With assist from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross
JUST IN — “Pope Francis to endure intestinal surgical procedure beneath basic anesthesia,” AP: “The Vatican stated FRANCIS, 86, could be put beneath basic anesthesia for the process Wednesday afternoon and could be hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for a number of days.“
THE REBELS PUNCH BACK — “Conservatives shock McCarthy with flooring rise up over debt deal anger,” by Sarah Ferris, Jordain Carney and Olivia Beavers: “A band of Home conservatives derailed a invoice that takes goal at gasoline range regulation. It could possibly be only the start of strikes to undercut the speaker.”
2024 WATCH — Longshot week continues, because the Republican presidential area provides what will be the remaining three contenders hoping to dislodge front-runners DONALD TRUMP and RON DeSANTIS …
— Former VP MIKE PENCE, who turns 64 as we speak, formally launched his marketing campaign this morning with a kickoff video. (Extra on that in a second.)
— North Dakota Gov. DOUG BURGUM, writing within the WSJ, explains why he’s working for president forward of an enormous announcement later this morning.
— And former New Jersey Gov. CHRIS CHRISTIE launched his second bid final night time with a two-hour city corridor at New Hampshire’s Saint Anselm School final night time, and he adopted by on his promise to go after Trump with extra ferocity than he did in his milquetoast 2016 marketing campaign.
Simply try this lede from the AP: “Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wasted no time going after Donald Trump whereas launching his presidential marketing campaign on Tuesday, calling the previous president and present Republican main front-runner a ‘lonely, self-consumed, self-serving mirror hog’ and arguing that he’s the one one who can cease him.”
POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky, who was on the occasion, has these 5 takeaways:
- He’s tearing into Trump. A style: “I’m going to be very clear — I’m going on the market to take out Donald Trump. However right here’s why: I wish to win, and I don’t need him to win. There may be one lane to the Republican nomination, and he’s in entrance of it. And if you wish to win, you higher go proper by him.”
- He’s not good. Right here’s how Christie’s addressing his personal lengthy, tortured historical past: “If you’re seeking the proper candidate, it’s time to depart. I’m not it. … However watch out for the chief who gained’t admit any of these shortcomings, as a result of what the issue is with a frontrunner like that? A frontrunner like that thinks America’s greatness resides within the mirror he’s taking a look at.”
- He’s betting every thing on New Hampshire, “calculating that he can higher enchantment to extra average Republicans and independents who can vote within the Granite State’s open main,” Lisa writes. Christie launched his appeal marketing campaign by knocking his rivals for kicking off their campaigns with “some large podium speech” quite than speaking on to voters — a specific jab at DeSantis.
- He’s received a fan within the state home. New Hampshire Gov. CHRIS SUNUNU, who introduced he was passing on a run of his personal Monday, didn’t attend Christie’s kickoff however had optimistic issues to say in an interview yesterday — calling him “much more relaxed” than in his 2016 run. “He has a little bit of a nothing-to-lose sort of angle, which I believe is refreshing,” he stated.
- He’s pleased to stack his report up in opposition to DeSantis’. Lisa notes Christie would be the sixth present or former governor within the race as soon as Burgum will get in, and all “are banking lots on the concept that voters are focused on their govt expertise.” However Christie moved to undercut DeSantis on that observe, arguing the Florida governor benefited from “a Republican echo chamber” in Tallahassee that appears nothing like Washington: “He by no means needed to compromise.”
SPOT CHECK: Now again to Pence, whose marketing campaign video, titled “Greatest Days,” got here off embargo just some minutes in the past. We watched it with an eye fixed in direction of how Pence offers with each Trump and Biden.
The two-minute, 44-second spot doesn’t stray far from the traditional system for these items, starting with paeans of reward for the greatness of America earlier than highlighting Pence’s bio — grandson of an Irish immigrant, congressman, governor, vp — for instance of how he’s “lived the American dream.” (Nothing, sadly, about his speak radio days.)
So why Pence and never Trump? Issues are totally different now. “I’ll at all times be happy with the progress we made collectively for a stronger, extra affluent America. However as we speak our nation is in a number of bother.” In different phrases, issues are so unhealthy, based on Pence, that Trump isn’t up for the job: “Totally different instances name for various management,” he says, the sort that appeals to our “higher angels.”
