Pool Reports by George Condon, National Journal
| Sent: | Reports: |
| July 5, 2024 11:23 EDT |
In-town pool report #1 Pool is gathering for departure. |
| July 5, 2024 12:13 EDT |
In town pool report 2 Motorcade departed White House at 111:53. Arrived at Andrew's after uneventful drive at 12:13. From the White House: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| July 5, 2024 12:23 EDT |
In town pool report 3 The President turned at top of stairs, saluted and waved before entering Air Force I at 12:18. |
Pool Reports below by Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor
| Sent: | Reports: |
| July 5, 2024 12:20 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #1 — Arrival at JBA Hello from a hot day at Joint Base Andrews. The president's motorcade stopped in front of the plane at JBA at 12:17. The president saluted, shook hands with a greeter, and waved to the pool. He offered a thumbs up to the pool. A reporter shouted a question about whether the president thinks he can still beat Trump and he said "yes." He boarded Air Force One at 12:18. We are wheels up shortly for Madison, Wisconsin. |
| July 5, 2024 13:35 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #2 — Madison AF1 landed at Dane County Regional Airport at 1:13pm. President Biden jogged a few steps at the top landing and feigned surprise at the line of greeters. He descended the stairs at 1:26 grasping the railing (traveling on the small plane today). He shook hands with the line of greeters, including WI Gov. Evers, stopping to speak with most of them. He smiled and laughed, and posed for selfies. Pool was too far away to hear anything that was said. The president is wearing his signature aviators and a blue jacket. One reporter asked — "Mr. President what is your message to Wisconsin voters?" And the president turned and said "come listen." The president didn't respond to other shouted questions, though it's not clear whether they were audible. The motorcade is rolling at 1:33. During the flight MSNBC was playing on the tv in the staff cabin, where staff including the press secretary and Anita Dunn were sitting. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a gaggle for about 30 minutes during the flight to Madison. She spoke at the top about new jobs and the president's call to congratulate the new UK prime minister. In response to a question about how the president has been preparing for his interview today, she said: "like he prepares for any other interview … he's done 40 this year" She took questions on the meeting with governors and pressure on the Hill for the president to step out of the race. On whether the president had a medical check-up after debate: "He did have a short check in recent days about his cold…. It wasn't a medical examination. It was a conversation" The president had "a verbal check in about the cold" in the days after the debate "He did not get examined for the debate. He checked in with his doctor for the cold" In answer to a question about the president's own comments about his need for more sleep and to end events earlier, Jeane-Pierre said the president "took ownership of trying to do too much in the lead up to the debate." He's not saying he can't work late anymore — "he's saying he understands about striking the right balance" "He's human, just like we all are. It's a 24/7 job" Other quote: "The president is resolute … thinking as clearly as he used to think" The gaggle was streamed, so please check all quotes. (A note about the departure from JBA: the thumbs up from the president seemed to be in response to a question about whether he was ready for today.) From the White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Madison, Wisconsin: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Greeting the President on arrival to Dane County Regional Airport: Governor Tony Evers (WI) |
| July 5, 2024 13:49 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #3 — Campaign event The motorcade arrived at Sherman Middle School in Madison at 1:45. There were people standing along the route watching, and some waving. Outside the middle school, signs reading "Save your legacy drop out" "Three generations for Biden" "Be a hero one more time" Pool did not see President Biden exit the motorcade. On the other side of the middle school, protestors were shouting "Biden Biden you can't hide, we won't vote for genocide" Posting photos of posters on X. |
| July 5, 2024 14:52 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #4 — Biden speaks The middle school gym was packed with people of a range of ages. Biden Harris signs and American flags lined the stage. Mayor Rhodes-Conway of Madison and Congressman Pocan spoke. After Pocan, the crowd chanted "go Joe, go" and then clapped to Pharrell Williams' 'Happy.' About 80 people stood on risers behind the stage dancing to the music (including 'Party in the USA') and waving Biden Harris and Let's Go Joe signs. Gov. Evers spoke to loud cheers and whistles. "The thing about me and Joe — we're not flashy, nor are we fancy …… we put our heads down and do the work. We always try to do the right thing," said Evers, then drawing a contrast with Trump, saying "he has a radical agenda that he plans to pursue." Sabrina Jordan, a Biden-Harris campaign volunteer (her first time volunteering for a campaign), introduced the president. President Biden took the stage at 2:29 and shook hands with the first row of people on the risers. One woman embraced him. The crowd chanted "let's go Joe" before the president began speaking. He made a joke that he's "only 40 now" The president was reading from teleprompters, which had been set up on either side of the podium for all the speakers. The president told a story about the way Trump once described July 4th and then chuckled and crossed himself. The president's voice was strong and raised for his speech and his words were clear, though at a few points he spoke too quickly to understand him. "I am running and going to win again," he said, both hands raised, after mentioning last week's debate. The crowd broke into more chants of "let's go Joe." Some people don't care who you voted for. They're trying to push me out of the race." Then, shouting — "I'm staying in the race" "I wasn't too old to create" new jobs, to beat big pharma "You think I'm too old to beat Donald Trump?" The crown yelled "no." "I can't wait…" said Biden Biden jogged back to the riser after he finished speaking while 'Don't Back Down' played. Pool was ushered out before the president left the stage. He's going next to sit for an interview with George Stephanopoulos. As pool was exiting, but couldn't see Biden, he came back to the mic at 2:50 and said "I won't forget this - God love you" Pool was ushered into an overflow gym with two screens and another crowd of people. Event was streamed — check quotes! From the White House: On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign: President Biden is delivering remarks at a campaign event in Madison, Wisconsin. Pre-Program Program: Participating in a photoline with the President: Governor Tony Evers (WI) |
