Pool Reports by Brian Bennett, Time Magazine
| Sent: | Reports: |
| December 5, 2023 10:08 |
In town pool report #1 - no news - Biden South Lawn departure President Biden walked out of the South Portico at 10 am. He was holding a phone in his left hand and had an overcoat draped over his left arm. He did not stop to answer questions. Reporters shouted questions about hostages in Gaza and his response to Trump saying Biden was a threat to democracy. It is not clear he heard the questions over the sound of the waiting helicopter. Marine One lifted off at 10:04 am to start Biden's day trip to Boston. From the White House-- Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| December 5, 2023 21:52 |
In town pool report #2 - arrival - Biden quotes on Trump, hostages, Ukraine funding Biden stepped off Marine One at 9:31 pm. He walked over to talk to press gathered at the arrival. Q: Would you be running for President if Trump wasn't running? Biden: "I expect so but look. He is running and I have to run." Q: Would you drop out if Trump drops out? Biden: "No, not now." Q: What's the latest on the American hostages in Gaza? Biden: "We're talking to Qataris. I don't know where this is going to go. We're not giving up." Q: Does Hamas have all eight or are other groups holding them? Biden: "There's others. Look, I'm not going to talk more about it. We're not walking away." Q: Have you talked to anyone on the Hill on Ukraine funding? Biden: "Yes, a couple. Look, the failure to, the failure to support Ukraine is just absolutely crazy. It's against U.S. interests." "It's just wrong." "We're going to get that in." |
| December 5, 2023 22:16 |
In town pool report #3 - lid and fuller Biden quotes White House called a travel/ photo lid at 10:07 pm. Here's fuller quotes from Biden talking to reporters at his arrival: Q: Would you be running for President if Trump wasn't running? Biden: "I expect so, but look, he is running, and I have to run." Q: Would you drop out if Trump drops out? Biden: "No, not now." Q: What's the latest on the American hostages in Gaza? Biden: "We're pushing hard. We're talking to Qataris. I don't know where it's going to go. But we're not giving up." Q: Does Hamas have all eight or are other groups holding them? Biden: "We'll there's others. Look, I'm not going to talk more about it. We're not walking away." Q: Have you talked to anyone on the Hill on Ukraine funding? Biden: "Yes, a couple. Look, the failure to, the failure to support Ukraine is just absolutely crazy. It's against U.S. interests. It's against the interests if the world. It's just wrong. We're going to get that in, we're gonna get it." |
Pool Reports below by Brett Samuels, The Hill
| Sent: | Reports: |
| December 5, 2023 10:21 |
Travel pool report #1: JBA departure Good morning from JBA. I'll be your travel pooler for the president's trip to Boston. Marine One landed at JBA at 10:12 a.m. President Biden stepped off a few minutes later later wearing sunglasses and with an overcoat draped over his arm. He walked over to Air Force One and waved at the pool, but boarded the plane at 10:17 a.m. without stopping to answer questions. Principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton is scheduled to gaggle with reporters en route to Boston. That will be streamed on the White House website. We will be wheels up momentarily from JBA. From the White House: Greeting the President upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews: Colonel Paul Pawluk, 89th Airlift Vice Wing Commander |
| December 5, 2023 11:20 |
Travel pool report #2: Boston arrival Air Force One was wheels up from JBA at 10:26 a.m. and wheels down at Boston Logan International Airport at 11:18 a.m. Olivia Dalton spoke with reporters on the plane for about 20 minutes, fielding questions about Ukraine funding, immigration talks, Israel and Gaza, health care and last night's house explosion in Arlington, Virginia. The gaggle was streamed live on the White House website. |
| December 5, 2023 11:39 |
Travel pool report #3 President Biden deplaned from Air Force One at 11:32 a.m. and was greeted by the governor of Massachusetts and the mayor of Boston. The three exchanged pleasantries out of earshot of the pool, and he put his arm around Mayor Wu at one point. After about two minutes he walked over to his vehicle while the pool was ushered to our vans. We are rolling from the airport to our first destination at 11:38 a.m. From the White House: Greeting the President and the First Lady upon arrival at Boston Logan International Airport: Governor Maura Healey (MA) And following up on the gaggle, if there were audio issues at the tail end, Olivia Dalton said ATF is working with local law enforcement after last night's explosion in Arlington, and she expressed her appreciation for law enforcement who were on the scene. |
| December 5, 2023 11:57 |
Travel pool report #4: first fundraiser arrival Motorcade arrived at the Westin Boston Seaport at about 11:45 a.m. after an uneventful drive. Pool is holding ahead of the president's remarks that will be open to the restricted pool. Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to a campaign reception in Boston, Massachusetts: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| December 5, 2023 14:16 |