However extra fascinating is how Pence dramatizes a set of points he makes use of to make the case in opposition to Biden. It’s price taking a look at this a part of the video carefully, as a result of it tells us an excellent deal about how weak Biden is perhaps to any potential GOP nominee.
Take a look at how the Pence narration traces up with the photographs within the video:
- “President Joe Biden …” — Biden clenching his fist throughout his September speech on democracy.
- “and the unconventional left …” — KAMALA HARRIS doing an interview with Lester Holt.
- “have weakened America at house …” — BLM protesters.
- “and overseas …” — A aircraft surrounded by evacuees throughout the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan.
- “The American dream is being crushed beneath runaway inflation …” — A WSJ article titled, “Financial institution Failures. Excessive Inflation. Rising Charges. Is the Resilient Jobs Market About to Crack?” that paints a nuanced image of the financial system.
- “Wages are dropping …” — On-screen textual content that seems to reference a 2021 NY Put up article about two unemployed former Keystone Pipeline employees.
- “Recession is looming … ” — The headline of an NPR interview from April (“Financial progress within the U.S. is slowing down. Are we headed for a recession?”) with economist CLAUDIA SAHM, who doesn’t predict a recession and calls the roles market “actually good.”
- “Our southern border is beneath siege …” — Some video clips from Fox Information and elsewhere about migrants streaming throughout the border.
- “And the enemies of freedom are on the march around the globe. …” — A shot of VLADIMIR PUTIN above a Newsweek headline, “Joe Biden Can’t Escape Trying Weak Towards Putin,” that was printed earlier than the struggle in Ukraine began.
- “And worse nonetheless, timeless American values are beneath assault as by no means earlier than.” — A CNN headline: “Controversy Over Trans Feminine Swimmer.” A Fox Information headline: “Drag Queens Storm Religion-based Story Hour in AR.” An image of a closely vandalized police automobile on which is spray-painted, “PIGS.”
Pence is clearly a severe underdog in opposition to Trump. He’s universally recognized and but is polling at related ranges to his a lot much less well-known rivals.
However what is de facto hanging to us about his launch advert, and the rationale we pulled aside this one part in such element, is how precarious Pence’s case in opposition to Biden is on quite a lot of fronts. His marketing campaign needed to cherry-pick articles in regards to the financial system that don’t fairly help his image of financial calamity. The southern border, to everybody’s shock, has skilled a precipitous drop in crossings because the finish of Title 42. Pence makes use of a pre-war opinion piece about Biden not standing as much as Putin, when the large information this week is how Home Republicans are threatening to dam a considerable support package deal to help Ukraine.
That factors to a basic downside that any GOP nominee will face: Regardless of Biden’s poor ballot numbers, he isn’t but presiding over the sort of financial or overseas coverage catastrophe that traditionally creates a one-term president — which is perhaps one purpose that the video additionally leans closely on tradition struggle grievances that concentrate on teams with little to do with the financial system and overseas coverage: BLM, trans rights activists, drag present performers.
Issues may change, in fact. Increased inflation or a recession may overwhelm the opposite optimistic financial information. The struggle in Ukraine may spiral uncontrolled. We may go to struggle with China over Taiwan. Different points associated to Biden’s age or some new scandal may intrude.
However on the 2 large fronts that may typically resolve the destiny of an incumbent president — the financial system and struggle — even a gifted political opponent akin to Mike Pence is having a troublesome time making a case in opposition to Biden.
Associated reads: “55 Issues You Must Know About Mike Pence,” by Michael Kruse, Ekaterina Pechenkina and Adam Wren … “The G.O.P. Has Drifted, however Mike Pence Is as Conservative as Ever,” by NYT’s Jonathan Swan … “Pence Seeks to Go The place No Vice President Has Gone Earlier than,” by NYT’s Peter Baker: “[N]ever earlier than has a No. 2 mounted a direct problem to a onetime working mate in the best way that Mr. Pence is taking up [Trump] for the Republican nomination subsequent 12 months.”
