Pool Reports of July 12, 2024

In town pool report 1 - Lunch lid till 1:30

We have lunch lid until 1:30

in town pool 2

We have a bad weather call. POTUS will motorcade to JBA.

In-town pool report 3

Pool is gathered for motorcade departure at Palm Room doors.

In town pool report 4

We are now told to gather at 2:05 at Palm Room doors for POTUS departure

In town pool report 5

Shared with pool:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

President Biden joined a virtual meeting with BOLD PAC, the political affiliate of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), to discuss the 2024 election. During the call, President Biden delivered remarks and answered questions from BOLD PAC members.

In town pool 6

Pool is loading into motorcade at 2:08

In town pool report 7

Another statement shared with the pool:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

President Biden joined a virtual meeting with leadership from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and members of CAPAC's political arm, ASPIRE PAC, to discuss the 2024 election. During the call, President Biden delivered remarks and answered questions from ASPIRE PAC members.

In town pool report 8

Motorcade took off for JBA at 2:25.

In town pool report 9

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Erika Dinkel-Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Labor Advisor
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East & North Africa
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In town pool report 10

Motorcade arrived at JBA at 2:47 after an uneventful ride.

In town pool report 11

POTUS exited the beast and boarded AF1 at 2:48. Handing off to out of town pool.

Have a good weekend.

Travel pool report #1: JBA

The motorcade pulled up at 14:47 on the Tarmac. POTUS emerged a minute later and saluted an air force greeter before chatting for a moment. Then he walked straight up the lower steps and boarded briskly. He wasn't wearing a tie.

We are headed to Detroit for a campaign event.

Rep Shri Thanedar of Michigan 13 was a brief visitor to the press cabin before departure.

We are traveling in AF1 with tail number 28000.

KJP is due to gaggle en route at about 2:45 pm eastern.

Wheels up shortly.

Travel pool report #2: travelers

The White House sends along the following:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Detroit, Michigan:

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06)
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Erika Dinkel-Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Labor Advisor
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East & North Africa
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Travel pool report #3: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

AF1 wheels up from JBA at 14:57.

Wheels down 15:51.

POTUS emerged into the warm Michigan sun at 1604. Still no tie (open neck shirt) but now with Aviators.

He was greeted by nine.people.(deets below) with actor Octavia Spencer at the end of the line. Travelling Reps and others joined him with lots of hugs and laughter on the Tarmac.

Then he made his way to the Beast after three minutes. Motorcade rolling at 16:10.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gaggled with Biden Campaign Communications Director Michael Tyler for about 32 minutes.

They were joined by Rep. Debbie Dingell and Liz Shuler, president of the AFL–CIO.

Note the following incorrectly lists some travelers on double duty as greeters.

From the White House:

Greeting the President upon arrival to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County International Airport:

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06)
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (MI)
Speaker Joe Tate, Michigan House of Representatives (MI-HD-10)
Former Representative Brenda Lawrence (MI-14)
Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit, Michigan
Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO
April Verrett, President, SEIU
Claude Cummings, President, CWA
Mini Timmaraju, President, Reproductive Freedom for All
Lavora Barnes, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party
Daryl Newman, President, Metro Detroit AFL-CIO
Stephanie Carraker, Executive Board Member and former President, AFT Local 4168
Elijah Isaguirre, Political Director, MRCC Local 687
Michael Aaron, Laborers' Local 1191
Octavia Spencer, actress

Travel pool report #4: Garage Grill and Fuel Bar

Motorcade pulled up at the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville at 16:45 for an unadvertised stop.

Drive was uneventful along mainly highways before turning off onto tree lined streets, through a decidedly un-blue collar bit of Michigan.

Small crowds outside held up their phones. But no protesters.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

President Biden is stopping by a campaign organizing event at The Garage Grill & Fuel Bar in Representative Dingell's district in Northville, Michigan. The President will deliver brief remarks and greet with local supporters and volunteers.

Speakers:
Representative Debbie Dingell
President Biden

Travel pool report #5: remarks. - 'We gotta finish the job. I promise you I am ok'

A little over 50 people were gathered in the venue, which is decorated with old gas pumps and garage bric-a-brac, old Amoco posters and such like..

