Vice Presidential Pool Reports of July 27, 2024

Greetings from Joint Base Andrews. I'm your print pooler for VP Harris's trip today to a fundraiser in Pittsfield, MA.

Passing this along, attributable to a Harris campaign official:

The event will bring in over $1.4m, up from the original goal of $400k, with roughly 800 attendees. It will be the largest event in the Berkshires since former First Lady Michelle Obama visited in 2012.
James Taylor will introduce VP Harris. Other speakers include Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, former Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Richie Neal, and historian Heather Cox Richardson.

Below are the hosts for the event:

• Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick & former Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick
• Former Pittsfield Mayor Evan Dobelle & Kit Dobelle
• Joel & Patty Ellis
• Hon. Sherwood Guernsey
• Jay Kistler & Chris Conklin
• Linda Mason & Roger Brown
• Jeffrey Rothenberg & Sarah Feldman

And here is the VP's weekend schedule from the White House:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2024

WEEKEND GUIDANCE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR
SATURDAY, JULY 27 AND SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2024

Saturday, July 27
At 11:45 AM ET, the Vice President will depart Washington, DC en route to Westfield, MA. This departure from Joint Base Andrews will be pooled press.

At 12:55 PM ET, the Vice President will arrive in Westfield, MA. This arrival at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport will be pooled press.

At 2:25 PM ET, the Vice President will deliver remarks at a political event. These remarks in Pittsfield, MA will be open to an editorial pool.

At 4:40 PM ET, the Vice President will depart Westfield, MA en route to Washington, DC. This departure from Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport will be pooled press.

At 5:50 PM ET, the Vice President will arrive in Washington, DC. This arrival at Joint Base Andrews will be pooled press.

Sunday, July 28
The Vice President will be in Washington, DC and has no public events scheduled.

VP Harris boarded Air Force Two at 11:47 am. She did not stop to answer questions before walking up the staircase.

Before taking off, VP Harris came to the back of the plane to talk off the record with reporters for 6 minutes.

Wheels up shortly

Air Force Two touched down at the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, MA at 1:03 pm. VP Harris walked off the plane at 1:10 pm.
A crowd of about 150 supporters cheered from the edge of the runway when she stepped off the plane. VP Harris rode in the motorcade the short distance to meet the crowd. She worked her way along the barriers, shaking hands and taking selfies for about 15 minutes. Your pooler could not hear what she was saying to people in the crowd.

Motorcade is rolling now for the 55 minute drive to the fundraiser.

On Background From A White House Official:

Upon arrival in Westfield, MA, the Vice President was greeted by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Mayor Michael McCabe.

VP Harris's motorcade arrived Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA at 2:30 pm. A crowd of supporters cheered and waved signs. Signs spotted in the crowd: "Save our country", "Trump is wierd," and "If my cat could vote she would vote for you."

Pool is holding and waiting for the event to begin

The 55 minute drive from Westfield, MA to Pittsfield was uneventful.

As we rolled into Pittsfield, several people waved and took video with their phones one woman on the sidewalk held a hand made cardboard sign that read, "Madam President" with three hearts drawn on the bottom

While driving out of the airport, a few people had their cell phones up and waved as the motocade drove by. Two people held a sign that said "Back the Police" and two other people each held banners that read "Trump 2024."

(Thanks to the eagle eye of fellow press traveler Maeve Reston for pointing out the signs.)

In the crowd greeting Harris at the Westfield airport, your pooler spoke briefly with Torianna Parrish, 34, from Springfield, MA. She found out about the arrival from her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho. Here are some quotes:

Why did you want to be here?

"I wanted to show there's power in numbers. I wanted to show my support."

"We're rooting for her and we want to see her make this country what it needs to be."

How has your opinion about the race changed since Joe Biden dropped out?

"To be very transparent, I was excited. I was excited, especially with him endorsing our vice president. I'm full in support of it. I love it. I'm excited. I think this is going to do the country well."

The seats were filled in the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. VP Harris came on stage at 2:50 pm. She spoke for about 18 minutes

VP Harris came to the microphone after being introduced by James Taylor. There was a standing ovation and loud applause as she entered.

She thanked the performers and politicians who were there. She said she would start off talking about "our incredible President Joe Biden." "In one term, he as already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms."

She then said that her campaign has "earned the support of enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination." Loud applause.

She then described her background as a prosecutor.

"In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say, I know Donald Trump's type."

She described new abortion restrictions in states after Dobbs and said: "What other freedoms could be on the table for the taking?" "It's serious business."

More VP Harris quotes:

"What kind of country do we want to live in? Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law or do we want to live in a country of chaos, fear and hate?"

"We are the underdogs in this race. Level set, ok. We are the underdogs in this race, but this is a people powered campign."

"You may have noticed, Donald Trump has been resorting to some wild lies about my record. And some of what he and his running mate are saying, well, it's just plain wierd. I mean that's the box you put that in."

"You may have seen he just pulled out of our debate. I hope he reconsiders because we have a lot to talk about."
*****

James Taylor introduced VP Harris. He described walking onto the stage the day before with Yo Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax and seeing the sign at the back of the stage that reads "Harris for President". Taylor pointed up at the sign. "We saw this for the first time and were absolutely struck by the moment, what it meant that this is here, it is with us, this is happening."

Taylor: "We lucky few at the Colonial Theatre this afternoon are among the first to officially support this historic candidacy and let us honor the woman and the moment and may our ardent support be the wind in her sails. Our hopes go with her and she stands for us all. It is my privilege, honor and great pleasure to introduce the next President of the United States." Crowd in the theater stood up and cheered and clapped loudly.

The motorcade departed Pittsfield around 3:40 pm.

As the motorcade rolled out of town, many people came out to watch. One woman held a sign that said "Cat ladies for Kamala."
Farther down the road, man in a driveway waved a blue flag that read "Trump 2024."

Next stop: the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport for the return flight to Joint Base Andrews.

VP Harris's motorcade arrived at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport at 4:43 pm. She took a photo with staff in front of Air Force Two before boarding. She did not stop to talk to reporters.

Wheels up for JBA shortly.

Also, a Harris campaign offical pointed out that attorney George Conway, a Trump critic, attended the fundraiser in Pittsfield.

VP Harris's plane landed at Joint Base Andrews at 6:05 pm. She walked off the plane and onto Marine Two at 6:15 pm. Marine Two is taking off now for the short hop to DC.

That's it from me. Brian