First Lady Pool Reports of October 14, 2024

FLOTUS pool report #1 - first Detroit event

Motorcade left the RON at 3:01 pm and arrived at a campaign field office in Detroit at 3:14 pm.

FLOTUS is at the first of two events in Michigan today.

The first event is thanking campaign volunteers. There were two homemade signs. One read "Jill" and one read "Love, Detroit Organizers."

FLOTUS came in at 3:16 pm with a box of cookies.

"This is a thank you."

"You are working so hard. Going into red areas apparently and talking to people, trying to convince them to vote for Kamala and Tim. The margins are so thin."

More: "Every vote counts. I know you're knocking on doors and making phone calls and talking to your friends and neighbors. So I just want to say thank you."

"I will be campaigning. This is my fall break. ... I am campaigning all over the country. If there is something on your mind or something you think I should say to voters that you're hearing tell me, so we can make sure we win on November 5th."

She gave a shoutout to a young man in a blue University of Delaware sweatshirt.

After her short remarks a photo line formed with people handing their phones to Anthony Bernal to take the pics. She made small talk with each volunteer.

One volunteer said he had taken the semester off to work on the election. "Don't tell that to an English teacher!" FLOTUS told him.

One volunteer showed FLOTUS something on her phone and teared up talking about it. It was hard to hear. FLOTUS gave her a hug. "I'm so scared," the volunteer said of Trump getting elected and added she hoped Harris would continue the Cancer Moonshot program.

Another volunteer wanted a selfie with FLOTUS who obliged.

FLOTUS exited at 3:30. At 3:33 pm the motorcade was headed to event number two.

Thanks to AP's Darlene Supervillle for her help!

Background from the Harris Walz Campaign:

First Lady Jill Biden is participating in an organizer appreciation event at a campaign field office in Detroit, MI (Wayne County).

First Lady Jill Biden is delivering remarks at a political event in support of the Harris-Walz campaign at Three Cats in Clawson, MI (Oakland County).

Speaking program:

• Joann Wright, Campaign Volunteer

• First Lady Jill Biden

FLOTUS pool report #2 - Second Michigan event

Motorcade arrived at Three Cats in Clawson, Mich., at 4:02 pm.

FLOTUS entered at 4:10 pm to cheers. About 150 people here per the campaign.

Her first comment was a slam at Donald Trump (who she did not mention by name) but was an obvious reference to his speech at the Detroit Economic Club.

FLOTUS: "Some have come to Detroit area recently and thrown around some insults. But from what I've seen, this is a vibrant, thriving city." Lots of cheers to this.

Much of her speech was a repeat of what she has said at other events on this swing-state tour.

When she said the country needs leaders "like my husband and Kamala Harris" the crowd burst into "thank you Joe, thank you Joe."

She, as in previous speeches, pushed back at the "lies" being told about Kamala Harris. She talked about how Harris will push back on price gouging, help Americans become homeowners, and fight for reproductive rights.

FLOTUS. gave a shout out to Democratic Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin, who is not here. Rep. Haley Stevens was there and also got a shout out.

FLOTUS noted of the election: "Our children and grandchildren will have to live with those consequences. Our future - that's what at stake in this election."

She then encouraged everyone to get out and vote: "In Michigan, you can vote early, and in some locations, you can register to vote at the same time. If you live in Detroit, you can register and vote early at any of the 14 early voting locations this Saturday, October 19. Statewide early voting starts by October 26."

She then worked the rope line.

The space is fun - decorated with wooden animal statues and lithograph drawings of dogs dressed in formal wear.

Motorcade departed at 4:31 pm. Next stop is Detroit airport.

FLOTUS pool report #3 - headed to Wisconsin

Motorcade arrived at the Detroit airport at 5:05 pm.

FLOTUS boarded at 5:08 pm. She then went back out to take a photo with the advance team and reboarded at 5:11 pm.

She did a brief OTR with the pool on the plane.

Next stop is Madison, Wis., for a campaign event there.

Executive One Foxtrot is wheels up shortly.

FLOTUS pool report #4 - Madison arrival

Executive One Foxtrot arrived in Madison, Wis., at 5:31 pm CT.

FLOTUS deplaned at 5:45 pm.

Motorcade is rolling to the campaign event at 5:47 pm.

From the campaign:

First Lady Jill Biden is delivering remarks at a political event in support of the Harris-Walz campaign in Madison, WI.

Speaking program:

• Lucy Croft, Field Organizer
• Kaleena Stephan, Reproductive Rights Advocate
• First Lady Jill Biden

FLOTUS pool #5 - Madison event

Motorcade arrived at the campaign office at 6:14 pm CT.

FLOTUS spoke for about 15 minutes.

She thanked all the volunteers and pointed out a Girl Scout in the crowd, noting she had been a Girl Scout too.

Her remarks were along the same lines she has given on this campaign swing.

When she said the country deserves "leaders like my husband and Kamala Harris" the crowd burst into applause, shouting "thank you Joe. Thank you Joe."

"Thank you. I will take that home to him," she said.

"With three weeks until Election Day, we all have to do our part to get Kamala Harris and Tim Walz elected."

"In Wisconsin, you can vote early starting next week, on Tuesday, October 22."

"We have to work harder than we ever have before."

"We have to meet this moment as if our rights are at stake because they are; as if our freedoms are on the line because they are. With determination, with persistence, with urgency, we will elect a new generation of leaders. We will choose a new way forward. So let's elect Kamala Harris."

She worked the rope line for a few minutes.

Here is the link to the event: https://www.youtube.com/live/6TfBaGUpH9w?si=x_3Fws1WGFgsZBrz

Motorcade is rolling back to the airport at 6:49 pm.

FLOTUS pool #6 - heading to Wilmington

Motorcade arrived back at the Madison airport at 7:15 pm.

FLOTUS boarded at 7:19 pm after hugging a few people on the tarmac.

Executive One Foxtrot is wheels up shortly for Wilmington, where FLOTUS will overnight ahead of campaign events in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

FLOTUS pool report #7 - Wilmington arrival

Executive One Foxtrot was wheels down in Wilmington at 10:07 pm.

FLOTUS deplaned at 10:17 pm.

FLOTUS is headed home. Pool is headed to its hotel.

More tomorrow!