Good Wednesday morning. Thanks for studying Playbook. Drop us a line and inform us about your favourite 2024 longshot: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
2024 WATCH
UP FOR DEBATE — “Acquired $1 to spare? RNC debate guidelines set off a mad sprint for very small donors,” by Jessica Piper: “Fundraising schemes the place campaigns supply free shirts, books or different objects in change for even the smallest donations will be costly within the short-term, as campaigns spend closely on merchandise and digital promoting. The minuscule donations hardly cowl their prices. However the contributions afford longshot candidates the prospect to look on the talk stage.”
The early entrants: “NIKKI HALEY’S marketing campaign instructed POLITICO that she already surpassed the 40,000 donor threshold. Entrepreneur VIVEK RAMASWAMY stated he has, too, though he has continued to run Fb advertisements this week asking for $1 to ‘safe a major spot’ on the talk stage. Sen. TIM SCOTT (R-S.C.) has not confirmed a donor quantity however has a robust fundraising historical past.”
AS THE CROW FLIES — Controversial GOP megadonor HARLAN CROW and ROSS PEROT JR. are among the many high-rolling hosts of a personal dinner for NIKKI HALEY in Dallas tonight, Bloomberg’s Shelly Hagan, Nancy Cook dinner and Julie Advantageous scoop, a part of a multi-day Texas fundraising swing.
THE WHITE HOUSE
CODE RED — “Biden rolls out 2 new red-state judicial picks,” by Betsy Woodruff Swan: “Biden’s two nominees are each set to fill judicial vacancies in Louisiana: JERRY EDWARDS, JR. is a high federal prosecutor within the state, based on a forthcoming White Home announcement that POLITICO reviewed, whereas BRANDON SCOTT LONG is a former deputy chief of workers to FBI Director CHRIS WRAY.”
Enjoying the blues: “Each Louisiana senators are anticipated to safe blue slips for affirmation hearings, based on an individual accustomed to the nomination course of.”
INTERESTING VENUE — “Kamala Harris praises ‘unbiased judiciary’ in speech at Israeli embassy occasion,” by the Jewish Telegraphic Company’s Ron Kampeas
CONGRESS
BREWING SPLIT — “McCarthy and McConnell present indicators of a break up on protection spending,” by Anthony Adragna, Connor O’Brien, Joe Gould and Nancy Vu: In a flooring speech yesterday, Senate Minority Chief MITCH McCONNELL referred to as the Pentagon spending degree within the new bipartisan debt deal negotiated by Home Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY “merely inadequate given the key challenges that our nation faces,” citing China, Russia and different threats. “It’s a major little bit of daylight between McConnell and McCarthy — and an indication of intra-GOP pressure to come back over whether or not to approve new assist for Ukraine in its struggle in opposition to Russia.”
NICKEL AND DIMON — JPMorgan Chase CEO JAMIE DIMON paid a go to to the average New Democrat Coalition yesterday, the place he instructed them to abolish the debt ceiling altogether, CNN’s Matt Egan experiences. “Eliminate it,” Dimon instructed lawmakers, earlier than describing the debt ceiling as an “unmitigated catastrophe.”
SBF FALLOUT CONTINUES — Puck’s Theodore Schleifer experiences that the Home Monetary Providers Committee “has been quietly interviewing witnesses in current months” as a part of an investigation into the collapse of the FTX crypto change. “Some requests for interviews have already gone out, based on individuals concerned within the matter, in pursuit of what may develop into a proper congressional report.”
THE TALENTED MR. SANTOS — “Choose guidelines to launch names of Rep. Santos bond cosigners, will keep secret as enchantment thought of,” by AP’s Michael Sisak
TRUMP CARDS
MEADOWS LARK — Trump White Home chief of workers MARK MEADOWS “testified earlier than a federal grand jury listening to proof within the investigations being led by the particular counsel’s workplace,” NYT’s Jonathan Swan, Michael Schmidt and Maggie Haberman report. Meadows has essential proximity to each Trump’s conduct following the 2020 election and the mishandling of categorized paperwork — each of that are being investigated by particular counsel JACK SMITH — although the NYT notes that it’s unclear which case he was questioned about.
Attention-grabbing response: “Requested in regards to the grand jury testimony, a lawyer for Mr. Meadows, GEORGE TERWILLIGER, stated, ‘With out commenting on whether or not or not Mr. Meadows has testified earlier than the grand jury or in every other continuing, Mr. Meadows has maintained a dedication to inform the reality the place he has a authorized obligation to take action.’”
