Vice Presidential Pool Reports of August 16, 2024

VP Pool Report #1

Good Morning all,

I'll be your print pooler today as the VP travels to Raleigh, NC for a campaign event. The Harris campaign says she will lay out her agenda to "lower costs for American families."

Marine Two landed at Joint Base Andrews with the VP at 11:34. Harris waved to the press, did not take questions and boarded AF2 at 11:39. We are taking off in the next few minutes.

More info from Harris campaign on her campaign event today:

"Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is announcing several proposals for her first 100 days in office to bring down costs for American families. The steps announced today will cut taxes for the middle class, reduce grocery costs, take on price gouging, lower the costs of owning and renting a home, continue to bring down the costs of prescription drugs, and relieve medical debt for millions of Americans. These bold actions will address some of the sharpest pain points American families are confronting and bolster their financial security.

These proposals are just one part of the Vice President's economic plan, which also includes protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare; bringing together labor, small businesses, and major corporations to invest in America, create jobs, and deliver for Americans; lowering costs of education, child care, and long-term care; empowering workers and their right to come together to bargain for higher wages; creating a stable business environment with consistent and transparent rules; encouraging innovative technologies while protecting consumers; and so much more. Vice President Harris has made clear that building up the middle class will be a defining goal of her presidency. She will deliver for Americans who are demanding a new way forward towards a future that lifts up all Americans so that they can not just get by, but get ahead."

VP Pool Report #2

AF2 departed Joint Base Andrews at 11:56. The VP did a OTR shortly before we departed.

After an uneventful flight we landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport at 12:39. The White House says this is her 8th trip to NC this year.

Harris didn't take questions from the media after getting off the plane at 12:53.

Numerous NC Democrats including Gov. Roy Cooper and NC Attorney General Josh Stein greeted the VP. The greeters stood in a line and the VP spoke with each one. Cooper was the first in line to greet her and they spoke for around a minute. The VP held the baby of Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Nida Allam for a minute or so. Full list of greeters below.

She got into the motorcade at 1:00.

Motorcade is now rolling to campaign event site.

Tarmac Greeters:

• Governor Roy Cooper
• Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12)
• Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)
• Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04)
• Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13)
• Attorney General Josh Stein
• Chair Shinica Thomas, Wake County Board of Commissioners
• Chair Nida Allam, Durham County Board of Commissioners
• Mayor T.J. Cawley, City of Morrisville
• Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, City of Raleigh
• Mayor Leonardo Williams, City of Durham

VP Pool Report #3

After an uneventful ride the motorcade has arrived at the campaign event location at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence which is the name of Wake Tech Community College's automotive training facility. Arrival time was 1:25. We couldn't see VP get out of the motorcade.

More info on location:
>https://www.hendrickcars.com/blog/2022/april/14/wake-tech-opens-hendrick-center-for-automotive-excellence.htm?srsltid=AfmBOoponiqkO3p7dgr3QzGw2vN6ycBRpfKAUZl59B_nKEdte_vS0lcO<

Harris is expected to start speaking at 2:45.

VP Pool Report #4

NC Gov. Roy Cooper speaking on stage now.

"I have that 2008 feeling." Cooper tells crowd. That's the last time NC voted for a Democrat for president.

Live Stream of Harris's speech:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IbhXnF2Jo94

On Behalf of the Harris-Walz Campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks on lowering costs at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, NC.

Pre-program:
Shinica Thomas, Chair, Wake County Board of Commissioners
Attorney General Josh Stein
Governor Roy Cooper

Program:
Mike De Los Santos, Owner of Mike D's BBQ, Introducer

VP Pool Report #5

The VP took the stage at 2:25.

According to the VP's office there is a crowd of around 250 people. Most of them are seated behind Harris with a small crowd in front including NC Gov. Roy Cooper, NC AG Josh Stein and former NC Congressman G.K Butterfield.
Harris says she's been to North Carolina 16 times since being vice president.

VP Pool Report #6

Harris finished speaking at 2:52. Her speech lasted 28 minutes. She shook hands with people in the crowd after her remarks.

As she spoke there were a few campaign signs held up by attendees behind her saying "Opportunity Economy Lowering Your Costs" and "A New Way Forward."

She was interrupted by chants of "New way forward" and "we're not going back" from the crowd during the speech.

Motorcade left at 3:12 and we are heading to an undisclosed location.

A few quotes from her speech:

"New numbers this week alone show that inflation is down under 3%...still we know that many Americans don't yet feel that progress in their daily lives. Costs are still too high....together we will build what I fall a opportunity economy. A opportunity economy."

Price Gouging: "I know most businesses are creating jobs, contributing to our economy and playing by the rules, but some are not. And that's just not right and we need to take action when that's the case."

Otter: https://otter.ai/s/QHBCfSG9Q5WwG7Cfgc4s8g

"As president I will go after the bad actors and I will work to pass the first ever federal ban on price gaging [gouging] on food."

When Harris spoke about her plan for $25,000 down payment assistance for new homeowners she got a standing ovation.

"Two days ago Donald Trump was here in North Carolina. He said he was going to talk about the economy. I think you all watched, you know what I'm about to say, but he offered no serious plan to reduce costs for middle class families, no plan to expand access to housing or health care and that actually for most us was not surprising because we already know his plans."

Rough Otter: https://otter.ai/s/V69CwuHKSW-xDT6Ez_fjBg

VP Pool Report #7

Motorcade arrived at Bayleaf Market in Raleigh at 3:26. It's a small art gallery and artisanal store next to a fire station and across from a gas station.

The VP went inside with Gov. Cooper and his daughter Hilary. They said hello to the store's owner Courtney Pernell and chatted to her about her business.

A limited Pool was inside the store.

I asked Harris what she was buying and she said pickles, barbecue sauce and fig preserves.

Motorcade left at 3:39 and we are headed to airport.

VP Pool Report #8

Motorcade arrived at airport at 4:00.

She waved to the media and didn't come to take questions.

According to the White House: 300 people came through security for her campaign event.

—
AF2 is taking off momentarily.

Video from Harris's stop at Bayleaf Market if needed: https://x.com/reubenjones1/status/1824536205578403916?s=46

Air Force Two landed at 5:04 pm at JBA.

Harris exited AF2, waved to the media, didn't come over for questions and then departed on Marine Two at 5:18.

VP Pool Report #10

From the VP's office:

The Vice President arrived at the Naval Observatory at 5:30 p.m. ET. We have a lid.

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Thanks for following along and have a great weekend!