Vice Presidential Pool Reports of November 10, 2023

VP Travel Pool #1: campaign statement on trip to SC

Good morning from JBA.

Pool is gathered here waiting for VP's arrival ahead of a campaign trip to South Carolina.

From the Biden-Harris campaign:

From Michael Tyler, Communications Director, Biden-Harris 2024: "South Carolina Democrats represent the backbone of the Democratic Party and propelled Joe Biden to the Democratic nomination and eventually the White House. The President is honored to have Vice President Harris and his campaign co-chair Congressman Clyburn officially make him a candidate, once again, in what is now proudly the first-in-the-nation primary. The Biden-Harris coalition will be out in full force in South Carolina and will be how we defeat MAGA extremism once again in 2024. "

On background from Biden campaign officials:

• South Carolina picks presidents – and it will play a critical role in kicking off this campaign with its historic first in the nation primary next year.

• At President Biden's recommendation, the Democratic National Committee voted earlier this year to put South Carolina first on the Democrats' 2024 calendar, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and Michigan. South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary date is Feb. 3, 2024.

• This calendar does what is long overdue: it expands the number of voices in the early window process and elevates diverse communities. It puts our party in a better position to compete in the general election so we can elect Democrats up-and-down the ticket in every race from city council to president of the United States.

VP Travel Pool #2: wheels up to SC

M2 landed at JBA at 7:57 a.m.

VP stepped off at 8:01 and boarded AF2.

We expected to be wheels up to South Carolina shortly.

VP Travel Pool #3: wheels down in SC

AF2 was wheels up from JBA at 8:15.

Just before takeoff, VP made a brief visit to the press cabin and spoke OTR with the pool. Later in the flight, Quentin Fulks, Steve Benjamin and Sheila Nix made a brief OTR visit with the pool.

AF2 was wheels down in Columbia at 9:22 p.m.

VP stepped off the plane at 9:37 and was greeted by Rep. Clyburn and DNC Chair Harrison.

Motorcade rolling

VP Travel Pool #4: arrival at SCDP HQ

Motorcade arrived at the HQ of the South Carolina Democratic Party at 9:52.

The VP, accompanied by Rep. Clyburn, exited her vehicle at 9:55 and was greeted by SCDP Chair Christale Spain.

Pool is now waiting inside a small conference room where a group of supporters are standing with Biden-Harris signs.

VP Travel Pool #5: VP presents paperwork and remarks

At 9:58, VP entered the room and gave the official filing papers to SCDP Chair Spain on the final day of the filing period

"Madam chair I'd like to officially present the paperwork," she said.

Clyburn then spoke: "This is really, really an incredible demonstration of what South Carolina is all about"

Clyburn held up a brochure of Biden's accomplishments and said he wanted to make sure everyone left with one today. He said he wanted to specifically cite one headline about
Biden dramatically cutting student loan debt

"For her to come back here today and be a part of this says a whole lot," he said.

VP spoke next: "It is my joy, my honor to be back here in South Carolina"

Of Clyburn, she said he is "one of the closest advisers and friends to our president and me"

"To be here today and just for a moment to appreciate this moment in the context of history - first in the nation"

"It was South Carolina that created the path to the White House for Joe Biden and me"

VP talked about the administration's work on rural broadband, removal of lead pipes, investments in HBCUs, increasing access to capital for small businesses

"Thank you. It started here in South Carolina."

"So much of it can be attributed to the fight, to the commitment, to the perseverance of the people in this room and in the state.

"I'm here to say thank you" and "let's do it again"

"We are here with the wind at our back because did anyone notice what happened on Tuesday?"

"That red wave never hit," she said of the 2022 midterms

"When we fight, we win," she concluded.

VP ended talking at 10:16 and then posed for a photo.

When asked for a prediction of how the president is going to do here in February, VP said, "We're going to win."

VP then left the room and the pool was pulled.

VP Travel Pool #6: visit to Memorial Park

The motorcade departed the SCDP HQ at 10:26 am.

The pool made an unannounced stop at Memorial Park in downtown Columbia.

VP and Rep. Clyburn, joined by Steve Benjamin, stopped by the Vietnam War memorial. The three of them chatted for a few minutes as they looked at the names on the memorial.

VP then made brief remarks to the press.

"We just wanted to come by and honor the men and women who served our country and given their lives."

"I think it's important to remember the real lives that were lived."

She was then asked about the protests around the country in response to the war in the Middle East.

"People have a right to protest. We are a democracy and we should value the voices and listen to the voices."

"It's a very difficult time. What I hope is that we can engage in conversation and discourse that understands this is not binary and appreciates that we are talking about real human beings."

VP left the park at 10:40 and the motorcade is rolling.

VP Travel Pool #7: wheels up from SC

The motorcade arrived at the airport at 10:57 a.m.

VP stopped for a brief photo with volunteers and then boarded AF2.

We should be wheels up to JBA shortly.

VP Travel Pool #8: JBA arrival

AF2 was wheels down at JBA at 12:09 p.m. after an uneventful flight from South Carolina.

VP stepped off the plane at 12:18 and her motorcade started rolling.

Enjoy the rest of your Friday