Pool Reports by George Condon, National Journal
| Sent: | Reports: |
| October 3, 2024 09:21 |
In town pool report #1 Pool is gathering for South Lawn departure. |
| October 3, 2024 | [APP Note: Report #2 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| October 3, 2024 | [APP Note: Report #3 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| October 3, 2024 | [APP Note: Report #4 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| October 3, 2024 | [APP Note: Report #5 does not exist or was not received by the APP.] |
| October 3, 2024 19:44 |
In town pool report 6 The president took some questions upon his arrival back at the White House. Asked about the dock strike, he said "They've got the next 90 days they are going to settle everything." Without being asked, he brought up Liz Cheney's event with Vice President Kamala Harris. "I don't know if you got a chance to see but I thought Liz Cheney not only did something that took courage, but physical courage. It took physical courage. I admire her. Her dad and I worked together a long, long time." Asked what states hit by Helene need, he said, "They are getting everything they need. And they are very happy across the board. I'm going to have to go back to the congress to get some more money." Asked "how confident are you that full-out war can be averted in the Middle East," he paused and responded, "How confident are you it's not going to rain? Look, I don't believe there is going to be an all-out war. I think we can avoid it. But there is a lot to do yet, a lot to do yet." Asked if he would send American troops to help Israel, he respondd, "We have already helped Israel. We are going to protect Israel." Marine One touched down on the South Lawn at 7:11 and the president headed over to the pool at 7:14. He was inside the White House at 7:16 and a lid was declared at 7:20. |
Pool Reports below by Francesca Chambers, USA Today
| Sent: | Reports: |
| October 3, 2024 10:01 |
Travel Pool Report #1 -- Leaving JBA President Biden exited Marine One at 9:50 am. He is wearing a dark blue blazer, a light blue button down, no tie and aviators for his disaster tour. He talked with his greeter on the way to the plane. It was extremely loud. Shouted questions were muffled by the noise. POTUS gave a quick wave at the bottom of the stairs -- the smaller ones, that come from the belly of the plane -- and immediately boarded. He waved at the top again. Behind him, a pooler saw Liz Sherwood-Randall and other aides enter the plane. AF1 is taxiing down the runway at 9:59 am. Per the White House: Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews: Colonel Angela F. Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Tallahassee International Airport: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 11:42 |
Travel Pool Report #2: AF1 arrival/ gaggle AF1 landed at 11:32 am in Tallahassee. Karine gaggled in the air with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for roughly 10 minutes. He went first. She was told before she even started that AF1 was about to land and passengers needed to take their seats. Pool was not able to get in more than a few questions about today's trip. You should have heard the gaggle play out live but Karine said that neither Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis nor Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp would be a joining President Biden today. She said Biden talked to Kemp today and both governors were invited. Other notes: MSNBC played the entire time during the flight. Midway through the flight, before the gaggle, AF1 hit some rough turbulence. It passed after about 5 minutes. |
| October 3, 2024 12:01 |
Travel Pool Report #3: POTUS deplanes/aerial tour takeoff President Biden deplaned at roughly 11:48 am and began greeting a long line of people with Vilsack, shaking hands as he went along. The conversations were inaudible. He is about to take an aerial tour of the damage, en route from Tallahassee to the Florida coast. Karine stopped by on the tarmac to speak to press briefly off the record after getting cut off on the plane. Pool is loaded in an Osprey and taking off imminently. POTUS is flying separately; pool does not have eyes on him. White House shares the following: Greeting the President on arrival to Tallahassee International Airport: Mayor John Dailey, Tallahassee, Florida and First Lady Virginia Dailey Joining the President aboard Marine One for an aerial tour of areas impacted by Hurricane Helene: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 12:56 |
Travel Pool Report #4: aerial tour President Biden's aerial tour took him to Florida's coast, where helicopters flew over land and then the Gulf of Mexico. Marine One (or the support copter, unclear) briefly came into view as Biden viewed flooded coastal areas on the way to Perry. The trip lasted about 45 minutes from takeoff. Biden landed a 12:45 pm in Marine One. He exited holding a ball cap and some papers. He's no longer wearing a blazer, just the long-sleeve button down, slacks and sunglasses now. POTUS did not stop to speak to press, although reporters tried to engage on his storm tour and Israel. It is 87 degrees in Florida, and the motorcade is rolling. The Osprey carrying the pool landed several minutes prior to Biden. I'll be uploading photos from the storm tour here: |
| October 3, 2024 13:32 |
Travel Pool Report #5: motorcade to Keaton Beach area//Rick Scott President Biden's motorcade took him to the Keaton Beach area, a nearly 35 minute drive from the Perry-Foley landing zone. It arrived at roughly 1:24pm. (The motorcade left at 12:50 pm.) Exiting the landing zone, clean-up crews and other workers stood outside to watch POTUS depart. Some snapped photos. Along the way, pool observed downed trees and buildings with torn up roofs, especially as it left Perry. As the motorcade arrived in Keaton Beach, the destruction became more aggressive: collapsed power lines and demolished homes. It also spotted at least 3 Trump signs. Pool did not see POTUS exit his black SUV. It rushed over to briefly see Biden greeting Scott. They are out of earshot. But both and Vilsack are addressing a group of officials. From the White House: Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Keaton Beach Neighborhood: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 13:50 |
Travel Pool Report #6: hurricane briefing POTUS walked with the group closer to press and over to an area where two poster boards were set up on easels. The one to the left showed a photo of FEMA relief. The one to the right was a map of Hurricane Helene's impact. Biden put on his ball cap for the FEMA briefing with local officials. A closer view now shows he's wearing dress sneakers with black soles. Sen. Scott is pointing out areas on the first FEMA board to him, which is a map of Hurricane Helene's impact on Florida. It was impossible to hear what they were saying over the hum of the still running SUVs in the motorcade. The TV pool may have picked more up with their audio equipment. Briefing is ongoing as of 1:50 pm. Pool is moving to the next stage of the tour. Busted pvc pipes, broken bricks shards of glass and other rubble are everywhere in the sand. From the White House: The President is participating in a tour of the Keaton Beach Neighborhood. Participants |
| October 3, 2024 14:13 |
Travel Pool Report #7: walking tour Biden is currently finishing a walking tour. This is taking place steps away from where the briefing was. First, he met with a husband and wife who lost their home in the storm. Their RV is parked in driveway. They are currently living out of it, the White House says. We could not hear much of the conversation and see seeking the couple's names. "This can all be rebuilt," the man told the president. He also told the president he was glad to meet him. "Glad ya you come down... glad to meet you... have a good day and be safe." We could not hear anything that Biden was saying in response. He did not respond to a question about his storm tour from reporters as they were moved down the road and further away. He's now greeting a line of officials. He gave one man, in a camouflage hoodie, a bump with his fist on the man's chest before he moved on. He put his hand on the shoulder of a man in a short-sleeved peach shirt. He had an extended conversation with the Taylor County Commissioner Pam Feagle, whose demolished lot they were standing in front of, before he moved on to a row of Palm Beach County incident management team workers (per the logo on their tan shirts). Before he finished, press were removed at 2:09 pm. No response again to shouted questions about what he saw. Huge thanks to local press and the entire pool for helping to piece all these details together. More from the White House: The President is receiving an operational briefing on the Hurricane Helene response. Speaking Program John Louk, Director of Emergency Management, Taylor County, Florida Participants Senator Rick Scott, Florida |
| October 3, 2024 14:19 |
Travel Pool Report #8: motorcade rolling Motorcade was rolling at 2:14 pm. From the White House on the earlier briefing: The President is greeting with first responders and local officials. Participants Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 14:49 |
Travel Pool Report #9: taking off from Perry POTUS arrived back at the Perry LZ at 2:40pm. We did not see him board M1. Press Osprey was wheels up at 2:47 pm. Along the route one man stood in front of a home and flipped off the motorcade. As the motorcade arrived back at the Perry landing zone, a group of women waved at the motorcade. |
| October 3, 2024 15:27 |
Travel Pool Report #10: arrival at Moody AFB The Osprey carrying press was wheels down at Moody AFB in Georgia at 3:16 pm, roughly 30 minutes after the lift from Perry. Flight was uneventful. We have not yet seen POTUS. Per the White House, traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Moody Air Force Base: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 15:38 |
Travel Pool Report #11: greet and holding President Biden touched down at Moody in M1 at 3:21 PM. Biden saluted as he exited the helo at 3:28 PM and again before he shook the hands of members of the military. Among those waiting to greet him were Sen. Raphael Warnock and Reps. Sanford Bishop, who got a back pat, and Austin Scott. POTUS had a longer interaction with Warnock, using his right hand to shake the senator's left hand -- and keeping ahold of it as he put his left hand on Warlock's shoulder and talked directly into the senator's right ear to overcome the noise of the still running helicopters. He indulged two women who wanted selfies. He did not engage with the pool. At 3:34 pm the pool was brought over to a building that said fire emergency services. We are holding. Greeting the President on arrival to Moody Air Force Base: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 15:59 |
Travel Pool Report #12 Motorcade left Moody AFB in Valdosta, Ga. at roughly 3:52 pm. Warning that cell service and Internet are worse here than at the last few stops. |
| October 3, 2024 16:17 |
