| | | | |  | | By Ryan Lizza, Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine
| | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | BIG SWING-STATE HEADLINE — “Biden administration imposes first-ever national drinking water limits on toxic PFAS,” by AP’s Michael Phillis: EPA Director MICHAEL REGAN “will announce the rule in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Wednesday.”
|  Ron Klain said the election needs to be a debate about the future, not a referendum on what President Joe Biden has already done. | Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images | ET TU, RON? — It’s nothing new to hear fellow Democrats criticize the finer points of President JOE BIDEN’s economic messaging. But this time the call is coming from awfully close to home. “I think the president is out there too much talking about bridges,” former Biden chief of staff RON KLAIN said yesterday, according to an audio recording exclusively obtained by Eugene. “He does two or three events a week where he's cutting a ribbon on a bridge. … You go to the grocery store and, you know, eggs and milk are expensive, the fact that there’s a fucking bridge is not [inaudible].” The comment came at a conference on “middle-out economics” hosted by the political journal Democracy, where Klain fielded a question about why the administration isn’t talking all day, every day about the infrastructure bill they pushed through in 2021. “He’s not running for Congress,” Klain added. “I think that [it] also doesn’t get covered that much because, look, it’s a fucking bridge. Like it’s a bridge, and how interesting is the bridge? It’s a little interesting, but it’s not a lot interesting.” Klain later called Eugene up to note that he expressed pride over Biden’s accomplishments elsewhere at the event and to emphasize that he was not intending to critique the administration. But he didn’t back down from his main point: The election needs to be a debate about the future, not a referendum on what Biden has already done. Biden’s State of the Union address, he said, cast things well: “The economic message of that speech was very strong and should be the economic message overall, which is less about just logging the accomplishments and more about an agenda and choice. And I think when they frame it that way, it’s very powerful.” Read more, including the White House response ARIZONA FOLLOWS ITS HEART — The great GOP freakout over what Dobbs has wrought has moved to Arizona, where yesterday Republican candidates condemned the state Supreme Court decision reviving an 1864 ban on all abortions except those to save a mother’s life. The anti-ban Republicans all used versions of DONALD TRUMP’s new formulation on the issue. — Following the leader … Two years ago KARI LAKE praised the Civil War-era ban as “a great law” and cited it as a model “for other states to follow.” Yesterday, now as a Senate candidate, she condemned it, calling instead for “an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.” Two House Republicans facing tough elections in the state joined Lake in distancing themselves from the law, passed when Arizona was a territory: “This issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench,” Rep. DAVID SCHWEIKERT said. “I encourage the state legislature to address this issue immediately.” “Today’s ruling is a disaster for women and providers,” Rep. JUAN CISCOMANI wrote, instead backing a 15-week ban for Arizona and opposing any national standard. The decision is even dividing GOP families: CLINT BOLICK is one of the four Arizona Supreme Court justices who supported reinstating the 1864 law. His wife, state Sen. SHAWNNA BOLICK, repudiated the effect of his abortion decision as she faces a tough reelection this year. There’s no secret why this is happening: Bans on all abortions with minimal exceptions are among the most unpopular ideas in America, and it’s no different in Arizona. In the 2022 exit polls, 62 percent of voters in the state backed making abortion legal and 35 percent wanted it to be illegal. Only 5 percent supported a ban on abortion in all cases.
| | | | A message from The National Association of REALTORS®: Our communities are stronger when housing is fair for all. We at the National Association of REALTORS® support broad access to homeownership - from increasing housing supply to making mortgage finance more accessible. Everyone should have a fair shot at homeownership. Our members work across the country to help people from every background find a home that is right for them. Learn More at https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing | | | — The backlash … Anti-abortion activists and editorialists are appalled at Lake and other Republicans demanding laws to loosen abortion restrictions. “The overturning of Roe v. Wade has called the bluff of Republicans who claimed to be pro-life but never expected to have to prove it,” wrote National Review’s Madeleine Kearns. “Conveniently for them, Trump’s own statement on abortion has lowered pro-life standards for GOP leadership for the foreseeable future.” The right-wing Arizona Informer tweeted that Lake and her colleagues “all want to increase abortion access in AZ” and that “Planned Parenthood must be proud.” That traditional activist community is now facing a potent alliance between (1) MAGA Republicans, such as Trump and Lake, who posed as pro-life warriors but now appear untethered to any core personal beliefs about abortion, and (2) electorally vulnerable Republicans who traditionally moderated their abortion views to win. But those anti-abortion traditionalists, especially those elected at the state level, have been the force behind the strict abortion laws that are scaring Trump. For example, the GOP leaders of the Arizona House and Senate being called upon to craft a new abortion law — BEN TOMA and WARREN PETERSEN, respectively — were themselves key proponents of returning to the 1864 statute. — Arizona is the new Florida … The court decision recasts Arizona’s central role in the 2024 election. It’s one of only a handful of presidential swing states, and it also has a competitive Senate race that will help decide who controls the chamber. And now it will also have the strictest abortion law in the country. There are a few immediate political consequences:
- Abortion may overtake immigration as the most discussed issue in the state, and that benefits the Biden campaign, which is dispatching VP KAMALA HARRIS to the state on Friday for an event about abortion rights.
