Pool Reports of November 23, 2023

Out of town pool report #1 / Macy's Thanksgiving parade call

Happy Thanksgiving from a sunny Nantucket. Pool call time is currently 10.15.

In the meantime, passing this on from the White House.

This morning, the President and First Lady called into the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to share a Thanksgiving message with Americans across the country.

Out of town pool report #2 - vacation home/military calls

Pool's bus left from central Nantucket and after sweeping, and a drive along a narrow dirt track, arrived near the vacation home where the Biden family are staying, which belongs to investor David Rubenstein. Currently holding, and pool has not laid eyes on POTUS yet.

Passing this along from the White House:

This morning, the President and the First Lady called units from each branch of our military, stationed around the world, to thank them and their families for their service to the country.

• U.S. Army: 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Grafenwoehr, Germany)
• U.S. Marine Corps: Marine Corps Operations Center (Pentagon)
• U.S. Navy: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) (Newport News, VA)
• U.S. Air Force: 28th Operational Weather Squadron (Shaw AFB, SC)
• U.S. Space Force: 162d Electromagnetic Warfare Combat Detachment (Deployed)
• U.S. Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cutter Healy (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Out of town pool report #3 - rolling

The motorcade is now rolling as of 11.43, back along the bumpy dirt track with sea views, destination unannounced. Pool has still not laid eyes on POTUS

Out of town pool report #4 - fire station

Motorcade pulled up at Nantucket Fire Department at 11.51. POTUS, wearing a navy coat and black baseball cap, and FLOTUS, wearing a tan blazer and brown pants, stepped out of a black SUV. FLOTUS was carrying two pie boxes with purple ribbons, while a man carried three more of the pie boxes. They entered the brick-built fire station without speaking to the pool. They then re-emerged and POTUS inspected a fire engine and talked to a fire fighter, at one point putting a hand on his shoulder. They then answered questions, quotes upcoming.

Out of town pool report #5 - POTUS on hostages, Dutch elections

POTUS briefly answered reporters' shouted questions before getting back in the SUV and motorcade started rolling again.

Any update on Gaza hostages?
"I'm not prepared to give an update until it's done"

Will three year old US girl be among those released initially?
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed"

Comment on Dutch election in which far right politician Geert Wilders won most seats?
"I'm focused on this election"

Any message for US citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan held in Russia?
"We ain't giving up"

Thanks to pool and Co-pooler Emily Goodin with the assist

Out of town pool report #6 - Lid

Just to mention that FLOTUS said 'Happy Thanksgiving' to the pool before the departure from the fire station.

Motorcade arrived back at the vacation home at 12.13 where pool did not catch sight of the President.

White House called a lid at 12.14. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Out of town pool report #7 - Pie flavor

Quick update from WH on the pies that POTUS and FLOTUS brought to Nantucket fire station: they were all pumpkin pies