Travel Pool Report #13: arrival at Pecan farm POTUS arrived at Shiloh Pecan Farm at 4:06pm. A lectern is set up here for his remarks in front of a large, toppled over tree. The family of the owner of the pecan farm is behind a rope line to the right of the president's lectern. About a dozen people are standing in the pin. Roosters are crowing, and officials are sweating in the 87 degree heat. Motorcade passed a group of wavers as it passed the Dollar General and more downed trees on the way from Moody. Next, per the White House: The President is delivering remarks at Shiloh Pecan Farm. Speaking Program The President Participants Senator Raphael Warnock (GA) |
| October 3, 2024 16:45 |
Travel Pool Report #14: remarks President Biden began his remarks at 4:19 pm at Shiloh Pecan Farm. His remarks are being streamed but a few highlights: "I see you, I hear you, I agree with you," he said to the community. He promised the federal government would stay until the community is restored. He said partisan politics should not be part of this conversation. While these are "separate states" that were affected, he said, "We are the United States of America." Bidem said that in moments like this, it's time to put politics aside. He said he was committed to being president for all of America. "We have to break down this rabid partisanship that exists," he said. "There's no rationale for it." He said that rebuilding will take billions of dollars, and it seems to him, Congress has a financial obligation. POTUS wrapped his remarks at 4:28 pm. The farm's owner, Buck Paulk, is speaking now. He said it's been a struggle and it's disheartening and his farm won't be able to snap back. It's generational work. He offered up a prayer and invited others to join. POTUS took off his ball cap bowed his head in response as Paulk prayed for help for the community. Biden put his hat back on as Paulk finished his prayer. "We don't look to get handouts...but we do need the help," Buck said after. He introduced Vilsack, who is speaking now. |
| October 3, 2024 16:55 |
Travel Pool Report #15: Biden response to shouted questions President Biden took 2 questions as he walked away, and then came back, to the lectern at the pecan farm. Pool doesn't have clean audio -- because aides were talking over press and yelling that it was time to go -- but here's what we did hear: Asked about Speaker Johnson's comments on an emergency supplemental: "We can't wait. We can't wait. People need help now," Biden said. Asked about south Georgia counties that still need relief approval, he said, off mic: "I imagine every county in the state will be approved." A third question about consultations with Israel was shut down by staff. The pool is holding in vans at the pecan farm. |
| October 3, 2024 17:12 |
Travel Pool Report #16: back at Moody AFB Biden's motorcade left the pecan farm at roughly 4:54 pm. It arrived at the airport, where AF1 had been moved from Florida (and was parked on the tarmac when Biden arrived earlier.) The president will be heading back to Washington shortly. Some of the press vans were nearly separated from the motorcade after a small dog ran into the street on the way back to the airport just after the motorcade left the pecan farm. The pet crossed the street unharmed and the motorcade continued on. On the corner than had the Dollar General, a few onlookers were still stationed outside. One carried a Trump-Vance sign. POTUS was out of his SUV at 5:08 pm. He walked over to a line of law enforcement officers, who he is greeting far away from the press. From the White House: Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews: Secretary Tom Vilsack, Department of Agriculture |
| October 3, 2024 17:17 |
Travel Pool Report #17: back to Washington POTUS boarded AF1 at 5:11 pm. Pool shouted questions that went directly into the wind. AF1 will be wheels up for Washington soon. |
| October 3, 2024 19:24 |
Travel Pool Report #18 Biden talks to press AF1 landed at 6:45 pm. President Biden came over and talked to press after deplaning. Liz Cheney and VP Harris had been on television, set to MSNBC, on the flight back from Georgia. It was extremely hard to hear the president. Pool has done it's best to piece together a transcript. Please check this against the video. He asked if press had seen the Cheney speech. A reporter said some of it. Biden said: "She made one of the most consequential speeches I've ever heard. She has character. I know her dad ... We argue like hell, but I always admired his courage and honesty. What she did not took only political courage, but physical courage... I was really incredibly proud of her." Bring Rs to Harris? "I am not making that judgment. I'm talking about her... She and her father have character, character, dammit." He said there's not enough of it. Why didn't he end up talking to Netanyahu after he said he would? He said, "Because there's no action going on right now." He was asked about the pause in the port strike. It was mostly inaudible. "We've been working hard on it," he said. "With the grace of God...it's going to hold." Asked about whether prices would go up as he walked away, he left and then came back and said, "no." He was also asked about Iran, and prices going up as a result of the fighting. "If a hurricane hits, prices are going to go up, I don't know, who knows...I don't negotiate in public." He lifted in M1 shortly after as the pool huddled to share quotes. That's all from us tonight. One last time, the White House shares the following: Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews: Colonel Angela F. Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the South Lawn: Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff |
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Pool Reports of October 3, 2024 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/374501