Pool Reports of November 14, 2023

In Town Pool Report #1: Checking in

Good morning,

I am your in-town pooler today at the White House. The president has a speech this morning and then will depart for San Francisco.

The president's speech was scheduled for 10:10am but appears delayed as the pool has not yet gathered at the South Court Auditorium.

Full schedule below:

EST

9:30 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press

9:30 AM In-Town Pool Call Time

10:10 AM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on his Administration's historic actions to address the climate crisis
South Court Auditorium
Pre-Credentialed Media & Pooled for TV (Gather 9:40 AM – Stakeout Location) [RSVP Here [whitehouse.us19.list-manage.com]by 7:00 AM]

10:15 AM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time

11:10 AM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews
South Lawn
Open Press (Gather 11:00 AM – Palm Room Doors)

11:30 AM THE PRESIDENT departs Joint Base Andrews en route to San Francisco, California
Joint Base Andrews
Out-of-Town Pool

PST

1:40 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in San Francisco, California
San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California
Open Press

6:45 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT participate in a campaign reception
San Francisco, California
Restricted Out-of-Town Pool

In Town Pool Report #2: Gathered

The press has gathered in the South Court Auditorium for the president's speech on climate, originally scheduled for 10:10am.

The remarks will be streamed live at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

In Town Pool Report #3: Two-minute warning

At 10:33am, the White House announced the president's speech on climate will start in two minutes.

In Town Pool Report #4: Remarks begin

President Biden appeared in the South Court Auditorium at 10:38am to deliver remarks on the climate crisis. He was introduced by a high school student, before beginning his own remarks at 10:40am.

As a reminder, this event is being streamed live at https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

In Town Pool Report #5: Remarks end; Qs on China and Israel + attendees/background

President Biden's ended his remarks, which were streamed online, at 10:52am.

He was asked after his speech about how he would define success for his meeting with Xi. (Please check quotes against the transcript and the video of the event.)

"To get back on a normal course of corresponding," he said, adding that: "We're not trying to decouple from China. What we're trying to do is change the relationship for the better."

He also answered a question about the situation in Israel, and was asked what his message was for the family.

"Hang in there. We're coming."

He did not answer a question about the spending debate in Congress ahead of the government funding deadline.

Before POTUS spoke, he was introduced by: Ritika Shah, award-winner of the first-ever National Climate Assessment Art x Climate competition

Additional attendees and background, from the White House:

In attendance for the President's remarks on the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment and his Administration's historic actions to address the climate crisis:

Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President & Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy

Allison Crimmins, Director of the National Climate Assessment in the Office of Science and Technology Policy

In Town Pool Report #6: Marine One Departure

POTUS emerged from the Oval Office at 11:09am and walked toward Marine One.

He did not stop to take any shouted questions, and was followed aboard by aides (travelers below).

Marine One was wheels up at 11:14am. Handing off to the travel pool.

From the White House:

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

Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Jen O'Malley Dillon, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations

In Town Pool Report #7: AF1 gaggle at 2pmET

Passing this along from the White House:

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby will gaggle aboard Air Force One at 2pm ET.

In Town Pool Report #8: gaggle audio

From the White House:

Here is the full audio from today's Air Force One gaggle with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby: https://youtu.be/GXESQE-0pWU

Travel pool #1 - JBA departure

Greetings from Joint Base Andrews.

Marine One landed at JBA at 11:22 am. POTUS stepped out at 11:25 am.

POTUS boarded AF1 via the lower staircase at 11:26 am. He did not stop to take questions and did not acknowledge shouts about the CR.

Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby will gaggle during the flight and it'll play out on White House Live: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

AF1 is rolling shortly and flight time to San Francisco International Airport is about five hours and 10 minutes.

From the White House:

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 San Francisco International Airport:

Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Jen O'Malley Dillon, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and NSC Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
John McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives, National Security Council
Sarah Beran, Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs
Charlie Fromstein, Director for Visits and Diplomatic Affairs, National Security Council
Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor

POTUS travel pool - San Francisco arrival

AF1 was wheels up JBA at 11:35 am ET and wheels down San Francisco International Airport at 1:16 pm PT (going forward pool reports will be in the local PT time).

