Vice Presidential Pool Reports of August 11, 2024

VP Pool #1: swept and holding inside fundraiser event space

Good morning from San Francisco, California, where the cloudy 59-degree weather is a welcome respite from the three-digit temps of Nevada and Arizona.

Your pool has been swept and is currently holding inside a large event space where today's fundraiser is slated to take space. Attendees are already mingling about and sipping on what appear to be mimosas. The ballroom is set up theater-style, with about 15 rows of chairs facing a stage with a large "Harris Walz" backdrop in blue and white, flanked on either side by the United States and California state flags. A lectern is positioned center with the usual teleprompter setups on either side.

A Harris-Walz campaign spokesman said yesterday that close to 700 individuals had RSVP'd for the event and the campaign was expected to raise more than $12 million. In addition to Vice President Harris, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi would also deliver remarks, the campaign said (your pooler spotted her entering the hotel lobby around 10:24am, dressed in a bright fuchsia pantsuit).

As with previous fundraisers, this is open to an editorial pool only, so photos, TV cameras and audio recordings are not allowed. Your pooler will pass along notable quotes, and a White House official said a full transcript of the Vice President's remarks will be sent out later (likely tomorrow).

VP Pool #2: fundraiser remarks

The program kicked off at 12:17pm with Speaker Emerita Pelosi, who received a standing ovation upon walking to the lectern.

"Isn't this a day to take pride in our candidate for president?" Pelosi began. The Speaker Emerita made an analogy between elections and the Olympics, noting that the difference between gold, silver and bronze can come down to seconds. "Elections are that close," she said. Harris "makes us all so proud," Pelosi added. She described the Vice President as a person of "great strength" and someone who is "politically very astute."

Shifting to Gov. Walz, Pelosi said he did more serving on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs than has been done since the GI Bill was passed. Pelosi referenced his opponent, "whatshisname," suggesting he'd overturn the Affordable Care Act.

Circling back to her Olympics analogy: "Democracy is on the ballot," Pelosi said, "and we want democracy to win the gold that day."

VP Harris walked out at 12:25 to more cheers and another standing ovation. She was wearing a black suit and a flowy white blouse with a long bow around the neck akin to a tie.

"There is so much about the future of our country that has relied on leaders like Nancy Pelosi that have the grit, the determination, the brilliance to know what's possible and to make it so," Harris said. She specifically highlighted Pelosi's role in passing the ACA.

Harris took the opportunity to recognize and thank Gov. Newsom, who she described as an "extraordinary leader" for California and the nation. Newsom then received another standing ovation. Harris recognized more California officials present including Mayor Breed, Rep. Jared Huffman, and "soon-to-be Congress member" Lateefa Simon, among others. "This is a room full of dear, dear, dear friends," she added (see my note below with more VIPs in attendance).

Pivoting to the race, Harris stated plainly: "We will win this election" (cue another standing ovation). Though the election is only 86 days away, Harris highlighted how absentee ballots will start going out in just a couple dozen days.

Speaking to the enthusiasm behind her campaign, Harris said she's "never been one to really believe in the polls, whether they're up or their down." Still, "what we know is the stakes are so high. And we can take nothing for granted in this moment," she said

Other themes she touched on: her campaign's focus on moving forward vs. what she described as Trump's backwards-facing agenda, the Affordable Care Act / preexisting conditions, Project 2025, voting rights, gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive rights/abortion.

Reflecting on this battleground tour, Harris shared some "notes from the field": Americans "don't want to go back," she said. She noted how some rally attendees have broken out into "not going back" chants even without her prompting — the crowd at the fundraiser then did the same.

During a refrain on her tour of colleges and trade schools where she spoke about gun violence, Harris remarked, "I love Gen. Z, I just love Gen. Z." She said there would be an "absolute sea change" once the generation started voting in bigger numbers.

On LGBTQ+ rights, Harris highlighted how she and Gov. Newsom were among the first officials in the country to officiate same-sex marriages. She referenced Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, a "full-on assault" on Americans' freedoms.

