Pool Reports of April 18, 2024

In Town Pool Report #1 - Updated Gather Time

Good morning. The White House has updated the gather time to 10:45 AM.

In-Town Pool Report #2 - Departure

President Biden exited the White House at 11:12 AM. He was in a blue suit and walking with advisors, including Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre, Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed and campaign adviser Mike Donilon. He did not stop to answer questions.

Marine One was wheels up at 11:16 AM. Handing off to the out of town pool.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting

In Town Pool Report #3 - Gaggle

From the White House:

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby will gaggle aboard AF1 in 2 minutes

In-Town Pool Report #4 - Back to the White House

Marine One touched down on the South Lawn at 4:31 p.m.

President Biden, wearing aviator sunglasses, exited the aircraft and walked to the Oval Office without stopping to take questions.

He entered the Oval Office at 4:35 p.m.

The president was trailed by White House aides, including Bruce Reed, Karine Jean-Pierre and Vinay Reddy, and campaign strategist Mike Donilon.

In-town Pool Report #5 - Lid

The White House declared a lid at 5:24 p.m. Have a great evening!

Travel pool report #1: JBA

Good morning from Joint Base Andrews where Marine One touched down at 11:25.

It taxied around in front of us and POTUS disembarked at 11:29 after shaking hands with pilots. He is in his aviators and appeared to have phone in right hand.

He spoke to USAF greeter for a minute before boarding via low steps, holding the rail.

He was followed up stairs by senior staff included KJP and Bruce Reed.

Wheels up imminently.

We are travelling on AF1 with tail number 29000 today.

Travel pool report #2: Philadelphia International airport

AF1 was wheels up from JBA at 11:38

Wheels down 12:01 Philadelphia.

KJP gaggled for about five minutes along with an unannounced Kirby.

Pool saw Mike Donilon boarding AF1 at JBA in addition to the list below.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Philadelphia International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Sk99ecretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Kristen Orthman, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Communications Director

Travel pool report #3: greeters

POTUS emerged from AF1 at 12:12. Aviators have been ditched for grey Philly weather.

He spoke to greeter Bob Brady briefly.

POTUS climbed into SUV and motorcade rolling at 12:15. It's about a 20 minute drive.

Just in case you were confused about pool humor, there was no 'cannibals' tab in KJP's binder. Stop messaging me.

From the White House.

Greeting the President upon arrival at Philadelphia International Airport:

Former Rep. Bob Brady (PA-1)

Travel pool report #4: Martin Luther King Recreation Center

Pool van split off from POTUS as we looped around the venue at 12:38.

Uneventful ride in until close to venue. Motorcade passed a couple of people in keffiyehs near the venue, one with a sign under their arm which couldn't be read except to the last two words: 'Not genocide.'

Closer to the venue several dozen Gaza protestor made themselves heard on a corner, under watchful eye of cops. 'Solidarity with Palestinian women' said a big banner. 'Shame on you,' some could be heard chanting.

Pool has been brought into venue for the event. It is a big gymnasium with seating for maybe 200 people on the court around a lectern. There are big signs saying: 'We're on board,' and Biden-Harris campaign logos projected on screens. There are also Sixers Strong signs. A blue curtain provides the backdrop.

There will be a livestream link coming.

From the White House:

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (PA)
Councilmember Jeffrey Young, Philadelphia, PA
State Representative Donna Johnson Bullock (PA-195)

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Kristen Orthman, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Communications Director
Former Rep. Bob Brady (PA-1)

Travel pool report #5: Event details and livestream two minute warning

The Kennedys ) are sitting in the first two or three rows, off to the left of the speaker's lectern, as the speaker sees it... Joe Kennedy III's red hair gives their location away.

From the Campaign:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden will deliver remarks at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The livestream can be viewed here:

https://youtube.com/@JoeBiden?si=9u2-GR5JKCjnkJPK

Speakers:

John White Jr., Philadelphia Civil Rights Leader
Kerry Kennedy
President Biden

Members of the Kennedy family in attendance:

Rory Kennedy
Kerry Kennedy
Joe Kennedy II
Beth Kennedy
Joe Kennedy III
Christopher Kennedy
Maxwell Taylor Kennedy
Vicki Strauss Kennedy
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Kerry Kennedy Meltzer
Max Meltzer
Ted Kennedy Jr.
Stephen Kennedy Smith
Peter McKelvy
Rebeca McKelvy

Travel pool report #6: speech

POTUS took the stage at 13:33 along with several members of the Kennedy family.

Kerry Kennedy was next to speak.

After saying, 'The best way forward for America is to reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to four more years,' the audience erupted into chants of 'four more years.'

