Pool Reports of August 6, 2024

in-town pool note | new briefing time

Good morning. The White House has moved the start time of today's press briefing to 2:30 p.m. ET. (Pool call time remains 11 a.m.)

in-town pool report #1 — POTUS spoke to Harris & Walz

The White House passes along the below statement on VP Harris' running mate selection:

From Emilie Simons, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary:

"This morning, the President and Vice President spoke on the phone ahead of her official announcement that she selected Governor Tim Walz as her Vice Presidential nominee. The President also spoke with Governor Walz to congratulate him on his selection."

in-town pool report #2 — POTUS calls (Qatar & Egypt)

The White House passes along the below about POTUS calls with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt:

From NSC Spokesman Sean Savett:

"President Biden spoke with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and separately spoke with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt to discuss diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tension and to bring the ceasefire and hostage release deal to a conclusion. Readouts of the calls will be issued soon."

in-town pool report #3 — lunch lid

The White House has called a lunch lid until 2:15 p.m.

(The press briefing is still scheduled for 2:30 p.m.)

in-town pool report #4 — two minutes (briefing)

The press briefing will begin in two minutes, according to the WH press office. It will be live-streamed here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

in-town pool report #5 — lid

The White House called a travel/photo lid at 5 p.m. sharp.

Smokey the Bear and KJP made an appearance in the briefing room during the 4 o'clock hour. Colleague Emily Goodin snapped a few pics, which can be viewed below. White House aides said Smokey recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Your pooler signs off with words he did not expect to type today: Happy birthday, Smokey.

https://x.com/Emilylgoodin/status/1820919433872752992

in-town pool report #6 — POTUS calls (Olympics)

After the lid call, the WH passes along the below about more POTUS calls:

From Emilie Simons, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary:

This afternoon, the President called Team USA Olympic Athletes Katie Ledecky and Noah Lyles. The President congratulated swimmer Katie Ledecky on winning two gold medals in the Paris 2024 Olympics and becoming the most decorated woman in U.S. Olympic history. The President congratulated sprinter Noah Lyles on winning gold in the 100-meter dash and being the fastest man in the world. He also wished Lyles good luck in the 200M and 4x100M relay.