Harris's pivot to reproductive rights earned yet another standing ovation. "Donald Trump hand-picked three members of the United States Supreme Court, some of whom I asked questions to," Harris said. She highlighted abortion ban laws like those in Texas and the stories of women unable to receive abortions there. Speaking to how some such laws don't include exceptions for rape and incest, Harris said it's "immoral." "When this issue has been on the ballot, the American people have voted for freedom," Harris said.

Harris closed with comments about the "beauty" of democracy and each individual's ability to shape the future of the nation. "The people are ready to use their power," she said. The energy around the country is "undeniable," she added, arguing that, "The press and our opponents like to focus on our crowd size, and yes the crowds are large." But even better is the fact that attendees are signing up for volunteer shifts in the thousands, she noted.

"It's really been a good couple weeks, but we have a lot of work to do," Harris said to laughs from the crowd. She wrapped her remarks at 12:55pm, after exactly 30 minutes. She is now working the rope-line, shaking hands and taking selfies – she was spotted holding a baby while chatting with Pelosi. Harris's grand-nieces and ran on stage to take photos in front of the backdrop. Paul Pelosi could be seen watching along from the wings.

By the time the program began, nearly all of the seats in the ballroom were full, with dozens of individuals standing in the back and on the sides of the space. In the front row, one attendee held a homemade sign that read: "Make America Joyful Again."

Your pool has been working to identify any notable attendees as best we can from our perch up in the balcony. A non-exhaustive list of VIPs spotted include:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis
California Attorney General Rob Bonta
California State Controller Malia Cohen
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
SF Mayor London Breed
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Jared Hoffman
Rep. Kevin Mullin
Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a current mayoral candidate
Assemblyman Evan Low, currently running for Congress in California's 16th congressional district
Lateefah Simon, currently on the SF BART board of directors and running for Congress in California 12
California State Senator Toni Atkins
California State Senator Josh Becker
Terri Mccullough, chief of staff to Speaker Emerita Pelosi
Larry Baer, CEO of the San Francisco Giants
Joby Pritzker of Tao Capital Partners
Tom Steyer, businessman and former presidential candidate
Jeffrey Katzenberg, former Disney chairman and Harris campaign co-chair

On Behalf of the Harris-Walz Campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a campaign reception in San Francisco, CA.

Speakers:
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
The Vice President

VP Pool #3: rolling

Pool remained in the ballroom as VP Harris worked the rope-line until she left the venue at 1:07pm. Pool was then moved straight to vans for a lengthy hold.

Motorcade was rolling from the hotel at 2:06pm.

While we were not allowed to take photos during the fundraiser, Pelosi spokesman posted a photo of the venue on X for those interested: https://x.com/iankrager/status/1822729492550574184?s=46&t=ZotyUJSn00eINre_MyODzA

Lastly, correcting the spelling for one of the fundraiser attendees included in my list in note #2 - it should have read Rep. Jared Huffman (not Hoffman, apologies).

VP Pool #4: arrived at SF airport

Along the route through downtown San Francisco, many large crowds had assembled to watch the motorcade. Most were smiling and waving, though at least one protestor was heard chanting "Free Palestine."

Motorcade arrived at SFO at 2:35pm.

VP Pool #5: wheels up for JBA

VP Harris emerged from her vehicle at 2:37 and posed for a quick photo with SF advance staff before promptly ascending the AF2 steps, giving a waive at the top and then boarding.

AF2 is wheels up as of 2:55pm. Next/last stop: Joint Base Andrews.

VP Pool #6: wheels down at JBA

AF2 touched down at JBA at 10:08pm EST after an uneventful flight.

VP Pool #7: M2 liftoff

VP Harris exited AF2 at 10:24pm wearing a jacket with "USA" in red and blue on the back - an apparent nod to the US Olympic teams. She proceeded directly to Marine 2, which lifted off at 10:30.

You can expect one more note from me tonight once the press office confirms the VP arrived at her residence and issues a lid.

VP Pool #8: lid

The Vice President arrived at the Naval Observatory at 10:47 p.m. ET, per the VP's office, and a lid was issued via email at 10:52.

That's officially a goodnight for your pool - many thanks to co-poolers for their assists during my legs of the trip. Enjoy the rest of your night!