Travel pool report #5: Initial POTUS remarks Restricted pool was brought into a conference room in the Westin at 1:58 p.m. for the first fundraiser of the day. Your pooler counted about 40 guests in the room. The president was introduced by Jack Connors. He walked out from behind a blue curtain at 2:02 p.m. and spoke from behind a podium using teleprompters. He opened with comments on Hamas' treatment of women and girls. As always please check against transcripts. "Hamas terrorists inflicted as much pain and suffering in women and girls as possible," Biden said of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. "The world can't just look away at what's going on. It's on all of us... to forcibly condemn the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists without equivocation." "Let me be crystal clear: Hamas' refusal to release the remaining young women is what broke this deal and end the pause in the fighting. Everyone still being held hostage by Hamas need to be returned to their families immediately. We're not going to stop." On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign: The President is attending a campaign reception in Boston, Massachusetts |
| December 5, 2023 14:39 |
Travel pool report #6: Fuller fundraiser remarks The president wrapped up his remarks at 2:19 p.m. after speaking for about 16 minutes. Pool is now holding in vans outside the Westin in the Seaport District. Following up with full quotes from Biden on Hamas, with many thanks to co-pooler Yasmeen Abutaleb. "Before I begin, let me say a few words about what's going on in Israel right now. The terror that Hamas is continuing to inflict on the Israeli people. "We had a report in the earliest days that Hamas used rape to terrorize women and girls during the attack on October the 7th in Israel." "Over the past few weeks, survivors and witnesses of the attacks have shared the horrific accounts of unimaginable cruelty. Reports of women raped — repeatedly raped — and their bodies being mutilated while still alive — of women corpses being desecrated, Hamas terrorists inflicting as much pain and suffering on women and girls as possible and then murdering them. It is appalling." "Ending violence against women and sexual assault has been one of the causes of my life… But the world can't just look away at what's going on. It's on all of us — government, international organizations, civil society and businesses — to forcefully condemn the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists without equivocation. Without equivocation, without exception." "These are civilian women, mostly between the ages of 20 and 39, whom Hamas has refused to let go under the deal that paused the fighting, which I helped negotiate with the Qataris. I spent hours with the Qataris and others to broker, sustain and extend that deal. I got more than 100 hostages out." "Let me be crystal clear: Hamas' refusal to release the remaining young women is what broke this deal and ended the pause in the fighting." "These women and everyone still being held hostage by Hamas need to be returned to their families immediately. We're not going to stop — we're not going to stop until we bring every one of them home and it's going to be a long process." The rest of the president's remarks were focused on the stakes of the next election, warning former President Trump has made clear what his plans would be if he wins. "Trump's not even hiding the ball anymore. He's telling us what he's going to do. He's making no bones about it." Biden cited Trump's comments that he is his supporters "retribution," his recent call to terminate the Affordable Care Act and his pledge to root out the "vermin" in the country, the latter of which Biden said echoes the language used in Germany in the 1930s. "He didn't even show up at my inauguration. I can't say I was disappointed, but he didn't even show up," Biden said, drawing some laughs in the room. Biden noted he got 81 million votes in the 2020 election and joked, "almost like somebody's age. It's hell turning 40 twice." He also warned of increased restrictions on abortion if Trump is re-elected. "Trump's new Speaker supports a national ban on abortion under any circumstances," he said. Biden reiterated his belief that democracy is on the ballot in the next election. He specifically mentioned Liz Cheney's recent comments, calling her a "powerful voice," as well as The Atlantic magazine running an issue with 20 different pieces outlining the threats a second Trump term poses. |
| December 5, 2023 14:47 |
Travel pool report #7: Rolling from first fundraiser Motorcade is rolling from our first fundraiser stop at the Westin at 2:46 p.m. Pool was holding in vans and did not see POTUS get into his vehicle. |
| December 5, 2023 15:11 |
Travel pool report #8: Second fundraiser arrival Motorcade arrived at 3:08 p.m. at our destination for the second campaign reception of the day, which is taking place at a home in the town of Weston, Massachusetts. Pool is holding in vans until the president's remarks, which are scheduled for 4:15 p.m., per the daily guidance. |
| December 5, 2023 16:02 |
Travel pool report #9: Second fundraiser remarks begin Pool was brought into the Weston home of Alan Solomont, a former ambassador to Spain and Andorra, at about 3:45 p.m. There are roughly 50 people, most of them seated, packed into the room. In his opening remarks, Solomont said Biden on Friday would attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles at the home of another former ambassador to Spain, James Costos. The president stepped up to a podium at the front of the room at 4:02 p.m. and began speaking. Updates to come. On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign: The President is attending a campaign reception in Weston, Massachusetts at the home of former Ambassador Alan Solomont and Susan Solomont. |
| December 5, 2023 16:31 |
