Pool Reports by Catherine Lucey, The Wall Street Journal
| Sent: | Reports: |
| September 11, 2023 10:01 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #1 Good Morning from Hanoi. The White House sends this: For the third consecutive year, the White House will install a 9/11 Memorial on the North Portico at 6:30am ET on Monday morning (9/11). |
| September 11, 2023 11:39 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #2 President Biden's motorcade left the JW Marriott in Hanoi at 11:37 AM on a sunny humid day. We did not see POTUS enter his vehicle. |
| September 11, 2023 11:54 ICT |
Out of town Pool Report #3 POTUS' motorcade arrived at the Office of the Government of Vietnam at 11:50 AM. The streets were shut down, military lined the streets and crowds of people were out to watch the motorcade. Pool did not see POTUS exit his vehicle. POTUS is first scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. From the WH: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to the Office of the Government: Jen O'Malley Dillon, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| September 11, 2023 12:09 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #4 Pool was ushered into a room at 11:58 am. POTUS and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh were seated in front of their countries' flags. The prime minister was speaking when we went in but we had no translation. Biden spoke so softly it was very hard for pool to hear over the cameras. Biden thanked the prime minister for his comments on 9/11 and said he was going to Alaska to mark the day. He also spoke about strengthening economic security and the semi conductor industry. He also said he was "Looking forward to working with you personally." We were escorted out at 12:03 PM. From the WH: The President is meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. U.S. Manifest Vietnam Manifest |
| September 11, 2023 12:49 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report # 5 Pool was ushered into a large assembly style room at 12:17 PM. POTUS is visiting a roundtable of business leaders and tech CEOs. Biden was seated at the head of a large oval table next to Blinken and the Prime Minister. The delegations and CEOs were lined up on each side and there were several rows of attendees on each side as well. Blinken said they heard great enthusiasm from both sides for investment in Vietnam. "It's a two way street," he said. He said there was "unlimited potential" and cited a "strong commitment to workforce development." The Prime minister stressed cooperation and said "the sky is the limit." He said technology and innovation investment are priorities in the new deal. "We truly wish to receive strong political commitment from the US government including you Mr President, who has had great affection for Vietnam." Biden spoke about a "new stage" in Vietnam and US relations marked by investment and innovation. He cited efforts to strengthen supply chains with investment in the semiconductor industry and said there were new program to invest in Vietnam. "My message today is quite simple. Let's keep it up." He said "We need to help drive our collaboration" and "Need to continue partnerships." He said this shows how far Vietnam and the US has come. "This is only the beginning." "It's about creating a free and open Indo-Pacific for all of us." He also spoke about looking out the window today and reflected on being in college and that he and his friends thought they were coming to Vietnam. He said he learned a lot from Vietnam from John Kerry. Pool was ushered out at 12:35 PM and was taken to the motorcade. At 12:47 we are rolling. From the WH: The President is dropping by a meeting of CEOs with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. U.S. Table T.H. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State Vietnam Table H.E. Pham Minh Chính, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Speaking Program Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
| September 11, 2023 13:02 ICT |
Out of TownPool Report #6 Biden's motorcade arrived at the Presidential Palace at 12:49 PM. Pool did not see POTUs enter. At 12:53 PM we were ushered into a room with gold draperies pool and giant chandeliers. POTUS and President Vo Van Thuong were shaking hands. The president of Vietnam said the agreement opened a new partnership for the two countries. Called it a "momentous occasion." Said it was "opening up a new chapter" Biden talked about stronger cooperation and deeper collaboration on the "challenges that matter most to our our people." He spoke about stronger economic ties. He said it was remarkable "how far and how fast we've come." He said he looked forward to returning the hospitality at APEC. We were escorted out at 12:57 PM. From the WH: The President is meeting with President Võ Văn Thưởng of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. U.S. Manifest Vietnam Manifest |
| September 11, 2023 14:02 ICT |