- The campaign to change Arizona abortion law through a state referendum will be supercharged (the group leading the effort already announced they have the signatures required to get on the November ballot).
- Trump will be repeatedly pressed to clarify his Swiss-cheese abortion position. (Among the list of unanswered questions POLITICO’s Megan Messerly has sent to his campaign: How do you propose to reconcile issues of state sovereignty on abortion?)
— A good bet? … Before Dobbs, it was hard to find examples of Trump breaking with the pro-life base of the GOP. They got a lot out of the deal since 2016. With the party firmly remade in his image, Trump is betting that activists will fall in line even on an issue of conscience such as when life begins. After all, his advisers argue, what other choice do they have? Good Wednesday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — DAVID HUME KENNERLY, the famed photographer who served in President GERALD FORD’s White House, resigned yesterday from the board of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, blasting the group for cowardice in rejecting Trump critic LIZ CHENEY as the recipient of its top yearly award, Daniel Lippman reports. Kennerly claimed in a letter to fellow trustees that Cheney’s nomination for the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service was nixed largely out of fear that Trump would retaliate against the organization if he’s reelected. Cheney, herself a trustee, was rejected three separate times, Kennerly wrote, as other potential honorees declined the award. Read the full letter GLEAVES WHITNEY, the foundation’s executive director, said in a statement that the foundation’s executive committee, guided by legal counsel, believed it was not “prudent” to give the medal to Cheney given her flirtations with a presidential run. Giving her the medal during the election cycle, Whitney said, “might be construed as a political statement and thus expose the Foundation to the legal risk of losing its nonprofit status with the IRS.” Kennerly, a longtime board member, attacked that argument in his letter: “The historical irony was completely lost on you. Gerald Ford became president, in part, because RICHARD NIXON had ordered the development of an enemies list and demanded his underlings use the IRS against those listed.” “If the foundation that bears the name of Gerald R. Ford won’t stand up to this real threat to our democracy,” he added, “who will?” Asked for further comment, Kennerly confirmed the authenticity of the letter and said “it did not make me happy writing it,” while Whitney said “the trustees are meeting” to determine next steps for the Ford Medal. A spokesperson for Cheney didn’t respond to a request for comment.
| | | | A message from The National Association of REALTORS®:   Learn More at https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing | | | | | WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY | | On the Hill The Senate is in. USAID Administrator SAMANTHA POWER will testify before the Foreign Relations Committee at 10 a.m. DHS Secretary ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS will testify before a Homeland Security subcommittee at 2:30 p.m. The House will meet at 10 a.m. Mayorkas and Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA will testify before Appropriations subcommittees at 10 a.m. Power will testify before the Foreign Affairs Committee at 2 p.m. 3 things to watch …
- We’ll see early this afternoon if Speaker MIKE JOHNSON has any hope of getting over the hump on the long-simmering spy powers debate. The House Rules Committee last night teed up several GOP bills for floor action, but it’s the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that continues to have the hard right up in arms. Jordain Carney notes that Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) is openly threatening to tank the rule, and several Freedom Caucus members might join him.
- Speaking of the Rules Committee: Rep. TOM COLE (R-Okla.) has likely chaired his last meeting in H-313. The House GOP Steering Committee blessed Cole’s unopposed bid to succeed Rep. KAY GRANGER (R-Texas) as Appropriations chair last night. Pending conference and floor votes, Cole will take charge of some $1.6 trillion in yearly discretionary spending, while retiring Rep. MICHAEL BURGESS (R-Texas) will take over at Rules, ending his congressional career with a gavel in hand.
- Best wishes to Rep. DONALD PAYNE (D-N.J.), who is out of action this week after being hospitalized for a “cardiac episode” but is expected to make a full recovery. Even with the absence, WaPo’s Paul Kane notes, Democrats managed to muster a majority on the floor for last night’s fly-in votes — again highlighting the fragility of the GOP’s grasp on power.
