Pool Reports of May 18, 2024

In-town pool report #1: Gather for POTUS departure

Good morning,

We are gathered at the Palm Room doors ahead of the president's departure en route to JBA —> Atlanta.

The light rain has stopped for now.

In-town pool report #2: motorcade rolling

The motorcade departed from the White House at 10:25 a.m. headed for JBA.

The press van wasn't starting but they jumpstarted the battery, which seems to have resolved the issue. (We're told another van is ready to transport us if necessary.)

Pool report #3: Traveling with POTUS

The White House shared the following pool note:

Traveling with the President via motorcade:

Steve Ricchetti, Assistant to the President & Counselor to the President
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
Steve Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
Curtis Ried, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Chief of Staff & Executive Secretary
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
John McCarthy, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor for Political Engagement
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Pool report #4: Arrival at JBA

The motorcade arrived at JBA at 10:46 a.m.

Pool report #5: Biden boards AF1

The president boarded AF1 at 10:49 a.m.

A group of Airmen was gathered behind the fence taking photos.

WH out of town pool report #1/ POTUS at JBA

Hi everyone,

POTUS's motorcade stopped at a grey Joint Base Andrews at 10.48am. He stepped out of the presidential limo in a black car and saluted, shook hands and chatted with a greeter.

POTUS was wearing a black jacket and holding a cap. He saluted again and boarded AF1 at 10.49am. We are awaiting take off to Atlanta.

WH out of town pool report #3/ Greeting POTUS

From the White House press office:

'Several Morehouse Alumni will be among those greeting the President upon arrival to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, including:

Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)
Mayor Steven Reed, Montgomery, Alabama
Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham, Alabama
Marlon Kimpson, former State Senator, South Carolina; Member, Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
John Eaves, former County Commissioner, Fulton County, Georgia'

WH out of town pool report #4/ POTUS meets and greets

POTUS descended the stairs from AF1 in Atlanta at 12.29pm. He shook hands and chatted with elected officials, including Senators Ossoff and Warnock, who were standing in line.

At 12.32pm, accompanied by Senator Warnock, POTUS walked over to a group of Morehouse College alumni. He shook hands, smiled and laughed during good humored exchanges. The seven men including POTUS posed for a photo in front of AF1. POTUS playfully put his hand over one man's shoulder.

At 12.41pm motorcade is rolling from the airport.

WH out of town pool report #5/ POTUS at RON

The motorcade had a smooth trip through Atlanta and stopped at 1.02pm at the RON in the Buckhead district. Pool did not observe POTUS enter the building. Some curious onlookers gathered nearby.

Pool is now holding in a hotel restaurant.

WH out of town pool report #6/ More detail on POTUS greeters at airport

From the White House press office:

'Greeting the President upon arrival to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

Senator Jon Ossoff (GA)
Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)
Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)
County Chair Jeffrey Turner, Clayton County, Georgia
County Chair Robb Pitts, Fulton County, Georgia
Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta, Georgia
Mayor Steven Reed, Montgomery, Alabama
Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham, Alabama
Marlon Kimpson, former State Senator, South Carolina, Member, Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
John Eaves, former County Commissioner, Fulton County, Georgia'

WH in-town pool report #7/ POTUS on the move

Motorcade is rolling at 2.32pm. The daily guidance said to expect a campaign event in Atlanta at 2.40pm.

WH out of town pool report #8/ POTUS at restaurant

The motorcade stopped in downtown Atlanta at 2.44pm.

Along the way people stopped and watched, many filming on their phones, some waving and at least one giving a thumbs down.

Pool is now gathered inside Mary Mac's Tea Room, where more than 50 guests are sitting at tables with white table cloths and two small American flags. Loud music is playing. There are some Biden-Harris campaign signs covering a door.

'On behalf of the Biden-Harris Campaign:

President Biden is participating in a campaign event at Mary Mac's Tea Room, a local Black-owned small business, where he will deliver remarks and meet with local supporters and volunteers.'

WH out of town pool report #9/ POTUS speaks

Wearing a jacket and shirt with open collar, POTUS entered Mary Mac's Tea Room at 2.53pm. Guests stood, applauded and cheered. Some hugged POTUS as he moved around the room, shaking hands and holding short conversations. Music continued to play loudly.

At 2.59pm the music went off and POTUS began speaking. "Now look, I realise I'm surrounded by Morehouse men."

More to follow.