POTUS began speaking at 13:47 saying it was 'an incredible honor to have the support of the Kennedy family.'

Six Kennedy's stood behind him on stage: Kathleen, Rory, Max, Joe (II), Chris and Kerry.

He wrapped his remarks at 13:58 and the excitable crowd broke again into chants of 'four more years.'

Music - Jackie Wilson's 'Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher'

Travel pool report #7: volunteer training

Pool moved to another room at the center straight after speech. Two rows of desks arrived in a u shape where volunteers are being trained in thank you notes, phone calls and canvassing. Wall is covered in campaign posters, including 'Pennsylvania is on board.' it is hot and stuffy with maybe 150 people crammed in.

There is a poster of multi colored Aviators to one side.

Several Kennedy's are in the front row with instruction sheets in front of them.

Joe Kennedy III and POTUS arrive at 14:11. JK is is short sleeves and no tie. POTUS is tieless.

JK: 'What's going on everybody?'

'this election isn't about the past it's about the future.'

'You've stood with us and you trust us

'You are listening and fighting for us' after defending work on burn pits and insulin.'

'We believe, we fight, we win, we get to do it with President Joe Biden'

POTUS starts speaking at 14:17. He delivers his remarks right up close to the front row of desks. Pacing back and forth.

'You know I'm not sure I want this night to be over.'

'You're my ticket to the White House. You... Pennsylvania. It's not hyperbole.'

There's some bridge talk.

A story about being the most popular senator in Philadelphia when there was no TV station in Delaware

'I was on Philadelphia television as much as Pennsylvania senators'

'Democracy is at risk. I'm deadly earnest ... He means what he says.' he says of Trump

The idea that he thinks those insurrectionists were patriots and will free them all...'

Pays tribute to JKIII for his work as Northern Ireland envoy.

'If I win you're not going anywhere.'

Talks about bringing manufacturing and steel back home, to a round of applause.

'The free enterprise system didn't do it as well.'

Talks about how hard it is to reach voters now because àso many get all their news just from their phone.

'You can't blame them because so much of what they read is now true.... flat out lies....That's why I'm counting on you.'

At one point he consults notes to get number of individual campaign contributions correct -1.6 million several people in audience tell him. Says he doesn't want press to misquote him.

Finishes at 14:28 to whoops of applause.

no signal in the room - will send otter file shortly

pool holding in vans

and as ever check quotes against official transcript

Travel pool report #8: holding - otter from training event

Pool is holding in vans waiting for POTUS.

Lame signal so the below is still transcribing but should give you the gist

Otter from training event - https://otter.ai/u/oUa-htN-DOUYeuYXu8xdqW2gOSQ?utm_source=copy_url

Travel pool report #9: motorcade

Rolling at 14:54.

Travel pool report #10: Wawa stop

Motorcade pulled up at a branch of the well known convenience store chain on Chestnut St. Pool is lined up behind counter. Waiting for POTUS

Travel pool report #11: Wawa

'Hi. How you doing,' said POTUS as he was greeted by server David at the counter. POTUS was accompanied by the Mayor of Philly Cherelle Parker.

'You got my sub,' he said as he was handed a sandwich wrapped in paper.

He ordered a black and white milkshake.

The sandwich was a 'cold classic Italian' sandwich. And then the rest of his order came in a big cardboard box filled with pretzels, glazed twists and other things. There was a yoghurt for the mayor. Pic attached.

In return it looked like he handed over a $20 note.

POTUS doing his bit for a state divided over Sheetz and Wawa this week.

POTUS is looking around the store. While pool is hurried back to vans.

Travel pool report #12: Philadelphia airport

Motorcade pulled up to AF1 at 15:31. POTUS walked down a receiving line of motorcycle cops, shaking hands and saluting before posing for a picture with them.

POTUS then climbed steps into AF1 directly.

And we will be wheels up shortly.

A copooler who knows more about Philly than me, passes on that it couldn't have been a 'sub' that POTUS collected at Wawa. It was of course a 'hoagie.'

Travel pool report #13: JBA

AF1 was wheels down at 16:04 after the brief hop from Philadelphia.

Travel pool report #14: Marine One.

The aviators are back. POTUS deplaned at 16:15 and headed straight for Marine One boarding smartly and saluting the Marine guard from the top of the steps.

Marine One was wheels up at 16:21.

Handing off to in-town pool. Thanks to all my copoolers today. Have a great evening.

Couple of notes below from the White House.

President Biden stopped by a Wawa in downtown Philadelphia near Independence Hall with Mayor Cherelle Parker. He picked up a box of assorted goods and ordered a black and white milkshake.

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Kristen Orthman, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Communications Director
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach