Pool Reports of October 15, 2024

Out of town pool report #1 - call time 12pm

Good morning from a sunny Wilmington where, yes, the White House has pushed the call time to 12pm.

POTUS Is scheduled to leave DANG for Philadelphia at 5.25pm, and deliver
remarks at a political event at 6.45pm, according to the WH daily guidance.

Out of town pool report #2 - Call time pushed

The White House has pushed the call time to 3.15pm.

Out of town pool report #3 - call time moved up

The White House has moved the call time for POTUS up to 1.40pm

Out of town pool report #4 - rolling

Motorcade is rolling from POTUS residence in Wilmington as of 5.16pm, headed for DANG. Pool saw the president's SUV but didn't lay eyes on POTUS himself.

Passing along from the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East & North Africa
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Kelly Scully, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary

Out of town pool report #5 - lift from DANG

Motorcade arrived on the tarmac at DANG at 5.27pm.

POTUS headed directly for Marine One. Pool was on other side of helo so still didn't see him. He was too far for questions.

Pool now loading Osprey and to be wheels up shortly for Philly

Out of town pool report #6 - Philly arrival

Marine One touched down at Philadelphia International Airport at 5.48pm, against a setting sun and patchy clouds. Again too far for questions to POTUS. He disembarked and got straight into the Beast at 5.52pm.

We are rolling as of 5.55pm.

From the WH, one belated:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One enroute to Philadelphia International Airport:

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #7 - Sheet Metal Workers International Association

Motorcade arrived at the Sheet Metal Workers International Asociation in Philadelphia at 6.06pm for the political event.

We're in a conference hall type thing full of several hundred people, either sitting round large dining tables eating, or gathered at the front of the room near the stage with their phones up. A couple dozen bunches of red white and blue balloons are attached to some of the tables.

There's a podium backed with Harris Walz signs, and alternating Stars and Stripes and Pennsylvania state flags. The music is very loud — 'Love on Top' by Beyoncé is currently playing.

A few speakers to come before POTUS, program is just starting as of 6.19pm

Out of town pool report #8 - Philly Dem dinner

The White House passes on the following:

The President is delivering remarks at the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee Autumn Dinner.

Speaking Program

Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (PA)
Former Rep. Bob Brady (PA-01)
The President

Participating in a photoline with the President:

Former Rep. Bob Brady (PA-01)
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (PA)
Rep. Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
State Senator Sharif Street (PA-03) and his spouse, April Scott Street
State Rep. Kevin Boyle (PA-172)
Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
President of Philadelphia City Council, Kenyatta Johnson
Philadelphia Councilman Jim Harrity
Philadelphia Councilwoman Cindy Bass
Former Philadelphia Controller Jon Saidel

Out of town pool report #9 - Biden on Trump dancing, and on Harris

President Biden took to the stage to chants of 'Thank You Joe'.

Speech was half backing for Harris, half attacks on Trump. Most newsworthy line was near end, on Trump rally last night:

'He stood on the stage for 30 minutes and danced. I'm serious. What's wrong with this guy?'

On Harris, he appeared to react to criticism of the VP's comments last week about what she'd do differently.

'Every president has to cut their own path. That's what I did. I was loyal to Barack Obama but I cut my own path as president. That's what Kamala's going to do…
she's been loyal so far.'

POTUS wrapped up at 7.08pm. More quotes tk but pool has been rushed to the vans.

Out of town pool report #10 - More Biden quotes, and airport

Motorcade arrived at Philly airport at 7.27pm. POTUS was already halfway up the stairs of AF1 by the time pool was out of vans, so no questions. Wheels up soon. POTUS pool has meanwhile been reunited with the FLOTUS pool.

The full quote on VP cutting her own path was:

'Every president has to cut their own path. That's what I did. I was loyal to Barack Obama but I cut my own path as president. That's what Kamala's going to do. She's been loyal so far but she'll cut her own path' …

'Kamala's perspective on our problems will be fresh and new. Donald Trump's perspective is old and failed and quite frankly totally dishonest.'

On Trump's criminal cases : 'so far he hasn't been sentenced… I wanna watch that sentence….I think he's running to stay out of jail"

On Bob Woodward book allegation on Trump sending Putin Covid machines:
'Trump cares more about kissing up to Putin than he does about your sons and daughters'

On Trump's rhetoric: 'it's sick'

'Trump hides all his racism, now it's all out front. He has the same ideas on race as the 1930s. Trump's ideas on the economy are from the Twenties. Trump's ideas on women are from the Fifties'

Out of town pool report #11 - JBA

AF1 was wheels down at JBA at 8pm after a flight of less than half an hour.

POTUS and FLOTUS walked down the short stairs together holding hands at 8.10pm then walked directly to Marine One.

Marine One was wheels up at 8.16pm for the White House.

Many thanks to co-pooler Marisa Iati for the assists. Handing over to the in town pool now, have a great evening.

Passing on a few things from the WH finally:

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

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Communications
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Mala Adiga, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Policy & Projects for the First Lady
Terry Wolff, Special Assistant to the President & NSC Senior Director for the Middle East & North Africa
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Vanessa Valdivia, Special Assistant to the President & Press Secretary for the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President
Mary Robbins, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter for the First Lady
Kelly Scully, Special Assistant to the President & Deputy Press Secretary

Greeting the President and the First Lady upon arrival to Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Paul Pawluk, Vice Commander, 89th Airlift Wing

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

Mike Donilon, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Pool report #1: Gather for POTUS arrival

At 8:14 p.m., we were instructed to gather at the Palm Room Doors ahead of President Biden's arrival from Philadelphia.

Pool report #2: Wheels down

Marine One was wheels-down at 8:27 p.m.

The President and First Lady walked together, holding hands. They did not address reporters' questions about the conflict in Israel.

Pool report #3: Lid

The WH called a lid at 8:38 p.m.

Goodnight, everyone!