Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 28, 2024

VP Pool #1 gaggle at JBA

Marine Two landed at JBA at 11:25 am.

Harris walked out at 11:30 am in a grey suit and came over and took some questions. She was accompanied by her god daughter

We are boarding asap, so quick summary of the gaggle:

She started off talking about Trump's rally last night saying it highlighted the grievances dividing our country and it's not something that will strengthen the American family and worker.

"It is absolutely something that is intended to and fanning the fuel of division in the country"

Asked if she agrees with Michelle Obama that she has faced a double standard, she said she is not taking any votes for granted.

Asked about her pitch to Michigan voters: she talked about her plan to help American voters.

Asked about comparison of Trump rally to a neo nazi rally and his comments on PR: "it's more of the same and maybe more vivid than usual"

"That's why people are exhausted with him"

"People are literally ready to turn the page"

On PR: she said as a senator, she tried to look out for people on the island.

Talked about the celebrities who have endorsed her and shared her plan for Puerto Rico.

Wheels up shortly for Saginaw.

VP Pool #2 arrival/motorcade

AF2 landed at 1:09 pm. VP deplaned at 1:20 pm

She was greeted by Rep. Dan Kildee and Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore at the tarmac. She talked to them for a few mins, nodding her head and smiling. Pool was too far to hear.

She waved to the press got in the car at 1:23 pm.

Motorcade rolling at for Hemlock Semiconductor in Saginaw at 1:24 pm.

Quick follow up on my pool note from the gaggle, should have said plan for American workers, not voters on her pitch in Michigan. (By now, you probably have already seen the full gaggle)

Also, Harris’s goddaughter, who is traveling with her, was mentioned in previous pool note. Her name is Helena Hudlin.

VP Pool #3 Hemlock arrival

Motorcade arrived at Hemlock Semiconductor at 1:49 pm after an uneventful ride.

Pool was taken to an area set up for a tour for the VP with a few employees in hard hats.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is meeting with workers and touring Corning Incorporated’s Hemlock Semiconductor facility in Saginaw, Michigan alongside Representative Dan Kildee and Corning Chairman and CEO Wendell Weeks. While at the facility, the Vice President will also provide brief remarks.

VP Pool #4 Hemlock tour

VP came over at 2:13 pm to the first stop on her tour, where pool was waiting for her.

"Let's see what I've been reading about," Harris said as she walked over.

Harris was close to touching rolls of material that are produced by the company. "Do not touch it," said one of the employees, warning it can be sharp.

"Ok I won't touch that," Harris said with a laugh.

She was asking the employees a few questions, including the volume they process, when the pool was moved to the next stop. There were two "Made in America" signs in the background.

Harris came to the next stop at 2:18 pm. "Ok, tell me what this is about," she said.

An employee told her about something called an "inket" that was placed in front of him (apologies if your pooler is getting technical names wrong — very hard to hear)

Harris listened intently and nodded.

"So how is that drawn? What is the process?"

"So it is being pulled like taffy," she said with a laugh.

"This is so important," Harris said at one point.

Another employee was telling her about more of the process when pool was moved to third stop.

Harris came to the next stop at 2:25 pm. She met two more employees. Harris asked how long they have worked there and what kind of training they received.

Pool was moved to set up for remarks.

VP Pool #5 Hemlock remarks

Harris came to the lectern at 2:38 pm. "Listen I came by to say thank you," she said.

Harris talked about the skills needed for jobs at Hemlock.

"it's good stuff, and the fact that it's right here and not very far from where you grew up and where you live," she said.

She joked that her staff said some of the jobs the company has created are better than White House jobs.

"We need to get in front of this idea that high skilled jobs require a college degree. It's just not true," she said.

If elected, she said she will look at federal jobs and see which ones don't require a college degree. "I've already started looking at it," she said.

"So there are many points that are about how we think about the future of work, the future of the workforce, the future of American industry, in a way that understands that we should be optimistic about what's possible."

Harris pointed to the election being 8 days away, and got into a contrast with Trump. Said her opponent is about "diminishing" and "talking down." "That we are the garbage can of the world," she said referring to Trump's comments. "We are not."

"When he was president, he sold advanced chips to China that helped them with their agenda to modernize their military. That's not about what's in the best interest of America's security and prosperity, which should be two of the highest priorities for President in the United States."

She also mentioned Trump's recent comments about getting rid of the CHIPS Act

Harris said although she has been a public servant, she knows the limitations of government.

"You are a source of my optimism and also my ambition about what we are capable of."

Her remarks ended at 2:47 pm.

Motorcade was rolling at 2:52 pm.

VP Pool #6 Breakfast Club taping/wheels up

Motorcade arrived at the airport at 3:18 pm.

We drove by houses and businesses where people stood outside taking videos of the motorcade.

Harris immediately boarded AF2 3:20 pm. Waved at the top of the stairs.

Wheels up for Macomb county shortly.

Note below from campaign:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris taped an interview with Charlamagne tha God, DJ Envy, and Loren LoRosa for the Breakfast Club. The episode will air tomorrow at 7am ET.

VP Pool #7 Macomb arrival

AF2 landed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base at 3:57 pm.

VP deplaned at 4:09 pm.

She was greeted by Senator Gary Peters, MI State Senator Paul Wojno, MI State Representative Mai Xiong. She gave Peters a hug and shook hands with and talked to the others.

She was also greeted by Chief Master Sergeant Joseph Crocker, 127th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Colonel David J. Spehar, Deputy Wing Commander, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

VP got in her car at 4:12 pm.

Motorcade rolling for the union event at 4:14 pm.

VP Pool #8 union training facility

Motorcade arrived at IUPAT District Council 1M in Macomb county at 4:40 pm.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is in Macomb, Michigan touring an International Union of Painters and Allied Trades training facility and meeting with workers. The Vice President is joined by Senator Gary Peters, Warren Mayor Lori Stone, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, and other state, local, and union leaders. While at the facility, the Vice President will provide brief remarks.

VP Pool #9 Remarks/training tour/rolling

VP started giving remarks at 5:15 pm. It was hard to hear so please double check quotes.

"You are making our country stronger and better by the work that you're doing."

On Trump, Harris said: "He gives a lot of talk about what he cares about but when it comes specifically to unions and union labor, he was awful."

"He's not concerned about or working for working people."

Harris said Trump cared about his "billionaire buddies."

"And it's a choice on many levels, including whether you want Donald Trump sitting in the Oval Office, stewing over his enemy list, or what we're going to do together, which is focused on American workers and American families on our to do list."

"I'm here for you. We have an election coming up in 8 days," she said as one person interrupted and said "that you're going to win."

"He degrades who we are as America."

"We've got a lot at stake. We are going to win," she said to loud cheers.

Press was escorted out at 5:21 pm.

Before her remarks, union members applauded and cheered as she walked in. She walked around and shook hands before speaking. One of attendees shouted: "Thank you for saving our pensions, thank you for the Inflation Reduction Act, thank you for all you've done for us."

Earlier, VP got a tour of the union facility.

VP walked over to the first stop on her tour at 4:57 pm. She looked at some glazing projects and met some instructors and students in the apprenticeship program.

Harris looked at the students and praised apprenticeship programs. "These guys are tough on you," she said of the instructors, "but they have a high standard."

At the second stop, she saw a mockup of an overpass and learned how the apprenticeship trains people to work on the bridges.

We are rolling to Ann Arbor at 5:25 pm.

VP Pool #10 Ann Arbor arrival

Motorcade arrived at Burns Park at 6:38 pm after about an hour long drive.

We drove by a very long line of people presumably trying to get into the event.

Below is info from the campaign on the rally. It’s an open press event so your pooler will not be sending quotes from her remarks.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a Harris-Walz campaign rally and concert at Burns Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan alongside Governor Tim Walz. The event will feature remarks and a performance by singer Maggie Rogers.

Speakers:

-Justin Thatch, Harris-Walz campaign organizer
-Tony West
-Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
-Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist

Program:

-Guari Chawla, University of Michigan Student and Haris-Walz campaign volunteer
-Governor Tim Walz
-Vice President Harris

VP Pool #11 Harris remarks

Harris walked out on stage at 7:40 pm after being introduced to the crowd by Gov. Walz. She waved to the crowd and got to the lectern at 7:41 pm.

Her remarks are open press.

VP Pool #12 remarks end/rolling to airport

Harris wrapped her remarks at 8:05 pm. Walz then sprinted to the VP on stage and they went to the rope line together for a while.

Per campaign, there were 21,000 in attendance.

Pool could hear some protesters in the distance but could not see them or hear them a few mins into Harris's remarks.

She addressed them:
"And listen, hey on the subject of Gaza."
"Hey guys, I hear you on the subject of Gaza.
We all want this war to end as soon as possible and get the hostages out. And I will do everything
in my power to make it so."

We are now rolling to the airport at 8:37 pm.

VP Pool #13 wheels up for JBA

Motorcade arrived at the airport at 9:05 pm.

VP, now wearing a black coat over her suit, took a photo with volunteers at 9:09 pm and immediately boarded AF2. She waved at the top of the stairs.

Wheels up for JBA shortly.

VP Pool #14 JBA

AF2 landed at JBA at 10:26 pm.

VP deplaned at 10:41 pm. She waved to press and walked away.

She boarded Marine Two at 10:42 pm.

M2 was wheels up at 10:46 pm.

VP Pool #15 Lid

Harris arrived at the residence at 11:05 p.m., per her office.

We have a lid. Have a good night!