Pool Reports of November 24, 2023

Out of town pool report #1 - call time pushed until noon

Happy day after Thanksgiving from Nantucket where it is a cool but sunny morning of 45 degrees.

Pool's call time has been pushed from 10 am to noon. Stay tuned for updates.

Out of town pool report #2 - call time now 10:45 am

Pool's call time has been moved to 10:45 am. We are gathering for sweeps.

Out of town pool report #3 - POTUS briefed on hostage situation

From the White House:

The President was briefed multiple times this morning by his national security team on the latest developments regarding the release of hostages from Gaza.

Pool is currently holding on a side road near the POTUS stay on Nantucket.

Out of town pool report #4 - motorcade rolling

At 1:51pm the motorcade is rolling from POTUS' Nantucket stay.

Pool has not laid eyes on POTUS.

In case you haven't seen the updated guidance for today it's below and note POTUS remarks will air on WH Live: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Update:

In the afternoon, the President will deliver remarks on the release of hostages from Gaza. These remarks in Nantucket, Massachusetts will be covered by the out-of-town pool.

EST

1:45 PM THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on the release of hostages from Gaza
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Out-of-Town Pool

Out of town pool report #5 - arrival for remarks

At 2:06 pm the motorcade arrived at White Elephant Nantucket where POTUS will make his remarks.

Ride was uneventful. Several onlookers along the route filmed and photographed the motorcade.

Pool moving to location of remarks. Still haven't seen POTUS.

Pooler will endeavor to give a two minute warning.

Out of town pool report #6 - two minute warning

At 2:13 pm we have a two minute warning.

Remarks are in a small conference room. A podium with the American flag and one with the seal of the president behind it is set up. Next to it is a table with a glass of water.

Reminder POTUS remarks are on WH Live:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Out of town pool report #7 - remarks

POTUS began speaking at 2:16 pm.

FLOTUS walked into the room with POTUS and stood to the side of the room during his remarks.

After his remarks he took questions on when the Americans will be released, what the chances are that this cease fire would be extended longer and if he trusts Hamas.

He wrapped up at 2:26 pm.

As he walked away from podium, POTUS said: "Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope you enjoy it."

Out of town pool report #8 - POTUS walking

POTUS is walking on the sidewalks of Nantucket with FLOTUS at 2:36 pm. The two walked out of the White Elephant surrounded by aides and agents.

POTUS waved as they headed off down the sidewalk.

The presidential SUV and support cars are moving with them. POTUS and FLOTUS are on one side of the street with the press pool across from them on the other sidewalk.

POTUS has stopped to chat with a few people as we walk. It is hard to hear what he's saying.

More tk..

Out of town pool report #9 - protesters

As POTUS and FLOTUS walked up Broad Street there were large groups of people gathered. Some protesters - maybe a handful - yelled "Free Palestine" and "Ceasefire."

Many other people were cheering.

At 2:42 pm they walked into the restaurant Brotherhood of the Thieves.

Pool is holding outside.

Out of town pool report #10 - POTUS in bookstore

The grandkids began to trickle out of the restaurant and into Nantucket Bookworks around 3:35 pm - Maisy, Naomi, Baby Beau and Little Hunt were first inside. About five minutes later FLOTUS and Ashley Biden walked in.

Asking if she was having a good time, FLOTUS said: "We're having a great time thank you."

At 3:48 pm POTUS came out of the Brotherhood of Thieves and walked toward the bookstore. It is about two doors down from the restaurant.

He was heard telling some one that he and the family had a "late lunch."

Asked if he was going to do some Christmas shopping, POTUS said: "Yes. Can't come without going to the bookstore. We've got a tradition."

More tk ...

Out of town pool report #11 - shopping

At 4:08 pm POTUS walked out of Nantucket Books, arm and arm with Finnegan. He was carrying a book: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson. Naomi was beside him.

He walked into Craftmasters of Nantucket at 4:12 pm and out at 4:19 pm. Jill Biden has joined the posse of Bidens walking in and out of shops.

POTUS paused at various shops to wave to people standing in the windows. Crowds are all all over the sidewalks waving and shouting "Happy Birthday" and "Mr. President." He is waving back and has shouted "Happy Thanksgiving."

At 4:22 pm he walked into the Jewelers' Gallery. Hunter, Melissa and Baby Beau sat on a bench outside. He came out at 4:25 pm.

A group of kids had been waiting at a upstairs window in the building next to the jewelry store but an agent told them to close it. They came downstairs however and POTUS stopped to chat with them. They asked for a photo with POTUS. Hunter took it.

In the about 20 minutes POTUS walked about six blocks and made his way to the town square at 4:30 pm. The agents cleared the sidewalk before him, the presidential SUV trailed him and the pool was on the opposite sidewalk, weaving its way through civilians who were waving and taking pics of POTUS with their cell phones.

During POTUS jaunt, Melissa Cohen walked behind POTUS as did Hunter. Ashley Biden wore a headband with some kind of ears or decoration. Her husband Howard was carrying Baby Beau. Peter Neal is also walking in the group.

POTUS and Bidens are now at town square for the annual tree lighting. A choir is singing traditional carols.

More tk…

Out of town pool report #12 - tree lighting/more protesters

At 4:35 pm the town Christmas Tree was lit.

The town crier led the countdown. Everyone clapped including all the Bidens.

POTUS was behind a metal traffic barrier to the right side of the tree. Going from his left was Little Hunt, Finnegan, Maisy holding Baby Beau so he could sit on the barrier, Jill, Natalie, Naomi and Peter.

The main crowd was in front of the tree, behind metal barriers.

As the ceremony came to a close, fewer than 10 protesters at the front of that crowd unveiled "free Palestine" and "end apartheid" signs. They were directly to POTUS' left and in his sight line.

They yelled repeatedly: "Biden Biden you can't hide. We charge you with genocide."

A man went up to the microphone by the tree to remind them "this is a community tree lighting" and said while he "respected their right to the first amendment," he asked them to stop.

They did not. But the crowd was cheering and Christmas music was blasted over the loudspeakers, drowning out the protesters. Meanwhile the children's choir rushed over to see POTUS.

At 4:49 pm the motorcade is rolling.

Out of town pool report #13 - Arrival at POTUS stay

At 5:02 pm the motorcade arrived at POTUS stay on Nantucket.

Ride was uneventful.

Pool is holding on a side road.

Out of town pool report #14 - lid

At 6:41 pm we have a travel photo lid.

For the official record, here are all the Bidens spotted out shopping today and at the Christmas Tree lighting: POTUS and FLOTUS; Hunter Biden, Melissa Cohen, and Baby Beau; Naomi and Peter Neal; Ashley Biden and Howard Krein; and Maisy, Finnegan, Natalie and Little Hunt

Many, many thanks to all my co-poolers - print, wire, stills and video - for all their help on this chaotic shopping day.

Out of town pool report #14A - POTUS visited a neighbor

From the White House: POTUS and FLOTUS were visiting a neighboring house on the compound.