Vice Presidential Pool Reports of July 22, 2024

VP Supplemental Pool #1- Checking in from NCAA Event

Greetings,

I will be your print pooler today.

In her first official event since announcing her intent to seek the Democratic nomination, Vice President Kamala Harris will be delivering remarks this morning at an event celebrating the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams from the 2023-2024 season.

Your pool estimates that at least 1,000 people are packed on the South Lawn, where the event is taking place under a cloudy sky and light drizzle.

We just received word the program is beginning momentarily.

VP Supplemental Pool #2--Remarks on POTUS/ Remarks to athletes

The VP was introduced and walked on the South Lawn at 11:42 a.m.

The VP began speaking at 11:46 a.m.

She started by telling the crowd that President Biden, who is recovering from Covid, wanted to be at the event.

"He's feeling much better and recovering fast," she said of the president's health.

The VP top-billed her remarks by praising President Biden's record. She called what he's accomplished in 3 1/2 years "unmatched in modern history," which drew applause.

"In one term, he has already surpassed the legacy of most presidents who have served two terms in office," she said.

She spoke about getting to know the president through his son Beau, how he would talk about his father, specifically the qualities of honesty and integrity, that she said she has seen everyday. She also praised his "commitment to his faith and his family."

"And I am firsthand witness that every day our President Joe Biden fights for the American people and we are deeply, deeply grateful for his service to our nation," she said.

She then went on to honor the student athletes, which included undefeated teams, first time winners, repeat champions.

"You remind all of us what can be achieved with hard work and ambition," she told them.

"I know it was not easy to make it to this moment," she said. "Each of you has faced challenges and obstacles. And you have endured, you have fought back… and by doing so you've demonstrated that true greatness requires more than skill. It requires grit, and determination."

A band played, "We are the champions," during the event as the VP spoke with student athletes who stood behind her during remarks and then took a picture.

The event ended at 11:56 p.m.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #3- En route to JBA

The VP's motorcade left the White House at 2:41 p.m.

Per her updated guidance, the VP is headed to Wilmington, Delaware, where she will visit with staff at campaign headquarters.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #4– JBA arrival/ Wheels Up

The VP's motorcade arrived at JBA at 3:02 p.m.

Other than the pouring rain, it was an uneventful ride.

The VP exited her vehicle at 3:07 p.m., and shook the hand of a service member who greeted her before ascending the stairs of AF2 with an umbrella in hand.

According to the VP's office, she was greeted by
Lt. Col. Brian Nichols, Director of Staff, 89th Airlift Wing.

She waved to the pool before boarding at 3:07 p.m.

We are wheels up at 3:23 p.m.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #5–DANG arrival

AF2 touched down at Delaware Air National Guard
3:55 p.m.

There were no visitors to the press cabin during the flight; there was a little bit of turbulence.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff arrived on the tarmac via SUV, and boarded AF2.

The VP and SGOTUS disembarked AF2 at 4:13 p.m.

They both hugged and shook hands with several people waiting to greet the VP.

They entered their SUV at 4:17 p.m.

The motorcade was rolling at 4:19 p.m.

The list of greeters below:

Governor John Carney (D-DE)

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
Martha Carper, Spouse of Senator Tom Carper
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) Attorney General Kathy Jennings (D-DE)
Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Purzycki (D-Wilmington, DE)
Major General Michael R. Berry, The Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard

Also spotted by your pool was Tony West, the VP's brother-in-law, who we were told was on the flight.

VP Supplemental Pool #6–Arrival at Campaign HQ

The VP's motorcade arrived at campaign headquarters at 4:30 p.m.

It was a quick, uneventful ride. Lots of folks with cell phones up along the route.

Pool was led into headquarters, where there were at least 100 staffers in the room, which was covered in signs that read "Harris for President," "Restore Roe" and "Kamala."

There was at least one wall still papered in the "Biden-Harris" campaign logo.

There was also a California and Texas flag hanging in the room.

The VP entered the room at 4:40 p.m. to a standing ovation, thunderous applause, and shouts of "whoo."

She clapped and smiled as she walked in and greeted staff.

