Vice Presidential Pool Reports of November 1, 2024

VP Travel Pool Report #1 – rolling

Good morning from Las Vegas!

The motorcade is rolling at 7:41. Pool didn't see the vice president get into her SUV.

VP Travel Pool Report #2 – airport

The motorcade stopped at Harry Reid International Airport at 7:45.

The vice president stepped out of her SUV at 7:48 wearing black pants and a long grey coat. She took a photo with advance staff and boarded Air Force 2 at 7:48. She didn't respond to a shouted question about Trump's Liz Cheney comment, though it's not clear if she heard.

We are wheels up for Wisconsin shortly.

VP Travel Pool Report #3 – interview

The plane held on the tarmac for a bit. Wheels up in a moment. It's 8:11.

From the WH:

Prior to departing Las Vegas, Vice President Harris taped a radio interview with Raúl Molinar from "El Bueno La Mala y El Feo," a
syndicated show streamed by Univision radio. The interview will air on Monday morning.

VP Travel Pool Report #4 – landed in WI

AF2 was wheels up at 8:13am PT and landed at Dane County Regional airport at 12:52 CT.

There's a podium waiting for the VP to gaggle shortly.

VP Travel Pool Report #5 - gaggle

Vice President Harris walked down the steps of the plane at 1:36 and walked under the wing to a podium to answer questions for about 9 minutes.

Quotes: (check against transcript, and fuller quotes to come). It was almost impossible to hear. My audio was not clear and will try to send clearer audio soon.

She spoke at the top:

"And who is the last person in America who should be setting healthcare policy for American families" (RFK)

"This must be disqualifying. Anyone who wants to be POTUS who uses that kind of rhetoric — it's clearly disqualifying"

Says Cheney has shown courage

Trump "is increasingly unstable and unhinged"

"I have also thought a lot about what this means in terms of our standing in the world"

"People around the world who are fighting for freedom and opportunity hold us up"

"Just consider who's going to be sitting in the Oval Office on Jan 20"

Trump "or I will be there, working hard on your behalf"

Questions:
- on Liz Cheney
"I've not talked to her since this comment was made. But I know Liz Cheney well enough to know she is tough, she is incredibly courageous"

"We see this kind of rhetoric [is] violent and dangerous"

- question on early voting. What is your assessment?

"I'm seeing that folks are showing up"
"I'm seeing incredible amounts of enthusiasm … from first time voters to folks that are seniors"

- encouraged by women showing up?
"Women, men, folks of every background are showing up"

- on pro-Gaza protestors. Do you think you need to say more about the conflict? Concerned about college vote, MI vote?

"There's no contest in this race" when you look at Democracy

"Donald Trump is talking about using the American military to turn on American citizens"

"I believe in our democracy. Democracies are complicated in a wonderful way"

"I enjoy and benefit from diversity …. That [allows] me to make better decisions."

The VP got into her SUV at 1:46 and the motorcade is rolling at 1:49.

VP Travel Pool Report #6 – quotes and audio

The motorcade is still en route, driving on highways.

Some fuller quotes:

"We are in the closing days of this campaign and Donald Trump and I have been getting our closing arguments to the American people. As you've heard me say many times, my pledge to the American people is to pursue common sense solutions, to listen to those — even those who disagree with me — to listen to experts, and to be a president to all Americans."

"As of last night, just to add more, he has indicated that the person who would be in charge of healthcare for the American people is someone who has routinely promoted junk science and crazy conspiracy theories, who once expressed support for a national abortion ban, and who is the exact last person in America who should be setting healthcare policy for America's family and children"

"Even worse, he has increased his violent rhetoric — Donald Trump has — about political opponents, and in great detail, in great detail suggested rifles should be trained on former Representative Liz Cheney. This must be disqualifying. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States, who uses that kind of violent rhetoric, is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president."

"I've not talked to her since this comment was made, but I will tell you I know Liz Cheney well enough to know that she is tough, she is incredibly courageous, and has shown herself to be a true patriot at a very difficult time in our country."

"I'm seeing an incredible amount of enthusiasm from people of every walk of life, every generation, from our first time voters to folks who are seniors and have a lot at stake on issues like Social Security and Medicare."

"what I am enjoying about this moment most is that in spite of how my opponent spends full time trying to divide the American people, what I am seeing is people coming together under one roof who seemingly have nothing in common and know they have everything in common, and I think that is in the best interest of the strength of our nation."

"I'm very proud to have a significant amount of support from the Arab American community, both because of my position about what we need to do in Gaza and in the region, to end the war and bring the hostages home, and my commitment to a two state solution, but also because within that community, there are many issues that challenge folks and that they want to hear about, including what we're going to do to make housing affordable, what we're going to do to bring down the cost of groceries, what we're going to invest in small businesses"

"there's a real contrast in this race. When you look at who stands for democracy and democratic principles and who does not. Donald Trump is talking about an enemies list. He is talking about using the American military to turn on American citizens. He talks in a way that suggests that there should be retribution and severe consequences just because people disagree with him. My point is very clear. I believe in our democracy. Democracies are complicated in a wonderful way, because we like debate, we accept and receive differences of opinion, and we work them out."

Link to otter (big thanks to Tam Keith):
https://otter.ai/u/sMd6sPUteMgILRXf1KK0fFMoz7U

Passing along about the next event:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at IBEW Local 890 in Janesville, Wisconsin. She is joined by rank and file members of IBEW and other local unions.

Speakers:
-Paul Noble, IBEW International Secretary
-Patricia "Pat" Raes, SEIU WI President
-Peter Barca, Candidate, 1st Congressional District
-Governor Tony Evers
-Senator Tammy Baldwin

Program:
-Garrick Harwick, IBEW member and second generation union member from Janesville, Introducer
-Vice President Harris

VP Pool Report #7 - union hall arrival

After about a 50 minute drive, the motorcade stopped at 2:41 outside an IBEW union hall in Janesville. The ride was uneventful — passed a handful of people filming, and a large Trump sign about 5 mins away. Right near the venue were a couple dozen people holding Trump signs, and fewer holding Harris signs.

Pool was ushered inside at 2:43.

The space is packed — people standing on the floor, and then along an upper level with yellow railings. There are signs reading "Vote" "Labor" and "Made in America."

There's music playing. A lot of people in the crowd are wearing bright green 2024 Harris Walz IBEW shirts.

VP Travel Pool Report #8 – remarks

Harris entered at 2:58, introduced by Garrick Harwick, IBEW member and second generation union member from Janesville, Introducer, while 'Freedom played."

People cheered and clapped, a couple people jumping up and down. A "Kamala" chant briefly got going.

The stage is set up in front of a garage door. There's a blue sign with "Janesville, MI" printed on it many times below the podium. Behind the podium is a large sign reading Labor & Workers for Harris-Walz." there are 11 people, most wearing IBEW Harris Walz shirts, standing on the dais. Video on X. Red, white, and blue lightbulbs spell out "VOTE" on one wall. One woman standing in the upper level held a denim jacket over the railing, showing the back which has an image of Harris on it.

At one point, the crowd chanted "Madam President." Harris laughed, and responded, "not yet, we have 4 days"

At 3:07 Harris is still speaking.

The event is streamed. A couple quotes:

"I am such a huge fan of what you do because it is about the work you do every day"

"Janesville, we have just 4 days left, 4 days left, in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime"

"Hard work is good work, hard work is joyful work, and we will win"

"You may not be a union member, but thank a union member for your five day work week"

VP Travel Pool Report #9 — end of remarks

Harris stopped speaking at 3:19 and 'Freedom' started playing again while Harris shook hands and spoke and posed for photos with the people on the dais. She walked out at 3:21.

More color and quotes:

"We will retool existing factories"
"They are where the people are. And where those people are, they don't want to have to leave" .. "so we will retool those factories, we will hire locally"

Someone behind Harris on the stage is holding a ",la" sign (comma "la")

"We here know: Donald Trump is no friend to labor." … "He joked with a billionaire buddy of his about the mass firing of striking workers"

"He is an existential threat to America's labor movement" (crowd clapped)

"America as we all know is ready to chart a new way forward. We are ready to chart a new generation of leadership for America" (applause)

Crowd chanted "we're not going back"

VP Travel Pool Report #10 — rolling

The motorcade is rolling at 3:24.

At the corner nearby, a crowd of people were standing holding a combination of Trump signs and Harris signs.

One man held two signs reading "Honk for Trump" and "Hear his record"

VP Travel Pool Report #11 — airport

The motorcade stopped at Dane County Regional Airport at 4:15 after an uneventful ride.

The VP stepped out of her SUV at 4:17, waved to the press, and boarded AF2. As she climbed the stairs it looked like she shook something off of her shoe. At the top of the stairs she waved again.

We are wheels up shortly.

VP Travel Pool Report #12 — landed in Green Bay

AF2 took off at 4:32 and landed at Austin Straubel International Airport at 4:56.

The vice president stepped off the plane at 5:07, waved to the press, and got in her SUV at 5:08.

The motorcade is rolling at 5:10.

VP Travel Pool Report #13 — arrival at event

The motorcade stopped outside Little Chute High School at 5:36.

At one point on the highway the motorcade passed a billboard that said several things including "character matters" and "Harris Walz."

Near the event, the motorcade passed dozens of people near the event waving Trump flags and signs and chanting "USA." A little further down were dozens of people smiling and waving. A smaller group of people holding Trump signs stood at the corner closest to the high school.

Pool is headed inside and didn't see VP Harris leave her SUV.

Passing along:
On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a Harris-Walz community event at Little Chute High School in Little Chute, Wisconsin.

Speakers:
-Ben Wikler, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair
-Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive
-Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez

Program:
-Senator Tammy Baldwin
-Jennifer Neary, Oskosh mom, Introducer
-Vice President Harris

VP Travel Pool Report #14 — remarks begin

Vice President Harris walked onstage at 5:57, introduced by Jennifer Neary. She hugged Ms. Neary, and the crowd started chanting "Kamala, Kamala, Kamala."