Travel pool report #10: Re-election remarks The president spoke for about 19 minutes, concluding his remarks at 4:22 p.m. A notable line at the very end of the president's remarks as he spoke about the risks former President Trump poses to democracy: "If Trump wasn't running, I'm not sure I'd be running. But cannot let him win." He opened these remarks by speaking at length about his support for Israel and the need to figure out what happens after the current conflict in Gaza. Please check against official transcript as it was difficult to hear at times when the president spoke softly. "I've been a strong, strong supporter of Israel from the time I entered the United States Senate in 1973." "When this last event occurred...I immediately got on a plane and went over to Israel and meet with Bibi [Netanyahu] and meet with his Cabinet." "We have to figure what after Gaza. What after Gaza." Biden said he would continue working to get all hostages out and touted that he was able to "convince the Israelis that we have to allow significantly more aid into Gaza." Of the pause in fighting, Biden said, "We have to get it back on track." "I've been working with a number of people in and out of government to figure what after, what after Gaza. And I think the only available solution is a two-state solution." He also retold story of how he's taken each of his children and grandchildren to the Dachau concentration camp so they would understand what happened in the Holocaust. The rest of the remarks covered familiar ground from the first event: Infrastructure investments, efforts to rebuild alliances, the threat Trump poses to democracy, Trump's renewed calls to get rid of the Affordable Care Act and how America is "the only nation built on an idea." |
| December 5, 2023 16:37 |
Travel pool report #10a: Typo Following up to note a typo in pool report #10. It should be "If Trump wasn't running, I'm not sure I'd be running. But we cannot let him win." Apologies for the oversight. |
| December 5, 2023 16:57 |
Travel pool report #11: Rolling Motorcade is rolling from the Weston fundraiser at 4:56 p.m. en route to our third and final campaign reception of the day. Pool did not see POTUS get into his vehicle before departing. |
| December 5, 2023 17:29 |
Travel pool report #12: Arrival at third reception Motorcade arrived outside the Shubert Theatre at 5:20 p.m. after an uneventful drive on the Massachusetts Turnpike back into Boston. There was a demonstration taking place around the corner from the theatre protesting against the violence in Gaza, though the specific chants were difficult to hear. The reception is taking place at the theatre, but pool will be holding at a nearby restaurant until the president's remarks are opened to the restricted pool. |
| December 5, 2023 19:21 |
Travel pool report #13: Shubert Theatre reception Pool is seated inside the Shubert Theatre after being brought in around 7:10 p.m. There are a few hundred people here for this reception, which includes a performance by James Taylor, best known for "You've Got a Friend," "Fire and Rain" and for being Taylor Swift's namesake. POTUS took the stage at 7:20 p.m. to the tune of "How Sweet It Is" after opening remarks from Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. More to come on Biden's remarks. On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign: The President is attending a campaign reception in Boston, Massachusetts featuring a musical performance by James Taylor. |
| December 5, 2023 19:32 |
Travel pool report #14: Reception remarks Biden spoke for 10 minutes, concluding at 7:30 p.m. The president opened by saying he'd keep it short because he was the only thing standing between the crowd and James Taylor. He stood at a podium with 10 American flags set up behind him. The speech did not make any news, but included several swipes at former President Trump. Biden described Trump as a "defeated former president." "He didn't show up at my inauguration, which I can't say was a disappointment," Biden said, repeating a laugh line from the first two receptions. "My guess is he won't show up at my next inauguration," he added this time, to applause from the audience. Much of the speech was the same as earlier remarks, including comments on the administration's achievements and investments, Trump's comments about the Affordable Care Act, the threat Trump poses to democracy, the events of Jan. 6 and Trump's "vermin" comments. Pool is now heading to vans, meaning we won't see the James Taylor performance. |
| December 5, 2023 19:37 |
Travel pool report #15: Rolling from theatre Motorcade is rolling from the Shubert Theatre at 7:36 p.m. after the final campaign reception of the day. Pool did not see POTUS getting into his vehicle. The protest is still going on just down the street from the theatre, and demonstrators could be seen waving Palestinian flags as the motorcade passed by. |
| December 5, 2023 19:54 |
Travel pool report #16: Departing Boston Motorcade arrived back at Boston Logan International Airport at 7:45 p.m. after an uneventful drive. POTUS got out of his vehicle and boarded Air Force One at 7:49 p.m. without talking to reporters. We will be wheels up momentarily for the flight back to JBA. Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
| December 5, 2023 21:17 |
Travel pool report #17: Back at JBA Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews at 9:05 p.m. Biden campaign official Michael Tyler came back to the press cabin for a short off the record chat during the flight. President Biden deplaned at 9:14 p.m. and walked over to Marine One without speaking to press. A big thank you to co-pooler Yasmeen Abutaleb for her help today. Handing off to the in-town pool. |
| December 5, 2023 21:18 |
Travel pool report #18: Travelers From the White House Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House: Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of December 5, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/368851