Out of town pool report #7 Pool was taken into a dining room at 1:26 PM. POTUS is attending a state lunch. The room is crowed with people standing at tables and the US National anthem was being played as we came in. The room has yellow curtains and crystal lights and yellow ribbons on the back of the chairs. US and Vietnamese flags hung were lined up behind the top table where Biden sat with the Vietnamese president. The tables all have signs with floral names like daisy, tulip and lily. The Vietnamese president opened. He spoke about cooperation between the Us and Vietnam. He said the countries have been working together on identifying missing Americans from the Vietnam war. Called the new relationship a model and spoke about building on efforts to grow the relationship. He cited Patrick Leahy and John Kerry for their efforts to improve the relationship. The group then toasted to Biden's health. Biden cited a Vietnamese poet. He said it was an honor to be there. He said it was a day that "may have seemed impossible not that long ago." And spoke about "boundless possibilities ahead. Said this was a "Reminder of the hard work we all did to get here." Said "As we trace this fifty year arc of progress" there was "One common denominator, you, our people." He acknowledged John Kerry. He also spoke about John McCain and said he missed him. "Where there was darkness you all found light" "Testament to how far our countries have come" Biden concluded with one of his go-to references, quoting Seamus Heaney's poem the "Cure at Troy," and the line about when "hope and history rhyme." "Here's to all of us making hope and history rhyme," he said. We were escorted out at 1:41 PM and are holding in the vans. From the WH: The President is participating in a State Luncheon with President Võ Văn Thưởng of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. U.S. Delegation Vietnam Delegation Speaking Program |
| September 11, 2023 14:12 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #8 From the WH. A photo of the lunch menu:
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| September 11, 2023 14:41 ICT |
Out of town Pool Report #9 Biden's motorcade left the Palace at 2:37 PM. We did not see him enter his vehicle |
| September 11, 2023 15:18 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #10 Biden's motorcade arrived at the National Assembly Building at 2:41 PM. We did not see him go in. Pool was ushered into a large hall at 2:47 PM. POTUS is exchanging artifacts with Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue. The two standing on a red carpet were shaking hands in front of a row of American and Vietnamese flags when we got in. They then spoke briefly to each other but pool was too far away to hear. There was then a formal exchange of items and a group photo. Biden did not respond to a shouted Q about a government shut down. We were escorted out at 2:49 PM. At 3:02 PM motorcade was rolling. |
| September 11, 2023 15:18 ICT |
Out of Town Pool Report #11 Biden's motorcade arrived at the John Sidney McCain III Memorial at 3:05 PM. The memorial is a stone structure surrounded by greenery. A wreath of red white and blue flowers was in front of it. Biden walked over at 3:08 PM. Kerry and Blinken were nearby. He touched the wreath and bowed his head. He then shook the hand of the marine and navy officer standing on either side of the memorial. Biden then dropped what looked like a coin and saluted. Asked how he felt he said: "I miss him. He was a good friend" On coming here today: "It was important to me" He did not answer a Q about Russia and North Korea. At 3:10 Pm he walked away. At 3:15 Pm we were rolling. |
| September 11, 2023 16:01 ICT |
Out of town Pool report #12 Motorcade arrived at the airport at 3:52 PM. It is now very overcast and raining heavily. POTUS exited his vehicle at 3:57 PM. A line of military officers and Vietnam officials were there for his departure and a crowd of people cheered from a distance behind a barricade. Wearing a baseball hat, Biden shook some hands. He waved at the people behind the barricade. He boarded AF1 through the lower set of stairs at 3:59 PM and waved again. One note on the McCain memorial visit. From the WH: The President left one of his command coins at the John Sidney McCain III Memorial. We be wheels up shortly for Alaska. From the WH: Greeting the President upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport: Ambassador Marc Knapper, Ambassador of the United States to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: Secretary Antony Blinken, Department of State |
| September 11, 2023 16:08 ICT |
Out of town pool report #13 From the WH: The President and National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ witnessed the exchange of war artifacts at the National Assembly Building in Hanoi. U.S. veterans Matt Keenan and Chuck Searcy returned a diary that was recovered by U.S. forces on the battlefield in 1967 to its author, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thiện, who served in 2nd Company, 56th Air Defense Battalion, 69th Artillery Regiment (aka Bien Hoa Artillery Regiment). Vice Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoàng Xuân Chiến presented Secretary Blinken with related to U.S. service members still missing in action from the Vietnam War. DPAA has already verified the veracity of the ID cards and can quickly research the availability of family members to receive upon return to the United States. Secretary Blinken presented General Chienwith a research report produced by Harvard University under contract for the DoD containing information on 576 fallen Vietnamese soldiers. |
