Pool Reports of October 27, 2023

In town-pool report #1: Checking in

Hello! I am your in-town pool reporter for today.

Below is the schedule for the rest of the day, when the president has a campaign fundraiser and will head to Delaware this evening. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

10:00 AM THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press

4:50 PM THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route to a campaign reception in Washington, DC
North Grounds
In-Town Travel Pool (Gather 4:35 PM – Stakeout Location)

6:00 PM Out-of-Town Pool Call Time
Joint Base Andrews Overhang

6:00 PM THE PRESIDENT participates in a campaign reception
Washington, DC
Restricted In-Town Travel Pool

7:15 PM THE PRESIDENT departs Fort Lesley J. McNair en route to New Castle, Delaware
Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC
In-Town Travel Pool

8:10 PM THE PRESIDENT arrives in New Castle, Delaware
Delaware Air National Guard Base, New Castle, Delaware

Out-of-Town Pool

In-town pool report #2: Lunch lid and POTUS briefed

The White House has called a lunch lid until 2 p.m. and shares the following:

President Biden was briefed this morning by his national security team on the latest developments in Israel and Gaza. Participating in the briefing were National Security Advisor Sullivan, Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brown, Director of National Intelligence Haines, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Burns.

In-town pool report #3: Biden updated on Maine shooting

From the White House:

This afternoon the President was updated by his senior staff on the latest information about the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. He also spoke with FBI Director Christopher Wray, who described the more than 200 FBI personnel who are in Maine to support the investigation – including the ongoing manhunt – and provide assistance to the victims. The President expressed appreciation for the courageous work of all the Federal, State and local law enforcement personnel.

In-town pool report #4: Departing for fundraiser

POTUS exited the White House at 5:18 pm, and the motorcade is rolling from the north grounds at 5:19 for the president's campaign reception in DC.

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Counselor to the President
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Sheila Grant, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter

In-town pool report #5: Fundraiser arrival

Motorcade arrived at the destination for tonight's fundraiser at 5:26 after an uneventful drive down Connecticut Avenue, where the sidewalks were peppered with onlookers and folks holding up their phones to snap photos and video.

Pool is currently holding in a van at the corner of 23rd Street and S Street NW.

In-town pool report #6: Fundraiser details

Pool was led into the backyard of the home of Ambassador Esther Coopersmith, a former ambassador to UNESCO. There are a couple hundred people gathered in the backyard, many in chairs facing a lectern where we're expecting the president to speak shortly. It's a beautiful evening, with the sun setting and a temperature in the 70s.

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

The President is attending a campaign reception at the home of Ambassador Esther Coopersmith.

Speaking Program
Sean Domnick
The President

Some additional color:

Tonight's fundraiser is located across the street from Mitchell Park, where the pool could see multiple pickleball games taking place.

It is also just down the street from the house that is owned by Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos.

In town pool report #7: Biden remarks

President Biden stepped to the microphone at 5:52 pm to deliver remarks. There were teleprompters set up on either side of the lectern. He concluded his remarks at 6:12 and received an ovation from attendees.

Some highlights:

He said many in the audience were trial lawyers, joking that he once aspired to be a trial lawyer but chose to be a senator instead.

On gun violence: "Who the hell needs an assault weapon that can hold, in some cases, up to 100 rounds?" Called it "outrageous what's happening."

Biden spoke about the more than 100 judges confirmed during his administration, many of which are women and women of color.

He thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for "her leadership on so many important issues."

"Trump and the MAGA republicans have walked away completely" from the notion that America is founded on an idea, he said.

Biden spoke about the events in Charlottesville in 2017 and how it led him to run for president in 2020. He went into detail about how his family encouraged him to run for the White House.

On Trump:

"That's why Kamala and I are running again, because we made progress, but our democracy is still at stake. The same man... who called Hezbollah 'very smart...' who recently on more than one occasion has made jokes about the assault on Nancy Pelosi's husband..."

He said he and Harris are hoping to send the message "that political violence is never, never, never, never acceptable in America."

"Democracy is literally on the ballot," Biden said, referencing Trump's comments to supporters that "I am your retribution."

