Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 4, 2024

VP pool report 1 - departing RON

Motorcade departed RON in Detroit at 1:25 pm.

Pool did not have eyes on VP.

VP pool report 2 - arrival in Redford Township, MI

Motorcade arrived at our destination in Redford Township, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, at 1:49 pm. Ride uneventful, some onlookers as we got close.

A handful of folks waved at the motorcade from outside the Beirut Bakery.

VP pool report 2a- fire station

We are at the Redford Township Fire Station, stage is set with a large American flag backdrop, straddled by four standing American flags. A crowd of fire station personnel and others has gathered.

VP pool report 3 - Harris remarks at Redford Mi fire station

Program kicked off at 2:02 pm, with opening remarks from the president of Michigan Professional Firefighters Union,.

VP Harris entered and began speaking at 2:03 pm. Check quotes against transcript.

"It is so good to be in the house of labor," she said to applause.

She described firefighting as a "calling," has an in-law who just retired as a firefighter. She spoke of dangerous conditions of firefighting. The people who are helped may not know your name, but they know "you guys are out there."

"I am so thankful to you," she said to more applause. "I am thankful to the union that supports you and your rights."

Thanked other union people here - from UAW and LIUNA. Spoke of longshoremen strike that ended yesterday. "I say everywhere I go, look, collective bargaining benefits everybody." Describes collective bargaining - "everybody wants fairness."

"That's the basic point of collective bargaining."

"When union wages go up, everyone's wages go up."

"When union workplaces are safer, all workplaces are safer."

"This eleciton is about two very different visions for our nation" - "one that is focused on the past," and one on the future. "we are for the future."

In Michigan, more than 500,000 new business applications, she said. "When I'm president, I plan to build on that success and that progress."

Speaks of the day care center she grew up attending, a small business. Then of high cost of housing. "We're going to cut red tape,

Referenced promise of 300 million new homes by the end of my first term, and benefits to help people - inclduing providing first time homebuyers with $25,000 in assistance.

Points to strong jobs report out this morning, then her plan to go after "price-gouging." Expanded child tax credit.

"I will always put the middle class and working families first," she said. "I come from the middle class, and I will never forget where I came from."

'I want to make sure America, not China, wins the competition for the 21st century." Speaker of iron, steel, and the "great American auto industry."

Notes that the election is in 32 days. "Americans has a big choice to make."

"Let's be real about who Donald Trump is... he was handed $400 million on a silver platter, and filed for bankruptcy 4 times." Called Trump a "union-buster." Calls union leaders "dues-sucking people."

Goes after Trump on his approach to labor - "he rolled back labor standards."

Calls the crowd "brothers and sisters" in a "house of labor"

"Donald Trump's track record is a disaster for working people, and he's trying to gaslight people all over our country."

Calls DJT one of the "biggest losers" of manufacturing jobs in American history. Goes thru history of plant closures during Trump presidency, claims Trump will ban public sector unions. ... "Everything he intends to do is spelled out in Project 2025."

"Did you see the debate?" she said to laughter. "He is an unserious man," referring to his statement about a "concept of a plan."

"It's time to turn the page, it's time to turn the page," she says twice, for emphasis. Some call and response with the crowd.

"It all comes down to this - we are here together because we know what's at stake... and because we love our country."

Calls herself the underdog in the presidential race. "Hard work is good work."

Remarks ended at 2:20 pm. "Freedom" by Beyonce' now playing.

VP pool report 4 - heading to airport

As we loaded into motorcade, a crowd outside the fire station chanted "Ka-ma-la, Ka-ma-la" and "We're not going back!"

Motorcade is rolling at 2:32 pm for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, en route Flint, MI.

VP pool report 5 - leaving Detroit, en route Flint

Motorcade arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County airport at 3:07 pm.

VP Harris stepped out of her SUV at 3:09 and walked over to pose for a photo with campaign advance team. Up the steps quickly and into AF2, with a wave. She is wearing a black suit and black heels.

AF2 will be wheels up shortly, en route Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan.

VP pool report 6 - Flint arrival

AF2 landed at Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, at 3:41 pm.

VP stepped down the stairs of AF2 at 3:50 pm, and got a hug from the first greeter, Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The senator's wife is next to him, also engaging with the VP. Pool is asking for ID on other greeters. The VP posed for a photo with two of them.

VP turned and waved at pool, then got into her SUV at 3:55.

Motorcade is rolling at 3:56.