Before VP Harris spoke, Sen. Tammy Baldwin spoke to open the event"
"We are THE battleground state in this election"

The event is in the gym. People are sitting and standing on risers on three sides of the room, and filling chairs and standing space in the center. There's a stage set up at one end of the center. Huge signs around the edge read "Vote Harris-Walz" and "Wisconsin votes Harris-Walz." People in the crowd are holding smaller signs, mostly reading "vote" and "when we vote, we win." The gym walls are painted white and blue.

On the wall behind the stage is a huge sign reading "When we vote we win," with the American flag on one side and the Wisconsin flag on the other.

The event is streamed.

Outside the front of the high school building was a crowd of people cheering. Pool was too far to see whether it was an overflow line.

VP Travel Pool Report #15 — remarks end, event color

The VP finished her remarks at 6:19 and she waved to the crowd on each side of the dais before taking the stairs down from the stage and leaving the gym at 6:20.

The crowd started chanting "We will win" at one point.

A few quotes:
"It is time for a new generation of leadership in America. And I am ready to offer that leadership as the next president of the United States"

"Wisconsin, you know me. I'm not afraid of tough fights" - the crowd cheered, and Harris laughed and said "clearly"

"If you give me the chance to fight on your behalf as president there is nothing in the world that will stand in my way"

"In America today 1 in 3 women lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban"

"One does not have to abandon her faith or deeply held beliefs to agree: the government shouldn't be telling her what to do"

"Wisconsin, I am asking for your vote" - people in the crowd yelled, "you've got it!" and cheered

"We're four days out: who here has already voted?" Hands shot up — hard to tell quickly but looked close to half the crowd.

The VP's voice sounds a little lower at times, like someone sounds with a slight sore throat.

VP Travel Pool Report #16 — motorcade rolling

The motorcade is rolling at 6:24.

VP Travel Pool Report #17 — Green Bay airport

The motorcade stopped at Austin Straubel International Airport at 6:50. The vice president waved and walked up the steps of AF2 at 6:52. She waved at the top, as well.

We're wheels up again shortly.

Leaving Little Chute, the motorcade passed a few remaining people holding Harris signs, and a man waving a Trump flag.

VP Travel Pool Report #18 — landed in Milwaukee, rolling

AF2 was wheels up from Green Bay at 7:07, landed at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport at 7:31, and taxied until 7:41. VP Harris deplaned at 7:48, wearing her long grey coat, waved to the press, and got into her SUV.

The motorcade is rolling at 7:51.

VP Travel Pool Report #19 — arrived at rally

The motorcade arrived at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center at 8:11.

The crowd inside is wearing the light-up bracelets the campaign has been handing out. There are people sitting on risers around the edges, and the rest of the space is filled by people standing or sitting on chairs. There are several huge signs — the usual 'When we vote we win' and 'Milwaukee votes Harris-Walz' and 'Vote.'

At this point in the program Flo Milli is performing and the crowd is cheering and screaming. Many people are dancing.

Passing along:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a rally and concert at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Program:
-Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
-MC Lyte, Performance
-DJ Gemini Gilly, DJ Set
-County Executive David Crowley
-Flo Milli, Performance
-DJ Gemini Gilly, DJ Set
-Keegan Michael Key
-GloRilla, Performance
-DJ Gemini Gilly, DJ Set
-Senator Tammy Baldwin
-Cardi B
-Adrien Calvert, Milwaukee native, recent college graduate and educator, Introducer
-Vice President Harris

VP Travel Pool Report #20 — Harris remarks begin

Vice President Harris took the stage at 9:22 to deafening cheers.

Right before VP Harris, Cardi B spoke. Adrien Calvert, a recent college grad, introduced the VP.

Earlier, Sen. Tammy Baldwin walked onstage to 'Firework' by Katy Perry.

It looks like nearly everyone is wearing the wristbands, which have been glowing different colors throughout the night. Behind the stage are risers full of people, with dark blue curtains behind.

The crowd is high energy — dancing to the music. Most have been on their feet the whole time. People have cheered/screamed for each speaker/performer. There's a group of people near the press risers waving blue and white pom-poms.

In the center of the space, there are at least two big screens hanging from the ceiling, showing a closeup of each speaker/performer. It smells like popcorn inside the space.

The rally is being streamed.

Passing this along:

Over 12,000 here in Milwaukee per the Harris-Walz campaign.

VP Travel Pool Report #21 — remarks end

Vice President Harris ended her remarks at 9:46 and walked down off of the stage into the crowd. Pool was ushered out at 9:49.

Just after 9:20, it seemed like there was a disruption in the back corner, though pool couldn't quite see or hear what people were yelling.

VP Travel Pool Report #22 — motorcade rolling

The motorcade is rolling at 9:57.

VP Travel Pool Report #23 — RON

The motorcade stopped at the vice president's hotel at 10:11.

Along the roads near the rally, people stood waving Harris-Walz signs, a lot of them wearing the light-up wristbands.

In downtown Milwaukee, the motorcade passed a billboard that flashed a picture of Trump and read "his personality isn't the greatest."

VP Travel Pool Report #24 — lid

We have a lid at 10:29.

Good night!