Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 21, 2024

VP Travel Pool #1-- Rolling from RON in Philly

Greetings from Philadelphia!

I'll be your print pooler for Vice President Harris's campaign swing today, which includes three moderated discussions with former Rep. Liz Cheney in three different states.

The guidance, for your reference:

On Monday, October 21, Vice President Kamala Harris will join former Congresswoman Liz Cheney for a series of moderated conversations in suburban communities across the Blue Wall battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as part of her ongoing efforts to earn the support of swing voters.

The motorcade departed the RON in Philly at 10:47 a.m.

We are headed to Chester County, Pennsylvania, where the first discussion will take place.

Your pooler did not lay eyes on the VP. But from the press van we saw a sizable crowd of people standing across the street from the parking garage of the hotel looking up and waving, and one man folded his fingers into a heart shape in front of his chest.

Here's today's schedule, FPPO, provided by the VP's office:

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY

10:30 ET Drive en route to the event site (45 min)

11:15 Arrive at The People's Light in Malvern, PA

11:40 Town hall with Liz Cheney

12:25 Drive en route to the airport (40 min)

1:05 Arrive at Philadelphia International Airport

1:25 Wheels up en route to Oakland County, MI (1 hr. 30 min)

2:55 Wheels down at Oakland County International Airport

3:10 Drive en route to event site (35 min)

3:45 Arrive at the Royal Oak Theatre in Birmingham, MI

4:10 Town hall with Liz Cheney

4:55 Drive en route to airport (35 min)

5:30 Arrive at Oakland County International Airport

5:45 Wheels up en route to Milwaukee (1 hr. 5 min)

5:50 CT Wheels down at Milwaukee Mitchell International

6:05 Drive en route to event site (30 min)

6:35 Arrive at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, WI

7:00 Town hall with Liz Cheney

7:45 Drive en route to the airport (30 min)

8:15 Arrive at Milwaukee Mitchell

8:30 Wheels up en route to DC (1 hr. 40 min)

11:10 ET Wheels down at Joint Base Andrews

11:25 VP Harris departs for residence via Marine Two

VP Travel Pool #2- Arrival in Malvern, PA

The motorcade arrived at People's Light, a performing arts theatre in Malvern, PA at 11:21 a.m.

The roughly 40 min ride was uneventful, though other vans reported a bumpy ride.

Your pooler did not see the VP exit her vehicle.

Your pool was led into an indoor amphitheater, setting, already filled with an audience.

There are also a couple dozen people sitting on the stage which is surrounded by three large banners that read "Country over Party" and "New Way Forward" that have been featured at other events with Cheney and other Republican supporters.

Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was playing when we entered, and Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" just finished.

We're waiting for the event to begin.

VP Travel Pool #3- Harris/ Cheney PA event begins

The VP and Rep. Cheney are now on stage at 11:53 a.m.

The conversation is being moderated by Sarah Longwell, publisher of the The Bulwark, who introduced them.

Both Cheney and Harris got standing ovations from the crowd.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is at The People's Light in Malvern, Pennsylvania for a conversation with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney moderated by Bulwark publisher and Republican strategist Sarah Longwell.

The event is underway, and the internet is spotty.

VP Travel Pool #4- PA discussion wraps/ Rolling to airport

The roughly 40- minute conversation with Harris and Cheney wrapped at 12:32 p.m., and the pool raced out before the VP left the stage.

The town hall conversation was wide-ranging, and the two women discussed abortion, the dangers of Donald Trump. Harris field audience questions on the cost of child/senior care, maternal mortality.

We are now on our way to the Philadelphia airport. Motorcade was rolling at 12:37 p.m.

Will send quotes soon.

VP Pool Report #4a/ Some quotes/topics from PA town hall discussion

This event was live- streamed, and given the internet issues, and rush, I'd stronglyrecommend you check against the transcript.

I would also like to point your attention to Harris and Cheney's discussion on the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Here's a rundown:

Longwell opened the discussion with a comment about how unusual it was to have Cheney out campaigning for Harris.

Harris called Cheney "extraordinarily courageous" in her support of her.

Harris discussed the importance of the oath of office, and how she's taken the oath of office 6 times in her career.

"We know it is an oath that one must take sincerely, and unequivocally," Harris said, citing the vow to "support and defend the constitution of the United States."

Shestressed that it was a duty to uphold the Constitution.

"This is a moment in this election that presents a real contrast among how I, as one of the two nominees and my opponent, the former president, think of that duty--and it is a duty, by the way-- there are certain things in our lives that we have the choice if we feel like it, and then there are certain things that are fundamentally a duty," she said.