Plus, NYT’s Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman and Ben Protess report that “greater than 20 members of Mr. Trump’s Secret Service safety element” testified earlier than the D.C. grand jury, although the panel “might have stopped listening to witness testimony in current weeks.” In the meantime, the Florida grand jury has solely heard from “a handful of witnesses” with extra coming on this week.
JUST POSTED — “Florida grand jury concerned in Trump paperwork probe by Justice Dept., AP supply says,” by AP’s Eric Tucker: “[T]he use of a distinct grand jury in Florida means that prosecutors may additionally be eyeing at the very least some potential costs in that state.”
POLICY CORNER
HAPPENING TODAY — “What to look at for on the 2023 POLITICO well being summit,” by David Lim: “Panelists will focus on the advantages and dangers of everlasting adoption of telehealth and the way new AI instruments will be effectively and safely tailored to assist enhance U.S. well being care.” Click on by for an inventory of panelists, subjects and the schedule
THE CRYPTO CRACKDOWN — “Biden’s crypto cop taunts Republicans,” by Zachary Warmbrodt, Eleanor Mueller and Declan Harty: “Home Republicans needed the highlight this week to promote a brand new plan to revamp the principles for crypto. SEC Chair GARY GENSLER — President Joe Biden’s high monetary market cop — is stomping on their rollout.”
Associated learn: “Crypto Companies Begin Trying Overseas as U.S. Cracks Down,” by NYT’s David Yaffe-Bellany
ACA UPDATE — “Appeals courtroom weighs nationwide freeze of Obamacare’s protection mandate,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein
AMERICA AND THE WORLD
MATCH PLAY — “Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” by AP’s Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: “Blinken’s journey, his second to Saudi Arabia since changing into America’s high diplomat, comes after the dominion beneath Prince Mohammed has been extra keen to ignore the U.S. in hanging its personal choices.“
Associated reads: “The PGA and LIV Gold Merger Is the Revenge of the Saudi ‘Pariah,’” WSJ editorial … “By way of Ties to Saudis, Golf Deal Guarantees Advantages to Trump,” by NYT’s Eric Lipton
BEYOND THE BELTWAY
FLIGHT OR FIGHT — Florida officers confirmed Tuesday that Gov. RON DeSANTIS’ administration was accountable for sending two planes filled with migrants from the Texas border to Sacramento as a protest to federal immigration insurance policies, our colleagues Andrew Atterbury and Jeremy White report. “As California’s leaders proceed to assert that the actions may quantity to kidnapping or false imprisonment, Florida countered these allegations by posting a video of among the migrants signing paperwork, smiling on a aircraft and waving their fingers whereas using inside what seems like a limousine or social gathering bus.”
In the meantime: California Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM instructed our colleague Christopher Cadelago in an interview that Florida officers may nonetheless face costs for the saga, dismissing claims that the transport was a part of a voluntary relocation.
However, however, however: “Prosecuting Florida’s Migrant Flights Would Face Authorized Hurdles,” by NYT’s Edgar Sandoval in San Antonio
GUNS IN AMERICA — “Two lifeless in Richmond Public Colleges commencement capturing,” by the Richmond Instances-Dispatch’s Anna Bryson
CANADIAN WILDFIRE IMPACT — “The place wildfire smoke is hitting the U.S. the toughest — and when it’ll finish,” by WaPo’s Matthew Cappucci and Jason Samenow
Information it’s best to use … NBC Washington’s @dougkammerer: “I don’t say this typically, nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to remain indoors … or at the very least restrict time open air. Positively not a good suggestion to exercise outdoors.”
MEDIAWATCH
TUCK EVERLASTING — TUCKER CARLSON made his return to the general public discourse yesterday night, posting the first episode of his new Twitter present, which NYT’s Katie Robertson and Jeremy Peters write was “just like a stripped-down model of what his roughly three million Fox viewers would have seen on his nightly program.”
The abstract: “There have been no visitors or produced segments — solely a monologue from Mr. Carlson, wherein he hit some acquainted themes. He expressed sympathy for President VLADIMIR V. PUTIN of Russia and mocked President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY of Ukraine. He accused the mainstream media of mendacity. He wrapped up by declaring that U.F.O.s and extraterrestrial life are ‘truly actual.’”
CNN FALLOUT CONTINUES — A bunch of huge names at CNN are voicing concern with CEO CHRIS LICHT because the questions relating to his management proceed within the wake of The Atlantic article printed final week, WSJ’s Isabella Simonetti and Joe Flint report. “JAKE TAPPER, ERIN BURNETT and ANDERSON COOPER are among the many CNN personalities who’ve voiced their considerations about Licht’s management, some explaining their views throughout conversations with incoming CNN Chief Working Officer DAVID LEAVY, the individuals stated.”
The State Division formally denounced Roger Waters’ historical past of antisemitic remarks.
Tim Draper is throwing his help (and cash) behind Nikki Haley.
Cedric Richmond is dealing with scrutiny after a New Orleans automobile wreck.
Nancy Pelosi threw out the primary pitch on the Nats’ LGBTQ Satisfaction night time.
And identical to that … we discovered Ruben Gallego is an enormous “Intercourse and the Metropolis” fan.
OUT AND ABOUT — The Mates of the Nationwide World Warfare II Memorial hosted a dedication of the FDR D-Day Prayer Plaque and the restoration of the Circle of Remembrance at a D-Day Ceremony yesterday. SPOTTED: Rep. Invoice Johnson (R-Ohio), Rob Portman, Elliott “Toby” Roosevelt III, “Linc” Warner, Frank Cohn, Dixon Hemphill, Jane Droppa, Jeff Reinbold, Will Horton and Sherry Edwards.
— GAIN Energy celebrated the 2023 Highly effective IDEA Awards at Capital Turnaround, co-chaired by Tasha Cole and Man Cecil, the place honorees included Olivia Julianna, Andrea Hailey, Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Henry Muñoz III, Heather Sales space and Lee Saunders. SPOTTED: Reps. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Sick.) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Amy Pritchard, Mini Timmaraju, Linda Lipsen, Randi Weingarten, Cristóbal Alex, Diane Blagman, Roger Lau, Robin Bronk, Mignon Clyburn, Alix DeJean, Justin Myers, A’shanti Choler, Kimberly Scott, Campbell Spencer, Kevin McDonald, Marissa Mitrovitch, Alison Schwartz and Josh Richman.
FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — David Dewhirst is becoming a member of the Heritage Basis’s 2025 Presidential Transition Mission as a senior advisor. He beforehand was a senior adviser for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and is a Trump Commerce Division alum.
TRANSITIONS — Sahil Mehrotra is now press secretary for Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). He beforehand was press secretary at Everytown for Gun Security. … Maj. Gen. Paul Friedrichs is now the senior director for international well being safety and biodefense on the Nationwide Safety Council. He was beforehand the Joint Employees surgeon on the Pentagon. … Ben Cowlishaw is now speechwriter for the Home Appropriations Committee Democrats. He most just lately was a speechwriter on the Nationwide Affiliation of Realtors and is a U.S. Journey Affiliation alum.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Yamiche Alcindor, Washington correspondent at NBC Information, and Nathaniel Cline, reporter on the Virginia Mercury, on Could 30 welcomed Yrie Myles Alcindor Cline, who got here in at 5 lbs, 1 oz. Pic … Extra from At the moment
— Michael Turchetti, senior director of public coverage at Eli Lilly, and Natalie Turchetti, medical author at Labcorp Drug Improvement, just lately welcomed Pietro Giuseppe Turchetti. Pic … One other pic
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Mike Pence … Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) … Reps. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.) … Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman … WSJ’s Catherine Lucey … SKDK’s Adonna Biel and Stephanie Reichin … Myra Adams … Vox’s Christina Animashaun … FGS World’s Lars Anderson … POLITICO’s Lynn Zhong … DOD’s Dan Erikson (5-0) … Sign Group’s Chris Ortman … Paul Kelly (62) … retired Coast Guard Vice Adm. Brian Peterman … KHQ’s Bradley Warren (29) … Jerry White … Nathasha Lim … David Kim … CNN’s Javier de Diego … Kevin Peraino … Josh Jones … Raleigh Miller … Ryan Lynch … Jesse D’Angelo … Chrissy Barry of Rep. Eli Crane’s (R-Ariz.) workplace … Amazon Net Providers’ Kaitlin Kirshner
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