'we love Joe' posters were displayed in the windows.

Biden appeared at 16:57 and greeted a family with a young boy.

Otter here: https://otter.ai/u/SBD7LyLbz0K_B73x5ghwVQpZjkE

Rep Dingell opened proceedings describing the closeness of their families.

'When John died Joe was at my side and never let me be alone. Joe is my friend.'

POTUS is beaming as she whips up the crowd.

POTUS takes over at 1700

'When she and I are together she looks like my wife Jill.... They say are you married?'

Then he describes a busy trip: 'there's a lot going on.'

He speaks loudly and clearly throughout, walking around the tables as he does so, directing his words to individual tables as he goes.

'The reason I decided to run... My son died in 2015... So I decided I wasn't going to get engaged.... I was always going to run again.

Repeats his Charlottesville story

'honest to God that's when I decided to run,' describing Trump, comment about fine people on both sides.

'There's a lot at stake'

He said the nation was at an inflection point

'Whether it's climate change.... There's a lot changing not because of joe Biden as president.

Said he ran for three reasons:

1 'Time to restore some ethics to the country'

2. 'deal with the issue of giving the middle class a fighting chance'

3 'I said we gotta bring the country together.'

'We were told we were going to lose in 2020. Remember? Well we won.' APPLAUSE

Speaking about the press: "They say I'm naive even though I've been around 270 years." (Context was that he said he wanted to bring people together)

He made a couple of jokes about his age but didn't discuss debate or questions about running directly.

He said he was wrapping up after five minutes... And then spoke for another 9 minutes.

That's why I'm running to finish this job. There's more to do. I know I'm only 41. … I promise you I'm okay.

Referring to the election: "This is an important one. .. for the longest time I was too young because I was the second youngest man ever elected to the United States senate and now I'm too old."

"With age comes a little wisdom … the alternative is not much of an alternative."

He ended with:

'We gotta finish the job. I promise you I am ok'

He finished at 17:14 to mingle with supporters. Pool taken out a few minutes later.

Travel pool report #6: motorcade

Worth pointing out that Biden spoke without notes throughout the event.

A much bigger crowd has gathered outside the restaurant as we leave, including someone who has brought a Trump 2024 sign. On the other side of the corner five antiabortion signs reading, 'Abortion is legal violence,' and 'Abortion kills a person' have appeared. But there was no chanting or indeed much noise at all.

Motorcade rolling for next event at 17:35.

Travel pool report #7: Renaissance High School

Motorcade arrived at Renaissance High School at 18:08.

You may remember this is the same place where he campaigned with Harris back in 202. You may also know your French.

The president is taking part in a photoline. Details below.

The rally will take place in a packed gym. There are red, white and blue rosettes on the ways, US flags and 'Michigan for Biden, Harris' banners. An expectant crows has launched into chants of 'four more years' and 'fired up, ready to go.'

The central score board is lit up with:

Home 46

Away 46

The time reads: 20:24

Born to Run is part of the soundtrack.

The event is being streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tILEDQIVb5Y

You will not be surprised to learn that we are running late.

From the White House:

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06)
Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13) and his son
Former Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14)
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II (MI)
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (MI)
Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (MI-HD-2)
Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky, Michigan House of Representatives (MI-HD-17), her spouse Nathan Triplett, and their children
State Rep. Tyrone Carter (MI-HD-1)
State Rep. Jasper Martus (MI-HD-69)
Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit, Michigan
Claude Cummings, President, CWA
Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO
Mini Timmaraju, President, Reproductive Freedom for All
April Verrett, President, SEIU

Travel pool report 8: POTUS addresses supporters in overflow area

POTUS just addressed supporters in an overflow area, essentially the high school entrance, for about two minutes.

It was harder to hear him here, but it was brief and much of what we already heard. He did signal how the aim now is to put the focus on Trump...

'You're the ones who bring me to the dance'

'By the way, we're going to win Michigan'

'Trump doesn't get out of his golf cart'

'It's going to be all about Trump from here on out.'

'Recent polls show us winning'

Travel pool report #9: Speaking program begins

POTUS's lectern is set up on a small podium at the center of the court, beneath the scoreboard-tron thing.