Harris said that this election, perhaps more than any in recent history, presents a very clear choice and difference between the two nominees.

"I think that is what, as much as anything, is bringing us as Americans together, who are understanding that we cannot, with such fundamental stakes being presented, afford to be mired in ideological differences without really staking our claim to the most fundamental ideals upon which our country stands" she said.

Longwell notes that Harris has been endorsed by 200 Republicans, many of whom have signed letters, but asks Cheney why she chose to participate in in-person events

Cheney said that for her, "every single thing in my experience and in my background has played a part in my decision to endorse Vice President Harris."
"I know that the most conservative of all conservative principles is being faithful to the Constitution," and said the race comes down to who will be faithful and who will not.

She referenced Trump, and how this isn't a matter of "predicting" how he will act, given his role in January 6.

She said she also came to the decision as another of 5 children watching what Donald Trump did on Jan. 6.

On foreign policy/ national security:

Harris spoke about how she's met with more than 150 world leaders, and how they are worried about the outcome of the election.

She said that she "Sometimes I do fret a bit about whether we as Americans truly understand how important we are to the world," Harris.

"We represent a gold standard," she said, and talks about how Trump said he wanted to be a Dictator on Day 1. She noted that the world is watching the election.

Cheney, referring to Donald Trump and his threat to national security, called him "totally erratic," and "completely unstable," and "idolizes tyrants."

Harris then chimed in to talk about how he's denigrated the military.

"Let's please not overlook how someone who wants to be commander-in-chief and was, has talked about our service-members," referencing Trump's insults on Sen. John McCain and other service-members."
"These things cannot be overlooked," Harris said.

"There are things that he says will be the subject of skits and laughter and jokes, but words have meaning, coming from someone who aspires to stand behind the seal of the President of the United States. These are the things that are at stake."

Longwell asked Harris about her campaign slogan of "turning the page," and" a new way forward."Longwell asked, "What's on the next page?"

Harris described it as "a metaphor that is meant to also describe my intention to embark on a new generation of leadership."
She said that her administration was not going to be "a continuation of the Biden administration," saying that she brings her own ideas and experiences.
Harris said that the mantra was really about moving beyond the last decade of the American discourse being influenced by Donald Trump, and moving beyond "using the power of presidency to demean, and to divide us."

In talking about her record, Harris notes that she's not a Washington insider.

"Most of my career was not spent in Washington, D.C. I say that with pride," she said, citing that as a prosecutor she understood how her decisions directly impacted people's lives.

"The swipe of my pen could result in someone having their liberty or not," Harris said.

Harris talked about her love for Gen-z, who she calls "wonderfully impatient." She then talked about how the American Dream is not as much in reach for this generations as previous ones,

The first audience question was from a mother of a 7-year-old son, whose 72-year-0ld mother is suffering from dementia. She cited the "staggering" cost of both child care and elder care, and asked Harris about how she plans to address both the costs and increasing pay for quality workers.

Harris began by acknowledging that the mother was dealing with a lot, citing her own experience with caring for her dying mother, and outlined the various scenarios that many face struggling under these costs.
Harris outlined her "sandwich generation" plan for Medicare to cover in-home healthcare for her parents.

The next question came from a 22-year-old student in Bucks County. She asked about Harris's plan to combat maternal mortality and its disparities.

Harris talked about the U.S. having the "shameful distinction of any wealthy nation," having one of the highest rates of maternal mortality. She outlined the disparities among Black women, Native women and women who live in rural areas.

'One of the common threads that you will see...is the lack of appropriate, prenatal care," and well as post-natal care.

She went on to talk about respectful reproductive care, and how women should not be judged when they talk about their needs.
She then went on to talk about how the government shouldn't be telling women what to do with their bodies--a common refrain-- which drew applause from the crowd.

"We've seen too much harm--real harm-- happen to women and the people who love them around the country...since that decision came down," Harris said.

Cheney spoke about the Dobbs decision and said many who are pro-life who have watched laws across the country, denying women the care they need, play out in a way that was not the intent. She said that what's happened since Roe is not an issue that broke down among party lines.

Here's the full quote:
"I think there are many of us around the country who have been pro-life but who have watched what's going on in our states since the Dobbs decision and have watched state legislatures put in place laws that are resulting in women not getting the care they need. And so I think this is not an issue that we're seeing break down across party lines, but I think we're seeing people come together to say what has happened to women when women are facing situations where they can't get the care they need, where in places like Texas, for example, The attorney general is talking about suing, is suing to get access to women's medical records. That's not sustainable for us as a country and it has to change."
Cheney also used the decision to call on voters to "reject cruelty," and "vile vitriol."
"We're going to reject the misogyny we've seen from Donald Trump and J.D. Vance," she said.

