am. Flight down was uneventful. FLOTUS disembarked at 11:29 am and was greeted by five local officials. She shook hands with all and posed for photos. She did not acknowledge shouted questions about her message to Democrats. Motorcade is rolling to Hi-wire Brewery at 11:33 am. Background from the campaign: On background from a campaign official Today at 12:15 PM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Wilmington, North Carolina, to kick off the launch of Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris: a national organizing program that will engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families across the country to re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris. The program will be led by the First Lady, who is a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a World War II veteran. As part of the launch, Dr. Biden will host events in three key battleground states with high populations of veterans and military families: North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The campaign will host additional events across several key battleground states, including Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. Speaking Order: Press Release: First Lady Jill Biden to Launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris with Events in Battleground States Today, Biden-Harris 2024 is launching Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris, a national organizing program led by First Lady Jill Biden—a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a veteran. Dr. Biden will kick off the coalition launch with a three state, one-day tour, hitting Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida—three key states with high populations of veterans and military families. The Biden-Harris campaign will hold additional events across the battlegrounds, including in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona, Flint and Lansing in Michigan, Green Bay in Wisconsin, Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada, Erie, Harrisburg and Pittston in Pennsylvania and Nashua in New Hampshire. Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families across the country through battleground state events, relational organizing and online engagement. "Our veterans and military families are the brave and the bold—who step forward for all of us. They deserve a commander in chief who respects their bravery and understands personally their sacrifice—not one who denigrates them for being willing to put their lives on the line for our democracy," said Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. "Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will help underscore the stark contrast voters will see in November: Donald Trump has no respect for our men and women in uniform, their families, or the freedoms many of them fought to defend, calling fallen soldiers suckers and losers. Joe Biden is a military father who understands the importance of fighting for veterans every day to earn their support at the ballot box." As a military father, Joe Biden deeply understands the sacrifices of service members and their families. Under his leadership, the administration has delivered unprecedented care and benefits to veterans and their families.
In stark contrast, Donald Trump has a history of disrespecting and undermining veterans and service members. Now, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will hold Trump accountable for putting himself before our democracy and the brave men and women who defend it.
The Biden-Harris campaign recognizes the critical role that veterans and military families play in shaping our nation's future, and the Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris organizing program will help inform and mobilize the community to reelect Joe Biden to continue delivering for our troops and their families. |
| July 8, 2024 12:34 |
FLOTUS pool report #3 - North Carolina campaign event
Newsy quotes from Jill Biden's event to launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden here at the top, with a full report below. In her remarks she reiterated Joe Biden is all in for the 2024 race and attacked Donald Trump's record on veterans. FLOTUS: "For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he's all in." "Four more years," the crowd shouted. FLOTUS: "That's the decision he's made and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in too. I know you are too or you wouldn't be here today. And with four more years Joe will continue to fight for you." More: "This is personal for us. We know what it's like to connect with a lagging phone call from across the world, to smile through another holiday at the table. Let me ask you this: Does Donald Trump - does Donald Trump know what it's like?" "No," the crowd shouted. She repeated the story of how Donald Trump called soldiers "losers" and "suckers." FLOTUS: "He didn't want to be seen with injured veterans because it didn't look good for him. It's disgraceful. But it's not surprising." "Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking of one person and one person only: himself." "We know what Donald Trump is like as commander-in-chief. He dismissed the military community diminished. America's leader ship around the world. It could be worse this time. He said he wants to be a dictator from day one." She noted the recent Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. More: "Our democracy cannot stand a Trump presidency with virtually no limits.'" "USA, USA, USA, USA," the crowd shouted in response. Motorcade arrived at Hi-wire Brewery at 11:42 am. Motorcade passed a few dozen protesters waving Donald Trump signs as it exited the airport. There's 300 people at the event, per campaign official. There is a large Veterans and Military Families for Biden sign behind the stage flanked by a large American flag and a large North Carolina flag. Jill Biden took the stage at 11:55 am to whoops and cheers from the crowd. Mayor Saffo and Army veteran Jason Cain spoke first. "They're one of us," Cain said, calling the Bidens a military family. Here are more of her quotes from FLOTUS speech: "It's great to be back in North Carolina." "This is a special community and you all help keep it strong." "Four years ago Joe went from being a military father to being commander in chief. It's a responsibility he stepped into with pride. "Together we will win this." The crowd greeted her with shouts of "we love Jill" and said "amen" when she praised the work of the US armed forces. And when a small child was shouting "no, no, no" the first lady responded: "That's okay I'm a grandma." The event is available on CSPAN: After her speech, FLOTUS worked the rope line shaking hands. Motorcade departed the brewery at 12:22 pm and arrived back at the airport at 12:32 pm. FLOTUS boarded the plane as the pool was getting out of vans. Executive One Foxtrot is wheels up shortly and the next stop is Tampa, Fla. |
