Vice Presidential Pool Reports of May 14, 2024

VP In-town pool #1

Awaiting the arrival of the VP on Central Park West for a campaign fund-raising reception at the San Remo

The landmark Beaux-Arts style building has counted a long list of celebrities as residents over the years. The list includes Rita Hayworth, Bono, Dustin Hoffman, Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Demi Moore, Steve Jobs, Mary Tyler Moore, Tiger Woods. Madonna was once rejected by the co-op board.

Attendees went through a security sweep in the building's marble and terrazzo lobby, which was decorated with orchids, before riding up to the building's second floor. The elevator doors are bronze.

The event is being putting on by the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fund-raising committee between President Biden and the Democratic National Committee.

Your pooler is holding in a wet bar area, where glasses of Pellegrino sparkling water, orange juice and iced tea are lined up on a tray. Croquettes with smoked salmon and crème fraiche are among the passed hors d'oeuvres.

VP in-town pool #2

VP was introduced by Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America at a fund-raising luncheon at the San Remo on Central Park West.

Your pooler counted about 30 to 40 attendees in a living room, overlooking Central Park. Most of them are women.

The event is being hosted by Raymond McGuire, the finance executive who lost in the 2021 Democratic mayoral primary to Eric Adams, and his wife, Crystal, an author and filmmaker.

Clarification, it is being put on by the Biden Action Fund, according to the campaign. Name tags say Biden Victory Fund

VP In-town pool #3

The VP started speaking at a wooden podium around 11:38 a.m., flanked by a fireplace and rare artwork.

"Let me start with this. We are winning. We are winning," the VP said, speaking over applause. "We are winning and we will win."

The VP began her remarks by seeking to compare the Biden-Harris administration's investment in infrastructure to that of Dwight Eisenhower — "God bless him" — saying that it rivaled what the Republican had done.

The attendees wore name tags and a number of them recorded the VP on their smart phone.

VP in-town pool #4

The VP recalled three of her most recent overseas trips: COP28 in Dubai, the U.K. to discuss artificial intelligence and a security conference in Munich in February.

"In each one of just those last three trips, to a one, world leaders came up to me — we're on first name basis — 'Kamala,' they said, 'hope you guys are going to win."

The VP did NOT mention former President Trump by name during the portion of her remarks that your pooler was allowed to observe — about 14 minutes of speaking time.

"When we as the United States of America walk into these rooms, historically, we have the earned and self-appointed authority to walk into those rooms chin up, shoulders back, talking about the importance of democracy, rule of law."

She continued: "People around the world are watching and hoping and praying America lives up to her promise."

VP in-town pool #5

The VP earlier in the day said she had appeared on "Sherri," the daytime talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd. She said she was accompanied by her niece and goddaughter.

She spoke about how Wanda Kagan, her best friend in high school, was also in the audience.

"When I was in high school, I learned that my best friend, Wanda, was being molested by her stepfather."

At that point in her remarks, the VP turned to the issue of reproductive rights.

"When I talk about the immorality of laws that, for example, would make no exception for rape or incest on the issue of abortion, I am talking about an issue that I'm very familiar with in terms of how it plays out in reality."

She continued: "The idea that some so-called leader would suggest that after someone has survived a violation to their body, they have no right to decide what happens to their body next, it's immoral."

VP in-town pool #6

Organizers of the fundraising lunch did not provide details about the cost to attend or how much it was expected to bring in for the campaign.

The VP next spoke about economic inequities in the country.

"We need to address that if we really want to build an economy that works for everyone," she said.

Ms. Harris then said medical debt was a major driver of economic insecurity.

"We have now said that medical debt cannot be included in your credit score," she said, receiving applause. "This is a game changer."

The VP brought up the Supreme Court on a few occasions during her remarks, which preceded a more informal private discussion after your pooler had to leave to the room.

She noted that May 17 is the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
The VP described Thurgood Marshall, the late Justice, as a mentor whom she never met.

"The idea: democracy, freedom, right, it was about fights for freedom, that the highest court in our land, the court of Thurgood and RBG, we take a constitutional right that had been recognized from the women of America — freedoms."

The VP brought up Florida's six-week abortion ban and said it, along with the state's so-called "don't say gay" law had put freedom under attack.

VP in-town pool #7: clarification

Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, was attending the fundraiser in her personal capacity, per the organization.

According to the Biden-Harris campaign, the VP will record two digital conversations during her trip.

One will feature Franco Noriega, the chef and owner of the Peruvian and Brazilian fusion restaurant Baby Brasa.

The other will feature Jazzy Guerra — a teenage reporter from Brooklyn — of "Jazzy's World TV"

VP Travel Pool #8

* Note: the previous pool reports for the VP's visit to NYC should have said travel pool, not in-town

The VP's motorcade just arrived at NeueHouse Madison Square, a shared members-only working space in New York's Flatiron District where the campaign is holding an early evening fund-raiser to promote its launch of Artists for Biden-Harris.

NYPD put up barricades on both sides of the block, which is between Park and Lexington avenues.

About 100 people are expected to attend the event, according to the campaign.

VP travel pool #9

The VP started speaking around 5:36 p.m. EDT in a 12th-floor studio space at NeueHouse Madison Square.

She entered the space, which has exposed air ducts, brick and concrete, to the song "Freedom" by Jon Batiste.

About 100 people are seated in chairs, sipping drinks. There was a charcuterie spread on a table in the back of the room.

The VP was introduced by Thelma Golden, the director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem.

London Breed, the mayor of San Francisco, is also in attendance.

The campaign did not provide details on how much it is raising from the event or how much it cost to attend.

The reception was intended to promote the creation of Artists for Biden-Harris, a coalition similar to ones organized by the campaign for teachers and health care workers.

VP travel pool #10

The VP opened her remarks by recalling how she aspired to be an artist as a child.

"I mean, I did pen and ink. It was only so good."

She continued:

"The intersection and the relationship between art and movements in our country and around the world is inextricable."

Your pooler was allowed inside the room for the first seven minutes of the VP's remarks.

She did not mention Donald Trump or Republicans directly, but framed the election as a stark choice.

"There is a full-on intent to attack fundamental freedoms and rights in our country," she said.

She said the freedom to "love who we love openly and with pride" was under attack, along with the freedom to not have to live in fear of gun violence and the freedom of women to make decisions about their own bodies.

"In this environment, there has been something that has also caused those especially whose freedoms are being attacked to feel alone. I think that's part of the intent of some of this push to make people feel alone."

She continued: "We're not together. It's you versus me, but not us."

VP travel pool #11

The VP wrapped up the portion of her remarks that was open to your pooler by suggesting that politics had become corrosive.

"I think that there's been this kind of perverse approach in the last several years that suggested the measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you beat down."

She added "the true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up."

"When in fact, then the character of real leaders is the character that causes one to have some level of care and concern about the suffering of other people and then do something about it."

The remainder of the fund-raiser was closed press.

The entire block of E. 25th St. between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue was blocked off with barricades by NYPD and Secret Service.

While the fund-raiser was taking place, members of the shared working space sat with their laptops in a ground-floor lounge and restaurant area.