Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 25, 2024

VP Travel Pool #1- pool holding

Hello from Houston! I will be your print pooler for the Vice President's stop in Texas today.

The pool has gathered, has been swept and his holding at the RON.

The Vice President is expected to tape an interview with podcaster Brené Brown today before holding a campaign event this evening, where per the campaign guidance, "she will give remarks on the serious consequences of Trump's abortion bans to women's lives, and will be joined by women who have faced the direct impacts of these extreme laws, as well as by Rep. Colin Allred."

The daily guidance for reference below.

The Vice President will be in Houston, TX where she will receive briefings and conduct internal meetings with staff. These meetings will be closed press.

At 5:25 PM CT, the Vice President will tape an interview with Brené Brown.

At 8:30 PM CT, the Vice President will deliver remarks at a campaign event. These remarks in Houston, TX will be pooled press and open to pre-credentialed media.

VP Travel pool #2- potential gaggle

Your pool has been moved and is gathered in a conference room at the RON.

FPPO: we are anticipating a potential gaggle.

VP Travel Pool #3- two min to gaggle

Two minute warning to VP's gaggle

VP Travel Pool #4- gaggle

The Vice President started her gaggle at 1:11pm central in the conference room of the RON, taking seven questions from the pool after remarks off the top on her stop in Houston.

She said she was here "because it's a very important state" and "to highlight that sadly the elected leaders of Texas a lot of them have made Texas ground zero" in the fight for reproductive freedoms.

VP Harris previewed her remarks tonight, saying she will discuss the impact to not only Texas but people around the country, calling it "not just a political debate" but noting real harm and suffering has occurred. She will discuss the harm on those directly impacted and power for Americans to make a decision. She said this was among the most critical issues the American people will address when they vote.

She also addressed former president Donald Trump's comments on being "a garbage can for the world"

"It's just another example of how he really belittles our country" as a former president using his bully pulpit, Harris explained. "The president of the United States should be someone who elevates discourse and talks about the best of who we are"

She then fielded questions from your pool.

On what she would do to protect abortion rights with a republican controlled congress, Harris nodded to Rep. Colin Allred in his race for the Senate, explaining being put in a position to be closer to put back in place the protections in Roe v. Wade.

"We keep fighting" and "we don't give up the fight for freedom when it comes to some of the most basic freedoms" she said.

When asked about Politico's reporting re: comments from the chair of the Freedom Caucus on North Carolina's electors, Harris said the country deserves to have leaders who respect the pillars of free and fair elections "and not be manipulated" by elected leaders.

On her whether she is concerned about losing progressive voters, Harris said "One the things I love about the American people is we can hold many thoughts at once," saying bringing down costs is a priority in her agenda, as well as fighting for democracy and the freedom to make decision about one's own body.

When asked about Jamie Dimon and her cabinet considerations, she said she has eleven days to go and doesn't have a cabinet yet

She also responded to the statement from Speaker Johnson and Senator Minority Leader McConnell calling for speaking out "against any form of political violence" before pivoting to comments about Trump from former Trump White House chief of staff John Kelly.

She also addressed striking a balance between a message against Trump versus her own policies.

Finally, she said "More to follow" when asked about Beyoncé

Her gaggle ended at 1:20pm central.

A lunch lid has been called.

Fuller quotes to follow.

VP Travel Pool #4a- full quotes from VP gaggle

Vice President Harris started her gaggle addressing her visit to Texas and remarks scheduled for later this evening:

"Well, it's good to be a Texan, and we are here because obviously it is a very important state, and we are here to really highlight that sadly, the elected leaders of Texas, a lot of them have made Texas ground zero in this fundamental fight for the freedom of women to make decisions about their own body. So tonight, we will be discussing the impact of that, not only to the women of Texas and their families, but to people around the country because of Trump abortion bans. And I do believe it is critically important to acknowledge that this is not just a political debate. This is not just some theoretical concept. Real harm has occurred in this country, real suffering has occurred. People die, and it is important to highlight this issue because this is among the most critical issues that the American people will address when they vote for who will be the next President of the United States."

"So I will be talking about the harm. I will be talking about those who have been directly impacted. And I will also, tonight be talking with the American people about the power that you the American people have to make a decision about the future course of our our country and do we all agree that there are just certain decisions the government should not be making for individuals and their families.

She went on to address former president Donald Trump's comments on being a garbage can for the world:

"…just another example of how he really belittles our country. This is someone who is a former president of the United States who has a bully pulpit, and this is how he uses it tell the rest of the world that somehow the United States of America is, is trash. And I think again, of the President United States should be someone who elevates discourse and talks about the best of who we are and invests in the best of who we are. Not someone like Donald Trump who is constantly demeaning and belittling who the American people are. America deserves better."

She then fielded questions from the pool:

(On her plan to expand reproductive rights without a Congress that will codify the protections in Roe v. Wade)

"Well, when Texans vote for Colin Allred for United States Senate, we will be in a position where we actually will be closer to being able to put back in place the protection of the Roe v Wade and as I have said, and it is my pledge, when Congress passes a bill putting back in place reproductive freedom, I will sign it into law"

(When pushed if there was no other plan)

"We keep fighting, and our country, America has a history of understanding. We don't give up the fight for freedom. We do not give up the fight. When it comes to some of the most basic freedoms, any individual in our country has a right to expect, including the right of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do."

(On her reaction to reporting on the House freedom caucus leader's comments that NC should consider giving Trump its electors before votes are counted because counties damaged by Helene were predominantly Trump counties)

"America deserves to have leaders who respect the importance of one of the pillars and foundations of our democracy, which is free and fair elections. And that they are not manipulated by elected leaders for the sake of their own political future or their own political strategy for how they themselves want to succeed. This has to be about what's in the best interest of the American people."

"And one of the big issues in this election and in the next 11 days is, do you want a president who, on one hand, in the former president, Donald Trump, tried to undo the will of the people, incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol, where 140 law enforcement officers were injured and some were killed, or do you want a president who respects the will of the people, free and fair elections and the right of the people to make a decision about who are their leaders."

(On Democratic concerns that she's pivoted too far away from talking about the economy and could end up losing some Progressive and working class voters)

"One of the things that I love about the American people is we can hold many thoughts at once, and one of the highest priorities for the American people right now is bringing down cost, and that is the priority of my agenda, and will be the priority of my work when I'm elected president of the United States. My priority includes fighting for our democracy, including fighting for the freedom of people to make decisions about their own body, including what we must do to speak out against threats to our democracy, what we must do to speak up in defense of our allies around the world on important international rules and norms such as sovereignty and territorial integrity. All of these issues are issues that affect and concern the American people, and I will continue to speak on all of them"

(On whether she has spoken to Jamie Diamond about being a part of her cabinet and whether she believes Wall Street should be a part of it)

"We have 11 days to go. I do not have a cabinet yet. So the decisions I'm making all about what I will be doing and what we will be doing to remind the American people of the power of their vote."

(On whether she has voted)

"I have not" she said "But it's on my, it's on my priority list for these next few days."

(On Speaker Mike Johnson's statement comparing rhetoric she's used compared to the man accused of an attempted assassination on Trump)

"Well, listen, we all must speak out against any form of political violence, and I'm very clear about that. No one should be the subject of violence, much less than political violence. But the American people deserve to be presented with facts and the truth and the fact and the truth is that some of the people closest to Donald Trump when he was president, generals, including most recently, John Kelly, a four star marine general, have been very clear about the danger and the threat that Donald Trump poses to America and the fact that he is unfit to serve, and the American people deserve to hear that and know about that so they can make a decision based on what's in the best interest of themselves and their family."

(On whether she feels her message is striking the right balance against Trump versus specifics of her own policy)

"That is a balance that must be struck. There's no question about that. And I invite everyone who's watching to go to KamalaHarris.com where you will see 80 pages of our policies on a number of issues that include, again as my priority, what we're going to do to bring down the cost for American families, including the cost of housing, cost of groceries, the cost of child care, the cost of home health care for seniors. And I will continue to talk about also what we must do to understand the threat that Donald Trump poses to our democracy and our future and our security.

(On Beyonce)

"More to follow"

Otter link here: https://otter.ai/u/JMQnYZSQvdqRjS7WsaPJgBZKTPE?utm_source=copy_url

VP Travel Pool #5- rolling to podcast interview + speech excerpts

The motorcade began rolling at 4:38pm (ct) to Vice President Harris' podcast interview 'Unlocking Us with Brené Brown" before her rally this evening.

Your pooler did not see the VP enter the motorcade.

Your pooler does not anticipate being able to listen to the recording live.

Additionally, the following excerpts of this evening's remarks have been shared:

As prepared for delivery:

In America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours. By right. And that includes the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government telling her what to do.

–

The Attorney General of Texas is suing [nytimes.com] the United States Government so that Texas prosecutors can get their hands on the private medical records of women who leave the state to get care.

So, see what is happening: Donald Trump won't let anyone see his medical records. But these guys want to get their hands on yours? Simply put: They are out of their minds.

–

In just four years as President, Donald Trump was able to erase half a century of hard-fought progress for women. And now, he wants to go even further. Let us be clear: If Donald Trump wins again, he will ban abortion nationwide.

And though we are in Texas tonight, for anyone watching from another state, if you think you are protected from Trump abortion bans because you live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, California, or any state where voters or legislators have protected reproductive freedom, please know: No one is protected. Because a Donald Trump national ban will outlaw abortion in every single state.

–

What happens in this election will determine the future of reproductive freedom for generations to come… I trust women. And with Colin Allred in the United States Senate, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law… We are fighting for an America where, no matter who you are, or where you live, you can make that decision based on what is right for you and your family.

VP Travel Pool #6- podcast taping

The motorcade arrived to Hollywood Square at 4:53 pm for Vice President Harris' podcast interview taping with Brené Brown.

Onlookers were scattered along the otherwise uneventful route with their phones out.

Your pool did not see the VP enter the building.

The pool was led into the building, with a shuffleboard in the lobby and plants adorning the walls, and is now holding in a separate room. We anticipate holding for at least an hour.

VP Travel Pool #7- holding post podcast

The pool loaded back into the motorcade at 6:27 pm central. We did not see the VP enter. We are holding.

VP Travel Pool #8- rolling to rally

The motorcade is rolling to the rally at 6:46pm central.

VP Travel Pool #9- rally arrival

The motorcade arrived to Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo FC, at 7:01pm central to loud cheers that could be heard outside the stadium.

The sun set by the time we arrived on this clear, warm evening.

There were onlookers along the route, but the ride was otherwise uneventful.

We have not laid eyes on the VP.

Your pooler has inquired whether the VP has been briefed on Iran and will share any response if given.

VP Travel Pool #9a- more color

The stadium is filled with what appears to be an energetic crowd wearing light up bracelets flashing red, white and blue. The crowd is both standing around the stage and seated in stadium seats. The screens above the stage say "Vote for Reproductive Freedom" "Freedom" and "Trust Women."

Thunderous applause broke out when a video of VP Harris began playing.

Your pool was brought to a box and is holding.

VP Travel Pool #10-Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba took the stage at 8:36 pm (c) talking where she talked about shared values with VP Harris, as well as the VP's proposed policies for the child tax credit and small businesses.

"We all know we need the hopeful path" laid out by Harris and Walz, Alba said. " A vision that unites us, protects our freedoms and creates a brighter future, a more inclusive future for all."

She touted Harris' plans for child tax credits, small businesses and her stance on reproductive rights.

"As a woman I know we need a leader like Kamala Harris who is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom, ensuring that decisions about your body are made by you, never by the government, because Kamala Harris understands that protecting reproductive freedom isn't about politics, it's about our right to choose," Alba said.

"She just doesn't want Texans to survive, she wants y'all to thrive."

VP Pool Report #11 - Willie Nelson, Yesenia Gomez and Dr. Todd Ivey

Willie Nelson took the stage at 8:01 pm to chants of "Willie," after speakers and videos that shared more about the impact of abortion bans. Willie asked the crowd if they were ready to sing "Madam President" before launching into "Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys," and "On the Road Again" before concluding at 8:06 pm.

Prior to Willie taking the stage the audience watched a video of Amber Nicole Thurman's family sharing her story, before Dr. Todd Ivey, an obgyn from Texas, took the stage with more than two dozen colleagues in their white coats. Ivey described the anguish of not being able to help patients and the fear of being imprisoned for providing care. He described the number of women forced to travel out of state for care and decried Trump's comments on the overturning of Roe v Wade before saying there was "no place for Donald Trump" in his exam room. Yesenia Gamez then took the stage and shared her personal story, before encouraging the crowd to "have the awkward conversations."

The crowd is now doing the wave.

VP Travel Pool #12- Rep. Colin Allred & Amanda and Josh Zurawski & correction

Please note the spelling correction for the subject line for pool report #11, it should read "Willie Nelson, Yesenia Gamez and Dr. Todd Ivey." Your pooler apologies for the typo.

Amanda and Josh Zurawski took the stage at 9:16pm and shared their personal story under Texas' abortion ban.

"A decision about if and when to start a family should be ours to make, not Donald Trumps', not Ted Cruz's," Josh Zurawski said, calling for electing democrats "up and down the ballot."

Rep. Colin Allred then took the stage at 8:20 pm.

The crowd chanted "beat Ted Cruz" before Allred said he believes in a different Texas than Cruz.

"My time in Congress I've done the exact opposite of Ted Cruz because I never forgot where I came from," touting bipartisanship. He went on to talk about their recent debate, saying "everything is bigger in Texas but Ted Cruz is too small for Texas."

He then recalled the Jan. 6th insurrection, "I was ready to defend the house floor from that mob," he said, later stating, "Ted Cruz was hiding in a supply closet."

Allred went on to criticize Ted Cruz' stance on abortions. "We believe in freedom" he said of Texas. "In ten days we are going to be Ted Cruz and when we do we are going to make Roe v Wade the law of the land again."

"I will never abandon you when you need me most. I will protect your fundamental rights," he said. "We might have come here on different ships but we are in the same boat now, we are all Texans."

He concluded remarks at 8:30 pm

VP Travel Pool #13- VP briefed re: Israel and Iran

passing on from a WH official: "The Vice President has been briefed on Israel conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran. She is closely following developments and will continue to be updated."

VP Travel Pool #14- crowd size

Per a campaign official, tonight's crowd size is 30k and their largest to date.

VP Travel Pool #15- Ondrea and Tina Knowles

The audience watched a video sharing the story of Ondrea, a Texas woman who shared her story in a campaign ad this week before taking the stage at 9:01 pm to loud applause.

Ondrea shared her story from the stage she said for the first time. She said she learned she was expecting in fall of 2022, but her water broke too early. She said she learned her pregnancy was not viable and was given no options. Ondrea said her daughter lived for only a few minutes and described holding her "for hours as she laid lifeless" and her later diagnosis of sepsis, major surgery and recovery journey.

"Texas abortion bans unleashed by Donald Trump almost cost me my life," she said, calling for change, and saying Harris was that change. She said she will vote for Harris "because lives depend on it."

She then introduced Tina Knowles at 9:07 pm

VP Travel Pool #16- Beyonce

Tina Knowles introduced her Beyonce and Kelly Rowland at 9:10pm.

VP Travel Pool #17- Beyonce and Kelly Rowland quotes

Kelly Rowland spoke first telling the crowd "We are grabbing back the pen," going on to say, "Houston you've already had a hand in creating destiny, so do what you do and do this thing again."

Beyonce spoke next.

"H-Town. We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud country Texan women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris. A woman who has been pushing for what this country really needs right now," she said.

"It's impossible to not feel the energy in this room. The positivity the community the humanity. We are at ht eprcipice of an incredible shift, the brink of history. I'm not here as a celebrity, I'm not here as a politician, I'm here as a mother. A mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we are not divided," going on to say," Our past, our present, our future, merge to meet us here. Imagine our daughters growing up seeing what's possible with no ceilings, no limitations. Imagine what our grandmothers feel right now"

Beyonce told the crowd "we need you" and that "it's time for America to sing a new song," encouraging people to vote.

VP Travel Pool #18- VP Harris takes the stage, interruption

VP Harris took the stage to Beyoncé's "Freedom" after being introduced by the artist to loud applause at 9:20pm.

Only a few minutes in, her remarks were interrupted by a person who your pool could be seen taken off the cuts riser by security officials to boos from the audience but it is unclear from our vantage point what led to this.

Harris then sought to get the crowd back on track, before noting eleven days left in the election saying "We will win" to applause and continuing on.

She then paused, looked at the crowd behind her and said "Just send him to that small rally down the street" before continuing again talking about Texas' abortion ban.

More to follow.

VP Travel Pool #19- remarks and rally departure

The VP took the stage at 9:20 pm, largely focusing on reproductive rights and abortion bans

"We are fighting for freedom," Harris said, acknowledging "We know this will be a tight race until the very end."

"You are ground zero in the fight for reproductive freedom," Harris said, calling for mobilizing and energizing around it. She went on to call out Texas for having one most restrictive bans in the country.

"Now one in three women lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban" she said, adding that bans were causing care to be denied "until a women is at death's door." She repeated her call that "One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government should not be telling her what to do with her body" before pivoting to the issue of maternal mortality.

Harris then called out officials who have not been supportive.

"I have a question for them, where ya been?"about officials who "claim to care" about prioritizing women and children, saying "many of these extremist leaders" have blocked efforts to expand the child tax cried and tried to cut WIC and SNAP.

"These bans are driving doctors out of state" focusing on maternity care deserts.

"Over these past two years the impact of Trump abortion bans has been devastating. We see the horrific reality women and families face every single day. The stories are vivid. They are difficult to hear. They are difficult to tell," she said.

Harris then called for a video to be played that showed Trump saying "I did it" re: the overturn of Roe V Wade and featuring women impacted by bans.

"From his own mouth" Harris said before recounting herself the stories of people impacted, including Kate Cox and Amber Nicole Thurman, before criticizing Trump's comments.

"How dare he," she said, noting the not only the impact on women but the threat of imprisonment some medical professionals face.

She then talked about men as it relates to reproductive rights.

"The men of America don't want this," she said.

Harris also called out Texas' AG and the states lawsuit against the government re: medical records.

"On the one hand Donald trump won't let anyone see his medical records" Harris said, going on to add "and on the other hand they want to get their hands on your medical records."

"They are out of their minds" she said.

Harris then warned Trump would go further, pointing to access to contraception and IVF, pointing to project 2025. "Please know no one is protected if there is a trump national abortion ban."

She went on to call for the election of Colin Allred to the senate, reiterating she would sign a law codifying Roe v Wade.

"You are making a difference and momentum is on our side" she told the crowd. "The people of America have voted for freedom every time it has been on the ballot."

"Reproductive freedom is on the ballot in this presidential election and in ten states around the country including Arizona Florida and Nevada. "

Harris specifically called out Gen Z young leaders telling them "you are the generation for change" noting first time voters in particular.

Harris concluded remarks at 9:48 pm and walked off the stage to work the rope line as the crowd in front of the stage gathered tighter with their phones raised in the air.

She went back on stage at 9:58pm and waved to the crowd before exiting.

Motorcade rolling at 10:03pm central.

Please check quotes against the transcripts. More to come.

VP Travel Pool Report #20- RON arrival

The motorcade arrived back the RON at 10:12pm after an uneventful drive back. The pool did not see the VP leave the motorcade.

VP Pool Report #21- lid

We have a lid at 11:32 pm.