Pool Reports of April 16, 2024

In town pool report #1 - checking in

Greetings from the White House.

President Biden is slated to travel to Scranton, PA today. His departure from the South Lawn is scheduled for 11:45 am. It is open press.

There are clear, blue skies over the West Wing right now, with the temperature in the high 60s.

In town pool report #2 - gathered for South Lawn departure

Press is gathered on the South Lawn for departure.

In town pool report #3 - departure, no remarks

President Biden walked out of the Oval Office at 12:14 pm. He was walking and talking with Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini. Other staff walked behind him.

Biden did not stop to answer questions from the press.

Marine One lifted off at 12:19 pm.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to Joint Base Andrews:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary

Travel pool report #1 - POTUS arrival JBA/departure

POTUS landed at Joint Base Andrews on Marine One at 12:28 pm. He stepped out at 12:32, saluted military greeter, walked w her and WH staff to AF1, ignored shouted questions as he ascended stairs, waved, and stepped into the plane. We are on small AF1 so no connectivity while on board.

Taking off shortly. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will gaggle en route Scranton, PA, audio available here:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VyOkpEuapWI

Travel pool report #3 - accompanying POTUS
[APP Note: This is Report #2. See reporter's note in Report #3 (below).]

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & White House National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

Travel pool report #3 - Scranton airport arrival

Last report should have been #2 — apologies!

AF1 took off from JBA at 12:40, landed Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport at 1:18 pm

Karine Jean-Pierre and John Kirby gaggled for 14 minutes, previewed the three day PA swing and took questions on topics including Israel/iran, Ukraine, and Speaker Johnson's move to split supplemental into four pieces.

Note: Back at JBA, while walking toward AF1, potus was carrying two phones, one white one blue, per photographers.

Travel pool report #4 - motorcade to first event

POTUS stepped out of AF1 at 1:30 pm. Greeted by Gov Shapiro and Scranton Mayor Cognetti at bottom of stairs on tarmac, where they chatted for a minute. All three got into the Beast.

Motorcade is rolling from Scranton airport at 1:35 for first campaign event at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

From WH:

Greeting the President upon arrival at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton, Pennsylvania

Travel pool report #5 - also in motorcade

From WH:

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Vinay Reddy, Assistant to the President & Director of Speechwriting
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Lael Brainard, Assistant to the President & National Economic Advisor
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & White House National Security Communications Advisor
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room

Travel pool report #6 - arrival at Scranton cultural center

Motorcade arrived at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple at 1:48 pm after an uneventful ride. A construction worker in a yellow hard hat saluted the motorcade as we drove by. Police on horseback are at the ready near the center.

Trying to get link for streaming of event. Stay tuned.

Travel pool report #7 -link to campaign event in Scranton

Mayor of Scranton kicked off the event at 2:01 pm. Livestream is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRx8T_yYvQo

Travel pool report #8 - POTUS photoline participants

From WH:

The President is participating in a photoline:

Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)
Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Bridget Kosierowski, State Representative (PA-114)
Marty Flynn, State Senator (PA-22)
Kyle Mullins, State Representative (PA-112)
Kyle Donahue, State Representative (PA-113)
Matt McGloin, County Commissioner for Lackawanna County
Bill Gaughan, County Commissioner for Lackawanna County
Mark McAndrew, Lackawanna County Sheriff
Evie Rafalko McNulty, Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds

Travel pool report #9 - 2-minute warning to POTUS remarks

At the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in Scranton, PA -- POTUS' childhood hometown. Gov. Shapiro stopped speaking at 2:14 pm, followed by a recorded musical interlude. A few hundred people are seated in the auditorium.

Sign across top of stage says "Tax Fairness for All Americans" in big white letters on blue background. Multiple American flags line the back of the stage, which is flanked in front by large American and Pennsylvania flags hanging vertically.

From WH:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden will deliver remarks at a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The livestream can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/@JoeBiden/streams

Travel pool report #10 - POTUS remarks

POTUS took the stage in Scranton at 2:29 pm to chants of four more years. Some quotes:

"Scranton is a place that climbs into your heart and never leaves." More reminiscences of life in Scranton, and his family, including his "grandpop." "I learned a lot in Scranton. I learned that money doesn't determine your worth."