Harris in her concluding remarks again makes the case that she welcomes strong ideas, reiterated that shewill appoint a Republican to her Cabinet, and wants a strong two-party system. She emphasized she wanted rigorous debate rooted in fact-- emphasizing the word "fact" to the point of making the crowd laugh.

"I ask for your vote, I ask for their vote," she said. "I promise to be a president for All Americans."

VP Travel Pool #5--Airport arrival/ Wheels up to Michigan

The motorcade arrived at the Philadelphia International Airport at 1:17 p.m.

The VP got out of her SUV at 1:22 p.m. and walked over to take a quick photo with advanced team and volunteers.

She walked up the stairs of AF2, turned around and waved and boarded at 1:23 p.m.

The VP came back to the press cabin and gaggled off -the -record for a little over 7 minutes.

We are taxiing, and will be wheels up shortly.

Next stop: Michigan.

VP Travel Pool #6--Wheels down in Michigan/ McDonalds Q&A

AF2 landed at the Oakland County International Airport at 2:54 p.m.

There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight.

The VP deplaned at 3:04 p.m.
She went straight to her SUV, but stopped when she heard a shouted question about whether she worked at a McDonalds.

"Did I? I did!" Harris said, smiling and putting her thumb up.

Motorcade is rolling to the second town hall as of 3:07 p.m.

Because someone asked, I figured I'd share with anyone else wondering: The VP's suit is Emerald green.

VP Travel Pool# 7--Arrival at Michigan townhall venue

The VP's motorcade pulled up to the Royal Oak Theatre in Birmingham, Michigan at 3:47 p.m.

Some deets about the event: (which FPPO is supposed to be start around 4:10).

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan for a conversation with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney moderated by journalist and Former First Lady of California Maria Shriver.

VP Travel Pool #8- Harris gaggles backstage in Michigan

The pool was ushered into a small room backstage lined and the VP entered at 3:59 pm took questions before the event began.

She immediately jumped into criticizing former President Donald Trump's for not supporting raising the minimum wage.

"So there is a big difference between Donald Trump and me on a number of issues, including this, where I absolutely believe we must raise minimum wage our working Americans, whether they're working at McDonald's or anywhere else, should have at least the ability to be able to take care of their family and take care of themselves in a way that allows them to actually be able to sustain their needs."

She also said Trump was "hostile" to social security.

"Again, if you look at it, from minimum wage to Social Security, Donald Trump clearly does not understand the needs of working people."

In response to a question about what message he hopes breaks through today as she reaches women, particularly white women who have voted for Trump in the last two elections, she said she would hit the same themes she had on the trail, citing his threat to democracy. She referenced the fact that he's been called a "fascist."

She said she'd have the same message, she's "been talking with folks about since I've been on the campaign trail these last 70 odd days, which is this is a choice for the American people, and it is a choice between whether we're going to chart a new way forward that turns the page on the division, the hate, the chaos of Donald Trump."

"I'm very pleased and honored that so many people are showing up to these events to have this conversation, because I think they know, regardless of who they voted for in the last election and the party with which they are registered to vote, on some issues, we just have to all be Americans and put party side."

Asked if she thinks Republican voters would be more likely to vote for her because of the fall of Roe, she said:

"So I look at what happened in the midterms and in special elections to guide my thinking about this issue, and what we saw is in so-called "red states" and so-called "blue states" when the issue of the freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body is on the ballot, the American people vote for freedom regardless of the party with which they're registered to vote."

She denounced political violence, and said little about reports that Elon Musk giving away money for voters to sign a petition beyond that people were looking into it. (Presumably legality).

Sorry for delay, internet at this venue is also spotty.

VP Travel Pool #9 -Michigan event begins

The Michigan event has begun with an intro by moderator Maria Shriver.

Set up is similar to PA, with an audience and about two dozen people on the stage. The venue is pretty crowded, though looks like fewer people than the last theatre.

"What you're going to see on this stage is historic," Shriver said, citing the extraordinary show of bipartisanship.

She called Harris and Cheney "incredible."

Cheney and Harris are about to take the stage.

A reminder that this event is live-streaming.

VP Travel Pool #10--Michigan townhall wraps

Harris took the stage at 4:31 p.m., introduced by Shriver as the "MVP," "Madame Vice President."
She and Cheney walked off-stage to "Freedom," at 5:18 p.m.

The opening question was to Harris and Cheney, similar to the last event, about whether they ever thought they'd be campaigning together.

"Perhaps not, but perhaps," Harris said.

