First Lady Pool Reports of November 3, 2024

FLOTUS Pool Report #1 - Rolling to Pennsylvania

Motorcade is rolling from the Biden residence at 10:15 AM en route to Pennsylvania, where FLOTUS has three political events.

Traveling with the First Lady today, per her office:
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President and Personal Aide to the First Lady
Vanessa Valdivia, Special Assistant to the President & Press Secretary for the First Lady
Mary Robbins, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Presidential Speechwriter for the First Lady
Marty Browne, Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady

Background on FLOTUS events today, per the Harris Walz campaign:
Stop #1: First Lady Jill Biden delivers remarks at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, PA

Speakers will include: Reverend Charles Quann, Governor Josh Shapiro, First Lady Jill Biden

Stop #2: The First Lady delivers remarks at a Labor Mobilization event in support of the Harris-Walz campaign in King of Prussia, PA

Speaking program: James "Jim" Reilley, Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers; First Lady Jill Biden

Stop #3: The First Lady is delivering remarks at a Harris-Walz GOTV Mobilization event in Harrisburg, PA

Speaking program: Kimeka Campbell, Regional Political Director, PA Coordinated Campaign; First Lady Jill Biden

FLOTUS Pool Report #2 - Campaign stop in Spring House, PA

The motorcade arrived at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, Pennsylvania at 11:07 AM. FLOTUS and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro took seats behind the pulpit as the choir sang; Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), the local member of Congress, joined them. FLOTUS sang along as the choir performed "At the Cross."

Reverend Charles Quann introduced Shapiro and FLOTUS. The congregants gave her a standing ovation when Quann asked them to show how they "appreciate all that she's doing."

Shapiro spoke about William Penn and Pennsylvania's founding "on the principles of religious tolerance" that was "warm and welcoming for all." As governor, Shapiro said he was "trying to build a commonwealth in the spirit of Penn," he said, and that the election was a choice between "whether we're going to heed the calls that came from Penn three centuries ago."

Shapiro hailed the Bidens as Pennsylvania natives — FLOTUS in particular as a "daughter of Willow Grove." He thanked the Bidens for their service and said the country was better off because the First Family had "brought those Pennsylvania values across this country."

FLOTUS began speaking at 11:42 AM. She began by talking about teaching stories in her community college classes. "Stories can divide us and make us angry," she said. " They can also isolate us and make us afraid. But stories can inspire us to rise to kindness as well, to show up and to speak out when we are needed." She quoted John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

FLOTUS shared her story about finding faith as a high schooler when she began worshipping at the local Presbyterian church — and nearly losing that faith when her son, Beau, was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma. She said she'd stopped going to church but ultimately returned when, during a visit to church service with the president, a parishioner asked to be her prayer partner. "In that moment, for the first time, I felt there was a recovering my faith in the depths of our brokenness," she said, adding: "We cannot heal ourselves alone, but with God, all things are possible," she said to loud applause.

FLOTUS then talked about what's at stake in the election and encouraged the worshippers to make a plan to get to the polls and vote. "It's been my life's honor for this Philly girl to serve as your First Lady," she said, seeming to choke up again.

Her remarks concluded at 11:53 AM. The motorcade departed the church at 11:57 AM.

FLOTUS Pool Report #3 - OTR and campaign stop in King of Prussia, PA

FLOTUS made an off-the-record stop at Backyard Beans Coffee Company in Ambler, Penn., at 12:03 PM. She briefly greeted supporters and ordered an apple cider tea latte and a pastry. A supporter shouted "Let's Go Kamala!" as FLOTUS made her way back to the motorcade at 12:40 PM.

The motorcade pulled into the Alloy Hotel in King of Prussia at 1:02 PM. FLOTUS took the stage in a ballroom filled with local union members. She was introduced by Jim Reilley of the International Union of Operating Engineers.

FLOTUS began speaking at 1:10 PM. "My name is Jill Biden and I'm a card-carrying union member," she began, promising to let them out before the Eagles game started. She talked about growing up in the Philadelphia area and reminisced about childhood haunts downtown.

"I've gotten to know Kamala," FLOTUS said. "She's her mother's daughter." She said the vice president's mother was "kind of tough" and taught Harris to challenge injustice by taking matters into her own hands. "It's why Kamala Harris is the decisive, strong leader she is today," FLOTUS said.

FLOTUS also encouraged union members to vote for Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), calling him "the senator you deserve." She mentioned the polling times in Pennsylvania and encouraged members to make a plan to vote.

FLOTUS's remarks concluded at 1:17 PM. The motorcade soon rolled to Philadelphia International Airport.

FLOTUS Pool Report #4 - Campaign stops in Harrisburg, PA

Executive One departed Philadelphia International Airport at 2:03 PM and arrived at Harrisburg International Airport at 2:53 PM. The motorcade arrived at the Civic Club of Harrisburg at 3:17 PM.

A crowd of roughly 100 sat in a row of chairs facing a lectern and a Harris-Walz sign. FLOTUS walked out at 3:23 PM with Kimeka Campbell, the regional political director of the Pennsylvania coordinated campaign.

FLOTUS began her remarks at 3:28 PM. Before she spoke, she took down the stanchion ropes separating her from the audience and invited them to stand up and gather around her. "You're too far away from me!" she said. They heeded her instructions.

FLOTUS repeated her story about Vice President Harris being her "mother's daughter." She said that "character and temperament matter" in this election, and that "at every turn, Donald Trump created even more chaos." FLOTUS again reminded the room of Pennsylvania's polling hours on Tuesday. The crowd gave her a big cheer when she said that, "for this Philly girl," being their first lady had been the honor of a lifetime.

She stopped speaking at 3:36 PM. After her remarks, FLOTUS did a photo line with attendees.

After her remarks, the motorcade swung by a field office in Harrisburg to briefly visit with volunteers. FLOTUS walked into the office space — a former bank, your pooler was told — carrying a box of gummies, popcorn, and cookies at 3:55 PM. She spoke for only a minute. "We have to work hard to the very end," she said. "This state counts — every vote counts." As she departed, she thanked the volunteers. "I love you, Joe loves you," she said. The motorcade departed for Harrisburg International Airport at 3:57 PM.

Executive One landed in Wilmington at 4:52 PM.