Biden attends a virtual meeting with the National Association of Counties Board of Directors.
The pool was escorted back into the theater at 4:34 p.m. ET. Mr. Biden was seated at a table facing a large screen as the video conference meeting with members of the National Association of Counties was already underway. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris joined virtually and was addressing the board members as we entered the room.
Mr. Biden’s blue facemask, a glass of water and papers rested on the table in front of him. He was introduced by Julie Rodriguez, the incoming director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, who also appeared virtually.
The pool was inside the room for about five minutes – there was no news. The audio quality made it difficult to hear everything Mr. Biden said for portions of the spray.
Mr. Biden praised the work of Matt Meyer, the county executive of New Castle County, Del. He also recalled his role as a member of the New Castle County Council before he won his election to the Senate in 1972. He spoke briefly about learning how to work in a bipartisan fashion as a member of local government and called the participants in the meeting the “single-most consequential” government officials in the country.
“I think with all due respect, that you sometimes underestimate your consequence. I really mean that,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Biden also thanked Gary Moore, the organization’s president from Boone County, Ky., and referred to a sister-in-law from Owensboro, Ky., who “bleeds Kentucky blue.”
Mr. Biden thanked the county officials for keeping the public safe during the pandemic and said many local governments are facing a lack of resources. “You’ve got to balance the budgets,” he said.
He then reiterated some of his earlier remarks, pointing to the need for Congress to act quickly on an additional Covid-19 relief package.
“If we act now, we can gain the momentum and start to build back a better future,” Mr. Biden said. “I want you to know that we’re here and we’re going to listen and be involved.” He told the officials he was “encouraged” by the bipartisan attempts in Congress to pass a roughly $900 billion proposal.
The pool departed the theater at 4:39 p.m. ET as Mr. Biden continued to speak with the county officials.
Mr. Biden exited the Queen theater and boarded his SUV at 4:51 p.m. without stopping for additional questions.
As the pool hustled back to the bus, your pooler could hear Lee Greenwood’s song, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” which was blasted out by a man who waved a blue Trump flag at a nearby street corner.
Mr. Biden’s motorcade arrived back at his residence at 5:06 p.m. and a lid was called.