Pool Reports of October 14, 2023

In-Town Pool Report #1 --- Checking in

Greetings from the White House on this rainy, fall Saturday in Washington. I will be your pooler.

The call time has already been pushed back from noon until 4:45, so we don't expect to see or hear from POTUS until then. I'll let you know if that changes.

Here is POTUS schedule for Today

5:35 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to the Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
North Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool (Gather 5:20 PM – Stakeout Location)

6:30 PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY deliver remarks at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner
Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
In-Town Travel Pool

7:50 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House
North Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool

In-Town Pool Report #2 — Gathering

The pool has gathered at the stakeout location ahead of POTUS departure.

In-Town Pool Report #3 — Rolling

The motorcade began rolling at 6:00 pm on our way to the Walter E Washington Convention Center, where POTUS will give remarks before the Human Rights Campaign national dinner.

Your pooler has not laid eyes on POTUS.

POTUS remarks will be live-streamed at

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

In-Town Pool Report #4 — Travelers

Per WH, here's who is traveling with POTUS

Traveling with the President and the First Lady by motorcade en route the Walter E. Washington Convention Center:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Neera Tanden, Assistant to the President & Domestic Policy Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Alex Haskell, Special Assistant to the President & Chief of Staff for the Office of Legislative Affairs
Vanessa Valdivia, Special Assistant to the President & Press Secretary for the First Lady
Megan Rooney, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Speechwriter

In-Town Pool Report #5 — Arrival

The motorcade arrived at the convention center at 6:06 after a very short drive.

Your pooler still has not laid eyes on POTUS

In-Town Pool Report #6 -- Photo Line

Per White House

Participating in a photoline with the President and the First Lady:

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign

In-Town Pool Report #7 -- Speaking Program / 2 Minute Warning

Two Minute warning to remarks -- Also

In attendance for the President and the First Lady's remarks at the 2023 Human Rights Campaign National Dinner :

Elected officials, Human Rights Campaign staff, supporters, community activists, advocates, and members of the Biden-Harris Administration

Pre-Program

Video presentation from the Human Rights Campaign

Speaking Program

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign
The First Lady
The President

In Town Pool Report #8 -- POTUS Remarks begin

POTUS began his remarks at 6:43 and received a thunderous ovation.

He was introduced by FLOTUS, who spoke for about three minutes. A chant of "Four More Years!" broke out for a good minute or two before FLOTUS began speaking.

"We can certainly say we feel the love from you," FLOTUS said.

FLOTUS recalled a time when members of the LGBTQ were "outed as a political weapon."

"Tonight we can celebrate without fear or shame," she said.

"Joe and I stand firmly and proudly with you in these fights for every step of the way."

Just a quick reminder you can watch this all on the White House live stream

In-Town Pool Report #9 -- Interruption

An attendee interrupted the president's remarks by repeating shouting over his remarks,

"Let Gaza live, ceasefire now." The woman repeated the chant over POTUS remarks.

He stopped to acknowledge her remarks, but said he could not hear what she was saying.

"Whatever you are saying, I can't hear you," POTUS said.

Protester was quickly drowned by chants of "Four more years!"

In-Town Pool Report -#10 Remarks

POTUS wrapped up his remarks at 7:01.

"We are seeing the worst massacre of Jewish people since the holocaust. We're seeing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

POTUS said most people living in Gaza are "innocent Palestinian families, who want nothing to do with Hamas."

Some brief remarks from POTUS

"You are the beacon of light around the world -- not a joke. Wherever I am, the LGBTQ community comes up and says, 'can you help?'"

"You are giving people so much hope," he said. "How do you live without hope?"

"Thank you for changing lives around the world. You're doing it. You really are."

"Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your hope. Thank you for your pride. Thank you for defending the equal rights and dignity of all people."

POTUS talked about a letter he received from the parent of a transgender child who said they feel like a "refugee inside the nation."

POTUS also told the story about witnessing two men kiss while driving in Delaware as a teenager with his dad.

POTUS said he's "not going to stand by" while laws target transgender Americans.

He also renewed his call for abandoning assault weapons.

In-Town Pool Report #11 — Departure

The motorcade departed the convention center at 7:10 pm. We are rolling back to the White House.

The pool did not see POTUS exit the building

In-Town Pool Report #12 — Arrival at undisclosed location

The motorcade has arrived at 7:22 at an undisclosed location. We are in Woodley Park neighborhood. We didn't not return to White House as initially indicated.

In-Town Pool Report #13 - Italian American dinner

The pool is at the 48th annual Italian American gala dinner though it's unclear if we are at a hotel or restaurant.

This was an unscheduled stop that the pool was not told about. Your pooler is trying to get more information about the sudden diversion from plans.

In-Town Pool Report #14 — FLOTUS speaks

FLOTUS began her remarks at 7:31 at the National Italian American Foundation annual dinner.

Still working to get more details about the event.

No sign of POTUS. He is not sitting at the table where FLOTUS is giving her remarks.

In-Town Pool Report #15 — event details

Per White House

The President is joining the First Lady at the National Italian American Foundation's 48th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.

Still no sign of POTUS at this event.

In-Town Pool Report #16 — POTUS takes stage

POTUS took the stage at 7:39 after being introduced by FLOTUS.

He spoke for a minute or less

POTUS talked about growing up in Claymont, DE and his neighborhood had a large Italian community.

"If your name didn't end in "O" you had a problem.

He talked about his pride winning being the first non-Italian to win the Sons of Italy award.

In-Town Pool Report #17 - Rolling

The motorcade is rolling at 7:50.

It is not clear if we are rolling back to White House or another OTR location.

Your pooler did not see POTUS and FLOTUS exit the event.

In Town Pool Report 18 — Arrival at White House

The motorcade returned to the White House at 8:03. Your pooler did not see POTUS or FLOTUS exit the motorcade or enter White House

In-Town Pool Report #19 -- Lid

At 8:11 -- we have a lid!!!

Enjoy your evening everyone. It was a pleasure being your pooler.