| July 8, 2024 14:14 |
FLOTUS pool report #4: Tampa arrival
Greetings from state #2 of this single-day, three-state campaign swing that has so far been about FLOTUS shoring up support from military families and assuring the public her husband remains committed to staying in the race. FLOTUS's plane landed in Tampa from Wilmington, NC, at 2:03 pm. No visitors during the flight. She disembarked and took photos with greeters. Again did not answer shouted questions about what she'd say to Dems urging her husband to drop out. So far, city mayors have been the tarmac greeters. No congressional electeds. We are rolling to our destination, an undisclosed destination, at 2:12 pm. *** UPDATE ON COVID TESTING: Pool inquired in light of Second Gentleman testing positive after July 4 event spent with first family: On background from First Lady's office: The First Lady is tested as determined appropriate by her doctor. She is not symptomatic and up to date with her vaccines. **** On background from a campaign official Today at 3:15 PM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Tampa, Florida, where she will deliver remarks and launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris: a national organizing program that will engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families across the country to re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris. The program will be led by the First Lady, who is a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a World War II veteran. As part of the launch, Dr. Biden will host events in three key battleground states with high populations of veterans and military families: North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The campaign will host additional events across several key battleground states, including Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. Speaking Order: Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady | Monday, July 8th, 2024 Airport Arrival and Greeters, Florida On Monday, July 8th, 2024 at 2:15 PM, First Lady Jill Biden will arrive at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida, where she will be greeted by:
**** Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady | Monday, July 8th, 2024 Airport Arrival and Greeters, North Carolina On Monday, July 8th, 2024 at 11:30 AM, First Lady Jill Biden will arrive at Wilmington International Airport in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she will be greeted by:
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| July 8, 2024 14:30 |
FLOTUS pool report #5: Coffee shop
FLOTUS motorcade pulled up at Kaya Coffee Roasters at 2:24 pm. FLOTUS is having a hibiscus berry tea with the mayor of Tampa. Rory Brosius, a consultant to the campaign, and Mala Adiga, her policy adviser, joined the convo. She did not answer another question about her message for Dems. Pools was ushered away and we are holding. |
| July 8, 2024 14:51 |
FLOTUS pool report #6: FLOTUS responds to questions, sort of
FLOTUS departed the coffee shop at 2:45 and was asked again, this time by ABC, about what she wanted to say to Democrats and about her feelings about the state of the race. She stopped and turned to the pool. She smiled and said: "Why are you screaming at me? You know me. Don't scream at me. Just talk." But declined to answer. We are en route to an American Legion outpost #111. |
| July 8, 2024 15:35 |
FLOTUS pool report #7: Tampa event
The First Lady took the stage at Seminole Post 111 at 3:17 p.m. and exited at 3:27 pm. Pool saw a cluster of Gaza protesters on the way in and one held up a "Genocide Jill" sign. Her speech was nearly identical to the one she gave in Wilmington NC. Staying-in quotes at the top, rest toward bottom. Check against transcript or live feeds. "For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he is all in," and the crowd erupted into a "Four More Years" chant "That's the decision that he's made. And just as always, as he has supported my career, I'm all in, too." "I know you are or you wouldn't be here today." /// "Four years ago, Joe went from being a military dad to commander-in-chief. It's a responsibility he stepped into with pride," she said. "Anyone can tell what they want to do, but Joe Biden can tell you what he's done. For military and their family, he signed the first and only executive order to make sure that military spouses can build their careers — the ones they want for themselves." "He ended the war in Afghanistan because the sacrifice asked of our military families was too steep for too long." Also said POTUS expanded access to IVF and maternity care, and expanding counseling programs for veterans. "As commander in chief President Biden wakes up every morning ready to work for you and that's what this election is all about — you." "With four more years, Joe will continue to fight for you, the military community that he and we are humbled and proud to call our own." She said her father was a World War II vet and, "In 2003 our son Beau joined the Delaware National Guard … this is personal to us." "Does Donald Trump know what any of that is about? He disparages those who fight for his country. His own chief of staff said he called POWs and those who died in war 'losers and suckers.' Said he didn't want to be seen with injured veterans because it didn't look good for him. It's disgraceful but it's not surprising." "Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking of one thing and one thing only — himself." Says Trump diminished America's leadership around the world "and it would be worse this time." The crowd booed when she said Trump had called the Jan. 6 protesters "patriots" and when she mentioned SCOTUS ruling on immunity. "The military community deserves better." "We have to meet this moment as if our freedoms are at risk, because they are." // "We need you in this election," she said. "YOU GOT IT," a man yelled back. We are en route to airport. Next stop: the Bibb Mill Event Center Columbus, Georgia |
| July 8, 2024 17:34 |
FLOTUS pool report #8 - Columbus, Georgia arrival
Executive One Foxtrot was wheels down Columbus, Georgia, at 5:17 pm. FLOTUS disembarked at 5:31 pm. She was greeted by the mayor. At the 5:34 pm the motorcade is rolling to the Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady | Monday, July 8th, 2024
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| July 8, 2024 18:45 |
FLOTUS pool report #9 - Georgia event
