Pool Reports by Hailey Fuchs, Politico
| Sent: | Reports: |
| March 21, 2024 10:03 CDT |
Travel pool report #1 — motorcade rolling Good morning all from Dallas. Motorcade is rolling from the RON. There were a few dozen protesters outside the hotel this morning. They held signs calling for a ceasefire and an end to the "siege" (in caps) on Gaza and another sign that said: "In November, we will remember," in all capital letters. The motorcade also drove by protesters, as we were leaving the RON. Here is the schedule from the White House: CDT 8:30 AM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time 9:00 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing 9:55 AM THE PRESIDENT departs Dallas, Texas en route Houston, Texas 10:55 AM THE PRESIDENT arrives in Houston, Texas 12:45 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a campaign reception 2:10 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Houston, Texas en route Joint Base Andrews 4:15 PM In-Town Pool Call Time 5:50 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route the White House 6:00 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House |
| March 21, 2024 10:41 CDT |
Travel pool report #2 — DFW departure POTUS boarded AF1 at DFW airport at about 10:24 or 10:25 am local time. AF1 was wheels up at about 10:41 am local time. From the White House: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| March 21, 2024 12:18 CDT |
Travel pool report #3 — Houston area arrival AF1 was wheels down at about 11:53 am local time at Ellington Air Force Base in the Houston area. It is pouring pain. POTUS emerged from AF at about 12:08 pm local time in a black baseball cap. He descended from the staircase and opened a black umbrella. The greeters had come onto the plane and followed POTUS off. Those were the Mayor of Houston John Whitmire and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Someone took the umbrella from POTUS, and POTUS shook a greeter's hand (Whitmire) before entering the car. Motorcade is rolling. |
| March 21, 2024 13:12 CDT |
Travel pool report #4 — campaign reception arrival The pool has arrived at the campaign reception in the Houston area. There are protesters outside shouting "Ceasefire" and "Free free Palestine." |
| March 21, 2024 14:02 CDT |
Travel pool report #5 — fundraiser continued The fundraiser is at the home of attorney James Eddie Williams in the River Oaks neighborhood, a wealthy enclave of Houston. POTUS started speaking around 1:40 pm local time and concluded at around 1:56 pm local time. Will send more details shortly. |
| March 21, 2024 14:34 CDT |
Travel pool report #5a — campaign reception remarks John Eddie Williams briefly introduced the President. POTUS spoke from a raised area in front of the crowd, juxtaposed against two American flags. He began speaking around 1:40 pm local time. He told the crowd to have a seat. He spoke of five national polls — interjecting that the press doesn't talk about it much — that have him ahead. "I like the press, but they don't talk about it much," POTUS said. "Five national polls having us leading since my State of the Union." "I know not everyone's feeling enthusiasm. The other day a defeated man, looking man came up to me and said, Mr. President I'm being crushed by debt, I'm completely wiped out," POTUS joked. "I had to say I'm sorry Donald, I can't help you." "Just a few days ago, he asked the famous question, are you better off today than you were yesterday? Well, Donald, I'm glad you asked that question," Biden said, pointing to March of 2020. He spoke of the economy and world at the beginning of the pandemic. He pointed to Trump's handling of the pandemic and how Trump knew how dangerous the virus was, how he suggested Americans inject bleach. "He must've done it," Biden said, of the bleach line, also suggesting that Trump also exposes himself to UV light, as Trump suggested people do to prevent Covid. "Donald Trump is not President," Biden told the crowd, "I am because of you." He spoke of new jobs created, the unemployment rate, the economy, and cutting the federal deficit. "Does anyone want to go back to 2020?" Biden asked, to which the crowd responded no. "The problem is where he wants to take it now," Biden said, of Trump's vision for America. "I don't think anybody thinks that anymore," Biden said of the belief that his own claim of democracy being at risk was exaggerated. Trump brags about how he's the reason why Roe v. Wade was overturned, Biden said. "He's bringing chaos [at] the American border," said Biden of Trump. "You know this in Texas better than anybody." He pointed to the bipartisan negotiations over a border deal that Trump sought to thwart. "Trump was worried," Biden said of the deal, adding that Trump then got on the phone to convince people to vote against it. "He couldn't stand the thought that we'd get credit for something." "[He] calls the insurrections who are in prison, he calls them patriots," Biden said, also pointing to Trump's "bloodbath" remarks. "I'd love to see Colin take on Cruz, so Ted can join loser Donald Trump," Biden said. "The real question is how old are our ideas," Biden said. "I see a future where we defend democracy, we don't diminish it," Biden said. "Above all, I see a future for all Americans." He said this was a race about values, between "us" and Trump. Biden said his dad used to have an expression that a job's about a lot more than a paycheck. "We have to remember who the hell we are. We're the United States of America," he said. POTUS stopped speaking at around 1:56 pm local time, and music started playing. |
| March 21, 2024 14:32 CDT |
Travel pool report #6 — motorcade rolling Motorcade is rolling from the campaign event. Quotes will be sent soon. |
| March 21, 2024 15:13 CDT |
Travel pool report #7 — Houston area departure It's still raining very heavily. POTUS loaded AF1 at Ellington Airport at about 3:04 pm local time. AF1 was wheels up at about 3:13 pm local time. |
| March 21, 2024 18:41 EDT |
Travel Pool Report #8 — Landing at JBA During the flight, John Kirby came to the back of the plane for a brief OTR. AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 6:23 pm local time. POTUS emerged from the plane at about 6:32 pm, wearing a hat. He saluted an Air Force personnel and they walked together to Marine 1, appearing to chat. POTUS boarded Marine 1 at 6:33 pm. Marine 1 was wheels up at 6:40 pm. From the White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route the South Lawn: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
Pool Reports below by Christopher Kane, Washington Blade
| Sent: | Reports: |
| March 21, 2024 18:41 EDT |
In-town pool report #1: Gather for POTUS's arrival Good evening, We are gathering at the Palm Room Doors for the President's arrival. |
| March 21, 2024 18:57 EDT |
In-town pool report #2: The President was wheels-down on the South Lawn at 6:50 p.m. Walking briskly from Marine 1 and sporting a black baseball cap, Biden did not address questions from reporters, one of whom asked whether we are closer in negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages. |
| March 21, 2024 18:58 EDT |
In-town pool report #3: Lid Good evening, A lid was called at 6:57 p.m. Have a great night, everyone |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of March 21, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/370965