President-elect Pool Reports of January 16, 2021

Biden pool report #1

Good afternoon from a slightly overcast Saturday in Wilmington. Pool has been covid tested and cleared for departure.

We're headed to meet motorcade and then on to the Queen where Biden will introduce members of his Science team. It'll be live-streamed but I'll update on our whereabouts and any other happenings.

Biden pool report #2: Headed to the Queen

Pool has linked up with motorcade and is headed to the Queen at 1:28.

Biden pool report #3 arrived at the Queen, awaiting remarks

Pool is here at the Queen where Biden is expected to soon introduce his Science team, including Dr. Eric Lander, nominee for Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and presidential science adviser, a Cabinet-level position.

Remarks will be live-streamed here:
https://buildbackbetter.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c306f1270b84f82f1a14dd29&id=a578045bf8&e=8fe2f0ea6f

Biden pool report #4: Biden introduces science team nominees

After some lively chatter and laughing backstage, Biden introduced five nominees (four present in person) as joining one of the "least known" but "most important" offices, the Office of Science and technology policy.

"The people on this stage and departments they represent are the ones asking the most American of questions, 'What next?'" Biden said.

"How can we make the impossible possible?

They're asking these questions as a call to actions to inspire, to help us imagine a future, make it real," he said.

Biden said the team will focus on five areas - the pandemic, the economy, the climate crisis, industry technology advancements and the long term health of science and tech in the country.

Dr. Eric Lander, nominee for Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is also Biden's nominee for presidential science advisor, a position now elevated to the cabinet rank.

Biden also mentioned in his remarks bringing renewable energy to American homes, printing organs in hospital and advances in cancer research, a topic very near to the PEOTUS.

"We're gonna lead with science and truth," he said glancing back at VPEOTUS. "We believe in both."

Full remarks from all the nominees here: https://twitter.com/transition46/status/1350515235518623745?s=21

Biden pool report #5 PEOTUS says hi to supporters as he departs Queen

A few blocks down from the Queen, Biden got out of his SUV and stopped to talk to some supporters gathered on the corner waiting to watch the motorcade go by. We were held on bus so couldn't see/hear but were told he took a few pictures and that folks often gather there to watch him go by. We're headed back to the residence. No word on next stop.

I'll send one more short feed from the Queen too but no news and full remarks are online.

Biden pool report #6 extra stuff from the Queen, no news

Still waiting to hear if there's another stop today.

In the meantime, meant to add from the Queen...Biden returned to the podium after the four nominees and Harris spoke to reiterate how excited he was about the picks. He said they intentionally saved the announcement for last.

"You have more impact on what our children are gonna face than anybody," he said.

He added "I may not be much but I know how to pick em."

Biden left without taking two questions yelled out by pool reporters in the audience. He also didn't take questions on his way out of the Queen.

Harris, in her prepared remarks, spoke about how her mother was a scientist, an endocrinologist, who had two goals "raise her two daughters and end breast cancer."

She also spoke about the importance of a science-focused administration right now.

"The science behind climate change is not a hoax. The science behind the virus is not partisan," she said.

Biden pool report #7 Lunch lid

We have a lunch lid. TTYL.

Biden pool report #8: Church

We got back on the bus and are now at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, where Biden will attend mass. Pool is holding outside while he does.

Biden pool report #9: Left church, lid called

Biden left church about 5pm, spoke briefly to a man who had been standing outside (we couldn't hear, too far away) and then waved to the pool before getting into his SUV.

We returned to his residence where a lid was called for the day.

Have a good night everyone!