| July 5, 2024 15:03 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #5 — overflow room President Biden came into the overflow room at 2:57. He stumbled a bit over his words at first "number one, number two," he started. But then spoke clearly. He stood holding a microphone, no podium. "What's your name?" He asked a child. Asked the child's age, and then said "when I was 11 I came up to about your shoulders" "I have to - not have to - I'm about to do an interview with George Stephanopoulos … so I have to head off" His voice was strong and audible. The crowd was enthusiastic and cheered/whistled loudly. The president left the room at 3:01. |
| July 5, 2024 15:23 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #6 — number of attendees (from campaign) On background from a Biden campaign official: over 1,000 attendees were physically present at the rally, including those in the overflow room. Pool is still holding at 3:23 while the president sits for his interview with George Stephanopoulos. |
| July 5, 2024 16:30 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #7 — Rolling Pool didn't see the president enter his SUV. The motorcade pulled away from Sherman Middle School at 4:23 and stopped in the road alongside a small crowd of people holding signs. The motorcade is rolling at 4:27. Outside the school, someone was still holding up a sign that reads "save your legacy. drop out." Other people are holding Biden-Harris signs. On a corner near the school was another crowd and more signs: "I heart you Joe, Bow out" "Pass the torch" "Give it up, Joe" "Pres Biden- serve your country - not your ego… exit now" There were Gaza protestors as well, and several signs. One sign read "no vote for genocide Joe" (Correction to a previous pool report: the song Biden ended his remarks to was 'I won't back down.' Also an additional note that the president did not use a teleprompter for his remarks to the crowd in the overflow room after the rally.) |
| July 5, 2024 16:44 CDT |
Travel Pool Report #8 — airport and answering questions The motorcade stopped in front of Air Force One at Dane County Regional Airport at 4:35. The president stepped out of his car at 4:36 and shook hands with a line of police. As the president walked over to the pool, Karine Jean-Pierre said "what's happening? Oh he's coming over" "I'm completely ruling that out" says Biden — on dropping out of the race "I did it before" — why he's the best candidate to beat Trump. "But that was 4 years ago, Mr. President." "You've been wrong about everything," he responded. Says he's talked to at least 20 members of Congress. Was asked about Sen. Mark Warner wanting him to step aside and said "he's the only one" Says "I'm committing now, absolutely," to debate Trump again. Will send exact quotes when we land. Link to recording: https://otter.ai/u/rE6n-MTL5rlI4Pljb2WmP9_N5ps At 4:45 we are wheels up shortly. |
| July 5, 2024 19:28 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #9 — DANG arrival AF1 touched down at Delaware Air National Guard Base at 7:23 pm. Full quotes from Madison below: Q: Are you going to drop out of the race or are you completely ruling that out? President Biden: "Completely ruling that out" Q: with democracy at risk, why are you the best candidate to beat Trump? "Because I beat him before and I've gotten more done than any president has." Q: That was 4 years ago Mr. President- "You've been wrong about everything so far. You were wrong about 2020. You were wrong about 2022. We were gonna get wiped out — remember the red wave. You were wrong about 2023 when you said all the tough races were gonna… and we won them all too" Q: Have you spoken to members of Congress? "I have" Q: Who? "At least 20" Q: What are they telling you? "They're telling me to stay in the race" Q: On Sen. Warner call for him to step aside: "Mark Warner [inaudible] is the only one considering that" Q: Debating Trump again? "I hope he'll debate me. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't. I'm committing now, absolutely, whether he's in or not." Q: Do you value the thoughts of your own party? "Sure I do. You guys saw the governors. Every one of them in that room, all of those governors said 'stay in the race.' Maura Healy didn't say anything when I was in the room" Q: Changes to campaign staff after debate? "We just added another 120 staffers. We have the most extensive staff operation in the states" Q: Are you pleased with your advisors? "Any mistake made is my fault" Q: Are you confident you can serve another 4 years? "I'm positive" Q: Why not let someone younger take the country forward? (Question included wording about succession plan) "By the way we do have succession plans. What do I need a succession plan for now? And by the way, you know, I mean… anyway. Thank you" Posting a photo of Biden speaking on X. From the White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| July 5, 2024 19:39 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #10 — Rolling President Biden stepped onto the stairs down from AF1 at 7:34 and walked down, holding the railing. Part of the way down he stopped and pointed to something to his right. He descended the stairs the rest of the way, and saluted, shook hands, and spoke with a greeter. Pool shouted some questions. "Will you watch your interview Mr. President?" The president crouched slightly and jokingly looked at the pool, pretending to be ready to jump away. A reporter repeated the question and pool was too far away to hear what the president said, but it looked like he said "yes I will." The president got into an SUV and the motorcade is rolling from DANG at 7:38. |
| July 5, 2024 19:54 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #11 — president's home The motorcade stopped outside the president's home in Wilmington at 7:50pm. Pool did not see the president. On the way, the motorcade passed a handful of protestors with a banner that said "Free Palestine" and signs that said: "You can't repent for a genocide" "Genocide is never justified" "Denounce Israel's war crimes" Confirming from the last pool report: in response to a question about whether he would watch the interview, the president said "I will, yes." |
| July 5, 2024 19:58 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #12 — Lid At 7:56 pm we have a lid. Many, many thanks to my fellow poolers for their help playing back audio and spotting signs along the road, among other things! |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of July 5, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/373952