Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 6, 2023

VP Travel Pool #1 - DNC meeting

Greetings from St. Louis.

Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee at 4:10 p.m. CT; she addressed the DNC's women's caucus, which is part of the DNC's fall meeting here at the Marriott St. Louis Grand. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was in attendance.

Harris spoke in a "moderated conversation" with former DNC acting chair Donna Brazile, a political strategist and longtime DNC member, on stage inside the hotel's Majestic Ballroom. About 600 DNC members and their guests were in attendance. Harris and Brazile were seated in gray, low-back chairs across from each other; a small bouquet of white flowers rested on a table between them. Two American flags were displayed in the background.

Brazile opened by thanking Harris for her "heartfelt remarks" during the funeral services this week for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Harris recounted for the audience a story she told at the funeral: as a "baby prosecutor" in November 1992 she drove across the Bay Bridge in her Toyota Corolla to see Feinstein and Barbara Boxer at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel, raising their arms on stage together after they were elected to the U.S. Senate. Harris said she watched them with "nation declaring it the 'Year of the Woman.'"

The vice president said it was meaningful to return to celebrate Feinstein's life, "not in my Toyota Corolla, but in Air Force II," prompting cheers from the crowd.

Harris spoke about her recent appearances on college campuses and at HBCUs as part of her college tour, noting how many young people are focused on the climate crisis. "They want to know that we are taking this matter seriously with a sense of urgency," Harris said.

The conversation then turned to gun violence, with Harris saying that many college students have cited to her the need for tougher gun laws, including a ban on assault weapons. "This is what they want because it is their lived experience," Harris said.

"It doesn't have to be this way. It is within our grasp," Harris said. She reminded the audience that Feinstein had helped pass an assault weapons ban.

They also spoke about abortion rights. "Since the Dobbs decision came down, every day, people are silently suffering," Harris said.

"I think there is something very perverse that is happening in our country now, where the strength of the leader is measured by who they beat down," Harris said. "When in fact, I think we all believe, the strength of the leader is measured by who you lift up."

Harris also spoke about the stakes in next year's election, telling the DNC members that "we are fighting for our democracy." When Brazile asked her what the DNC members should pass along to the people in their lives, Harris said, "this is not a time to be passive."

"I would also say this: We're going to win!" Harris said, bringing the cheering audience to their feet. "We are going to win."

She said pundits often bring up polling but the administration's policies remain popular, including their response to climate change, lowering the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, student loan debt and job creation.

"We have strength on our side. We have competency on our side. What we are doing is popular with the American people," Harris said. "We are going to win."

Harris wrapped up her remarks at 4:37 p.m.

Harris will be headlining a fundraiser here in the St. Louis area later this afternoon; I will send an update.