Harris said that she's seen Republicans come up to Cheney and thank her for speaking up, even though they may not say so publicly.
There was a lot of discussion around the fear of Republicans going against Donald J. Trump. Cheney drew a lot of applause when she said: "And I would just remind people, if you're at all concerned, you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody."

The discussion went to former President Donald Trump, and how serious some of his rhetoric is.

"Some people find it humorous, what he says, and think it's just silly, but understand how brutally serious it is," she said.
Someone yelled "Lock him up."
Harris gives her response that the "courts will take care of that," and "we'll take care of November."

Shriver brought up that a lot of people still don't know a lot about Harris, and asked her what she would like to tell people about her that they may not know.

She ticked off some facts about her career--nothing that's not in ads or on the Internet-- but drew some applause when she talked about her role taking on big banks during the foreclosure crisis and getting $20 billion for people targeted by predatory lending.

Cheney, answering the same question, ends by calling Harris was "supremely qualified"

"I think there are, there sometimes are some men who suggest that she's not, but if you look at her qualifications, there's no question."

The first question from the audience came from a gun-violence survivor, whose preschooler will go through his first active-shooter drill this week, asked about the issue of gun violence. She asked how Harris would work with Republicans to make progress on gun violence.Harris references that Congress came together for the Safer Communities Act, which was "first meaningful piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years," and would push for similar bipartisan support for other legislation.

Harris reiterated her position that she's "not trying to take anybody's guns away"--reminded the crowd that she and Walz are gun owners-- but wanted reasonable gun safety laws.

Second question came from a former Republican, who asked about how she would deter Russia from continuing its war on the independent nation of Ukraine, while simultaneously strengthening our US security interests.
She referenced her meetings with Zelenskyy at the Munich Conference, and then Donald Trump's reportedly sending COVID tests to Putin.

"If Donald Trump were president, Vladimir Putin would be sitting in Kyiv," she said, "and understand what that would mean for America and our standing around the world."

Harris discussed a little tidbit your pooler hasn't really heard her discuss at length before about serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and how the members would go to a room with no press and receive intelligence briefings and discuss "hot spots" around the world. She said it was one of her favorite times because people would take off their suit jackets, roll up their sleeves, and drink coffee.

"We weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans," she said.

Asked what she would say to people from traditionally conservative communities who want to move forward but are feeling the partisan pressure, Harris said, "I think that there is something at stake that is about core values, as well as what is at stake in terms of the risk and the danger."
She then talked about her opportunity economy and senior care.

To the same question, Cheney talked about defending the Constitution.

"I understand the most conservative value there is, is to defend the Constitution," Cheney said.
Harris and the crowd applauded.

Closing question was to the VP about anxiety and exhaustion about the election.

"I wake up in the middle of the night these days, to be honest," she said.

"We cannot despair," she said.

"Let's not let the overwhelming nature of this all make us feel powerless, because then we have been defeated," Harris said.

Her response got a standing ovation.

Pool is back in the van holding.

VP Travel Pool #11--Motorcade rolling back to the airport

The motorcade is rolling back to the Oakland County International Airport at 5:28 p.m.

VP Travel Pool #12--Arrival at airport/ Wheels up to Wisconsin

The VP's motorcade arrived at the Oakland County International Airport at 6:08 p.m.

She got out of her SUV at 6:13 p.m., and stopped to take a photo with people who greeted her with applause.

She boarded AF2 at 6:13 p.m. She waved at the top of the stairs.

Our AP photo pooler caught Cheney boarding the plane.

We are wheels up to Wisconsin at 6:26 p.m.

VP Travel Pool #13--Wheels down in Wisconsin/ Rolling to event

AF2 landed at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport at 6:07 p.m. local time.

There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight, which was just under an hour.

The VP deplaned at 6:20 p.m. She waved before getting into her SUV.

The motorcade was rolling to the site of the Wisconsin town hall at 6:22 p.m.

VP Travel Pool #14--Arrival at Wisconsin town hall

The motorcade arrived at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, WI at 6:56 p.m.
We saw some Trump supporters along the route with signs and flashlights.
Passing along from the campaign:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign Vice President Harris is at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, Wisconsin for a conversation with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney moderated by Wisconsin resident Charlie Sykes.

We appear to be running a couple minutes behind, but the event is set to begin soon.

Same set-up as other town halls— an audience, and voters on stage. American flags have been added to this set.

VP Travel Pool #15--Wisconsin town hall begins

Charlie Sykes took the stage and welcomed the crowd to a "production of the Odd Couple."

"Political courage is vanishingly rare in our world today," and said he knew few people more courageous than Liz Cheney.

Cheney got a rousing, standing ovation when introduced.

