Pool Reports of November 1, 2023

In-town pool report #1 — Kirby joins briefing

Good Morning,

Passing along from the WH Press Office:

Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons will be joined by NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby for today's press gaggle.

In-town Pool Report 2 — Gathering

11:30am -- Good Morning on this frigid D.C. day pool and press have been called to gather at Palm Room Doors for POTUS' South Lawn departure

In-Town Pool Report 3 - Departure/No Qs/List of travelers

POTUS departed Oval at 11:50am he walked directly to Marine One and beyond a wave did not walk over to press area when reporters called out to him. Marine One was wheels up at 11:56am.

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

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President

In-Town Pool Report 4 — 1:30pm Briefing

From the Press Office...

Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will gaggle aboard Air Force One at 1:30pm ET

Intown Pool Report 5 — Gathering

10:19 pm-- Gathering for M1 arrival

In-town Pool Report 6 — Arrival

Marine One was wheels down at 10:28pm

POTUS walked off at 10:30pm and walked directly into the residence.

A Lid was called at 10:34pm

Good night & stay warm out there!

Out of town pool report #1 - JBA

Hello from a sunny, chilly JBA, I'll be your print pooler for POTUS's trip to Minnesota today.

POTUS stepped off Marine 1 at 1209 wearing a blue blazer, open neck blue shirt and sunglasses. He was greeted by a female air force officer and saluted as he climbed the steps of AF1. He did not answer shouted questions about Gaza evacuations and Democratic presidential contender Dean Phillips. We will be wheels up shortly.

Today's brief schedule is arrival Minneapolis due 1.35pm local time; POTUS tour of Dutch Creek Farms, Northfield from 2.50pm with POTUS remarks from 3.15pm; and finally a campaign reception in Minneapolis at 6.15pm, before returning to DC.

We are due to have a gaggle en route around 1.15pm ET with Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons and NSC's John Kirby. Will be live on https://youtube.com/watch?v=n8dXxqqoHuU

Out of town pool #2 - accompanying POTUS on AF1

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 Minneapolis, Minnesota:

Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
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
John McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Emilie Simons, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary
Rachel Chiu, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff for the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach

Out of town pool report #3

AF1 was wheels down in Minneapolis at 1.26pm local time. POTUS, wearing a blue overcoat, descended the short stairs at 1.39pm followed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, chatted to waiting military officers, then boarded Marine 1. Pool now being loaded onto Ospreys.

Some brief quotes from NSC spokesman John Kirby during the inflight gaggle:

He said Gaza evacuations an "important first step"
Called it a "good step in the right direction. This is a significant breakthrough"
He said a "handful of Americans are expected to depart today"
On permanent settlement of Gazans in Egypt, he said it was "not our policy, not what we're after"
Condemned "chilling comments" by Hamas official on Lebanese TV about multiple October 7 attacks. "That's what's Israel faces"
Also addressed Jordan recalling its ambassador, strikes on the Gaza refugee camp

Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons addressed questions including on initiatives to counter Islamophobia, on Dean Phillips and on Xi-Biden talks

Out of town pool report #4 - Northfield landing zone

At 14.13 Biden disembarked M1 at Northfield landing zone - a windswept field with spots of snow and ice - and hugged local greeters for around a minute before boarding a black SUV.

Previously at Minnesota, Pool's Osprey touched back down at the airport a few minutes after takeoff after around four loud 'pops' were heard and some smoke was seen and smelt in the cabin. Pool then changed Ospreys and continued their journey without incident.

From the WH:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport:

Colonel Samuel J. Kraemer, Commander, 934th Airlift Wing's Operations Group
Chief Master Sergeant Gabriel H. Montoya, Jr. Command Chief Master Sergeant of Air Force Reserve Command's 934th Airlift Wing Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Northfield Landing Zone:

Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
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
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President

Greeting the President upon arrival at Northfield Landing Zone:

Governor Tim Walz (MN)
Gwen Walz, First Lady of Minnesota
Mayor Rhonda Pownell, Northfield, MN

Out of town pool report #5 - Dutch Creek Farm

POTUS entered a barn at Dutch Creek farms where he met the family owners at 2.52pm.

Brad Kluver of Dutch Creek Farms, wearing a plaid shirt told him: 'Our family has been here since 1957…

'We raise soybeans and hogs… We love what we do and it is an exciting experience waking up every morning to work the land'.

'We appreciate some of the work that your administration has begun.'

He said more needed to be done on local markets.

POTUS then spoke. He was inaudible at times.

'The fact is that… there's no reason why farming can't become much much more profitable.'

'This is the backbone of the economy… the opportunities are going to increase'

Pool was led out in the middle of his remarks, your pooler will listen back for fuller quotes.

POTUS and the farm owners stood behind a wooden container with a small blue placard on the side saying 'Investing in Rural America'. A green and yellow tractor with the same sign on the side and several other farm vehicles were also in the barn.

The owners then led POTUS outside on a tour of the farm.

Motorcade had earlier arrived at the farm, which consists of a blue wood panel farmhouse, several outbuildings and silos, and a large red barn. Inside the red barn the stage was set for POTUS remarks later with several green and yellow farm vehicles.

The President is participating in a tour of Dutch Creek Farms as part of his Administration's Investing in Rural America Event Series.

