Vice Presidential Pool Reports of October 19, 2024

VP travel pool #1 - remarks/gaggle at RON

Good afternoon from Detroit.

Vice President Harris walked into a small conference room at the RON at 1:08 p.m. and began making remarks to the pool in front of a backdrop of U.S. flags.

"It's good to be back in Detroit," Harris said.

Pool was told Harris will take a few questions when she finishes speaking. More to come.

VP travel pool #2 - VP quotes

VP Harris took four questions and left the room at 1:13 p.m.

On early voting, Harris said, "what I'm hearing is that we're seeing record turnout," and added that early voting numbers were "beating all records" in Georgia and high in North Carolina as well.

Harris called Donald Trump "increasingly unstable."

"Donald Trump has proven himself to be increasingly unstable and unfit and he's trying to take us backward," Harris said.

Harris took a question on Gaza. She said there were "many tragic stories" coming out of Gaza, and said it was important to acknowledge them as well as the Oct. 7 attack.

The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar "creates an opening that I believe we must take full advantage of," Harris added, a seeming reference to reaching a ceasefire deal.

Pool is now loaded into the press vans.

VP travel pool #3 — rolling from RON

The motorcade is rolling from the RON at 1:49 p.m. Pool did not see VPOTUS enter her vehicle.

The first campaign stop of the day is a get-out-the-vote event at a high school in Detroit, with a guest appearance by Lizzo.

After that, Harris is heading to Atlanta for a campaign event featuring Usher.

VP travel pool #4 — arrival at first stop

The motorcade arrived at Western International High School at 1:58 p.m. after a short ride through Detroit.

Pool is now holding in a gym at the school that's decorated with hand-painted "Detroit Votes Early" signs on the wall. There's a large crowd waiting for Vice President Harris to speak.

Lizzo has apparently already made an appearance, to the chagrin of the collective pool, which missed it. More details on the program to come when we have them.

VP travel pool #5 -- VP remarks over

Vice President Harris entered the gym at Western International High School and took the stage to her campaign song Freedom at 2:22 p.m.

"Hey Detroit, are we ready?" Harris said, kicking off her remarks.

Georgia and North Carolina "broke historic records" in early voting and Michigan will, too, Harris said.

The election is about "two very different visions" for the future of the country, Harris said. She added: "The race is tight, we know it's going to be hard work, but we like hard work."

Harris criticized Trump "for trying to get rid of the Department of Education and Head Start."

The VP thanked various Michigan lawmakers and union leaders in attendance. She concluded her remarks at 2:28 p.m.

Additionally, a run-of show for the event sent by the VP's press office:

More on today's event in Detroit:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a Get Out the Vote event in Detroit.

Speakers:

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist
Lee Saunders, President, AFSCME
Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
April Verrett, President, SEIU
Claude Cummings, President, Communications Workers of America
Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO
Lizzo

Program:
Macsen Kirkpatrick, First time voter, Introducer
Vice President Kamala Harris

VP travel pool #6 - rolling to airport

At 2:45 p.m. the motorcade is rolling to Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport.

VP travel pool #7 — Detroit airport/wheels up

The motorcade arrived on the tarmac at the Detroit Metro airport at 3:20 p.m.

VP Harris stepped out of her SUV at 3:23 p.m. and stopped to take a picture with staff under the wing.

She boarded Air Force Two at 3:24 p.m.

We'll be wheels up shortly for Atlanta.

VP travel pool #8 — Atlanta arrival

Air Force Two was wheels down at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta at 5:12 p.m. after an uneventful flight. There were no visitors to the back of the plane.

VPOTUS deplaned at 5:23 p.m.

Harris was greeted on the tarmac by several members of Georgia's congressional delegation and the mayor of Atlanta (see details below).

Harris then climbed into her waiting SUV at 5:25 p.m.

At 5:28 p.m. the motorcade is rolling to VP's campaign event with Usher in Atlanta.

From the White House:

Atlanta greeters:
- Senator Jon Ossoff
- Congresswoman Nikema William
- Congressman Hank Johnson
- Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson
- Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens

VP travel pool #9 — Waiting for VP remarks

The motorcade arrived at the Lakewood Amphitheater at 5:41 p.m. after a short drive through a leafy neighborhood south of downtown Atlanta.

Pool is in the press pen waiting for VP Harris to take the stage.

The area around the stage is packed and there is a very large crowd behind it spilling out onto the grass.

The White House passes this along:

On behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign:

Vice President Harris is delivering remarks at a Get Out the Vote Rally at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia.

Speakers:

-Ryan Wilson, Founder of the Gathering Spot

-Monica Simpson, Reproductive Justice Leader

-State Senator Jason Esteves

-Representative Nikema Williams

-Senator Jon Ossoff

-Usher

Program:

-Tyler Lee, highschool student and first time voter, Introducer

-Vice President Kamala Harris

VP travel pool #10 — VP remarks underway

Vice President Harris took the stage at Lakewood Ampitheater at 6:47 p.m.

There are 11,000 people in attendance, according to the Harris-Walz campaign.

Harris appeared after introductory remarks by Rep. Nikema Williams, Sen. Jon Ossoff and the singer Usher. Usher endorsed Harris, saying that she has "a vision for our country that includes everyone."

The VP's speech is underway now. More to come.

VP travel pool #11 — remarks over

Harris spoke for 31 minutes at the campaign rally in Atlanta.

At the top of her speech, Harris noted that people in Georgia were still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The federal government will be there to help people recover "for as long as it takes," Harris said.

VPOTUS then turned to the election and hit many of her standard campaign themes.

The VP said Donald Trump was focused on the past, while she was focused on the future.

"It is the same old tired playbook over and over again. He has no plan for how he would address the needs of the American people," Harris said of Trump.

Harris said Trump is "ducking debates and canceling interviews because of exhaustion." She also said he rambles in campaign speeches and can't finish his thoughts.

"It's time to turn the page," Harris said.

If elected, Harris said she would tackle inflation and corporate price-gouging, and give a "middle class tax cut" to 100 million Americans.

Harris also touted her plans to lower health care and housing costs and boost small business tax credits.

The VP encouraged the crowd to "Google Project 2025," calling it a "dangerous blueprint" for a second Trump term. The audience booed as Harris ticked off several Trump campaign proposals.

After that Harris pivoted to the issue of abortion.
Harris paused her speech while a video played behind her sharing the story of Amber Thurman, who died in 2022 in the Atlanta area after she didn't get medical care for complications from taking abortion pills.

"Donald Trump still refuses to take accountability" for putting justices on the Supreme Court who overturned Roe v. Wade, Harris said.

Someone in the audience interrupted Harris by yelling "lock him up." Harris responded that courts would "handle that" and urged supporters to help her win in November.

"We are all here together because we know what's at stake," Harris said, wrapping up. "This is about a fight for the promise of America."

Harris ended by telling people to get out and vote early. She noted that former President Jimmy Carter voted early shortly after turning 100.

"If Jimmy Carter can vote early," Harris said, "you can too."

The speech concluded at 7:18 p.m. Harris is now working a rope line near the stage.

VP travel pool #12 - rolling to RON

The motorcade is rolling to the RON at 7:34 p.m.

Pool did not see VPOTUS after loading into the press van.

VP travel pool # 13 - RON arrival and lid

The motorcade arrived at the RON at 7:53 p.m.

The VP's press office has called a lid. Have a good night,