Flight was uneventful. Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby gaggled for about 44 minutes on topics including the economy, the CR, the Middle East, tomorrow's meeting with President Xi and the APEC summit in general.

Kirby gave updates on the Middle East and noted Brett McGuirk is en route there to focus on freeing the hostages and how to contain the conflict. And that Treasury issued a third round of sanctions on Hamas.

He said the administration can confirm that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad used some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them "to conceal and to support their military operations and hold hostages."

Kirby: "We do not support striking a hospital from the air. We do not want to see a fire fight in a hospital" but it shows how challenging military operations are for Israel because Hamas has "deeply embedded itself in the civilian population."

He said that information comes "from a variety of intelligence."

He also previewed the Xi meeting and didn't know if the all the leaders at the summit will wear marching shirts for the final photo as has been done in the past at some APEC meetings.

KJP said on the CR that White House in touch with leadership in House and Senate.

On two-tiered CR vote: "We're going to let that process play out … We want to move forward in the best possible way for the American people. …

We're going to let the process happen."

She noted the White House legislative affairs office is talking to Congressional leadership. POTUS will stay in close contact with his team.

As always, please double check against the official transcript.

No other visitors to press cabin during the flight. There was a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline as AF1 descended.

AF1 is taxing to a stop and all on board will be disembarking shortly.

MTK…

POTUS travel pool #3 - airport greeting

POTUS disembarked AF1 at 1:29 pm.

He was wearing his aviators but took them off to greet Gov. Newsom with a handshake. He gave San Francisco Mayor Breed a hug. POTUS and greeters chatted for a few minutes. Pool was too far away to hear.

POTUS got into the Beast at 1:34 pm. He didn't acknowledge a shouted question on the CR.

At 1:36 pm the motorcade is rolling to the RON.

Pool was made aware the Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby gaggle didn't fully play out. White House staff is working on getting audio uploaded and getting a link out.

From the White House:

Greeting the President upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport:

Governor Gavin Newsom (CA)
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom (CA)
Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15)
Mayor London Breed, San Francisco, CA

POTUS travel pool report #4 - RON arrival

Motorcade arrived at the RON at 2:07 pm.

Pool did not lay eyes on POTUS.

As the motorcade left San Francisco International Aiport over 2000 protesters were lining the road - a mix of pro and anti China. Signs included "End CCP" and "Free Hong Kong" and "Warmly Welcome President Xi Jinping." Lots of people waving Chinese flags along with someone waving a Taiwan flag, one waving a Tibetian flag and another waving an Xinjiang flag.

And when the motorcade came off the Highway 101 to come into the downtown area about 50 protesters were present. It was unclear who they were supporting as the signs were in Chinese. One read "ARRU CSSA" and then had many Chinese characters.

Then a few blocks down and for the next mile - hundreds of people lined each side of the street. They were waving Chinese flags and American flags, cheering as the motorcade went by. There appeared to be a few protesters mixed in such as a person holding a sign that read "China has concentration camps." But the clear majority were waving Chinese flags. Dragon dancers were on one block.

POTUS will be at the RON for a few hours before leaving for tonight's evening fundraiser.

Thanks to co-pooler Danny Kemp of AFP for his eagle eyes and flag knowledge. And to VOA's Anita Powell for her spottings.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to San Francisco, California:

Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Jen O'Malley Dillon, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Mayor London Breed, San Francisco, CA
Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and NSC Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
John McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Carlyn Reichel, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Speechwriting & Strategic Initiatives, National Security Council
Sarah Beran, Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs
Charlie Fromstein, Director for Visits and Diplomatic Affairs, National Security Council
Ariana Berengaut, Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor

POTUS travel pool report #5 - departing for fundraiser

At 5:41 pm the motorcade departed the RON for the site of tonight's fundraiser.

Pool did not lay eyes on POTUS.

Drive time is about five minutes.

More tk...

POTUS pool report #6 - Fundraiser arrival

The motorcade arrived at the site of the fundraiser at 5:44 pm. Building is called The Merchant Exchange.

