Pool Reports of January 18, 2024

In-town pool report #1 — gathering for departure

... as of 11:40amET.

Marine One is scheduled to depart at 11:40amET.

White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton and NSC spokesman John Kirby will gaggle onboard Air Force One before touchdown in NC.

You can listen here:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OSxFq06vqkg

In-town pool report #2 — liftoff and q&a

POTUS exited the residence at 11:45pm and fielded several questions on Ukraine, Trump's win in Iowa, declining support among Arab and Muslim Americans, and more (full quotes to follow)

On Big 4 meeting, Biden voiced optimism on prospects of a deal, saying the "majority of Republicans" support aid for Ukraine

Trump's win in Iowa didn't mean "anything"

On declining Arab and Muslim support, POTUS said that his predecessor wants to put a Muslim ban in place and that there's a "long way to go" before November.

Please check the pool the feeds as POTUS worked the entire line and poolers recording could not capture all of his comments

M1 lifted off at 11:53am.

POTUS is set to return to the WH following remarks in NC at 6:45pmET

In-town pool report #3 — travelers

Passing along from WH

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

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President & White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator

In-town pool report #4 — full q&a

What do you make of these attacks between Iran and Pakistan?

"Iran is not particularly well liked in the region. Where it goes? We're working on that. I don't know."

Big 4 Meeting: "I thought the meeting went well yesterday. I thought the meeting went well.

What are the sticking points?

"I don't think we have sticking points."

Are the airstrikes against the Houthis working?

"Well, when you say working are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they gonna continue? Yes."

"I think the vast majority of members of Congress support aid to Ukraine. The question is whether or not a small minority are going to hold it up, which would be a disaster."

What do Iowa results mean to your reelection race?

"Well, I don't think Iowa means anything. The president got 50-some-thousand votes, the lowest number of votes anybody who's won got. You know, this idea that he's going to runaway, he can think anyway he wants, let him make that judgement. What was your second part again?"

Are you concerned about Arab American votes, not voting for you because of Gaza. Many say they will not vote for you.

"Look, the President wants to put — the former president wants to put a ban on Arabs coming in the country. We'll make sure that we understand who cares about the Arab population number one. Number two, we've got a long way to go in terms of [inaudible]."

Message for those coming to March for Life: "March"

Has he been briefed on Uvalde report and will people be held responsible?

"I've not read the full report. The report will be out today. Number one, we're going to do what we can to implement a recommendation from the Justice Department, but I don't know if there's any criminal liability on that."

Were you briefed by the attorney general on this?

"I was briefed by my staff on that."

In-town pool report #4.5 — question clarification

*** one note... pool did not include the question prompting one of the responses POTUS in previous report. See below

How do you feel about aid to Ukraine after yesterday's meeting with members of Congress?

"I think the vast majority of members of Congress support aid to Ukraine. The question is whether or not a small minority are going to hold it up, which would be a disaster."

In-town pool report #5 — gaggle to begin at 12:35pm

Passing along from WH:

The AF1 Gaggle will begin at 12:35 PM.

You can stream it here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=OSxFq06vqkg

In-town pool report #6 — gathering for arrival

... as of 6:18pm

In-town pool report #7 — arrival

M1 touched down on the South Lawn at 6:27pm.

POTUS disembarked at 6:30pm, waved to pool, and strode directly into the residence without fielding questions.

In-town pool report #8 — travel/photo lid

... called at 6:38pm

Have a great night, y’all.

Out of town pool report 1 - JBA

Marine 1 landed at JBA at 12:01 pm

POTUS emerged from M1 at 12:04 pm

POTUS carried an overcoat and was wearing sneakers.

He walked to AF1 and waved to the press. He did not say anything.

He boarded the plane via the small stairs at 12:05. We will be wheels up shortly after 12.10.

AF1 is heading to North Carolina.

From the WH

Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Angela Ochoa, 89th Air Wing, Joint Base Andrews

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Raleigh-Durham International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President & White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator
Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach

Out of town report #2

AF1 was wheels up from JBA at 12:15 pm. POTUS used the big plane for the trip.

AF1 landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 1:01 pm. The flight was uneventful.

Olivia Dalton and John Kirby gaggled during the flight.

POTUS emerged from AF1 at 1:15 pm, using the small staircase.

He chatted with Gov Cooper who greeted him on the tarmac.

POTUS got into an armored limousine 1:16 pm

Motorcade rolling at 1:18 pm

From the White House:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Raleigh-Durham International Airport:

Governor Roy Cooper (NC)

Out of town report #3 - potus arrives at NC community center

POTUS motorcade arrived at Abbott's Creek Community Center in Raleigh, NC at 1:36 pm after an uneventful ride.

Some supporters waved at the motorcade with pro- Biden signs. Others registered disapproval with several "FJB flags" as we got closer the destination. Pool did not see potus go inside.