Speaking about media coverage and communications today, he said "there's no editors anymore."

In closing:

"There is nothing beyond our capacity... when we do it together. So my objective hasn't changed. I'm still running for the same reason- to build consensus."

In-town pool report #8: Rolling

Motorcade rolling from the fundraiser site at 6:18 p.m.

In-town pool report #9: Fort McNair

Motorcade arrived at Fort McNair at 6:30 p.m. Pool exited vans and hustled to an open field where POTUS was already making his way to Marine One, too far away for shouted questions. He boarded at 6:34.

Marine One lifted at 6:38. Handing off to the out of town pool.

I will send a few fuller quotes from the fundraiser in a bit.

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations

Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa

In-town pool report #10: Fuller fundraiser quotes

A couple fuller quotes from the fundraiser. As always, please check against the official transcript. POTUS spoke quietly at times and was difficult to hear.

"I don't think anyone today doubts democracy is at stake in 2024...And listen to what they've been saying. Listen to what the MAGA Republicans are talking about. Listen to what language they use. Listen to who they say they are."

"That's why Kamala and I are running again, because we made progress, but our democracy is still at stake. Because folks, the same man who thought there were 'very fine people on both sides' in Charlottesville, who called Hezbollah 'very smart'…who recently on more than one occasion has made jokes about the assault on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband. Now, there are a lot of reasons Donald Trump shouldn't be president."

Biden said he and Harris want the entire nation to send the "strongest, clearest, most powerful message possible that political violence is never, never, never, never acceptable in America," pounding his fist on the lectern with each "never."

Biden said "MAGA Republicans in the House have been fighting among themselves" trying to elect a Speaker and "trying to shut down the government, sowing division at every turn."

And on the final quote about the lack of editors, some added context that POTUS was telling the crowd how the world has changed rapidly and "you don't know what to believe" because "there are no editors anymore."

Out of Town Pool Report #1 — Checking in

Greetings from Joint Base Andrews as we prepare for POTUS departure to his home in Wilmington. The pool has been through security and swept. --

Out of Town Pool Report #2 — Wheels Up

Wheels up on the Osprey at 6:44

Your Pooler did not lay eyes on POTUS.

Next stop DANG

Out-of-Town Pool Report #3 —- Wheels down

Osprey wheels down at 7:06. At DANG

Out-of-Town Pool Report #4— POTUS arrival/Greeters

M1 touched down at 7:27

POTUS exited M1 at 7:30 and immediately entered the limo at 7:31

He was too far away to hear questions from the pool.

The pool is now moving towards the motorcade.

Greeting the President at Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew P. Sides, 166th Operations Group Commander

Out-of-Town Pool Report #5 — Rolling

Motorcade is rolling at 7:33.--

Out of Town Pool Report #6 — Week Ahead

WEEK AHEAD 10/30 – 11/5

Over the weekend, the President will remain in Wilmington, Delaware.

On Monday, the President and the First Lady will depart Wilmington, Delaware and return to the White House.

Later, the President and the Vice President will participate in an event highlighting the Administration’s commitment to advancing the safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of Artificial Intelligence.

In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host local public school students, military-connected children, and neighborhood families for trick-or-treating.

On Tuesday, the President will deliver remarks on protecting Americans’ retirement security.

On Wednesday, the President will travel to Minnesota.

In the evening, the President will depart Minnesota and return to the White House.

On Friday, the President will host leaders from the Western Hemisphere at the White House during the inaugural Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity Leaders’ Summit. During the Summit, the President will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to work together with our partners to deepen economic integration in our hemisphere, drive more inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and tackle the underlying economic drivers of irregular migration in our hemisphere.

After, the President will participate in a family photo with summit leaders.

Out of Town Pool Report #7 — Dropping POTUS off / Lid

The pool dropped POTUS off at his residence at 7:49. Your pooler did not lay eyes on POTUS.

Lid called 7:49. Have a great night everyone! We’ll do this again tomorrow!

Out-of-Town Pool Report #8 — POTUS spoke with Maine Gov

The President spoke by phone twice to Maine Governor Janet Mills this evening.