Lots of onlookers lined the street for the very short drive.

Pool did not see POTUS and is headed to a hold.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President and the Vice President are attending a campaign reception in San Francisco, California.

Speaking Program
Clint Reilly
Governor Gavin Newsom (CA)
The Vice President
The President

Mtk...

POTUS travel pool #7 - fundraiser and return to RON

Pool entered the fundraiser at 6:38 pm. POTUS came in at 6:53 pm. He was introduced by Vice President Harris. He spoke about 13 minutes.

Newsy quotes from his remarks at the top - POTUS mentioned his meeting tomorrow with Chinese President Xi and he repeatedly called out Donald Trump by name, comparing Trump's rhetoric to what was heard in Nazi Germany and saying flat out Trump shouldn't be president.

On his meeting with Xi: "President Xi is another example of how reestablishing American leadership in the world is taking hold. They've got real problems, folks."

He cited recent reports in the New York Times that said Trump intends to use "his presidency for revenge and retribution."

"There's a lot of reasons to be against Donald Trump but damn he shouldn't be president."

POTUS then called Trump for his verbal attacks on Nancy and Paul Pelosi. The crowd booed.

"On more than one occasion in recent weeks, he's made a joke about the assaults on Nancy Pelosi's husband. ... there's no place in America for political violence."

"And in just the last few days, Trump has said it returns office he's gonna go after all those who oppose him and wipe out what he called the vermin in America, quote the vermin in America - a specific phrase because it's just a specific meaning. It that goes language you heard Nazi Germany in the 30s. That is even the first time. Trump also recently talked about blood of America has been poisoned. The blood in America has been poisoned. Again, echoes the same phrases used in Nazi Germany."

POTUS started off his remarks by thanking Harris, host Clint Reilly, Gov. Newsom and Mayor Breed.

He then talked about last week's election results - citing the abortion fight in Ohio, Gov. Beshear win in Kentucky, legislative wins in Virginia.

"At the start of last week, everybody was telling us that if Governor Andy Beshear lost, Republicans won the Virginia House and the Senate, the Constitutional right to choose went down in Ohio, if that had occurred it would have been a very bad day for Joe Biden. You remember all that? But here's the funny part. Beshear won, Republicans in Virginia lost the House and Senate, Ohio enshrined in the constitution of the right to choose. Sounds like a pretty good day for Joe Biden."

Here's more of his quotes on Trump.

"Folks this is the Biden Harris agenda. That agenda not only is Trump people are voting for it, winning the elections over and over again. The Press and pundits can keep being surprised as much as they want. But since I came off the sidelines to go toe to toe with Donald Trump, we haven't stopped winning and he hasn't stopped losing."

"You remember Trump told us he was going to win so much we'd get get tired of winning… oh man, I shouldn't get started."

"Let me tell you one thing that's true. We got tired of Trump. The truth is the guy can't get tired of losing."

"That's right," someone in the audience shouted.

POTUS, noting Trump's SCOTUS appointments: "There's an abortion ban in America because of Donald Trump."

When he talked about his economic record, a person in the audience yelled "thank you Joe." There was loud applause as POTUS ran down his usual list of accomplishments - passing climate change and appointing Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

As always please check quotes against transcript.

Fundraiser took place in a ballroom with 25 round tables in it - each seating 10 people. There is a stage set up in the front center of the room with a podium, an American flag and a California flag. The walls and ceiling are wood paneled and there's a large fireplace at one end of the room.

It appears a dinner will be served. Bread rolls and a chocolate dessert are on the table.

Gov. Newsom was working the room, walking around talking to guest. San Francisco Mayor London Breed is here. Jeffrey Katzenberg is also here.

Also - fun note - when the pool was pulled from the ballroom and waiting for an elevator, it opens and there was Vice President Harris and her detail. Pool waited on the next one.

Motorcade was rolling at 7:17 pm. People gathered on the streets yelled "ceasefire" as motorcade went. Motorcade arrived at RON at 7:23 pm.

Huge thanks to AFP's Danny Kemp for help with quotes.

POTUS travel pool #8 - lid

At 7:30 pm we have a travel photo lid.