| September 11, 2023 16:12 ICT |
Out of town Pool report #14 AF1 was wheels up at 4:12 PM |
| September 11, 2023 11:26 AKDT |
Out of town Pool Report #15 Air Force One was wheels down at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage Alaska at 11:23 AM local. Uneventful flight. Deputy Communications Director Herbie Ziskend came back briefly OTR. MSNBC was playing on the TVs in the press cabin throughout the flight. Biden is going to deliver remarks to service members and their families to mark the anniversary of 9/11. Those remarks will be carried on White House Live. |
| September 11, 2023 11:44 AKDT |
Out of Town Pool Report #16 POTUS exited AF1 via the lower steps at 11:39 AM. A line of officials was waiting to greet him. POTUS shook their hands and briefly chatted. Pool was too far away to hear. He was followed by Blinken and Kerry. He is going to an event at the nearby hanger at the airport. He got into a car at 11:42 AM to be driven over. |
| September 11, 2023 12:15 AKDT |
Out of Town Pool Report #17 Biden is arriving at the hanger in two minutes. The 9/11 event is in a large airport hangar. Military members are seated in rows on three sides of the stage. A blue stage is set up for Biden and a military band is seated on a nearby stage. A massive American flag hangs on one side and Air Force One and mountains are visible in the background behind the stage. Again Biden's remarks will be on WH live. Compiling several lists from the WH below on the event, a photo line and the arrival: The President is delivering remarks on the anniversary of 9/11. In attendance are service members, first responders, their families, base leadership, members of Congress, state and local officials, community leaders, and union members and leaders. Pre-Program Speaking Program Participating in a photoline with the President at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK) Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK) Traveling with the President via motorcade: Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK) |
| September 11, 2023 12:17 AKDT |
Out of Town Pool Report #18 Biden took the stage at 12:15 PM. |
| September 11, 2023 13:38 AKDT |
Out of Town Pool Report #19 Biden concluded his remarks at 12:39 PM and walked off stage to shake hands and take photos with some military members and their families as the band played songs including God Bless America. Pool was too far away to hear any interactions. Pool was moved to under the wing of AF1 at 1:17 PM. Biden walked back to AF1 - roughly 150 feet - at 1:32 PM with Blinken and others. He got to the plane at 1:35 PM. A line of military officials was next to the plane. Biden shook hands with them. Biden did not appear to respond to a shouted q about a government shutdown. He boarded AF1 at 1:36 PM We will be wheels up shortly |
| September 11, 2023 13:50 AKDT |
Out of Town Pool Report #20 AF1 was wheels up at 1:49 PM. |
| September 11, 2023 23:57 EDT |
Out of town Pool Report #21 Air Force One was wheels down at Andrews Air Force Base at 11:54 PM after an uneventful flight. MSNBC was initially playing on the TVs in the press cabin and then it changed to ESPN ahead of Monday Night Football. NSC Spokesman John Kirby came back to the press cabin OTR. |
| September 12, 2023 00:13 EDT |
Out of town Pool Report #22
POTUS exited Air Force One via the lower steps at 12:04 AM. He had changed into casual clothing and looked like he was wearing jeans but it was hard to tell in the dark. He walked to Marine One and boarded. Marine One was moving at 12:10 AM. Thank you to co-pooler Courtney Subramanian and the rest of the travel pool for their expert backup on a long day. Also thank you to the WHCA for tirelessly advocating for the press on this trip and to the White House aides who repeatedly helped the pool do our jobs in Hanoi. Handing off to in-town pool. Good night. From the WH on the travelers: Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One enroute to Joint Base Andrews: Secretary Antony Blinken, Department of State |
Pool Report below by Tyler Pager, The Washington Post
| Sent: | Reports: |
| September 12, 2023 00:29 EDT |
In-town pool report #1: M1 arrival
Good early morning from the White House. M1 landed on the South Lawn at 12:21 a.m. POTUS, wearing a light blue quarter zip sweater and jeans and holding an iPhone, exited at 12:24. He ignored a shouted question about Kim Jong-Un's meeting with Putin. Lid was called at 12:27 a.m. |
Related Images
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of September 11, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/364890