WH out of town pool report #12/ Background from Biden-Harris campaign

From the Biden-Harris campaign:

'The President participated in a campaign event at Mary Mac's Tea Room, a local Black-owned small business, where he delivered remarks and met with local supporters and volunteers.

Mary Mac's Tea Room is a historic institution in downtown Atlanta, owned by Harold Martin Jr., who is a Morehouse College alumnus.

President Biden met with members of the Morehouse community including Kerry Singleton, a graduating student on Sunday, who greeted him upon arrival.

The speaking program featured:

• Alfred "Shivy" Brooks, a member of the Atlanta Board of Education and the first active teacher elected to the school board in 150 years. Shivy is the founder of "Teachers for

• Good Trouble" and the current education chair for the GA NAACP

• Cecil Price III, a senior at Morehouse College

• Kerry Singleton, a 2024 Morehouse graduate

In addition to Morehouse students and alumni, the event was attended by local supporters and volunteers. Notable attendees included Stacey Abrams, Senator Warnock, Senator Jon Ossoff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Congressman David Scott, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and other elected officials, as well celebrity influencer couple Devale and Khadeen Ellis.

Prior to the President's arrival, attendees enjoyed food catered by Mary Mac's and a performance by Grammy-nominated DJ Willy Wow.'

WH out of town pool report #13/ POTUS on the move

POTUS left Mary Mac's Tea Room. The motorcade started rolling at 3,41pm. The weekend guidance said to expect a campaign reception in Atlanta at 4.45pm.

WH out of town pool report #14/ Pool holding

The motorcade was caught in a sudden downpour of rain. The press vans came to a stop at 3.53pm.

Pool is now holding in the Rachel Carson Room at the Arthur M Blank Family Foundation headquarters. Some of the floors are reminiscent of Roman mosaics. A nearby signs offers directions to: 'Northern Trust, The Rinaldi, The Rocca, The Medici, The Forum, The Borghese, Local Three.'

WH out of town pool report #15/ POTUS begins speaking at campaign reception

POTUS is taking part in a campaign reception at the Arthur M Blank Family Foundation, described by its website as an Atlanta-based foundation creating sustainable and inclusive communities.

POTUS entered the room at 4.53pm. People stood, applauded, whooped and took photos. One woman shouted: "We love you, Joe!"

The ceiling is ornate, with 15 illuminated recess panels and five chandeliers, and the floor is polished wood. Behind the lectern is a tapestry depicting birds in a bucolic setting; there are two artworks on the same wall. At either end of the room are gold frame mirrors hanging above grand fireplaces. Pool is sitting at the back against tall velvet curtains.

By this pooler's count, there are 84 people sitting on six rows of chairs in the middle of the room. About 50 more people, including White House officials, are sitting on couches or standing at either side. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave Rep. Lucy McBath a warm greeting and hug.

More to follow.

WH out of town pool report #16/ Some highlights of POTUS remarks

POTUS said at the campaign reception:

"Georgia is the reason I'm president of the United States... You're the reason we were able to defeat the former president and you're the reason we're going to beat him again."

"It's hard to make any poll rational these days.... We run strongest among likely voters in all the polls, so that's a good sign... If you look at the actual votes in primaries, as opposed to the polls, we're running much stronger than Mr Trump is."

He noted Nikki Haley's strong showing against Trump in the Republican primaries. "Let me say there's always going to be a place for Haley voters in my campaign."

"We're building the strongest ground campaign in the history of our country... Trump's Maga Republicans are in disarray right now."

"The threat Trump poses in a second term is greater than in the first term." He said something "snapped" in Trump after his 2020 defeat and he "unleashed an insurrection".

"He's not only obsessed with losing in 2020. He's clearly unhinged... Buy Time magazine this week. Take a look at what he has said. He said. 'A a lot of people liked it when I said I would be a dictator on day one'."

POTUS said Trump promised to pardon January 6 prisoners. He said Trump predicted a "bloodbath" if Trump loses.

"Look at what he says about reproductive freedom. He's bragging he's the reason Roe v Wade was overturned."

"Folks, Trump isn't running to lead America. He's running for revenge."

"Trump's determined to get rid of my climate law because the oil companies don't like it."

"I promise you, elect me a Democratic Congress and Kamala and I will make sure Roe v Wade is the law of the land."

"Our freedoms and democracy are at stake... I know we can do this together."