Motorcade arrived at the Bibb Mill event center at 5:48 pm. There was one person waving a Donald Trump sign as motorcade exited the airport. There were about four dozen Trump supporters waving signs and yelling "we love Trump" as the motorcade arrived at the center. "Joe will you even survive," read one sign. Another read "stop elder abuse." FLOTUS took the stage at 6:10 pm to shouts of "four more years." She began her remarks at 6:17 pm. She had one new line on Trump: "He's evil." Otherwise, she repeated much of what she had said at the other two stops. She started by talking about President Biden's commitment to veterans: "He says we have only one sacred obligation in preparing those to send into harm's way and caring for them and their families when they come home." She listed his accomplishments: lowered the cost of child care and mental health service; made it easier for spouses to keep their jobs, expanded reproductive health care including access to IVF, and expanded counselling services. She repeated the remarks she made at her last two events about Biden being "all in" in the presidential race and how "just as he has always supported my career, I'm all in too." And she repeated her lines against Donald Trump, about calling veterans "losers and suckers." "Does Donald Trump know anything about the military? He disparages those who sacrifice for our country. His own Chief of Staff said he called POWs and those who died in war loser and suckers. He's evil. He said he didn't want to be seen with injured veterans because it didn't look good for him. It's disgraceful. But it was not surprising. Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking about one person and one person only: himself. We know that Donald Trump was like this as commander in chief, and it could be worse this time. Last week the Supreme Court ruled that there are virtually no limits on what the President can do. Our democracy cannot withstand a Trump presidency with virtually no limits." She finished speaking at 6:25 pm. Gloria Tyson, U.S. Army veteran and owner of Kidz.comChild Development Center, introduced the first lady. Tyson said of the debate: "that 90 minutes means nothing. You don't define a person in 90 minutes." She also described Jill Biden "as awesome." The event had a food buffet serving barbecue ribs and soda, coffee, tea. FLOTUS participated in a photo line ahead of the rally. The event space is a big warehouse type space decorated with American flags and Bidne campaign signs. There are 275 people here per the campaign. The rally is taking place in the second congressional district, a majority-black district which covers much of the southwestern portion of the state. It is also home to Jimmy Carter. At 6:34 pm the motorcade is headed back to the airport for the flight to Joint Base Andrews. On background from a campaign official Today at 6:15 PM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Columbus, Georgia, where she will deliver remarks and launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris: a national organizing program that will engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families across the country to re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris. The program will be led by the First Lady, who is a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a World War II veteran. As part of the launch, Dr. Biden will host events in three key battleground states with high populations of veterans and military families: North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. The campaign will host additional events across several key battleground states, including Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. Speaking Order: Press Release: First Lady Jill Biden to Launch Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris with Events in Battleground States Today, Biden-Harris 2024 is launching Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris, a national organizing program led by First Lady Jill Biden—a military mom, grandmom, and daughter of a veteran. Dr. Biden will kick off the coalition launch with a three state, one-day tour, hitting Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida—three key states with high populations of veterans and military families. The Biden-Harris campaign will hold additional events across the battlegrounds, including in Phoenix and Tucson in Arizona, Flint and Lansing in Michigan, Green Bay in Wisconsin, Las Vegas and Reno in Nevada, Erie, Harrisburg and Pittston in Pennsylvania and Nashua in New Hampshire. Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will engage and mobilize millions of veterans and military families across the country through battleground state events, relational organizing and online engagement. "Our veterans and military families are the brave and the bold—who step forward for all of us. They deserve a commander in chief who respects their bravery and understands personally their sacrifice—not one who denigrates them for being willing to put their lives on the line for our democracy," said Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez. "Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will help underscore the stark contrast voters will see in November: Donald Trump has no respect for our men and women in uniform, their families, or the freedoms many of them fought to defend, calling fallen soldiers suckers and losers. Joe Biden is a military father who understands the importance of fighting for veterans every day to earn their support at the ballot box." As a military father, Joe Biden deeply understands the sacrifices of service members and their families. Under his leadership, the administration has delivered unprecedented care and benefits to veterans and their families.
In stark contrast, Donald Trump has a history of disrespecting and undermining veterans and service members. Now, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris will hold Trump accountable for putting himself before our democracy and the brave men and women who defend it.
The Biden-Harris campaign recognizes the critical role that veterans and military families play in shaping our nation's future, and the Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris organizing program will help inform and mobilize the community to reelect Joe Biden to continue delivering for our troops and their families. |
| July 8, 2024 20:50 |
FLOTUS pool report #10 - wheels down JBA
Executive One Foxtrot was wheels down at Joint Base Andrews at 8:36 pm. FLOTUS disembarked at 8:46 pm. She came over for a brief OTR with the pool. At 8:49 pm the motorcade is rolling to the White House. |
| July 8, 2024 21:11 |
FLOTUS pool report #11 - back at White House
Motorcade arrived back at the White House at 9:08 pm. Ride was uneventful. Pool did not see FLOTUS walk into the residence. Thanks to copoolers Katie Rogers of the New York Times and Molly Nagle of ABC News. And that's a wrap! |
Jill Biden, First Lady Pool Reports of July 8, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/373908