Vice Presidential Pool Reports of September 4, 2024

VP Pool Report #1 — JBA departure

Good morning from Joint Base Andrews. Marine Two touched down at 12:05p ET. VP Harris emerged from the helo at 12:09p ET wearing a tan suit jacket, black blouse, and french blue pants.

Harris waved at the pool but did not stop to speak before boarding Air Force Two at 12:10p ET.

Harris is headed to New Hampshire today to unveil her tax proposals for small businesses. Per guidance from the Harris campaign, the VP is expected to deliver remarks around 2:45pm ET at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire.

We will shortly be wheels up on Air Force Two.

VP Pool Report #2 — GA school shooting note

Passing along on background from a White House official:

Prior to departing Joint Base Andrews, Vice President Harris was briefed on the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. She will receive regular updates from her staff as additional information becomes available. The Biden-Harris administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials.

VP Pool Report #3 - Second Georgia shooting note

Per a Harris campaign official:

VP Harris is expected to address the Georgia school shooting at the top of her remarks at the brewery stop in New Hampshire

VP Pool Report #4 — landed in NH

Air Force Two was wheels down at Portsmouth International Airport, New Hampshire, at 1:36p ET. It is 78 degrees and sunny here. (We took off from JBA at 12:27p ET).

Before AF2 took off, VP Harris came back to the press cabin for an OTR session and answered questions for about five minutes.

Harris deplaned at 1:53p ET, emerging to cheers and a round of applause from the greeters. At the bottom of the stair truck, she gave Rep. Ann Kuster a big hug. Harris shook hands and spoke with the other greeters for a couple minutes. Pool could not hear what was being said at any point.

Harris got into a black motorcade SUV at 1:57p ET without responding to a shouted question about the Georgia school shooting, although she's expected to address it in her remarks at the event at the brewery coming up, per a Harris campaign official.

Passing along greeter list from the WH:

- Congresswoman Ann Kuster (NH-02)

- NH State Senator Donna Soucy, Senate Minority Leader

- NH State Representative Matthew Wilhelm, State House Minority Leader

- Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern

- Mr. William "Billy" Shaheen, spouse of Sen. Shaheen

- Ms. Stefany Shaheen, daughter of Sen. Shaheen

- Col. Nelson E. Perron, Commander of the 157th Air Refueling Wing

- Chief Master Sergeant Kevin C. Reiter, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 157th Air Refueling Wing

VP Pool Report #5 - motorcade rolling

Motorcade was rolling at 2p ET. We are heading to the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire.

From a Harris campaign official, confirming WSJ story on capital gains:

Harris will call for increase in capital gains rate than in the Biden-Harris budget

VP Pool Report #6 — brewery arrival

Motorcade stopped in the driveway of the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, NH, at 2:16p ET

We passed a number of picturesque white houses along the route with Harris-Walz signs outfront.

VP Pool Report #7 — brewery event guidance + color

Pool did not see VP Harris exit her vehicle upon arrival at the brewery.

Harris is scheduled to deliver remarks around 2:45/2:50p ET per the Harris campaign.

The rally is taking place in the grassy area next to the Throwback Brewery building. (It's a white clapboard clad building with a silo on the side. Decked along the top of the brewery roof is some red-white-blue July 4th-esque bunting. A giant American flag is tied to the side of the silo).

Harris's stage is in the middle of the rally ground, protected by panes of bulletproof glass. There's a standing area in front of the stage, with seated risers for the public around the rest of the perimeter.

There is a DJ on a small stage next to the press riser with a Serato turntable. The DJ, wearing a purple baseball cap, is currently playing "I will survive" and getting the crowd to jam, her right hand bopping in the air.

On behalf of the Harris-Walz Campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, New Hampshire.

Speakers:
Congressman Chris Pappas
Senator Maggie Hassan
Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Program:
Nicole Carrier, Co-Founder and President, Throwback Brewery, Introducer
The Vice President

VP Pool Report #8 — rally starts at brewery

We're underway with programming at the Throwback Brewery, where its co-founder and president Nicole Carrier is delivering introductory remarks.

Pool will include some quotes and moments but please check transcript/stream.

