Pool Reports of August 15, 2024

In Town Pool Report #1 - Prince George's County

Marine One touched down at a Landing Zone next to Prince George's County Community College at 12:51 PM. POTUS exited at 12:54 PM.

Pool watched from a distance. POTUS waved at the pool. He then got into a vehicle to drive to the neighboring venue and was rolling at 12:56 PM.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Prince George's County Community College Landing Zone:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In Town Pool Report #2 - Event Underway, Harris up

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at the prescription drug prices event at 1:46 PM. Harris is expected to speak first followed by Biden. They both waved as the crowd cheered

The remarks are in a gym which is full of people. Blue and yellow signs that read "Lowering Prescription Drug Costs" are hung on the walls and attendees are holding similar signs. Speakers have included Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin. The crowd chanted "48" at Moore.

A reminder that the remarks will be carried on White House Live. From the White House on the motorcade, photo line and speaking program:

The President and the Vice President are delivering remarks on the progress they are making to lower costs for the American people.

Speaking Program

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County, MD
Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services
Senator Ben Cardin (MD)
Governor Wes Moore (MD)
Judith Judy Aiken, retired nurse & Introducer
The Vice President
The President

Participating in a photoline with the President and the Vice President:

Governor Wes Moore (MD), spouse Dawn Moore, and their children Mia and James
Secretary Xavier Becerra, Department of Health and Human Services
Senator Ben Cardin (MD)
Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA-44)
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)
Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller (MD)
Attorney General Anthony Brown (MD)
State Senator Nick Charles (MD-25)
Delegate Denise Roberts (MD-25)
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George's County, MD
Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore, MD
Councilmember Will Jawando, Montgomery County Council, and his spouse, Michelle

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Prince George's County Community College:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Dilpreet Sidhu, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Deputy Chief of Staff
Herbie Ziskend, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Director of Communications
Aviva Feuerstein, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In Town Pool Report #3 - Biden wraps

President Biden began speaking at 1:58 PM and wrapped his remarks at 2:19 PM. He opened his comments by saying that Vice President Harris was going to make "one hell of a president."

The White House estimates the crowd at about 2,300 people.

Pool was pulled from 2:20 PM

The remarks were carried live, but some color from the room:

The crowd chanted "Thank you Joe," when he spoke about lower prescription drug prices. They booed when Biden referenced Project 2025. And roared when he said: "Let me tell you what our Project 2025 is. Beat the hell out of them."

During the vice president's remarks, when she praised Biden, the crowd chanted "Joe, Joe, Joe." She called him "our extraordinary president." She added: "Few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable health care." The crowd then chanted: "Thank you Joe, thank you Joe."

In Town Pool Report #4 - overflow room

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in an overflow room in an adjacent building at 2:32 PM on a stage in front of a row of American flags. Biden spoke for about eight minutes.

Please check quotes as it was hard to hear.

The crowd immediately began chanting "Thank you Joe."

Biden said it was good to be in Maryland. As he started speaking a protester screamed something about genocide and the crowd shouted "Thank you Joe" to drown it out.

Protesters continued to interrupt.

"We are the most unique country in the world," Biden said, repeating his line that the US is based on an idea.

"Including Palestinians?" Shouted someone. Biden answered "including Palestinians."

Biden said Harris must win and that Trump does not respect foreign alliances. He said other world leaders want Democrats to win. "There is so much at stake here," he said.

"This really matters. This really really matters," he said. He said the US is trying to get help out in Gaza and stressed that his team is working on the on a ceasefire deal.

One update: The 2,300 crowd includes the gym and overflow rooms.

In Town Pool Report #5 - Overflow Room #2

Biden and Harris, along with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, entered another overflow room, in a theater at 2:56 PM.

"Folks," said Biden. "I think your patience exceeds your good judgment."

"This is the single most important election in our lives," Biden said. "Our democracy is at stake and I left you with the woman who is going to take care of it."

Harris praised Biden's

Again the total crowd, in the main venue and overflow spaces, is 2300.

In Town Pool Report #5 - Overflow Room #2b - UPDATED/CORRECTED

Apologies, my signal is bad and my email captured an earlier draft that was not accurate. Use this instead. And Wes Moore was not with them. He was announced, but I did not see him.

Biden and Harris entered another overflow room, in a theater at 2:56 PM. They appeared for about 7 minutes.

"Folks," said Biden. "I think your patience exceeds your good judgment."

"This is the single most important election in our lives," Biden said. "Our democracy is at stake and I left you with the woman who is going to take care of it."

Harris praised Biden's leadership and said he was "always fighting for working people." She also said that the strength of a leader is not "based on who you beat down," but who you lift up.

A woman screamed "Howard University in the house."

Biden concluded by pointing at a man with a large hat and asking "where the hell did you get that lid?"

The two exited to cheers.

Again the total crowd, in the main venue and overflow spaces, is 2300.

Pool Report #6 - Lift

President Biden boarded Marine One at 3:31 PM at the landing zone by Prince George's Community College. He waved from the top of the steps before going inside.

M1 was wheels up at 3:36 PM.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the South Lawn:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In Town Pool Report #7 - Lid

The White House called a travel/photo lid at 4:34 PM.

In Town Pool Report #8 - Vladimir Kara-Murza

From the White House:

This evening, President Biden hosted Vladimir Kara-Murza and his family at the White House to welcome Vladimir back to the United States. Mr. Kara-Murza was freed two weeks ago as part of the deal President Biden negotiated that brought home several Americans who had been wrongfully detained in Russia and secured the release of Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country as well as German citizens. Mr. Kara-Murza, an American green-card holder, had been imprisoned in Russia for speaking out against the Russian government's brutal war against Ukraine.

Supplemental pool #1 - M1 lifts, gaggle and Martin Sheen

POTUS came out of the residence at 12:36 and took questions about Bidenomics and Gaza among other topics. It was very difficult to hear.

Your pooler will effort quotes ASAP.

In attendance for departure: Martin Sheen, of « The West Wing » fame, with whom Biden shook hands before walking to his helo.

M1 lifted at 12:42.

Supplemental pool #2 - Quotes on Venezuela election and Bidenomics, other West Wing cast members

Here are a few partial quotes of the president's gaggle on the South Lawn. Please check against transcript as it was very difficult to hear.

Asked whether Bidenomics would continue with Harris, he said "In case you haven't noticed, it's working"

Asked whether the VP would try to distance herself from his economic policies, he answered: "She's not going to"

Asked whether he supports new elections in Venezuela, Biden replied: "I do"

He was also asked to comment on Trump's promise to make America affordable again. Biden smiled and said "He ought to get a job".

Biden was also asked about the Hamas not participating in the negotiations in Doha, and said: ""They are represented by both the Qataris and the Egyptians, the negotiating is going on right as I speak".

POTUS was also asked when the vice-president would hold a press conference and about the ambassador to the Holy See but your pooler did not get clear audio for that part.

I have asked for details about President's Bartlet's visit at the WH. Thanks to Daily Mail Nikki Schwab for pointing out that Martin Sheen was accompanied by other West Wing cast members, Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack .

Sharing this from the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Prince George's County Community College Landing Zone:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President