Tour participants:
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Brad Kluver, Dutch Creek Farms
Rob Kluver, Dutch Creek Farms
Rusty Kluver, Dutch Creek Farms
Nancy Kluver, Dutch Creek Farms

Participating in a photoline with the President at Dutch Creek Farms:

Governor Tim Walz (MN)
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Attorney General Keith Ellison (MN)
Mayor Rhonda Pownell, Northfield, MN
President Johnny Johnson, Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council
Chairwoman Cathy Chevers, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Dutch Creek Farms:

Governor Tim Walz (MN)
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
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
John McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Emilie Simons, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary
Rachel Chiu, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff for the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach
Mayor Rhonda Pownell, Northfield, MN

Out of town pool report #6 - remarks on Rafah

POTUS began his remarks in the barn by talking about today's departures of some injured people and foreign nationals from Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

POTUS said 'I want to thank our partners in the region' but said that US was 'working to step up critical humanitarian assistance in Gaza'.

He spoke of 'Palestinian children dying'.

Shortly afterwards a child in the audience began fussing and Biden said: "It's ok, kids are allowed to do that. I don't blame him"

There was applause from the audience of around 100 people for that portion of his remarks on Rafah. He went on to deliver his remarks on rural communities.

He's standing at a podium in front of a US flag, another tractor and farm vehicles, and large red and blue signs saying 'investing in Rural America'.

Speech is being carried live: https://www.youtube.com/live/wVb24EpWeG8?si=7rYZVhjm-uTTDSSA

Out of town pool report #7 - Osprey

Following the earlier pool report about the Osprey, an administration official said that it was an electrical issue that led to some preventative alarms being triggered, including an automatic fire suppressant, which was the pop described originally; and that it wasn't smoke but the fire suppressant discharging.

Out of town pool report #8 -Rolling from farm

POTUS remarks ended at 3.30pm. He then spent at least 15 minutes speaking to and shaking hands with audience members inside the barn before pool was led out to the vans. Motorcade is now rolling to the Northfield landing zone

Out of town pool report #9 - Northfield-Minneapolis

POTUS spent several minutes chatting to the Minnesota governor and other officials as they stood beside Marine 1 at the Northfield Landing Zone before boarding at 15.59.

Marine 1 landed at Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport at 16.20, and POTUS disembarked. The governor gave POTUS a pat on the back before they stepped into the Beast. Motorcade now moving for the fundraiser venue.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport:

Governor Tim Walz (MN)
Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President

Out of town pool report #10 - Holding for campaign event

After an uneventful ride into Minneapolis, motorcade stopped at the Minneapolis Event Center where POTUS is to give remarks to a campaign reception. Lines of police including some on bikes maintained a cordon around the venue. Some singing or chanting could be heard at a distance but it wasn't clear what it was. Pool saw the Beast outside but did not lay eyes on POTUS, and is now holding in a down downstairs room ahead of the event.

Out of town pool report #11 - more Osprey/event attendees

Two things from the WH. Firstly a fuller line on Osprey:

From an admin official:

Due to an electrical issue on one of the helicopters, some preventative alarms were triggered, including an automatic fire suppressant which made the audible noise, and the described smell. Out of an abundance of caution the passengers switched to a new aircraft on standby, but there was no safety issue on the flying aircraft.

And secondly on attendance at event:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President is attending a campaign reception in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Attendees
Governor Tim Walz, (MN)
Mayor Jacob Frey, Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (District 60)
Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (District 34B)
Mayor Melvin Carter, St. Paul, MN
Chairman Keith B. Anderson, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Speaking Program
Ken Martin
Stacey Mills Heins
The President

Out of town pool report #12 - Gaza ceasefire heckler

POTUS addressed the campaign event in a converted brick warehouse-type building to an audience of around 200 people. He entered to whoops and cheers.

As Biden was speaking, an audience member shouted out, saying: "As a rabbi I need you to call for a ceasefire right now."

Biden replied: "I think we need a pause. A pause means give time to get the prisoners out."
He went on: "I'm the guy that convinced Bibi to call for a ceasefire to let the prisoners out. I'm the guy that talked to Sisi to convince him to open the door" (Rafah)

The heckler was escorted out by security singing "ceasefire now". Heckler gave name as Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg to pool. Audience chanted four more years.

Biden went on re Gaza: "I understand the emotion…
"This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis. It's incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well… I supported a two state solution, I have from the very beginning."
"The fact is the matter is that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. A flat out terrorist organisation."

Out of town pool report 13 - remarks end, rolling

POTUS finished his speech just after 6.30pm and pool was immediately rushed to the motorcade, which is now rolling for Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport.

Earlier in the remarks, POTUS said Minnesota had saved his 'emotional sanity' after his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash, as former vice president Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, both Minnesotans, had reached out and helped him continue his political career. "I wouldn't be standing here but for those two men."

Listed achievements including first black female Supreme Court justice, climate change, and added to applause: "Finally I'm going to sign the law reinstating Roe v Wade."

Repeated story about how he wasn't going to run again but the Neo-Nazi riots at Charlottesville, and Trump saying convinced him to run in 2020.

Biden finished by saying: "I just warn you. If I'm re-elected I'm not going to change a whole lot."
Said he wanted to "restore the soul of America"
"The rest of the world is looking to us."

Introducing him earlier, Ken Martin Democratic Farmer Labor party chair, said that "With all that's going on in the world thank god we have got a… experienced steady hand in the White House."

Out of town pool report #14 - AF1 leaving Minnesota

Pool has boarded AF1, we did not set eyes on POTUS. wheels up shortly

From WH:

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

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
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
John McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Emilie Simons, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary
Rachel Chiu, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff for the Office of Political Strategy & Outreach

Out of town pool report #15 - wheels down JBA

AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 9.59pm. POTUS disembarked, saluted greeter, and headed for M1 without speaking to the pool. M1 was wheels up at 10.18pm.

Anita Dunn, senior advisor to the president, and NSC's John Kirby came back to the AF1 press cabin to give an off record briefing during the flight.

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
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anita Dunn, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President

With that I hand you to the in-town pool. Many thanks to pool and especially co-pooler Geoff Earle for helping rookie pooler.