POTUS will be giving remarks on his Bidenomics agenda. Remarks will be live-streamed here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Abbott's Creek Community Center:

Governor Roy Cooper (NC)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President & White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator
Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach

Out of town report #4 - 2 mins to POTUS remarks

Biden is about to start speaking.

As a reminder, POTUS is at Abbott's Creek Community Center in Raleigh, NC, and planning to give an address about his efforts to improve access to high speed internet.

His remarks are in a gymnasium here, where several dozen people are seated in folding chairs before a riser that includes a lectern. Signs behind him read: "Investing in America."

His remarks will be livestreamed: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Before POTUS spoke, Gov. Cooper gave remarks and said that he rode with the president in his armored limo from the airport to the community center.

Cooper said: "I want a president who wakes up every morning thinking about the American people, not a president who wakes up every morning thinking about himself."

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:

Participating in a photoline with the President at Abbott’s Creek Community Center:

Governor Roy Cooper (NC)
State Senate Leader Dan Blue (NC)
State Senator Mary Wills Bode (District 18)
State Representative Joe John (District 40)
State Auditor Jessica Holmes (NC)

In attendance for the President’s remarks on lowering costs and expanding high-speed internet access to everyone in America:

Local elected officials, stakeholders, community leaders.

Pre-Program
Governor Roy Cooper (NC)

Speaking Program
Edward Lee Smith, U.S. Army Veteran and introducer
The President

Out of town report #5 - POTUS remarks end

POTUS started his remarks at 2:01 pm

He ended at 2:24 p.m.

Out of town report #6 - POTUS departs community center

POTUS motorcade left the Abbott's Creek Community Center in Raleigh NC at 2:47 PM

The destination is unknown.

Out of town poolr report #7 - Biden COOK OUT

POTUS arrived at 2;54 at a second stop in N.C. that was not on his schedule.

IT's a small eatery known for its shakes called Cook Out.

On the route, pooler saw one Palestine flag. One sign read "Impeach Biden."

Several groups of people waved to the motorade.

Out of town report #8 - color from otr At Cook Out

We had an OTR at a place called "Cook Out."

At 2:58 potus got out of limo to talk to workers at Cook Out, on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh. It's a favorite among local college students. It's a burger joint with no indoor seating.

POTUS said to some workers who were outside. : "the governor was bragging about your place. He said 'you have the best shakes in North Carolina"

POTUS took selfies with workers.

POTUS walked to an order window with Cooper. He paid for something with cash. He received a bag and a cup.

POTUS said he got a "black and white" shake and it's "triple thick"

He said it is vanilla with chocolate syrup.

He went back to the window and asked for a spoon

Cooper said "you'll need that" (referring to the spoon).

Cooper also said potus bought a shake for him.

POTUS motorcade left at 3:09

Destination unknown.

Out of town report# 9 - campaign otr

At 3:12 pm potus stopped at a private home in Raleigh for what is being described as a small group conversation.

POTUS posed for a photo with several people who came out of the home. "Don't back up" he said to the press, positioned on a sidewalk along a road.

POTUS went into home at 3:15 pm. The WH is referring questions about this event to the Biden Harris campaign.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President is sitting down with a local North Carolina family for a "kitchen table conversation" about the impact his agenda is having on their lives. He'll be speaking to the family of an educator who had a significant amount of student debt forgiven.

Out of town report #10 - potus leaves private home

POTUS left the private home in Raleigh NC around 4:40 pm. Pool did not see him get in the car.

The motorcade began rolling at 4:45

(As a reminder, POTUS went into the house at 3:15 pm )

Address of POTUS stop

5309 Falls Of Neuse Rd Raleigh, NC 27609

There was a large wooden sign that said "Welcome" propped up by the door.

***

More details from the White House on the full POTUS order from Cook Out during the previous stop:

While at Cook Out, the President ordered a bacon cheeseburger, french fries, and a "Black & White" milkshake.

Out of town report #11 - RDU airport

POTUS motorcade arrived at RDU airport at 5:04

Potus posed for a photograph with the police who escorted the motorcade. They stood front of AF1

A reporter asked for potus reaction to Netanyahu comments today about a 2 state solution. Unclear if potus heard the question- he did gesture to the plane.

POTUS boarded AF1 via the small stairs at 5:08 pm

AF1 is taxiing at 5:15 pm, and we will soon be heading back to JBA.

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

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President & White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator
Olivia Dalton, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Press Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Tori Taylor, Special Assistant to the President & Director of Political Outreach

Out of town report #12 - potus arrival at JBA

AF1 was wheels up at 5:17 pm from North Carolina

AF1 landed at JBA at 6:01 pm - after an uneventful flight with no visitors to press cabin.

POTUS deplaned at 6:09 pm using the small staircase.

He was not wearing an overcoat. He did not say anything to the press.

He got on M1 at 6:12 pm.

M1 lifted at 6:18

Handing off to in town pool for potus arrival at the South Lawn.

**

From the WH.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President & White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator