Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 31, 2024

VP pool report #1 - Madison RON flag room

Happy Halloween from Madison, Wisconsin!

Pool has been moved to a room in the RON with two US flags and two spotlights, where we're currently holding.

The VP is due to head out West today for the final time in the 2024 campaign, with events in Phoenix, AZ, then Reno, NV and finally Las Vegas, NV.

VP pool report #2 - Harris gaggle on Trump women remarks

VP Harris entered the room at 10.06am and spoke to the pool in front of the US flags.

She began by saying she'd comment on
on Trump's remarks on women 'whether they like it or not'

"Listen it actually is very offensive to women… This is just the latest in a series of reveals by the former president about how he thinks about women."

She took a few questions.

Asked about possible appeal to hypermasculine Trump supporters of his remarks: "I think it's offensive to everybody by the way."

On underdog language dropping out of speeches: "it's going to be a very tight race… Im running as the underdog…. Regardless of what the polls say we are going to win."

Pool has now been hurried to the motorcade.

More quotes TK

VP pool report #3 - Rolling/more quotes

The motorcade is now rolling to the airport. A few bystanders including a man wearing only a pair of jogging shorts watched as we left the RON.

Fuller quotes from VP Harris's topper just now:

"I will comment on the former President Donald Trump's remark about women and and whether they like it or not — and listen, it's just, it actually is, I think, very offensive to women in terms of not understanding their agency, their authority, their right and their ability to make decisions about their own lives, including their own bodies.

"And this is just the latest on a series of reveals by the former president of how he thinks about women and their agency — whether he has said, as he has, that women should be punished for their choices; whether he has talked about his pride in taking away a fundamental right from women; whether it be how he has actually created a situation in America where now one in three women lives in a Trump abortion ban state and has legal restrictions on the right she rightly should have to make decisions about her own body…"

"So there's still a lot of work to do, but each day, I think that there are also indications that we are receiving from my opponent that verify, validate and reinforce the fact that he is not going to be fighting for women's reproductive rights.

"He does not prioritize the freedom of women and the intelligence of women to make decisions about their own lives and bodies and health care for all Americans is on the line in this election as well."

VP pool report #4 - AF2 wheels up shortly

The motorcade arrived at Dane County regional airport, where it's mostly cloudy, at 10.29am. The VP stepped out of her SUV at 10.36am, posed with some campaign staff and then climbed the stairs to Air Force Two with a brief wave to the pool. She didn't respond to a question about whether she was concerned about her support among Hispanic voters.

We will be wheels up shortly for Phoenix.

VP pool report #5 - DL Hughley interview

Actually AF2 is only now moving, as VP was on phone interview with comedian DL Hughley, per campaign.

Passing this along:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Prior to taking off from Madison, WI, Vice President Harris recorded an interview with DL Hughley for the DL Hughley Show.

VP pool report #6 - Phoenix arrival

Air Force Two was wheels down at a sun-drenched Phoenix Sky Harbor airport at 12.25pm, after an occasionally bumpy flight of some three hours 20 minutes, and a stunning view of the city and surrounding mountains. There were no visitors to the press cabin.

Passing along list of greeters, per VP's office. They include former GOP senator Jeff Flake, who's now backing VP Harris (thanks to radio pooler Tamara Keith for spotting)

- U.S. Representative Greg Stanton
- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
- Mesa Mayor John Giles
- Tohono O'Odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose
- Former U.S. Senator Jeff Flake & Ms. Cheryl Flake

VP pool report #7 - motorcade rolling

VP Harris deplaned at 12.40pm with a laugh and a wave at the greeters. She stopped to speak with each and hugged Jeff Flake and his wife before chatting for a couple of minutes. She waved to the pool and got into her SUV.

Motorcade is rolling as of 12.46pm

VP pool report #8 - Arrival/Los Tigres del Norte

Motorcade arrived at the Talking Stick Amphitheater at 1.03pm after an uneventful drive over the Phoenix freeways. It's a large open air amphitheater under a giant canopy.

The minute the pool entered, the band Los Tigres del Norte struck up at deafening volume on a stage with a large blue 'When We Vote We Win' sign at the back and two giant red banners saying 'Vote' on either side of the stage. Behind them are a few dozen supporters and US and Arizona state flags. There were big cheers from the crowd at the start and finish of each number.

The VP's remarks will be live streamed. As usual will send color and anything that happens in the venue

Passing on:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a campaign rally at Talking Stick Amphitheater in Phoenix, Arizona, where Los Tigres del Norte will also perform.

Speakers:
-Martin Harvier, President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
-Tucson Mayor Regina Romero
-Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego
-Governor Katie Hobbs
-Senator Mark Kelly and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords
-Kim Higuera, Arizona Democratic Party Organizer

-Los Tigres del Norte, Performance

Program:
-Congressman Ruben Gallego, Introducer
-Vice President Harris

VP pool report #9 - Harris on stage

Los Tigres del Norte singer and accordion player Jorge Hernandez, wearing a cowboy hat, urged people to vote. "We are proud to be here supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz," he said in English during a break between songs. "Make sure your friends, family, co workers and anyone you know has the plan to bottle by November 5 so that our voices are heard."

Other band members also spoke, partly in English and partly in Spanish, saying 'cuando votamos, gañamos' (when we vote we win). Bass player Hernan Hernandez said Harris 'had a plan to improve this country and take us forward' while 'Trump and his agenda called 2025 want to take us back to the past'

At the end of their set, which lasted four or five songs, they chanted 'Kamala.'

VP Harris took to the stage at 1.53pm to huge cheers — she thanked Los Tigres del Norte and said 'by the way, Happy Halloween.' She's encouraging people to vote 'in one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime.' Adds 'and make no mistake, we will win'

A reminder that speech is live-streamed.

VP pool report #10 - Speech over / Gaza protesters

VP Harris briefly spoke Spanish — 'Si se puede' — and otherwise her remarks were similar to her stump speech. Big boos from the crowd when she mentioned Trump's remarks on women yesterday.

A protester started shouting about five minutes into Harris's speech but was quickly bustled out and the crowd started chanting 'Kamala.' The same happened at least three more times over the space of a few minutes — pooler could hear shouting but could not see — at which point Harris said: 'Let's talk for a moment about Gaza. We all want this war to end and the hostages home. I will work on it full time when I am elected president, as I've been'

VP finished speaking at 2.17pm and spent a couple of minutes greeting the supporters at the back of the stage. Back to motorcade and now rolling at 2.25pm

VP pool report #11 - heading to Reno

The motorcade arrived back at Phoenix airport, where VP Harris very quickly posed for a picture with staffers before boarding AF2 at 2.44pm with a wave to the pool. Plane now rolling for flight to Reno, after spending a little over two and a half hours in Phoenix.

VP pool report #12 - Reno

AF2 was wheels down in Reno-Tahoe International at 4.32pm after an uneventful flight and no visitors to the cabin, albeit with more beautiful scenery. It's surprisingly cold.

VP Harris deplaned at 4.45pm, having donned a scarf, and spoke to the greeters. She was accompanied by a friend, Chrisette Hudlin, per the VP's office.

Motorcade is now rolling at 4.49pm.

Per the campaign, greeters below:

- Washoe County Chair Alexis Hill
- Colonel Catherine M. Grush, Commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, NV

VP pool report #13 - Reno Expo Center

Motorcade stopped at 5pm and pool was ushered into a packed Reno Expo Center, an indoor arena with tiered seating and with crowds standing in the middle, in front of the VP's lectern. There's a large red sign saying Reno Votes Harris-Walz with two large US flags above one tier and a blue one saying When We Vote We Win. Uplifting music is booming — the crowd waved their signs in time to Katy Perry's 'Firework.'

The opening speaker is up now.

Passing on:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a campaign rally at the Reno Expo Center in Reno, Nevada.

Speakers:
-Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve
-Michael Gordan, LiUNA Apprentice
-Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair
-U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto

Program:
-Michon Martin, attorney, former colleague, and friend of Vice President Harris
-Vice President Harris

VP pool report #14 - VP speaking

At 5.21pm VP Harris emerged from behind a curtain in a doorway beneath a large sign saying 'Reno Votes', and walked 50 yards or so along a runway to the lectern to the strains of Beyoncé's Freedom.

Her remarks are being livestreamed

VP pool report #15 - Reno speech wraps

VP Harris wrapped up at 5.46pm and did a bit of ropeline.

Her comments were similar to her earlier speech although targeted to Nevada at the start. There was a lot of placard waving, stamping of feet, booing at mentions of Trump, and chants of Kamala. "We need you to vote, Nevada, you are going to make the difference in this election and I thank you," she said.

Protesters interrupted Harris again at least three times, by pool's count. At least one could be heard shouting about Gaza. Harris drowned out the most vocal protesters when she said "Let me say something about this — we are here because we're fighting for a democracy", drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Pool was rushed back at motorcade and now about to roll as of 5.54pm.

VP pool report #16 - Leaving Reno

Motorcade arrived at Reno airport. VP Harris, now wearing a coat as it is quite chilly, stepped out of her SUV and posed again with staffers for a picture. She then climbed the stairs of AF2, followed by her friend Chrisette Hudlin. Both of them waved from the top then went inside the plane at 6.05pm.

We expect to be wheels up shortly from Reno, heading for Vegas.

VP pool report #17 - Vegas

AF2 was wheels down at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport at 7.15 pm.

VP Harris deplaned at 7.33pm, hugged, chatted and took a selfie with greeters, waved to the pool then headed for the SUV.

Motorcade about to roll.

Greeters per VP's office:

- Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford & Ms. Berna Rhodes-Ford
- County Executive Richard "Tick" Segerblom

VP pool report #18 - Craig Ranch Amphitheater / Crowd sizes

Motorcade arrived at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater at 8.03pm after a 25-minute drive past the nighttime lights of The Strip and then into the outskirts of Vegas.

Passing on a couple of things below:

Per the Harris-Walz campaign:

-Over 7,000 attended Phoenix

-Over 6,000 attended Reno

Also passing along the speaking program for Vegas:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a campaign rally at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in Las Vegas, NV where Maná will also perform.

Speakers:
-Divya Narala, South Asian Women's Alliance of Nevada Co-Founder
-Congressman Steven Horsford
-Congresswoman DinaTitus
-Congresswoman Susie Lee
-U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen

-Maná, Performance

Program:
-Jennifer Lopez
-Vice President Harris

VP pool report #19 - JLo

Jennifer Lopez took to the stage at 9.02, wearing a long olive-colored dress. The crowd sounded very pleased.

The event is being livestreamed but here are a couple of quotes:

"You are the ones who are going to send a message — that Las Vegas is Harris country

"Kamala Harris gets it…. As president of the United States Kamala will fight for us… And the freedom to choose to do what we do with our bodies."

On Trump and Madison Square Garden:
"It wasn't just Puerto Ricans who were offended that days. It was every Latino"

Shouts of 'thank you' and 'we love you J-Lo'

VP pool report #20 - VP speech

One other line from J-Lo: "I love Hollywood endings and I like when the good guy, or in this case the good girl, wins."

VP Harris took to the stage at 9.15pm as Freedom played. She walked over to the lectern, where Jennifer Lopez did a little dance before they embraced.

She gave her stump speech, with her voice sounding a little croaky at points, at the end of a long day. Again, it was live-streamed. One thing was that she said she had 100,000 people at her Ellipse Rally, as she mocked Trump for having a crowd size obsession.

The Las Vegas crowd chanted "Si se puede",
"Kamala" and "We are not going back" at points, and strong booing and chants of "lock him up" when she talked about his comments on women.

She wrapped up at 9.39pm

VP pool report #21 - rolling

Motorcade is rolling from the venue as of 9.50pm. Pool did not lay eyes on VP

VP pool report #22 - RON

The motorcade arrived at the RON at 10.21pm. Pool again did not lay eyes on VP.

VP pool report #23 - Lid

The VP's office called a lid at 10.29pm. Have a nice evening!