Vice Presidential Pool Reports of January 25, 2024

Harris CA Democrats pool report

Here's the pool report for the VP's remarks to the California Democratic Legislative Caucus:

California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, introduced Vice President Kamala Harris at a reception for Democratic lawmakers at the Stanford Mansion in Sacramento.

Atkins said California Democrats are proud of Harris and President Biden's accomplishments. "Their priorities mirror our own," she said.

California Democrats will do everything they can to make sure their leadership continues, Atkins said.

Harris began speaking about 12:56pm. "It's really good to be home," she said.

Protesters demonstrating in favor of a Gaza ceasefire could be heard very quietly in the background.

Harris said she and California Reps. Doris Matsui and Robert Garcia had been looking for an opportunity to get back to Sacramento.

She thanked lawmakers for their leadership, mentioning her time in local and state government.

"I know the work that you do, and I know how committed you are, and I have had the pleasure and the joy and good fortune of working with most of you," Harris said.

"I, maybe with a bit of bravado, will repeat what I think we all say: so goes California goes the nation," she said.

Harris talked about California's presence at the climate conference, COP 28.

She mentioned concern about the November 2024 election, which she said will be "global in its reach."

"The leaders of nations around the world and in particular, our allies, came up to me and the first point they made is, 'I hope you guys are gonna be okay.'"

She called the election a "binary" and asked lawmakers to see it as a split screen. On one side is Trump, who "openly applauds dictators" and has suggested he plans to use the DOJ to take revenge on political enemies.

On the other side is Biden and his accomplishments and "competence, compassion, skill, and performance."

She highlighted everything California is getting from Biden initiatives like the federal infrastructure bill and the CHIPS and Science Act.

"California is gonna get $33 billion out of that infrastructure bill," Harris said.

"Talk to any parent, a mom or a dad trying to push a stroller on those broken sidewalks," she said.

Harris talked about her mother running a lab at UC Berkeley as a breast cancer specialist.

"We take great pride out of the UC and the community colleges for the work that we've done in California," she said.

She also highlighted the Biden administration's effort to negotiate Medicare drug prices for seniors.

Harris CA Democrats pool report 2

Vice President Kamala Harris gave remarks at a campaign event at the home of Angelo Tsakopoulos near Sacramento.

A small group of donors gathered in the sitting room to listen to her remarks. Attendees included Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, UC Davis Chancellor Gary May and Sacramento State President Lake Wood.

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis introduced Harris. Tsakopoulos, a well-known Democratic donor and fundraiser, is Kounalakis's father.

Kounalakis said she and her family had previously hosted former President Bill Clinton when he was in office. It is an honor to host the vice president, she said.

"It is a very serious and scary moment," she said.

"The reality is that a few governments, a few swing states are going to determine the way that we live here in California," Kounalakis said.

She said those assembled are tasked with helping Harris and President Joe Biden organize campaign efforts.

Kounalakis said the last time she and her family horsed Harris was when she was running for president. She praised the vice president's "courage" and the "tirelessness of her leadership."

Harris began her remarks at about 3:18pm. They were substantially similar to the ones she delivered at the Stanford Mansion from the first pool report.

"Everything is at stake in this election, everything," she said.

"This is the most existential of any election."

In addition to repeating many of her previous remarks, she added a few things.

She talked about hosting former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her concerns about democracy in the United States and around the world.

Harris also talked about spending some downtime around Christmas in Los Angeles with her husband, Doug Emhoff.

She said they rested and spent time with friends and family, because "I was really clear what this new year is going to require."

"I am hitting the road full time. I am fully aware what this is going to require."

"It's going to take a lot from all of us. And it is worth it. We love our country."

I'm also including remarks from CA Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, that I didn't put in my first report, as some people were interested in them.

Atkins quotes:

On nationwide priorities mirroring those in CA:

"Whether we're talking about climate, as the Speaker said, advancing racial equity, building back the economy, expanding health care access, on and on and on."

"President Biden and Vice President Harris work tirelessly on behalf of the American public every single day. We are so proud of all that they have accomplished for us in Washington and across the country. Just today a $5 billion infrastructure package."

"And lastly, on a more personal note, again, also mentioned by our Speaker, I want to thank you, Madam Vice President, and on behalf of our Legislative Women's Caucus, all of us, particularly our Women's Caucus, for your continued advocacy for women's reproductive rights."

"Your incredible leadership in Washington, DC reinforces the freedoms we have protected here in California. So we thank you, we will do everything that we can to ensure that you continue to lead that change. So we applaud your leadership. You inspire so many of us each and every day, and we are going to keep moving towards progress."