Pool was ushered out after the arrival and is now holding in a room with supporters holding signs and bouncing to music. Some broke out into a chant of "Ka-ma-la."

The VP is expected to give remarks.

VP Supplemental Pool #7– POTUS calls in to VP campaign visit

President Biden called into an event during VP's visit to campaign headquarters ahead of the VP's remarks.

I'm sending the otter as event is still ongoing.

He was introduced by Julie Chavez Rodriguez.

https://otter.ai/u/D94Dq4xJz0DH65XZ3uiQaTYn-Vs

People were shocked and some staffers were crying.

VP Supplemental Pool #8– Harris campaign news

VP Harris took to the lectern at the campaign event at 5:55, after President Biden spoke to staff.

She gave some remarks, which I will send later, but a bit of news:

The VP just announced that Jen O'Malley Dillon will run her campaign, and she has asked Julie Chavez Rodriguez to stay on.

VP Supplemental Pool #9– Highlights from VP's remarks

The VP spoke for about 20 minutes, and used her remarks to praise President Biden.

She said she knew that it had been "a roller coaster and we're all filled with so many mixed emotions about this."

"I just have to say I love Joe Biden. I love Joe Biden. And I know we all do we have so many darn good reasons for loving Joe Biden."

President Biden stayed on the line for her remarks. (For those following, I unlocked the Otter of POTUS's remarks).

She also said that it was an honor to have his endorsement.

"It is my intention to go out and earn this nomination and to win," she said.

Citing her work as a prosecutor, talked about how she took on "predators and cheaters.

"So hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump's type."

The VP laid out some of her vision for her presidency, discussing tackling issues like affordable childcare, poverty, saying that "building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency because we all know when our middle class is strong, America is strong."
"And we know that's not the future Donald Trump is fighting for."

She discussed his "extreme 2025" plan as one intended to weakening the middle class.

"So in the next 160 days, we have work to do. We have doors to knock on. We have people to talk to. We have phone calls to make. And we have an election to win."

The motorcade is rolling back to the airport at 6:27 p.m.

VP Supplemental Pool Report #10– Back at DANG/ Wheels up

The VP's motorcade arrived back at DANG at 6:36 p.m.

The pool shouted questions, but the VP did not stop to answer any.

The VP and Second Gentleman did wave before boarding AF2 at 6:39 p.m.

We are wheels up at 6:54 p.m.

VP Supplemental Pool #11– Back at JBA/ More quotes & color

AF2 touched down at JBA at 7:18 p.m.

The VP and SGOTUS disembarked AF2 at 7:39 p.m.

They boarded M2 at 7:40 p.m. It lifted at 7:45 p.m.

******

It was a crush and a rush to get you all news, so I wanted to send some more color and quotes from the campaign event before signing off:

The VP walked out to "Freedom" by Beyonce "(Lemonade" album).
Your pool estimates there were at least 100 supporters and campaign staff attending her remarks. The crowd erupted when the VP walked in.

Fuller quotes:

The VP drawing on her role as AG, prosecutor.
"In those roles I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain. So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump's type."

"In this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his."

After outlining Trump's policies, which she said lead to "inequity" and "economic injustice" and contrasting them with hers, she said:

"All that being said, this campaign is not just about us versus Donald Trump. There's more to this campaign than that. Our campaign has always been about two different versions of what we see as the future of our country, two different visions for the future of our country. One focused on the future, the other focused on the past. Donald Trump wants to take our country backwards to a time before many of our fellow Americans had full freedoms and rights. But we believe in a brighter future that makes room for all Americans."

She said that she would work to address gun violence, pass universal background checks and red flag laws and an assault weapons ban.

She said she would work to restore reproductive rights by helping to elect members of congress who would pass the law, which she would sign.

"In the days and weeks ahead, I together with you, will do everything in my power to unite our Democratic Party to unite our nation and to win this election," she told staffers and supporters.

During her remarks, when she acknowledged President Biden who had stayed on the line, he said, "I'm watching you kid. I love you."

That's a wrap from me. And special thanks to my awesome team of poolers today for helping with quotes, audience estimates, and extra detail.

Reach out with any questions!