"All everyone wants is a fair shot." "People like Donald Trump learned a different lesson," saying the former president's money was handed to him. "When I look at the economy, I don't see it thru the eyes of Mar-a-Lago, I see it thru the eyes of Scranton." Speaks of "Scranton values" versus "Mar-a-Lago values."

"I'm a capitalist... If you wanna make a million bucks, fine, just make sure you pay your fair share in taxes."

Slams Trump for his handling of pandemic - referring to a "duty to care and a duty to respond." Says Trump told us to "inject bleach - bless me Father." Then slams Trump for his handling of economy, calling him "Donald Herbert Hoover Trump."

Says there are about 1,000 billionaires in America, and their average tax rate is 8.3 percent. POTUS says he wants a minimum federal income tax of 25 percent. Vows to protect Social Security and Medicare, and make the wealthy pay their "fair share."

Tells the joke about the guy who came up to him, asking for help, because he's drowning in debt. "I'm sorry, Donald, but I can't help," POTUS said, to audience laughter.

Wants to expand child tax credit, "because no child should live in poverty."

"It's time to increase the tax rate to at least 21 percent for every big corporation. ... But Trump and his MAGA friends want to get rid of the minimum corporate tax."

"Folks, he's coming for your money, your health care, and your social security, and we're not gonna let it happen."

Closes with reminiscences about life in Scranton and his second hometown, Claymont, Delaware. Speaks of his Uncle Ambrose Finnegan, who served and died in WWII. His name is etched on the monument down by City Hall.

Speaking of Trump, he said: The line that offends me the most is when he refused, as president, to visit the American cemetery outside Paris. Because he said those who fought were "suckers and losers." "Who the hell does he think he is?" POTUS said. Cites Trump comment on being a dictator on Day One. "Listen to what he says, because you know he means it."

So far, 1.6 million people have contributed to our campaign, including 550,000 new contributors "this time around," he said.

"Keep the faith!"

POTUS remarks wrapped at 2:58 pm, he's now working the rope line as pool packs up to leave.

Travel pool report #11- POTUS invu w Nexstar TV

From the White House:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden participated in a taped interview with Nexstar TV. The interview will air tonight during evening news broadcasts across Nexstar's national network of 200 local TV stations, including in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Travel pool report #12 - motorcade rolling

Motorcade is rolling to next campaign event at 3:54 pm.

As pool was leaving the Scranton cultural center, Gaza protesters were chanting: "Biden, Biden you can't hide, we charge you with genocide."

Travel pool report #13 - arrival at Biden childhood

Motorcade arrived at next stop at 4:04 pm. Lots of onlookers en route, lots of families with kids, as the motorcade wound thru a residential part of Scranton called Greenridge Corners, then a more commercial area called just Greenridge.

As we got closer to the Biden childhood home, crowds were large and cheering, including what looked like many school kids with signs that said Welcome Back President Biden. There are also Palestinian flags flying on the street (beyond his house). And people chanting Biden, Biden, four more years.

Also, people chanting "Free free free Palestine."

Address of Biden home is 2446 North Washington Avenue

Pool is being held too far from the action to see what POTUS is doing.

Travel pool report #14 -more color from Biden home

More color from outside Biden childhood home in Scranton: There were dueling protesters, some chanting "Genocide Joe has got to go" and others chanting "Four more years" and "We want Joe" and "We love you Joe!"

A group of Biden supporters stood on the lawn next door to the Biden home and waved a pre-printed sign that says "Scranton Loves Joe!"

Pool is being held on the street about five houses down from the former Biden home.

The longtime owner of this home, Anne Kearns, passed away in December, which POTUS noted at the time. See this Axios piece:

https://www.axios.com/2023/12/31/biden-pennsylvania-childhood-home-anne-ratchford-kearns

Pool is trying to ascertain who POTUS has been meeting with at the home.

