Vice Presidential Pool Reports of March 11, 2024

VP pool report 1

Hi all,

Hannah Wiley here, Bay Area/North Coast reporter for the LA Times, providing pool coverage of VP Harris’ trip to San Francisco today.

Vice President Harris landed at SFO’s executive terminal from Los Angeles at 1:03 pm local time to a mostly sunny, pleasant day in SF.

She exited AF2 at 1:19 with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and was greeted by warm embraces from SF Mayor London Breed and CA Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, two other prominent California Democratic women who’ve known the VP for years. They all talked for a couple of minutes, but pool wasn’t close enough to hear any specifics.

The VP gave Emhoff a quick kiss and the two got into their own separate motorcade vehicles.

Pool departed in motorcade at 1:25 to travel to the Fairmont Hotel in SF for a campaign luncheon.

Pool arrived at the Fairmont at 1:49 after an easy drive into SF.

The first event of the day was a luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel hosted by Sheldon Kimber, CEO and founder of the clean energy company Intersect Power.

The 30 diners nibbled on some bread rolls and decadent tarts topped with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cream before the event began. Groups of seven or eight sat around four tables in a small gold-adorned fancy dining room.

Kimber gave a short speech at the beginning to introduce VP Harris. He called her "a driving force in the fight against climate change," and said she was "instrumental in the passage of the most significant climate legislation in history."

The VP, wearing a sharp black suit and heels and donning a raspy voice thanks to travel across several states in recent days, then took to the podium for about 13 minutes, using her speech time to paint the Biden-Harris administration's climate policies in contrast with former President Trump's. She also highlighted other political priorities ranging from gun control to reproductive freedoms, voting access and preserving social security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

She thanked the supporters and noted the Bay Area as a sort of launching pad of the green energy movement and fight to combat climate change.

On several occasions, she referenced the "split screen" differentiating Biden/Harris from Trump and the Republican Party's response to climate change and the green energy economy, along with other issues under "full on attack."

"On this subject, and so many others, I will tell you, there is a big, big difference in terms of how we think and approach this issue," Harris said.

She said investing in green energy and other industries to mitigate climate change helps both future generations and the economy, a benefit she and Biden support as opposed to Trump.

Harris also touted the current White House's support of access to the ballot box, protecting reproductive freedoms and gun control.

"I confess, I love Gen Z…I know it's a difficult issue for some. But I do," Harris said to laughter, before pivoting to why these issues are particularly important to the younger generation.

The VP noted that younger Americans have had to live through "climate anxiety," active shooter drills and the removal of certain rights that future generations had before them.

"There is a very real split screen in terms of where we are on so many of these fundamental issues," she said.

"These are very real issues that we are presented with in this election," she said. "This is a moment where it's incumbent on each of us to decide what kind of country do we want to live in."

VP Harris wrapped her speech around 2:40.

Pool departed the room after remarks and returned to the press van.

Motorcade departed the Fairmont at 3:09 pm to the second event.

On Background From The Biden-Harris Campaign:

This afternoon, Vice President Harris spoke at a Biden Victory Fund event at the Fairmont San Francisco. The event was hosted by Sheldon and Adrienne Kimber.

VP pool report 3

Pool arrived at a private residence in Pacific Heights, a swanky neighborhood that counts House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi among its residents, around 3:15.

The second fundraising event was hosted by longtime Democratic donors Robert Mailer Anderson and Nicola Miner.

Pool entered the private home shortly before 4. I am guessing roughly 100 people crowded in the living room and out on the patio to see the VP speak, including Mayor London Breed and the acclaimed Carole King (no, pool was not lucky enough to hear the special performance).

Anderson gave a short speech at the start, reminiscing on first meeting then-DA Harris when she was San Francisco's top prosecutor, noting that she has always fought for reform and progress from the "belly of the beast." He then introduced his friend, the second gentleman.

Emhoff spent a few minutes at the podium. He kicked off his speech saying, "we are going to win this election," to applause and some whoops

"We know what's at stake," he said. "We have a binary election. On one hand, we have Donald Trump, the man who is promising to be a dictator, whose dereliction of duty during the pandemic killed hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans, drove our economy off the cliff, [who] wants to attack and take away every single freedom that we hold dear and that we care about.

"That is not someone who belongs anywhere near the White House ever again," he said.

He then compared his picture of Trump to the Biden-Harris White House, saying the administration got the country through the pandemic, reinvigorated the economy and are "fighting for our freedom at each and every turn."

"We have no choice. We have to win this election," he said, before introducing the VP.

Harris then spoke for 14 minutes, building on what Emhoff said.

"This is literally about our democracy," she said.

"The stakes are high," she said. "As a role model, people watch what you do, to see if it lines up to what you say. So the world is watching this election, not to mention the profound stakes that the American people have in the outcome of this election."

"Ultimately, this election is about each of us deciding: what kind of country do we want to live in? That is ultimately what is at stake," she said.

"And we are going to win," she said to applause.

Harris noted that the Biden administration's accomplishments ranged from forgiving student loan debt for thousands of people, capping insulin costs and investing in the clean energy economy.

"The accomplishments that we have achieved together are making a huge difference in the lives of people," she said. "Our biggest challenge is we just need to remind people who brung it to them. And that's part of what you all are supporting."

Pool was able to depart from the private home at 4:20, so please check in with WH team on when the VP arrived back at the Fairmont.