Sykes introduced the VP as "the next president of the United States"at 7:09 p.m.

The program has begun.

Reminding you all that this event will be livestreamed and you can follow along.

VP Travel Pool #16-- Wisconsin town hall wraps

The town hall ended at 7:54 p.m.

Here's the rundown. Check quotes against tape.

Sykes opens by asking the VP why the voters in the room should do something they've never done before and cross party lines/vote for her-a Democrat.

She said that she believed that they were all there in the room together because they loved their country, and repeated her line about believing "there is more we have in common than what separates us" and believes in upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.

Sykes asked Cheney to speak to the fact that Republicans pay a price for going against the party, the "cost" of doing so, and recent comments by Sen. Lindsey Graham criticizing "Never Trump Republicans."

Cheney responded,"Don't listen to Lindsey Graham, number one."

Harris was asked about what she thinks Trump is trying to hide by not debating her, participating in interviews.

"I wonder, what is he hiding," she said. "I also wonder what his staff is trying to hide," she said.

She referenced a series of actions, including his rallies and what she called a "solo dance" that she said showed that he is "increasingly unstable."

She again cited the "fascist to the core" remark reportedly made by Gen. Milley to describe the former president.

Cheney brought up the 2000 election, and how despite disagreement, there was a peaceful transfer of power.

She said "we've never faced a threat like this before."
"This Republic only survives if we protect it," Cheney said.

Harris brought up the Supreme Court immunity ruling for the first time today.

"Whereas before, there was at least some threat of consequence and accountability that no longer exist," she said.

First audience question is from a small business owner from Madison, Wisconsin who is a conservative, Christian, pro-life family. She said she was a Republican "until Donald Trump," and was concerned that her daughter had fewer repro rights than she does.

"It seems less about the unborn and more about controlling women," she said.

She asked for Harris's position on "extremism" and how to restore fundamental rights.
Harris said that since Roe, she's had discussions with people who are anti-abortion, but don't like to see the ramifications of the Roe decision.

"I have had conversations with a number of people who were opposed to abortion and remain opposed to it, but did not intend for the harm that we are seeing to happen," Harris said.

Cheney, who reiterated that she is "pro-life," said she has been "deeply troubled by what I have watched happen in so many states since Dobbs."

She said the situation has become "untenable" to watch women die as a result of not getting the medical care, and objected to laws like ones in Texas that allows the government to access a woman's medical records. She said there were some "fundamentally dangerous things that have happened," since Dobbs.

The next question was from a woman who asked about the strength of Medicare and Social Security.

Harris talked about how Trump's plan for Social Security would become insolvent in 6 years, which drew groans from the crowd.

"We must protect social security," she said.

Harris outlined her plans to continue to bring down prescription drug prices and expanding Medicare to cover home health care.

Next question came from a retired schoolteacher from Waukesha County, who was introduced as a "truly undecided" voter.

"Come on, Dan," Cheney said, making the crowd laugh.

(Dan said he thought her father would've made a great president)
He asked if there was something he could take with him to pitch to his fellow Republicans to vote for Harris.

Cheney gave an extensive answer about Trump's conduct and how they undermine Republican ideals, concluding with: "If you wouldn't hire somebody to babysit your kids, you shouldn't make that guy the president of the United States.

Harris got loud applause when she delivered her line about the "real measure of the strength of a leader" is based on who you lift up vs. who you beat down.

She said America faced question of whether they want a leader "plotting revenge while they sit in the Oval Office, or a president who is actually focused on the American people."

The rest of the convo focused on national security issues, particularly Ukraine and Trump's relationship with Putin that were discussed earlier today.

Harris got loud applause when she ended with, "We love our country and our country is worth fighting for."

She thanked people for their time, and said she hoped to earn their vote.

They both got a standing ovation.

VP Travel Pool #17--Rolling to Milwaukee airport

The motorcade departed the town hall at 8:00 p.m. We are headed back to the Milwaukee airport.

VP Travel Pool # 18– Leaving WI/ Wheels up to JBA

The motorcade arrived at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport at 8:33 p.m.

The VP exited her vehicle and climbed the stairs of AF2, waving at the top before boarding at 8:36 p.m.

We are taxiing at 8:48 p.m., and headed to JBA.

VP Travel Pool #19– AF2 lands at JBA

AF2 landed at JBA at 11:24 p.m.

The VP deplaned at 11:35 p.m. She boarded Marine 2 at 11:36 p.m., and it lifted from JBA at 11:42 p.m.

Will alert you all when we have a lid.

VP Travel Pool #20- Lid

The VP's office called a lid at 12:09 p.m.

That's all from me.