"We're not going back to the fear and hatred, it's time for a new future," Carrier said at one point. She's wearing black sunglasses and a sleeveless blue top

"Not going back, Not going back" the crowd started chanting

VP Harris emerging shortly

VP Pool Report #9 - Harris on stage

Apologies in advance if there are delays with these notes; the service is terrible

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VP Harris walked on stage at 3:06p ET at the Throwback Brewery. It is 78 degrees and a clear sky here but it feels much warmer (no wind) and your pooler witnessed at least one rally attendee being stretchered out.

"Ka-ma-la, Ka-ma-la, Ka-ma-la," went the chant as she emerged.

Harris started her remarks on the Georgia school shooting, saying at one point she was going off script.

"We're still gathering info about what happened but we know there were multiple fatales and injuries. and our hearts are with all the students and the families," Harris said. "But this is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies."

"It doesn't have to be this way. So we will of course continue to send our thought and prayers to the families and all those who are affected… It's one of the things that's at stake in this election."

Harris then moved on to her remarks about her small business policy.

"We're going to help more small businesses and innovators get off the ground… I want to see 25 million new small biz applications by the end of my first term.

"And to help achieve this, we will help lower the cost of starting a new business.

"My plan is to expand the tax deduction to $50,000. it's essential a tax cut for starting a small biz. second my plan will help existing biz group. we will provide low and no interest loans to small businesses that want to expand."

The signs being held up at this rally say "A New Way Forward" in white lettering on a navy blue background. It's also the slogan on a big sign taped to the side of the brewery building.

Harris also spent some time dinging Trump on his small business plans, talking about how his tax cuts "exploded the deficit" and wanting to impose a "national sales tax" that will "skyrocket the cost for families and small businesses".

And when someone shouted something about Trump's legal cases, Harris said: "The courts will handle that and we will handle November"

VP Pool Report #10 - Harris done w remarks

VP Harris finished her remarks at 3:32p ET

VP Pool Report #11 - pool holding

Pool is holding at the brewery in the vans as of 4:13p ET.

From the White House:

Vice President Harris is participating in a taped radio interview with Rickey Smiley, host of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. The interview will air Friday morning.

VP Pool Report #12 — leaving brewery

Motorcade was rolling at 4:15p ET. Pool did not see VP Harris enter her vehicle.

We are now en route to an OTR: Port City Pretzel

On behalf of the Harris-Walz Campaign:

Vice President Harris is stopping by Port City Pretzel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, and Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas are also in attendance.

VP Pool Report #13 — arrival at pretzel factory

Motorcade stopped in the car park of the pretzel place at 4:30p ET. Pool did not get a visual of VP Harris exiting her vehicle because pool pre-set inside the facility.

VP Pool Report #14 — pretzel remarks and departure

VP Harris entered the factory at 4:34p ET and greeted the owner of Port City Pretzel Suzanne Foley. "So nice to meet you," Harris said as they shook hands.

Harris then walked to a different part of the factory with the owner and the owner's daughter and co-owner Eileen Marousek. The trio were quite far away from where the pool was holding and it was difficult to hear anything that was being said. But it was mostly the owner talking effusively about how they started the pretzel business, and Harris nodding.

"Is it family recipe?" Harris asked at one point. "Is it a secret family recipe?"

The owner replied "it's not really, no" — but was clearly thrilled to have the vice president in her factory.

Harris spoke for about five minutes. Towards the end of her chat, pool was ushered out.

Motorcade is rolling at 4:51p ET back to Portsmouth International Airport for return to JBA.

VP Pool Report #15 — leaving NH

Motorcade arrived at Portsmouth International Airport at 5:02p ET.

VP Harris boarded Air Force Two at 5:03p ET. She posed for a photo by the plane engine with a group of staffers.

Before going up the stairs, in response to a shouted question — "how's debate prep going" — Harris responded: "so far, so good". Harris waved at the top of the stair truck and ducked into the plane.

We will be wheels up shortly back to JBA.

VP Pool Report #16 — JBA return

Air Force Two was wheels down at JBA at 6:26p ET after an uneventful flight from NH.

VP Harris waved to the pool when she deplaned but didn’t respond to a shouted question.

There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight. In a pleasant surprise, the meal was lobster roll.

Marine Two was wheels up at 6:44p ET

VP Pool Report #17 - lid

White House declared a lid at 7:02p ET. Good night.

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Your pooler regrets a missed word in Pool Report #5:

"Harris will call for a SMALLER increase in capital gains rate than in the Biden-Harris budget"