Vice Presidential Pool Reports of June 8, 2024

VP travel report #1 - JBA departure

Hello from Joint Base Andrews, where it's a beautiful, sunny day.

Vice President Kamala Harris arrived just after 12:50 p.m. and boarded Air Force 2 at 1 p.m.

Before boarding, she greeted a couple of military members who are moving on to their next base assignment. She also shook hands and chatted with their partners and children. Two of the boys appeared to be fresh off their soccer games. They were still in their bright green jerseys, shin guards, and fleets.

FPPO: We are headed to Detroit and will then be driving to Ann Arbor for a political event. She is later expected back in Detroit to speak at the MI State Dem Party dinner.

Estimated wheels up is 1:10 p.m.

VP travel report #2 - Detroit arrival + greeters

Hello again — we've arrived in Detroit.

Wheels down was approx. 2:25 p.m. Flight was smooth and brisk.

The VP was greeted by Girl Scouts troupes clad in white T-shirts and their sashes. Spotted were Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. They cheered and waved as Harris descended from the stairs.

Tarmac greeters, per staff, were Senator Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Shri Thanedar, MI Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, MI AG Dana Nessel, Mayor Christopher Taylor (Ann Arbor), and Deputy County Exec Assad Turfe.

We departed Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport at about 2:50 p.m.

We're now en route to Ann Arbor.

VP travel report #3 — Ann Arbor arrival + first event details

We arrived in Ann Arbor just before 3:30 p.m. for the first event at an elegant, Tudor-style home in a leafy neighborhood. Guests are mingling outside among cocktail tables.

The VP is expected to be introduced in a few minutes.

On background from a Biden-Harris campaign official:

Vice President Harris is attending a Biden Victory Fund event hosted by Ashley and Jon Oberheide with special guest award-winning actress and author Octavia Spencer.

VP travel report #4 — excerpts for tonight's MI Dem dinner

Here are excerpts from Harris' prepared speech for the MI Dem Party dinner today, per staff:

"Donald Trump openly tried to overturn the last election. And now, he openly attacks the foundations of our justice system.

"Following his conviction in New York last month, Trump has been claiming the whole trial was rigged. That's false.

"Just look at the facts. Over the course of 6 weeks, a jury of 12 Americans reviewed the evidence. His defense attorney actively participated in selecting that jury. And actively made decisions about which witnesses to call and cross examine. And the jury came back with a unanimous decision. Guilty on 34 counts.

"You know why he complains? Beause the reality is, cheaters don't like getting caught.

"And since the verdict, he attacks the judge and the witnesses. He suggests the case could be a "breaking point" for his supporters, hinting at violence. He spreads lies that our Administration is controlling this case when everyone knows it was a state prosecution. And he says that he will use a second term for revenge.

"Simply put, Donald Trump thinks he is above the law. This should be disqualifying for anyone who wants to be President of the United States."

VP travel report #5 — dispatch from Ann Arbor fundraiser

Octavia Spencer introduced Vice President Kamala Harris, promoting the Biden administration's efforts to create jobs and revive a pandemic-battered economy, tackle infrastructure and boost Black wealth and businesses.

She also commended its efforts to diversify the ranks of government, spurring cheers and applause from the audience at the mention of the appointment of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. "Judges matter," Spencer said. "Why? They have the power to uphold basic rights. or to roll them back — I'm going to say that again. They matter because they have the power to uphold basic rights or to roll them back."

Spencer went on to say that the democracy, freedom and the planet "are under threat by Donald Trump and his extreme MAGA Republicans."

"Let us not forget that Trump took aim at our most personal freedoms, when he appointed the justices who overturned Roe v Wade," she said. "He demands credit, so let's give it to him," she added to laughs. "He gets the credit for the abortion bans and restrictions in 14 states that are putting women's lives at risk. Some so draconian, they make no exceptions for health, rape, or incest. Let's give him the credit."
Harris delivered her usual remarks calling on the audience to protect democracy and freedom in November. She spoke to 120 attendees gathered outdoors under a white tent.

Some quotes:

"So in the midterms, you remember how all the pundits would talk about, 'Oh, there's gonna be a red wave, there's gonna be a red wave,'" she said. "And then what do we see — a red drip."

"And I think what some of these extremists don't fully understand, is that we as Americans, we really do fundamentally believe in the promise of America. We haven't fully achieved it yet. We're clear eyed about that. But we do believe in the promise of America.

"I am empirical evidence of the promise of America.Harris drew some laughs when she said her husband compared the list of Biden administration accomplishments to a CVS receipt:
"Now I'm not going to go through the list of accomplishments because… my husband Doug has said to me recently, he was like, 'Honey, here's part of the problem.' He said, 'part of the problem is, you see the list of accomplishments — it's like a CVS receipt. It just keeps going and going and going. You got to narrow that stuff down.'"

"Whereas there are so many issues that confront us domestically and globally that are nuanced and complex. In November, it's binary. Binary."

VP travel report #6 — unannounced stop at Ypsilanti book store

On our way back to Detroit, Octavia Spencer and the VP dropped by the Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center in an unannounced stop. Crowds quickly gathered outside in excitement.

The owner, Carlos Franklin, told the women a little bit about the little shop, which he said had been on the same block for about 11 years. The two browsed around the shop before making their purchases. Your pool reporter was escorted out before she could see what was bought.

On background from a Biden-Harris campaign official:

The Vice President is visiting Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center, a Black-owned small business in Ypsilanti, MI dedicated to African American literature.

We departed the store at about 5:05 p.m. and are en route back to Detroit.

VP travel report #7 — Harris addresses Gaza, Trump at MI Dem dinner

The VP opened her remarks at the Michigan Democratic Party dinner in downtown Michigan with a few words on the rescue of the four hostages from Gaza:

"Before I begin, I just say a few words about the morning which I know weighs heavily on all of our hearts," she said."On October seventh, Hamas committed a brutal massacre of 1,200 innocent people and abducted 250 hostages" "Thankfully four of those hostages were reunited with their families tonight. And we mourn all of the innocent lives that have been lost in Gaza, including those tragically killed today."

As Harris attempted to describe the Biden administration's months-long efforts to negotiate a cease-fire deal, a female protester stood up and shouted at her (the words were indiscernible to your pooler) and was quickly removed from the ballroom.

Harris' response was stern. She said she valued the person's opinion. "I value and respect your voice, but I'm speaking right now," she said. Harris then continued to describe the work on the deal.

"We have been working every day to bring an end to this conflict in a way that ensures Israel is secure, brings home all hostages, ends ongoing suffering for Palestinian people and ensures that Palestinians can enjoy their right to self determination, dignity and freedom.

"As President Biden said last week, it is time for this war to end."

The rest of her speech were in line with the excerpts of her released remarks.

Otter file is here.

Octavia Spencer and Senator Debbie Stabenow, also gave introductory remarks. Stabenow, who introduced Harris, called Trump the "most dangerous, craziest convicted felon" to ever run for president of the United States.

We arrived in Huntington Place Detroit around 5:40 p.m.

VP travel report #8 — Detroit departure

Smooth ride back to DTW.

VP boarded Air Force 2 at about 7:45 p.m.

Wheels up was approx. 7:50 p.m.