POTUS said he hadn't been going to run after his son died. He spoke of "antisemitic bile" in Charlottesville and the then president's remark that there were good people on both sides.

"There's nothing guaranteed about democracy... There are actually fewer democracies today in the world than there were 10 years ago.

"We cannot let this man become president. Our children's future is at stake... We have to win this race, not for me but for America."

More details to follow.

WH out of town pool report #17/ Lid

POTUS finished speaking at 5.11pm. A lid was called at 5.35pm. Motorcade got back to the RON at 5.39pm.

More on POTUS's remarks to follow.

WH out of town pool report #18/ More detail from POTUS remarks at campaign reception in Atlanta

POTUS thanked members of Congress who were present along with former Senator Sam Nunn. He also said: "By the way you have someone here, a former Deputy Attorney General of the Obama-Biden administration, who I've warned her, if I win, watch out. Sally Yates."

He went on: "Tell people that if you doubt the power of the vote, come visit Georgia. What you've all done is incredible. You're the reason - not a joke - Georgia is the reason I'm president of the United States... You're the reason we beat the former president and you're the reason we're going to beat him again."

There were loud cheers and applause.

POTUS said: "We feel good about the state of the race. There's a lot to do. We know we're far from over. But we know the race is close. Polls vary from moving up to down to tied but it's hard to make any poll rational these days." He noted difficulties such as polling via landlines.

POTUS said there were encouraging signs: he is running strongest among likely voters; he is doing better in primaries, where Trump is losing a significant share of the vote to Nikki Haley even though she dropped out. He also noted the failure of the "red wave" in the 2022 midterms. "Let me say, there's always going to be a place for Haley voters in my campaign."

The room applauded. POTUS welcomed the presence of Geoff Duncan, a former Lieutenant Governor of Georgia who is a Republican and has endorsed him.

POTUS continued: "We're building the strongest ground campaign in the history of our country. So far, over 1.6 million individuals have contributed money to our campaign... In the battleground states we've opened more than 150 field offices, while Trump has opened zero, not one single field office. We're organising and we're ready. Trump's Maga Republicans are in disarray.

"Now let's get to the message of the campaign. It's very straightforward. The threat Trump poses is greater in the second term than it was in the first term. It's clear that when he lost in 2020 something snapped with Trump  - I'm not being facetious, I'm being serious. He just can't accept the fact he lost. He lost - he knows that. That's why January 6 happened. Every legal avenue to try to change the election failed, so he unleashed an insurrection.

"Now he's running again. He's not only obsessed with losing in 2020, he's clearly been unhinged and I'm not being facetious, I'm being serious. Just listen to him. He's just done a long interview with Time magazine. Buy Time magazine this week, take a look at what he has said. He said: 'A lot of people liked it when I said I'll be a dictator on day one. A lot of people like it.'"

POTUS said Trump calls the insurrectionists in prison "patriots" and has said that, if elected, he will pardon every one of them. He added that Trump says there will be a "bloodbath" if Trump loses in November. POTUS also noted that would-be vice presidents are "lining up" and reversing their position on the 2020 election because they have to.

POTUS also referred to Trump's comment in Time that states should monitor women's pregnancies and prosecute those who violate state law. "Folks, Trump isn't running to lead America. He's running for revenge. And look, revenge is no way to lead a country."

POTUS went on to cite his own record: 15 million new jobs, expansion of health insurance, taking on Big Pharma, climate and clean energy, a historic investment in science and technology. He added: "I promise you, elect me a Democratic Congress and Kamala and I will make sure Roe v Wade is the law of the land."

The audience roared its approval.

POTUS said: "Our freedoms and our democracy are at stake, in a literal sense - not hyperbole. It's freedom. That's why I need you so badly and why I appreciate what you're doing. I know we can do this together. I've never been more optimistic about the future in my entire career."

He recalled that he had not been going to run again for president after his son died. He spoke of "antisemitic bile" in Charlottesville, reminiscent of Europe in the 1930s, and the then president's remark that there were good people on both sides. "That's when I decided to run."

POTUS warned: "There's nothing guaranteed about democracy. In times when exquisite change is occurring all round the world, look what's happening around the world. There are actually fewer democracies today in the world than there were 10 years ago. We just have to remember who the hell we are. We are the United States of America. There's nothing, nothing beyond our capacity if we set our minds to it."

He added: "We cannot let this man become president. Our children's future is at stake. Not a joke. If you'll allow me to make the case... We have to win this race, not for me but for America."