A little after 5 pm, pool was allowed to reposition directly across street from the Biden childhood home. Two yard signs now clearly visible: Biden-Harris campaign sign and "Scranton Loves Joe!" Protesters are gone. A group of about 20 onlookers are on the sidewalk near the house, a few yards away from the driveway and front door. There's also a crowd standing in the Biden house's side and back yard, including six kids (that we can see).

At 5:35, top Biden aides Bruce Reed and Mike Donilon strolled down the driveway toward a motorcade vehicle. At 5:36 Potus came down the driveway accompanied by the six kids, holding the hands of two of them, and walked over to greet the crowd on the side of the lawn. Pool is too far to hear what's being said. He takes a selfie with a woman in the crowd, then speaks to the crowd, eliciting applause.

At 5:41 the pool as told to return to motorcade, as Biden still met with folks.

Motorcade is rolling to next campaign event at 5:48 pm.

From the WH:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden stopped by his childhood home in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Travel pool report #15 -arrival at Carpenters Union hall

Motorcade arrived ar Carpenters and Joiners Local Union 445, in south Scranton, at 6:01 after uneventful ride. Onlookers holding pro-Biden signs cheered as we exited his old neighborhood.

When we arrived in south Scranton, pro-Palestinian protesters chanted "ceasefire now!" up the street from the union hall.

From WH:

On behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign:

President Biden is meeting with local union members and participating in a Pennsylvania coordinated campaign organizing training with supporters and volunteers at the Carpenter's Union Training Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The training is also being broadcast live to hundreds of supporters across the Commonwealth.

Travel pool report #16- color from union hall

About 100 campaign supporters and volunteers, many skewing older, are seated at long tables for a campaign training. Mike Donilon, chief strategist for the Biden campaign hanging in the back of the room.

POTUS entered the hall at 6:20, and is being introduced. Biden will speak shortly.

Please see Biden campaign live feed to watch event.

Travel pool report #17- Biden speaks/ otter link

After introduction from the daughter of a childhood friend, and former Senate employee, POTUS began speaking at 6:28 pm.

He tells the story of taking a trip to Nassau as a college student, and meeting Neilia Hunter, who became his first wife. "I was smitten by her, I really was." The bill at their first dinner was $48, he says, but he only had $42, so she slipped him some money under the table.

Later, he said, he looked at her and said "I think I'm going to marry you." She said, "I think so." They hadn't even kissed or done anything yet, he said.

Then, of course, after several years, a car accident took Neilia's life, and, he says, he was declared most eligible bachelor. And later met and married Jill.

"No man deserves one great love let alone two."

Discusses the illness and death of Beau. He says he had no intention of running for president again, but Charlottesville happened- cites Trump comment on "good people on both sides"

"What's at stake now, folks, is our democracy."

"We have an incredible chance to change the direction of the world without using American forces."

"We have to win, and it gets down to old fashioned politics. Knocking on doors."

Cites 1.6 million campaign contributors - 97 percent under $200.

"Thank you for what you're doing. I didn't mean to tell you so much."

Remarks ended at 6:50, and he says he will take a couple of questions:

Q: what made you run for president?

A: it's a simple proposition. People want a shot. …

Says that when he lived in Scranton, there were not many Black people. In Delaware, he says, the African American population was a much larger percentage, leading him to get involved in trying to reform the Democratic Party regarding racial matters.

Says he was a public defender, starting a law firm, and then was recruited into local politics, county council. Then recounts his political career.

"We wouldn't be here if there wasn't a lot at stake"

That was the only question he took. Pool was ushered out of union hall at 7 pm. FYI a local reporter says this is the union hall he visited the morning of Election Day 2020.

Turns out there was no live feed for the just-concluded event. Here is the Otter link:

https://otter.ai/u/e1P3v-hAAaJIGuNGVFYTMpAApPo

Re the last stop, from a campaign official: he met with the family of the most recent homeowner and toured his childhood home.

Travel pool report #18- arrival at RON/lid

Motorcade left the carpenters union hall at 7:45 pm, arrived at RON at 7:50 pm after uneventful ride. Lid was called at 7:52.

Note: At the union hall, your pooler asked Mike Donilon if we will be seeing a lot more of POTUS in PA. He agreed.

How crucial is it for him to win PA? "It's pretty high- Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan."

Good night!