Pool Reports of May 8, 2024

In-town pool report #1 -- gathered for departure

The pool has been called to gather for President Biden’s departure from the South Lawn.

In-town pool report #2 — POTUS departure

POTUS walked out of the South Portico at 9:17 a.m. He did not stop to speak with the press.

Biden crossed the South Lawn and boarded Marine One. M1 lifted off at 9:21 a.m.

Handing off to travel pool.

In-town pool report #3 -- travelers

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary

In-town pool report #4 -- gathered for arrival

The pool is gathered for President Biden’s arrival at the White House.

In-town pool report #5 — WH arrival

Marine One was wheels down on the South Lawn at 10:24 p.m.

POTUS stepped out of M1 at 10:27 p.m. and walked across the South Lawn.

Biden answered "no" in response to a shouted question on whether he had an update on the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.

Biden entered the White House at 10:28 p.m.

In-town pool report #6 -- lid

The White House has called a lid.

Good evening all,

Travel pool report #1: on the plane

POTUS landed at Andrews at 9:28. He waved at the press but did not take questions, ascended the short stairs and entered the plane at 9:32. We are boarding as well for departure.

We are on the larger AF1 for this three-stop trip to Wisconsin and Illinois. TVs are set to MSNBC.

Travel report #2: departure

AF1 took off at 9:41.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Erika Dinkel-Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Labor Advisor

Travel pool #3: On the ground

AF1 landed at 11:12 Eastern, 10:12 local time following a smooth flight.

Karine Jean-Pierre gaggled from 10:57 to 11:11, with a majority of questions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Travel pool #4: arrival and greeters

POTUS exited the plane at 10:25 Central time and chatted with greeters. He did not talk to the press. Stepped into the beast at 10:27.

We are in the motorcade and rolling under a cloudless sky.

Spotted in the tarmac were Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is a Biden campaign co-chair, and Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO.

From the WH:

Greeting the President upon arrival to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport:

Governor Tony Evers (WI)
Mayor Cory Mason, Racine, Wisconsin
County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County, Wisconsin
Colonel Charles C. Merkel, Commander, 128th Air Refueling Wing
Chief Master Sergeant Bill L. Smith, Command Chief, 128th Air Refueling Wing

Travel pool #5: at Racine

Motorcade sped through the suburban streets of Wisconsin, passing a smattering of people holding phones. A few waves but no political signs were spotted. We then traveled south on I-41 before arriving at the facility at 10:57 local time.

We are inside an industrial building at Gateway Technical College packed with visitors and other media members. Big blue signs up front read "Investing in America."

From the WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Gateway Technical College iMET Campus:

Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin
Mayor Cory Mason, Racine, Wisconsin
County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County, Wisconsin
Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Erika Dinkel-Smith, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Labor Advisor

Travel pool #6: photoline

From the WH:

The President is participating in a photoline:

Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin

Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski (WI)

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly (WI)

Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, Wisconsin Department of Administration (WI)

State Senator Bob Wirch (WI-22)

Mayor Cory Mason, Racine, Wisconsin

Jeff Neubauer, Former State Representative (WI-62)

County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Racine County, Wisconsin

Remarks are scheduled to begin in half an hour.

Travel pool #7: Event begins

Introductory remarks began at 11:19 with the mayor of Racine, Cory Mason, who praised Biden for lowering crime and boosting trade jobs.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers followed, speaking on Microsoft's investments across Wisconsin.

"Wisconsin has a long, proud history and tradition of being a manufacturing powerhouse," Evers said. "And you know what's happening today? I'll just read you this Wisconsin headline from a few weeks ago, and this is a quote, 'manufacturing has begun returning home'. Folks, you're damn right that's what we're doing."

"We're thrilled to have Microsoft be a part of advancing this important work," he said. "Together, with the strong support of President Biden and so many others, we are working to create a better, stronger, more equitable future for everybody."

Following a break, Microsoft president and Wisconsin native Brad Smith began speaking at 11:43, saying that between now and the end of 2026 his company will invest $3.3 billion in the state.

The rest of the remarks are streaming so I will send color from the room as it arises but will otherwise leave POTUS remarks to the viewer.

From the WH:

The President is delivering remarks on his Investing in America agenda.

Speaking Program

Mayor Cory Mason, Racine, Wisconsin

Governor Tony Evers, Wisconsin

Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft

Nick Fick, President of Membership Development at IBEW 430 and Introducer

The President

Travel pool #8: Remarks conclude

Smith said he used to live on some of the land where Microsoft's project will be located before detailing some of the ways the development will impact the state. The crowd was supportive and chimed in with claps and cheers as appropriate. "There are two things that unite the people of Wisconsin," he said. "God, and the Green Bay Packers."

Nick Fick, president of membership development at the IBEW 430 union, then introduced the president.

Biden began speaking at 11:57 to scattered cheers of "four more years!"

He told the story of a diehard Packers fan at his high school who would let class out early on Monday if the team won.

Calling Racine a "great comeback story," he knocked former president Donald Trump for promising a $10 billion Foxconn project that did not live up to expectations. "They dug a hole with those golden shovels, and then they fell into it."

He then praised Microsoft for its project and contrasted its impact with that of Trump's. "On my watch, we make promises and we keep promises. We leave no one behind."

"We're doing what has always worked in this country — giving people a fair shot, leaving nobody behind, growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down."

Remarks ended at 12:12.

Travel pool #9: Rolling for campaign stop

Pool held for over an hour at the speech site after remarks ended. We began rolling for the first campaign stop at 1:27 and are en route. Pool did not see POTUS leave the building.

Travel pool #10: arrival at campaign stop

Pool drove right by the domed Racine Foxconn facility en route to the campaign stop. Also saw many people holding phones as we passed but no support for or against the president. One Kennedy sign.

We arrived at the campaign site, which is by the shore of Lake Michigan, at 1:42. Shouts of "free Palestine" could be heard in the distance as we entered.

Travel pool #11: Biden at campaign stop

We are in a small, wood-paneled community center where POTUS is speaking on outreach to black voters.

Biden received a standing ovation from the 100 or so people gathered inside, who ranged in age from the elderly to children. POTUS began by leading the singing of Happy Birthday to a woman named Jamie. "It's Hell turning 60, isn't it?" He then said he's "40 times 2 plus 1," and then joked that he better be careful because the press is here.

biden spoke to a few tables of voters, telling a story of how the African-American community helped inspire his first run for office in Delaware. He drew cheers for mentioning that he spent time as a public defender, then talked about moving from a local elected office to the U.S. Senate. He said he hopes Wisconsin turns blue the same way Delaware has.

"I really think democracy is at stake here," Biden said. "Not a joke." He also warned that "Trump means what he says," which would threaten Biden's accomplishments.

Biden referenced an interview with "a national reporter" following his last stop, saying she asked him about whether Trump would accept the results of the election. Biden said he won't.

Pool was ushered out at 2:06 as POTUS was speaking one-on-one with attendees.

From the Biden campaign:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden is delivering remarks and meeting with local supporters and volunteers at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center in Racine, Wisconsin.

Travel pool #12: CNN interview

From the WH:

The President taped an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett in Racine County, Wisconsin. The interview will air tonight at 7:00pm ET.

Biden is still at the campaign event. Pool is holding in vans.

Travel pool #13: moving toward Milwaukee airport

Motorcade began moving again at 2:32 toward the Milwaukee airport, from which we will head to Chicago. We did not see POTUS enter the beast.

Travel pool #14: arrival at Milwaukee airport

Mostly uneventful ride through a beautiful afternoon by Lake Michigan. Pool saw more onlookers, with one "FJB" sign spray painted on a piece of plywood and one Trump flag held aloft by a man and a woman. Another woman waved four small American flags.

We arrived back at AF1 at 3:06. POTUS exited the beast at 3:08 and moved away from the press to chat with greeters. Walking into the plane, he turned when a reporter shouted "why did you pause the weapons?" but did not respond.

See below from the WH and Biden campaign.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden delivered remarks and met with local supporters and volunteers at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center in Racine, Wisconsin.

Additional details:

President Biden was greeted by Racine Mayor Cory Mason and introduced by former Racine police chief Arthel "Art" Howell.

Among the supporters President Biden met with was Sheree Robinson who is a current student at the Racine Adult Education Center, an adult continuing education program that received funding through the American Rescue Plan. Sheree is a mother of two, and would not have been able to finish her studies as a nursing assistant for the elderly if it weren't for this program. At the end of the month she will serve as her class' commencement speaker.

Prior to the President's arrival, attendees participated in an organizing training catered by Dragon Pitt BBQ, a local Black-owned small business.

Travel pool #15: takeoff

AF1 took off for Chicago at 3:18.

Travel pool #16: arrival

AF1 landed in Chicago at 3:34 local time following a 16-minute flight.

Travel pool #17: heading to event

POTUS left the plane at 3:51 and headed straight for Marine One, which he entered one minute later. Pool is heading to Ospreys.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Soldier Field Landing Zone:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary

On May 8, 2024, at 3:06 PM, Kellison, Chloe V. EOP/WHO wrote:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Chicago O’Hare International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

Travel pool #18: to Chicago fundraiser

Ospreys landed by Soldier Field at 4:07.

POTUS exited Marine One at 4:16 and hugged his greeter (see below). They chatted for a bit well outside the pool's hearing distance and he entered the beast at 4:17.

Motorcade is rolling to the fundraiser.

From the WH:

Greeting the President upon arrival to Soldier Field Landing Zone:

County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County, Illinois

Travel pool #19: arrival at fundraiser

Pool passed by many, many onlookers en route to the downtown fundraiser, spotting at least one Chicago Cubs jersey.

We arrived at the hotel at 4:26 and are now holding.

Travel pool #20: Remarks at Chicago fundraiser

Pool was led into a rectangular conference room with ornate, cream-colored walls and curtains. Roughly 60 people were seated inside, with a blue curtain, a lectern bearing the presidential seal and two American flags at the back.

POTUS entered from the back and began speaking at 5:17.

Receiving a standing ovation, Biden said he's excited to be back in Chicago both now and for the DNC convention.

POTUS said 97% of his donors gave less than $200, indicating broad middle class support and that "the momentum is truly on our side." Biden downplayed polls, saying it's too early to pay attention to them. "The truth is, I don't think any of the polls matter very much this early. It's hard to get a good poll these days," saying it's hard to get people on the phone.

He gave similar lines about Foxconn and Wisconsin as earlier in the day, saying Trump "dug a hole and he fell into it. He just keeps digging and digging more holes." Went after Trump over abortion comments in his TIME magazine interview.

"The bad news is he means what he says. If you think I'm kidding, just look back at the sixth of January." Biden joked that Trump didn't put bleach in his body during the pandemic, but he "just put it in his hair."

After listing some of his accomplishments, Biden warned that Trump would overturn the Affordable Care Act, causing chaos for people with preexisting conditions. He said the reason Trump didn't like the ACA is because Barack Obama got credit for passing it. "He can't stand the idea of associating himself with anything that had to do with Barack."

Biden referenced Trump's comments about immigrants poisoning the blood of the country, saying he wonders what would have happened if our forefathers had the same attitude. He said Trump is the biggest threat to American democracy.

"He says the biggest threat is criminals coming across the border. Well folks, the biggest threat is the one Trump poses to our democracy."

On the future, Biden spoke of ridding the country of gun violence and halving carbon emissions by 2030. He then said he's never been more optimistic for the country's future.

"Folks, I'm confident we're going to do well in this election, in no small part because of all of you," Biden said.

Pool was ushered out when remarks concluded at 5:30. We are now in a holding room.

Travel pool #21: Departing downtown Chicago

Pool has left the hotel and the motorcade began moving at 7:00. The Trump hotel tower was visible from the sidewalk and we could hear more free Palestine protests in the distance. Plenty of Chicago "L" trains passed overhead during our hold in the vans.

We did not lay eyes on potus.

Travel pool #22: Ospreys and Chicago airport

We saw many onlookers on the quick ride back to Soldier Field, most just watching or holding phones.

Our ospreys took off at 7:11 and landed at the airport at 7:17. We are now awaiting POTUS at Air Force One.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Chicago O’Hare International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary

Travel pool #23: POTUS boards AF1, takeoff for DC

POTUS exited Marine One at 7:26. Walking alongside and chatting with Karine Jean-Pierre, he headed straight for the stairs and entered the plane one minute later.

We took off for Washington at 7:41 local time.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Christian Tom, Assistant to the President & Director of Digital Strategy
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary

Travel pool #24: landing at Andrews

AF1 touched down at 9:56 Eastern Time.

Travel pool #25: Marine One and handoff

POTUS left Air Force One at 10:07 and then entered Maine One, which took off for the White House at 10:14.

Handing off to the in-town pool!

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the South Lawn:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary