| | | | |  | | By Eli Okun | | | KEEPING THE DOOR OPEN — House Minority Leader HAKEEM JEFFRIES isn’t ruling out immigration policy changes in negotiations over the supplemental funding package. At his weekly news conference this morning, Jeffries said his caucus would “take a look at” what the Senate does, per NBC’s Sahil Kapur, and is open to working on the border as long as it aligns with fundamental principles. The comments came after Myah Ward and Ursula Perano scooped that the White House is laying the groundwork to “swallow compromises on asylum law” in order to secure tens of billions of dollars in funding for Ukraine’s war against Russia. But the leaders of the Congressional Progressive, Hispanic, Asian Pacific American and Black caucuses all came out in opposition to inserting any new immigration policies/authorities in the bill. “We can only solve the complex issue of immigration by addressing it holistically and in a bipartisan manner … not an end-run around Congress for bad policy in a supplemental funding bill,” they wrote.
|  Labor market growth is falling to a slower pace, but it isn’t yet cause for panic. | Carlos Osorio, File/AP Photo | JOBS DAY — The October hiring report today showed that the U.S. added 150,000 jobs to the economy last month, keeping the labor market moving at a solid but cooler clip, as unemployment ticked up to 3.9%, its highest rate in more than a year and a half. Along with revisions to the previous two months that lowered the number of jobs by more than 100,000, the jobs report displayed signs of slowdown all around. Since 2020, only one month — June of this year — had lower job gains than October. The number was a bit below what economists had forecast. And the labor force got smaller last month by more than 200,000 people. The slower pace isn’t yet cause for panic. The economy is still adding jobs roughly on par with pre-pandemic levels. The October report was also affected by the temporary shock of the United Auto Workers strikes, which seem close to resolving. Wages rose 4.1% year over year — a faster rate of increase than inflation, which means Americans’ real financial power is growing. Even the higher unemployment rate probably reflected new immigrants entering the labor market rather than people getting laid off, WaPo’s Lauren Kaori Gurley and Abha Bhattarai report. The Fed’s sustained campaign of higher borrowing costs, along with other economic shocks at home and abroad, is finally starting to weigh on the (surprisingly resilient) labor market in a more significant way. But most experts say any fears about recession would need higher unemployment for longer than what the U.S. has now. Today’s jobs report probably makes a Fed interest rate increase in December less likely, though — as central bank officials will be happy that their fight against inflation is having some bite, per NYT’s Jeanna Smialek. President JOE BIDEN celebrated the jobs report in a statement this morning that warned congressional Republicans against pushing for tax cuts and shutdown threats. SIREN — Democratic Kentucky Gov. ANDY BESHEAR has led AG DANIEL CAMERON, his Republican challenger, for most of the campaign. But Cameron may be surging just in time: A new Emerson poll has him leading Beshear 49% to 48%, a massive turnaround from their survey a month ago (which had Beshear up by 16 points). DONALD TRUMP supporters are coming home to the GOP nominee, the poll finds. BIG FEATURE — “Is Tommy Tuberville the Most Ignorant Man in D.C.?” by Cameron Joseph in Rolling Stone: Sen. TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-Ala.) “may not know science or policy well, but that doesn’t mean he lacks political skills. He has a knack for getting what he wants, and telling people what they want to hear. Former players and others who have worked with Tuberville say he’s always been an adept politician — who often puts himself first.” Senate Republicans will have a special conference meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss Tuberville’s holds on military nominations, per Burgess Everett. Happy Friday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line at eokun@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Amway: In a corporate landscape where companies are racing to embrace traceability, Amway stands apart. While many brands only trace one part of product creation, such as key ingredient origins, Amway leaders have made the decision to publicly trace the full life of the company’s products from idea to formulation, to manufacturing to packaging. In essence, Amway is letting the consumer become the company insider, with an unvarnished look at its manufacturing process. Learn more. | | | AMERICA AND THE WORLD MIDDLE EAST LATEST — In Israel today, Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN projected continuity in the U.S. approach to the war: steadfastly supporting Israel while also trying to push it to allow aid into Gaza, minimize civilian deaths and take “humanitarian pauses,” NYT’s Adam Entous reports from Tel Aviv. At the White House, Biden told reporters his message to Americans trapped in Gaza is that they’ll come home. The Pentagon also said today that it’s conducting drone flights over Gaza to help with hostage recovery. But Israeli PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ruled out even a temporary cease-fire until hostages held by Hamas are freed, per AP’s Najib Jobain, Bassem Mroue and David Rising. He pledged to keep bombarding Gaza without respite. At the same time, Hezbollah’s leader warned that it could escalate the war and turn it into a bigger regional conflict, though he didn’t yet take the plunge. How it’s playing: Among Jewish voters in South Florida, who have voted more Republican in recent years than Jews elsewhere, there’s plenty of support for Biden’s handling of the war, AP’s Adriana Gomez Licon reports from Surfside. Lots of community leaders are standing firmly with Israel, opposing a cease-fire and worried about American antisemitism. DANCE OF THE SUPERPOWERS — “It’s U.S. vs. China in an Increasingly Divided World Economy,” by WSJ’s Jason Douglas and Tom Fairless: “Now trade and investment flows are settling into new patterns built around the two competing power centers. … Benefits for the U.S. and Europe include less reliance on Chinese supply chains and more jobs for Americans and Europeans that otherwise might go to China. But there are major risks, such as slower global growth.” THE WHITE HOUSE BIDEN HIS TIME — “Biden expected to skip COP climate summit, trip to Africa,” by Jonathan Lemire: “Biden plans to skip an upcoming global climate conference in the Middle East and isn’t likely to follow through on his pledge to visit Africa by year’s end.” LOOK WHO’S BACK — Over several months, the Biden administration quietly worked with BARACK OBAMA to mold its new policy on AI, NBC’s Monica Alba scooped. Obama is keenly focused on the issue and was able to accelerate the policymaking process by talking with tech companies and West Wing officials. “Obama was particularly helpful in laying the groundwork for tech companies to voluntarily sign on to have their AI models pressure-tested before they’re released to the public.”
| | | | CALIFORNIA CLIMATE: Climate change isn’t just about the weather. It's also about how we do business and create new policies, especially in California. So we have something cool for you: A brand-new California Climate newsletter. It's not just climate or science chat, it's your daily cheat sheet to understanding how the legislative landscape around climate change is shaking up industries across the Golden State. Cut through the jargon and get the latest developments in California as lawmakers and industry leaders adapt to the changing climate. Subscribe now to California Climate to keep up with the changes. | | | | | 2024 WATCH AFTERNOON READ — “The Brash Group of Young Conservatives Getting Ready for the Next Trump Administration,” by Ian Ward in POLITICO Magazine: “American Moment [is] a small but scrappy organization that’s quietly reshaping the conservative establishment in Washington. Founded in 2021 with the backing of now-Ohio Sen. J.D. VANCE, the group is part of a broader movement that’s underway in Washington to recruit right-leaning staffers to help the next Republican president — whoever that may be — wage war on the ‘deep state’ and entrench the populist political revolt that began with the Trump administration.” Focused on the most junior levels of staffers to help build the populist right pipeline, the group already has a database of 1,500 people vetted and ready to jump in. Forget RONALD REAGAN: American Moment “is militantly focused on pumping out true believers in the sort of populist-nationalist conservatism that came into fashion during the Trump years.” ANOTHER WARNING SIGN FOR BIDEN — In Milwaukee’s mostly Black neighborhoods, Biden “faces a daunting enthusiasm problem,” CNN’s John King finds. Many residents are pessimistic about politicians keeping their promises and unmotivated to turn out at the polls, organizers are reporting, as concerns about police, crime, jobs and schools pile up. Some canvassers and residents say they’d like to see more of VP KAMALA HARRIS — and of Democrats engaged with them in general. UNDER THE HOOD — Democrats’ 2024 operations will lean heavily on the Democratic Data Exchange, the massive repository of all sorts of campaign data that was built up after 2016, The Messenger’s Dan Merica reports. The “Moneyball” data approach has grown significantly in just the past few years: “Party operatives are buoyant about what an even more powerful exchange could mean in 2024 … and operatives from both the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee said they plan to make the exchange a central part of their data work and decision-making.” THE BRAVE NEW WORLD — A majority of Americans are worried that artificial intelligence will facilitate the spread of misinformation during the 2024 election, per a new AP/NORC Center/University of Chicago poll. And though many people don’t know much about AI, “there’s a broad consensus that candidates shouldn’t be using AI” to mislead the public, AP’s Ali Swenson and Matt O’Brien write. SHADES OF HILLARY — “Nikki Haley isn’t divulging what she said in paid private speeches,” by NBC’s Jonathan Allen, Ali Vitali and Megan Lebowitz: NIKKI “HALEY’s speaking tour took her to Singapore, Australia and Canada, as well as cities across the U.S., where she met with bankers, firms that do business with China, and pro-Israel groups, among other entities with interests in the federal policy she hopes to oversee as president. Several of the companies promote ‘ESG’ policies … A onetime accountant, Haley kept track of the cash. But as for what she said, she doesn’t have the receipts.” LET THE SUNSHINE IN — Haley is skipping the big Florida GOP summit this weekend that many other presidential candidates are attending, which will make getting on the state ballot $75,000 more expensive for her, NBC’s Matt Dixon and Greg Hyatt report. JUDICIARY SQUARE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER — HUNTER BIDEN is accusing former business partner TONY BOBULINSKI of lying to the FBI and is asking the U.S. attorney for D.C. to investigate him, NBC’s Tom Winter reports. AT THE TRUMP FRAUD TRIAL — New York judge ARTHUR ENGORON and Trump attorney CHRISTOPHER KISE squared off in court today over the Trump team’s ongoing attempts to attack one of Engoron’s law clerks, The Messenger’s Adam Klasfeld reports. Kise threatened to seek a mistrial if it proves true that the clerk donated to Democratic causes, as Breitbart alleges. And ERIC TRUMP wrapped up his testimony on the stand. WHERE TISH JAMES WOULDN’T GO — The New York AG’s office at one point considered bringing criminal racketeering charges against Trump over his business practices, The Daily Beast’s Jose Pagliery scooped. But they “ultimately rejected the notion of going solo with an indictment alleging what New York laws call ‘enterprise corruption,’” instead joining with the Manhattan DA’s investigation. And one source tells Pagliery that investigators were partially hampered by stonewalling from the ANDREW CUOMO administration.
| | | | GET READY FOR POLITICO’S DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/14: Russia’s war on Ukraine … China’s threats to Taiwan … a war in Gaza. The U.S. is under increasing pressure to deter, defend and fight in more ways — but not everyone agrees how. Join POLITICO's 3rd Annual Defense Summit on November 14 for exclusive interviews and expert discussions on global security and the U.S.'s race to bolster alliances and stay ahead of adversaries. Explore critical topics, including international conflicts, advanced technology, spending priorities and political dynamics shaping global defense strategies. Don’t miss these timely and important discussions. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | CONGRESS KNOWING MIKE JOHNSON — The new speaker “most likely” sleeps in his office on the Hill, Insider’s Bryan Metzger and Jack Newsham report. And Johnson’s informally adopted son, 40-year-old MICHAEL TIRRELL JAMES, tells The Daily Mail’s Josh Boswell and Ben Ashford that “if the Johnsons hadn’t taken me in as a teenager, my life would look very different today. I would probably be in prison or I might not have made it at all.” James has had legal troubles, including a court appearance this week in LA, but the father of four saw his life improve after the Johnsons took him in. FETTERMAN UNCORKED — From Israel to dress codes to Sen. BOB MENENDEZ (D-N.J.), Sen. JOHN FETTERMAN (D-Pa.) is on the mend from his stroke and depression — and making a splash on the Hill, WaPo’s Liz Goodwin writes. His unconventional approach gets Fetterman attention, fun, criticism and some discomfort among allies. But “he openly admits that his physical and mental health battles of the last 18 months have given him a new sense of freedom,” After all he’s been through, “[c]riticism simply does not faze him, he said.” POLICY CORNER INFRASTRUCTURE YEAR — “Biden administration awards $653 million in grants for 41 projects to upgrade ports,” AP: “The grants are part of the $1 trillion in infrastructure investments included in a bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.” PLAYBOOKERS OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED on Wednesday night at the Substack Politics election kickoff event hosted by Catherine Valentine and Hamish McKenzie at the Willard: Nate Silver, Mary Katharine Ham, Matt Labash, Josh Dawsey, Vivian Salama, Shadi Hamid, Tyler Pager, Megan McArdle, Christine Emba, Emily Miller, Chris Cillizza, Charlotte Clymer, Gabe Fleisher and Comfortably Smug. — The Center for Democracy & Technology held its annual benefit Tech Prom yesterday at The Anthem, where Alexandra Reeve Givens, Katherine Maher and Laura Murphy delivered remarks. SPOTTED: Bruce Reed, Deirdre Mulligan, FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, FEC Commissioner Ellen Weintraub, Eileen Donahoe, Sharon Bradford Franklin, Tim Kurth, Lisa Hone, Jon Cardinal, Didier Barjon, Jamie Susskind, Tim Wu and Yoel Roth. — SPOTTED last night at a holiday cocktails/shopping event to benefit American University’s Women & Politics Institute at Lafayette 148 New York store in Tysons, co-hosted by Betsy Fischer Martin, Yamiche Alcindor, Anita McBride, Karen Knutson and Tammy Haddad: Hilary Rosen, Sara Fagen, Julie Tsirkin, Eva McKend, Robyn Bash, Sydney Harvey, Ann Klenk, Nkechi Nneji, Maggie O’Neill, Paige Hopkins and Daisy Buenrostro-Avila. TRANSITIONS — Colin Tooze is joining Forbes Tate Partners as an SVP in the state government relations practice. He previously was principal and strategic adviser at Skytree Advisory, and is an Uber alum. … The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund are adding Khalid Pitts as EVP of campaigns and programs and Koustubh “K.J.” Bagchi as VP of the Center for Civil Rights and Technology. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Meggie McKemey, principal at BPG LLC, and Tripp McKemey, senior policy adviser at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, welcomed George Robert McKemey IV on Oct. 27. Pic … Another pic Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producer Bethany Irvine. Correction: Yesterday’s Playbook PM misstated a senator’s name. It was Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
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