VP pool report 7 - arrival at Flint campaign event

Motorcade arrived at Dort Financial Center sports venue in Flint at 4:09 pm.

We are in a large arena, music playing, mood is festive. A big blue sign "Michigan for Harris-Walz" hangs at one end. The word Freedom and a number to text is emblazoned on a blue strip that encircles the whole arena. The stands are partly full.

VP isn't skedded to speak until about 6:00 pm, remarks will be live-streamed.

VP pool report 8- from the Harris campaign

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Earlier today, Vice President Harris greeted with local Detroit labor leaders and delivered remarks to labor members, their families, and other community members in Redford Township, Michigan.

Speakers:

Scott Demoff, Redford Township IAFF Chief
Laura Dickerson, UAW 1A Director
James Soosik, IBEW Local 58 Business Manager

Program:
Matthew "Matt" Sahr, President of Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union
Vice President Harris

VP pool report 9: more from the Harris campaign, including Magic Johnson

VP Harris isn't due to speak at the Flint rally for at least a half hour, but in the meantime, the White House passes this along.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

VicePresident Harris is delivering economic remarks at a campaign rally at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan.

Speakers:
UAW President Shawn Fain
SEIU President April Verrett
Senator Gary Peters
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin
Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Program:
Magic Johnson
Eric Price, UAW Local 651 President, Introducer
Vice President Harris

VP pool report 10 - passing along from a Harris-Walz campaign official

From a Harris-Walz campaign official....

Today, in advance of her event in Flint, Michigan, Vice President Harris met briefly with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community. The Vice President heard directly their perspectives on the election and the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Vice President Harris expressed her concern over the scale of suffering in Gaza. The Vice President discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination. On Lebanon, the Vice President expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement, and reiterated the Administration's position that, ultimately, a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability and protect civilians. The Vice President also discussed efforts to prevent regional war.

VP pool report 11 - Harris takes the stage in Flint

VP Harris took the stage in Flint at 5:58 pm to the roar of the crowd.

Event is live-streamed here:

http://www.youtube.com/kamalaharris

Re earlier program:

Sen. Gary Peters took the stage first, and gave a rousing endorsement of Harris. After an extended riff by Peters quoting former Trump officials warning about their former boss, the crowd chanted "Lock him up!"

Next up: Sean Fain, United Auto Workers president, followed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who took the stage to big cheers. Magic Johnson, a native of Lansing MI, lit up the arena when he spoke.

VP pool report 12 - Harris remarks end

VP Harris spoke to a packed arena, ending her remarks at 6:25.

From the top:

Harris called herself the underdog, but said that "with hard work, we'll win."

Talks small business- referencing the day care she attended as a child, Mrs. Shelton's - and building an opportunity economy. Lays out her economic agenda, with emphasis on manufacturing and union jobs.

"I will invest in communities like Flint," she said, and create jobs, including those that don't require a college degree.

Calls Donald Trump one of the biggest losers in American history.

Interrupted her remarks at 6:12 when an audience member had a medical emergency. Medics passed the press table a minute later.

VP speaks of Michigan autoworkers losing their jobs under Trump. "Make no mistake, Donald Trump is no friend of labor"

"If you want to know anything about Donald Trump's plans, just google Project 2025."

Says Trump intends to end the Affordable Care Act. But "you saw the debate! He says he has concepts of a plan!"

"Michigan, we are not going back!" She said. Crowd began to chant "not going back!"

Speaks of women's right to make decisions about her own body. More on reproductive rights: Now more than 1 in 3 women live in a state with no reproductive freedom, she said. If given a bill to guarantee freedom of choice, she will "sign it into law," she said to loud cheers.

"We are all here because we know what is at stake, and we love our country"

2 million Michigan voters already have their ballots, she said. "The election is here"

VP pool report 13 - motorcade rolling

Motorcade rolling for Flint airport at 6:30 pm.

VP pool report 14 - departing Flint- VP responds on port strike

Motorcade arrived at Bishop International Airport in Flint Michigan at 6:42 pm. VP stepped out of her SUV at 6:44 and posed for a photo with local volunteers and advance team. She then got onto steps of AF2, and paused when a reporter shouted a question re resolution of the port strike.

She said it was a "good deal." Then proceeded into the plane.

We will be rolling for JBA shortly.

VP pool report 15 - JBA

AF2 landed at Joint Base Andrews at 8:02 pm.

At 8:11, VP Harris descended the stairs of AF2, greeted the military official at the bottom of the stairs and walked to/entered Marine 2.

M2 lifted off at 8:17.