Vice Presidential Pool Reports of May 1, 2024

VP Travel Pool Report #1 - JBA

Good morning from a warm and sunny JBA, I'll be your pooler today for Vice President Kamala Harris's trip to Jacksonville, Florida, on the day the state's six-week abortion ban takes effect.

The VP arrived aboard Marine Two, which touched down at 10.49am. She stepped out of the helo four minutes later wearing a light gray suit and and white top. She chatted to a service member while walking to AF2, shook hands with a greeter, waved to the pool but did not come over to talk, and then boarded the steps to the plane.

We are now rolling

VP Travel Report #2 - OTR /Jacksonville arrival

VP Harris came back to the press seats for a short, three-question OTR as the plane was rolling before take off from JBA.

AF2 landed at an equally sunny Jacksonville International Airport at 12.32pm and the VP walked down the steps at 12.44pm.

She was greeted by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, the White House said. The pair spoke for a few minutes - pool could not hear the content of their conversation - before the VP waved to the pool, again without speaking, and climbed into a black SUV.

The motorcade is rolling from the airport as of 12.49pm, along a series of highways. The VP is due to give 'remarks about the fight for reproductive freedom' at 2.45pm but the White House has not yet disclosed the location.

VP Travel Report #3 - Venue / introductory speakers / livestream

The motorcade arrived at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville at 1.07pm.

Pool did not see the VP but was ushered inside the center to a convention room with a stage backed by blue curtains, US and Florida flags, and a large sign saying Reproductive FREEDOM with a Biden Harris campaign logo. There's a podium on the stage. Off to the left around 20 people, mainly women, are on a tiered standing area backed by a large blue sign saying Trust WOMEN. Several dozen audience members are standing in the area in front of the stage. A brass band in purple and white band uniforms with orange plumes was playing (very loudly) as pool entered. They did a couple of numbers then filed out.

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan gave some introductory remarks (the VP was not yet on stage) in which she thanked the VP for coming and for "standing with women in Jacksonville and across the state of Florida" against what she called the "forces of the past."

A few of the mayor's quotes:
"I wish we were celebrating here today. Unfortunately we're not. Today pregnant women in Florida are less safe and less in control of their own health and their own future than they were yesterday.

"May 1st, 2024, will forever make a day we took a giant and dangerous step backwards. But we will not lay down."

"I want to thank the VP for her strong and steady leadership on this issue. She is charging across the country, inspiring the fight for women's rights."

A livestream of VP's remarks will be here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uyfDDCrpTkU?si=wcmW9MpB0FzDLYRr

VP Travel Report #4 - VP remarks imminent

VP Harris is about to begin her remarks on abortion. She is being introduced by Shelly Tien, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist based in Arizona and Florida. Livestream again is here, pool will provide color and highlights

VP Travel Pool Report #5 - Remarks over

VP Harris spoke for around 14 minutes.

Audience members booed after several of her mentions of Donald Trump. She also repeatedly used the phrase 'Trump abortion bans', (as the Biden-Harris campaign had said she would). After the speech she greeted audience members, some of whom took selfies, while the marching band and accompanying dancers struck up again.

A few quick highlights from VP's remarks:

"We all know this is a fight for freedom."

"Across our nation, we witness a full-on assault, state by state, on reproductive freedom. And understand who's to blame. Former President Donald Trump did this." (This was followed by booing)

VP said Donald Trump "handpicked" his three Supreme Court nominees "because he intended them to overrun Roe (v Wade)."

"Now, present day, because of Donald Trump, more than 20 states have abortion bans, more than 20 Trump abortion bans."

" Donald Trump is the architect — and by the way, that is not a fact he hides. In fact he brags about it…

"Just this week in an interview he said states have the right to monitor, pregnant women to enforce these bans, and states have the right to punish pregnant women for seeking out abortion care." (Some audience members shouted 'shame')

"A second Trump term would be even worse"

"And now Trump wants us to believe he will not sign a national ban. Well, I say to you…. enough with the gaslighting. We all know if Donald Trump gets the chance he will sign a national abortion ban."

Pool was then ushered out of the convention center and into the vans, where we are now waiting for the motorcade to move to an as yet announced destination.

VP Travel Pool Report #6 - heading to airport

WH confirms that our next destination is in fact the airport. Motorcade is now rolling

VP Travel Pool Report #7 - leaving Jacksonville

The VP's motorcade arrived at Jacksonville airport and she disembarked from her SUV, before posing for photos with a group of what pooler believes to be local campaign officials. She did not speak to the pool, climbed the steps, waved and entered the plane at 3.54pm.

AF2 is now rolling around half an hour ahead of schedule.

VP Travel Pool Report #8 - Return to JBA

Press had one OTR visitor to the cabin during the flight from Jacksonville — VP's campaign chief of staff Sheila Nix.

AF2 landed just before 5.40pm and VP descended shortly afterwards, waving but not talking to the pool, and making her way to M2.

M2 lifted off at 5.50pm. Thanks for tuning in