Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 11, 2024

VP Pool Report #1 — Harris call with Jewish voters

Good morning from sunny Scottsdale where it is currently 94 degrees Fahrenheit.

VP just participated in a call with Jewish supporters. Starting at 11:06AM AT, she spoke for about 10 minutes about antisemitism, her commitment to Israel and the threat posed by Iran. I will send quotes shortly.

In the meantime pool has been loaded into vans. We have not seen the VP yet today.

The Harris-Walz campaign sends along the following:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks on a Harris-Walz campaign Jewish Voter High Holiday call.

Speakers:
Hilary Brandenburg, Harris-Walz campaign Deputy Director of Jewish Outreach
Ilan Goldenberg, Harris-Walz campaign Director of Jewish Outreach
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff
Vice President Harris

VP Pool Report #2 — more detail/quotes from call with Jewish voters

The call was billed as a "High Holiday Call with Vice-President Kamala Harris" organized by "Jewish Voters for Harris-Walz." The call was audio-only and there was no video or visual of the VP, Second Gentleman or other speakers.

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, begins Friday evening at sundown.

Harris said the high holidays "come at a particularly difficult time" and said the anniversary of October 7 earlier this week "rekindled what has been an enduring and deep fear among Jews not just in Israel but in the United States and around the world."

Harris pledged to "always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists." She said her "commitment to the security of Israel has been unwavering," describing it as a "lifelong commitment."

She said as president she would "always work to ensure the safety and security of the people of Israel and Jewish people in the United States and around the world."

She repeated her calls for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza.

"We are not giving up on a ceasefire and hostage deal. We cannot. And I will never stop fighting for the release of all of the hostages, including the 7 American citizens, living and deceased, who are still held...We cannot and will not rest until all of the hostages are home."

Harris added that Hamas is "not the only threat Israel faces," and cited attacks from Hezbollah and Houthis before pinning the blame on Iran, which she called a "dangerous and destabilizing force."

"What is the common thread? We all know, Iran, which has now directly attacked Israel twice."

Harris said Trump as president "let Iran off the hook" and recounted how the Biden administration retaliated against Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria when they attacked US troops, and how the US supported Israel when Iran launched its attacks on Israel in April and earlier this month.

"Make no mistake, as president, I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend American forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. And I will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Diplomacy is my preferred path to that end. But all options are on the table."

Harris also addressed concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, saying she knew Jewish parents and grandparents were worried and students "feared" going to class.

VP said "everyone has a right to have their voices heard" but "there is no place for hate and violence." She said "each university must ensure all students and faculty are safe and secure on campus."

VP Pool Report #3 — motorcade leaving RON

The VPs' motorcade left the RON at 11:48AM AT. We are running slightly behind her official schedule, which included the following.

At 11:40 AM AT, the Vice President will deliver remarks at a campaign event. This event in Scottsdale, AZ will be pooled press.

VP Pool Report #4 — arrival at Republicans for Harris event

The motorcade arrived at 11:56AM AT at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale.

The pool is now inside in a room filled with somewhere in the range of 100-200 people — I will send a more precise crowd size if I can. People are sat at round tables facing a podium. Behind the podium is a large red sign with white lettering that reads "Country Over Party." There are also smaller signs hanging throughout the room reading "Republicans for Harris," and several US and Arizona state flags.

VP Pool Report #5 — Harris remarks/new bipartisan council of advisers

Harris entered the room just after 12:10PM AT and began speaking about two minutes later. She spoke for roughly 15 minutes. The room cheered "Kamala! Kamala!" and she started shaking hands and working the crowd after her her remarks.

VP is wearing a black blouse and trousers and a brown blazer.

She made news by announcing that in addition to appointing a Republican to her Cabinet, if elected she would create a "bipartisan council of advisers" to provide "counsel" on policy.

A few other quotes below — please check against official transcript.

-She described the US as a "role model" for the rest of the world and said world leaders/allies are concerned about the outcome of election.

"I hope we as Americans realize how important we are to the world…they hold us up and they hold us out a model, and that, as much as anything, is at stake in this election."

-She told two stories about the late John McCain that prompted cheers from the crowd. She recounted how as senators they sparred in a committee room and later that day on the Senate floor McCain said to her: "Kid, come over here, you're going to make a great senator." She also repeated the story she told at last night's rally about McCain being the deciding vote to preserve the ACA.

"John McCain stood on principle. He stood on a belief in the importance of patriotism, of sacrifice, of what we stand for as a country."

-She made a direct appeal to Republican and independent Arizonans, saying: "The people of this state have always shown extraordinary courage…I know we are going to win this election, and it is not going to be easy…We may not agree on every single thing…but foundational first principles cannot be in question…We share not only a concern but a commitment to our country about what is most important."

-She talked about the aforementioned bipartisan council of advisers, saying: "I love good ideas, wherever they come from…We need a healthy two party system."

-Before concluding she made a direct appeal to the Latter-Day Saints, who make up a significant share of Arizona electorate. She noted that her pastor spoke at the 100th birthday of Russell Nelson, president of the LDS Church. "I am committed to all of you to be a president for all Americans."

VP Pool Report #6 — motorcade moving + more detail on Scottsdale event

The motorcade left the golf course just before 1PM AT. The campaign passes along additional details from the Republicans for Harris event.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is attending an Arizona Republicans for Harris event in Phoenix, Arizona, where she will provide brief remarks and greet with Republican supporters.

Speakers:

• Sam Campana, former Scottsdale Mayor, member of Republicans for Harris
• Joel John, Former State Rep & Co-Chair of LDS for Harris

Program:

• Mesa Mayor John Giles
• Vice President Harris

VP Pool Report #7 — OTR stop

The pool is being held in vans in Phoenix just before 1:30PM AT. The VP has gone inside a local restaurant but we haven't been able to go with her. I will send more details when I have them but this is what the campaign has shared at this stage.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is stopping by Bacanora, a Latino-owned restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona to record digital content that will be released at a later date.

VP Pool Report #8 — leaving OTR/further detail

Harris emerged from the restaurant at 2:14PM AT and went straight into her car. Motorcade began rolling at 2:16PM.

A small number — five or six by the pool's count — of protesters stood outside the restaurant. Several wore keffiyahs and one held a megaphone. Another held a Palestinian flag. It was difficult to make out what they were shouting from inside the press van.

Across the street from the restaurant a truck had a makeshift sign on the windshield: "Fuck Harris"

There is a mural on the side of the building where the restaurant is. It reads: "Su Voto Es Su Voz" (Your Vote Is Your Voice).

VP Pool Report #9 — Phoenix airport arrival

The motorcade pulled into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 2:26PM AT.

The VP got out of her car at 2:30PM, waved to the press but took no questions, and went straight on the plane.

We will be wheels up shortly for JBA.

VP Pool Report #10 — JBA arrival/departure

AF2 touched down at JBA at 9:38PM ET. It was an uneventful flight with no visitors to the press cabin.

VP descended the stairs of the plane at 9:49PM ET.

She shook hands with the military greeter and waved to the press but did not take questions.

She boarded the helicopter at 9:50PM and it took off at 9:54PM.

VP Pool Report #11 — arrival at Naval Observatory/lid

We've been informed the VP arrived at the Naval Observatory at 10:14PM ET — and we have a lid. Have a good night!