Pool Reports of November 8, 2023

In-town pool report #1

A lunch lid has been called until 12:55 p.m.

In-town pool report #2 - briefing at 1:15 pm

Today's White House press briefing will begin at 1:15 p.m.

in-town pool report #3 - two minutes now

Two minute warning for the briefing was issued at 1:07 p.m.

In-town pool report #4 - VP to sticks

Pool just walked out of the briefing room because we've learned that VP is coming to the sticks shortly.

In-town pool report #5 - VP comments on election

The VP emerged at 2:08 pm, and she came to the stakeout position outside the West Wing and responded to a question about the election results. She departed at 2:10 pm.

It did not initially appear that she was going to walk in our direction.

Otter is linked below:

https://otter.ai/u/A_5kZj3yoaut2f11sPHsOVlldAU

In-town pool report #6 - more on the VP comments

Following up on that last report, the VP spoke briefly to a quickly-assembled pool and did not respond to further questions. Check quotes against transcripts, please.

"The American people have made clear ... their stand for freedom and for the individual freedoms and the promise of freedom in America, and by extension it was a good night for democracy," VP said.

"I think that if you look at from the midterms to last night, from California to Kansas, Ohio to Virginia, the voters said, look, the government should not be telling women what to do with their bodies. I think voters have been clear, regardless of whether they're in a so-called red or blue state that one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling women what to do with their bodies."

"The President and I obviously have a lot of work to do to earn our reelection, but I'm confident we will win," the VP said.

Meanwhile, back inside the briefing room, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said "I was not aware" regarding the fact that the VP was speaking just outside.

In-town pool report #7 - lunch lid

A lunch lid has been called until 4 pm.

In-town pool report #8 - POTUS attended meeting re: college football

ESPN anchor Kevin Negandhi came to the sticks shortly before 4 pm to discuss a meeting that included POTUS and a number of senior administration officials and former college football players (including Andrew Luck) about safety standards and athlete compensation.

Here's an otter link for the Negandhi stakeout appearance:

https://otter.ai/u/sQq2ObP6jLhrQIXIZmtArlS7_5Y?utm_source=copy_url

Earlier guidance I received did not reference POTUS as a participant in this meeting. That is shared below:

On background from a White House Official:

On Wednesday, White House officials will meet former college football players and advocates to discuss why college football players - and all student-athletes - deserve consistent safety standards, to have voice, and to benefit from the revenue they produce. The student-athletes who play college football work hard on behalf of their schools, their communities, and their families and President Biden believes all workers should be treated fairly and college athletes should be too. All college athletes deserve consistent safety standards, to have voice, and to benefit from the revenue they produce.

White House officials attending the meeting include National Economic Council Director, Lael Brainard and Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement Director, Steve Benjamin.

Participants:

1. Andrew Luck – Former Stanford quarterback, #1 National Football League (NFL) draft pick, and Indianapolis Colts quarterback
2. Rod Gilmore – ESPN college football analyst, former Stanford University defensive back, and legal scholar
3. Keith Marshall – Former University of Georgia running back, and Co-Founder/CEO of the Players' Lounge
4. Jordan Meachum – College Football Players Association representative and former running back at Sacred Heart University and South Dakota State University
5. Kevin Negandhi – ESPN SportsCenterAnchor
6. Desmond Howard – 1991 Heisman Trophy winner, former University of Michigan wide receiver, Super Bowl XXXI Most Valuable Player with the Green Bay Packers, and host of ESPN College Gameday
7. Ryan Clark – Former Louisiana State University (LSU) safety and Super Bowl XLIII champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In-town pool report #9

The White House sends this along regarding that college football meeting:

President Biden dropped by a meeting with former college football players and advocates to hear about why college football players - and all student-athletes - deserve consistent safety standards, to have voice, and to benefit from the revenue they produce.

In-town pool report #10 - lid

White House called a travel/photo lid at 5:47 pm.

Have a good evening.

In-town pool report #11 - meeting with senators

The White House passes along this about a POTUS meeting with a bipartisan group of senators:

The President met with Senators who recently traveled to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt about their trip and the situation in Israel and Gaza. The meeting included Senators Graham and Cardin, who led the CODEL, as well as Senators Blumenthal, Booker, Britt, Collins, Coons, Reed, and Sullivan.