The walls of the gymnasium bear the names of the school's sporting champions.

There must be well over 1000 people present in the hall this evening.

A reminder that you can follow along here. And I will add additional details were necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tILEDQIVb5Y

Speaking program is getting under way with: Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for all.

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

The President is delivering remarks at a campaign event.

Pre-Program

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes
Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit, Michigan
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (MI)
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II (MI)
Octavia Spencer

Speaking Program

Pastor Cindy Rudolph, Introducer
The President

Travel pool report #10: POTUS takes the stage to 'Don't you quit' chant

POTUS took the stage at 19:17 to a rapturous reception, with huge chants of 'We love Joe' mixed with 'We want Joe.'

He arrived with Pastor Cindy Rudolph who is making the introductory remarks, and is struggling to quiet a very enthusiastic crowd.

'Don't you quit,' they are chanting, to POTUS's obvious delight. He remains tieless.

The campaign says that more than 2000 people are present for the event.

Travel pool report #11: Biden remarks - crowd boos press - protester

POTUS began speaking at 19:23.

Finished at 19:59.

( I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty - is the walkoff music)

He started by apologizing to people behind him, who had to look at his back. Not long after the crowd chanted at deafening levels: 'We got your back.' He was forced to halt and wait for the noise to subside.

The event was livestreamed so hope you all caught it.x

He addressed speculation about his future head on:

'There's a lot of speculation right now. What's Joe going to do, is he going to stay in?' he asked before answering: 'I am running and we're gonna win.'

'I am the nominee of the Democratic party and the only Demcrat who has beated Donal Trump ever. I know him. Donald Trump is a loser'

The crowd broke into a chant of 'Lock him up.' Biden paused, did not acknowledge their words, and launched back into it.

'I'm not going anywhere.'

'You get knocked down and get back up.'

Also notable, he criticised the press for hammering him for muddling names and so on. 'Pressmen are good guys. And women up there. They've been hammering me.'

The crowd started booing and giving the media pen the thumbs down. All oddly familiar. However, Biden looked rather unsettled and talked the crowd down quickly.

At about 19 minutes into the rally a kerfuffle erupted in front of the lectern. A woman, dressed in black, with a black head scarf, was removed by security guards as the crowd drowned out her cries of 'Free Palestine,' with chants of 'Four more years.'

'I understand her passion' he said, pivoting to talk about his Gaza plan.

Soon after he moved on to the well trailed attack on Trump and the Project 2025

'It's time to stop treating politics like entertainment.'

He set out plans for his 100 days of a second administration. One of the biggest cheers came for the line.

'I don't work for big pharma. I don't work for the National Rifle. Association. I work for you the American people.'

Travel pool report #12: Speedy Morman

Pool is holding in vans at the high school. In the meantime...

On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

President Biden is taping a video interview with Speedy Morman, host of the YouTube series '360 with Speedy Morman' on Complex.

Travel pool report #13: motorcade

Speedy Morman has their interview. And we are rolling at 21:22 on a 30-min ride to the airport

Travel pool report #14: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Motorcade pulled up to AF1 at 21:57. POTUS had already boarded by the time pool arrived.

Drive was uneventful.

Wheels up shortly..

Travel pool report #15: Dover

Wheels down at Dover Air Force Base at 23:10

No visitors to press cabin. Flight uneventful

From the White House

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

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Emmy Ruiz, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Strategy and Outreach
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Erika Dinkel-Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Labor Advisor
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East & North Africa
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Travel pool report #16: motorcade

POTUS deplaned at 23:20, saluting at the top of the steps. He headed straight to his Suburban without further ado.

He is motorcading to Rehoboth because of a bad weather call.

Handing off to supplemental pool.

Thank you to fellow poolers for keeping me straight, particularly key assists from the Washington Post's Yasmeen Abutaleb and Bloomberg's Justin Sink.

Out of town pool report #1- rolling

Good evening from Dover!

Motorcade was rolling from the AFB to Rehoboth at 11:23pm.

We saw President Biden deplane and get into the motorcade.

Out of town pool report #2- lid

After an uneventful ride, motorcade arrived at the presidents Rehoboth house at 12:13am.

And we have a lid.