Pool Reports of September 14, 2024

Out of town pool report #1: call time pushed

Good morning from Wilmington. Our call time has been pushed to 12pm.

Out of town pool report #2: call time pushed again

Call time has been pushed to 1:25pm.

Out of town pool report #3: motorcade rolling

Motorcade departed POTUS' residence at 3:21pm. We are en route to DANG.

The WH shares the following:

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

Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Herbie Ziskend, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Director of Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #4: DANG arrival

After an uneventful ride, the motorcade pulled into DANG at 3:30. Your pool did not see POTUS board M1, but he will be wheels up momentarily.

The White House shares the following:

Traveling with the President aboard Marine One en route to the White House:

Natalie Quillian, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Herbie Ziskend, Deputy Assistant to the President & Principal Deputy Director of Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In town pool report 1 - no questions taken

POTUS landed via Marine One on the South Lawn around 4:30 pm. He returned to the WH from DANG for an event this evening in DC.

He walked down the stairs of M1, saluted, and then walked across the lawn to the White House. Reporters along a rope line motioned for him to come over and chat, he appeared to playfully motion his hands in response, but did not walk over to waiting journalists.

One person yelled a question about Ukraine. It is unclear if potus heard it, as the pooler barely caught it.

A dinner lid until 6 pm was called at 4:38 pm.

Programming note: I will be handing in-town pooling duties off to my capable WSJ colleague Ken Thomas, who will pool the evening events.

In town pool report #2 - Rolling

President Biden's motorcade is rolling from the White House at 7:38 p.m. Your pooler could not see the president board the Beast from his vantage point in the early evening.

The president will be addressing the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual Phoenix Awards Dinner.

In town pool report #3 - convention center

President Biden's motorcade arrived at the Washington Convention Center at 7:45 p.m. after a short, uneventful ride through downtown Washington.

The motorcade passed by fairly large crowds of people along the motorcade route, many documenting the moment with their iPhones. A group of small children waved at the motorcade.

Near the convention center, your pooler spotted a man bearing a yellow sign which read (paraphrasing because the motorcade was speeding along): Demand more from Kamala or we vote for Jill Stein.

The pool did not see the president enter the convention center. As we arrived, members of the Congressional Black Caucus were being introduced on stage inside this massive space where thousands of attendees are gathered in black tie and evening gowns.

The president will be addressing the Phoenix Awards dinner along with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The remarks are expected to be carried here:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

We had expected Biden to deliver his remarks at about 8:15 p.m. but we are running behind schedule. The vice president's speech will be covered in a separate VP pool report.

In town pool report #4 - photo line

The White House passes this along:

Participating in a photoline with the President and Vice President:

Senator Cory Booker (NJ)

Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)

Senator Laphonza Butler (CA), and her spouse, Neneki Lee

Governor Wes Moore (MD)

Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), and his spouse, Kennisandra Jeffries

Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06)

Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), and his spouse, Tiffany Mfume

Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), and her daughter, Karen Waters

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03)

Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and his granddaughter, Jeanna Thompson

Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), and his spouse, Vivian Bishop

Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07)

Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12)

Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-05), and his spouse, Simone-Marie Weeks

Rep. David Scott (GA-13), and his spouse, Alfredia Scott

Rep. Al Green (TX-09)

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), and his spouse, Dianne Cleaver

Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), and her son, Adde Moore

Rep. Henry "Hank" Johnson Jr. (GA-04), and his spouse, Mereda Johnson

Rep. André Carson (IN-07)

Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24)

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Rep. Marc Veasey (TX-33), and his spouse, Tonya Veasey

Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02)

Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09)

Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03)

Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12)

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and her spouse, William Coleman

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large)

Rep. Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large)

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and her spouse, Conan Harris

Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and her spouse, Timothy "Tim" Mynett

Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and her spouse, Milford Hayes

Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02)

Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07)

Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04)

Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and her spouse, Cortney Merritts

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16)

Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)

Rep. Troy A. Carter (LA-02), and his spouse, Andreé Carter

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and her spouse, Corlie McCormick

Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), and his spouse, Yuvonka Davis

Rep. Gabe Amo (RI-01)

Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11)

Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04), and his spouse, Jolene Ivey

Rep. Jasmin Crockett (TX-30), and her mother, Gwendolyn "Gwen" Crockett

Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), and her spouse, David Mills

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-07), and his spouse, Marilyn Jackson, and his sister, Santita Jackson

Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10)

Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12)

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and her spouse, Austin Dove

Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04)

Erica Lee Carter and Jason Lee, children of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson

Reverend Al Sharpton

In town pool report #5 - remarks shortly

We are told President Biden will address the Phoenix Awards dinner shortly. The presidential seal has been affixed to the lectern. There are about 3,500 people in attendance here at the Washington Convention Center.

Biden and Harris's remarks will be carried here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzxA5Fi8P-0

In Town Pool Pool Report #6 - Biden's remarks

President Biden, wearing a tuxedo with a black bow tie, took the stage at 8:36 p.m. as Jackie Wilson's "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher" was heard over the sound system. He was honored with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Before he arrived on stage, Biden was praised by Rep. Terri Sewell (D., Ala.), the chair of the board of directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, for his work to "amplify Black voices" and be a "champion for justice."

"He will go down in history as one of the most consequential leaders of our generation," Sewell said.

Rep. Steven Horsford (D., Nev.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, noted that Biden made good on his commitment to nominate the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Taking the lectern, Biden praised the Congressional Black Caucus, telling the audience, "you've always had my back and I'll never forget it," Biden said.

The president recalled his 2020 election, reminding the audience that "Donald Trump lost and became a defeated president." He spoke of the coming election and his work alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. "The past four years we've shown democracy can deliver for our people," he said.

Biden spoke at length about the key parts of his agenda during the past four years and their impact on the Black community, pointing to economic recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, the growth of Black small businesses and a reduction of child poverty.

"Yes we are better off today than we were four years ago," Biden said.

The president referenced the situation in Springfield, Ohio, saying Haitian Americans were being attacked. "It's wrong, it's got to stop."

Biden quoted Psalm 37: "I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken." He recalled groundbreaking Rep. Shirley Chisholm, noting that he served alongside her in Congress.

He pointed to his work serving alongside the nation's first Black president, Barack Obama, and his decision to choose Harris to serve as his vice president. "God willing she'll become the first woman president of the United States of America," Biden said, prompting cheers.

"And Hakeem will become the first Black Speaker of the House," the president said, referring to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.), leading to more cheers.

Biden urged the audience to "keep the faith because you know faith without works is dead."

The president said he has served alongside Harris. "I know her. I trust her," he said, adding he will be proud to see her sworn in as the next president of the United States.

He introduced Harris to the audience at 8:52 p.m. and the vice president took the stage to cheers. Please check quotes against the transcript.

In town pool report #7 - Departing

President Biden's motorcade departed the Washington Convention Center at 9:05 p.m. We are rolling.

In town pool report #8 - Lid

President Biden's motorcade arrived back at the White House at 9:10 p.m. after an uneventful 5-minute trip through downtown D.C. Your pooler was too far away to see the president enter the residence.

A lid has been declared. Have a good night.