At the White House Biden and first lady JILL BIDEN will greet Japanese PM FUMIO KISHIDA and his wife, YUKO KISHIDA, at an official arrival ceremony this morning, along with Harris. Later, Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Kishida followed by a (rare) press conference. In the evening, the Bidens will host a state dinner that some in the White House have dubbed “Rahm’s prom” in a nod to the central role that the president’s ambassador to Japan, RAHM EMANUEL, will play at the event. Harris and second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF will also attend. More from WaPo on the dinner Harris will also take part in a press call about reducing gun violence at 1:15 p.m. with AG MERRICK GARLAND and ATF Director STEVEN DETTELBACH.
| | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | CONGRESS
|  A new delay will allow the Senate GOP to try to squeeze vulnerable Democrats on impeaching DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. | Win McNamee/Getty Images | IMPEACHMENT LATEST — Senate Republicans scored a small victory last night after Johnson announced he’d delay sending along articles of impeachment for Mayorkas until Monday, Ursula Perano and Burgess Everett report. House Republicans had initially intended to deliver the articles today, with a trial likely to be dismissed in the Senate by tomorrow. But the Senate GOP wants to avoid absences on their side that could give a free pass for some Democrats to vote against dismissal. That will allow the Senate GOP to “exact maximum political pain” on their Democratic colleagues, who will need near-unanimity next week to dismiss the articles, Ursula and Burgess write this morning: It “puts vulnerable Democrats like [JON] TESTER (Mont.) and [SHERROD] BROWN (Ohio) in an unenviable bind, and some of their purple-state colleagues will also feel the heat.” More top reads:
- Former Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY linked his own ousting as speaker to Gaetz’s ethics allegations at a Georgetown University event last night, Ben Jacobs reports. “One person wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old,” McCarthy said, adding, “”Did he do it? I don’t know.” Replied Gaetz: “Kevin is a liar. Which, actually, is why he isn’t Speaker.”
- The Capitol Police have hired three new attorneys to focus solely on prosecuting people who make violent threats against members, NYT’s Luke Broadwater and Catie Edmondson report. They will “advise other prosecutors across the country on how to make threat prosecutions stick.”
TRUMP CARDS
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In her latest back-and-forth with special counsel Jack Smith, Judge Aileen Cannon agreed with a request to shield possible witnesses but otherwise criticized Smith. | Senate Judiciary Committee via AP Photo | CANNON FODDER — U.S. District Judge AILEEN CANNON backed special counsel JACK SMITH yesterday in agreeing to remove the names of possible witnesses in Trump’s classified documents case from public court files, Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney report, but she denied a broader request to keep their remarks confidential in “a 24-page opinion is replete with criticism of Smith’s team.” Related read: “Trump’s Shoot-the-Moon Legal Strategy,” by The Atlantic’s David Graham ANNALS OF INFLUENCE — Former top GOP fundraiser ELLIOTT BROIDY dropped two lawsuits on Monday against people he accused of assisting in a hack-and-leak operation that exposed his undercover lobbying to affect the Trump administration's foreign policy, Daniel Lippman scooped in POLITICO Influence. 2024 WATCH COMPARING GROUND GAMES — “Biden is building a behemoth of a campaign. Trump at this point seems to be playing catch-up,” by NBC’s Peter Nicholas, Allan Smith, Vaughn Hillyard, Adam Edelman and Ben Kamisar: “Biden parlayed his fundraising advantage into a hiring spree that now boasts 300 paid staffers across nine states and 100 offices. … Whether an ample ground game is enough to win re-election is far from clear.” THE NEVER-ENDING STORY — “RFK Jr. campaign official attended Jan. 6 ‘Stop the Steal’ rally and wanted ‘favorite President’ Trump to run for third term,” by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski ANOTHER CALENDAR HEADACHE — “Alabama secretary of state says Democratic convention too late to get Biden on ballot this fall,” by AL.com’s Mike Cason
| | | | A message from The National Association of REALTORS®:   Learn More at https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing | | | THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra offered a classic non-response to questions about whether he'd leave to run for California governor. | Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images | CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’— HHS Secretary XAVIER BECERRA is seriously considering whether to leave the Biden administration in November in order to launch a campaign for California governor in 2026, Christopher Cadelago, Dustin Gardiner and Adam Cancryn scoop, reporting that the former state AG has indicated as such “to fellow Democratic officials and operatives.” Becerra offered a classic non-response: “It’s a blessing to hear that someone is saying that I’m running for governor because I don’t know who they are,” Becerra said, adding: “I think my mom would be happy to hear that someone thinks I can run for governor as well.” DEAR DIARY — “Florida woman is sentenced to a month in jail for selling Biden’s daughter’s diary,” by AP’s Larry Neumeister AMERICA AND THE WORLD MIDDLE EAST LATEST — As the relationship between Washington and Israel grows increasingly tense over the war in Gaza, Biden ramped up his criticism of Israeli PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU in an interview with Univision last night, saying, “I think what he’s doing is a mistake.” NBC’s Megan Lebowitz notes that the “remarks illustrate how Biden is increasingly willing to publicly criticize Netanyahu.” Biden didn’t indicate any significant changes in U.S. policy toward Israel during the interview, though Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN told reporters yesterday that the White House wants to sustain the increasing flow of aid into Gaza “for as long as it takes to put in place something more permanent.” NYT’s Michael Crowley reports that Blinken “offered no new detail about the international talks aimed at reaching a cease-fire … but he suggested that Hamas should be facing more pressure to accept an Israeli offer now on the table.” WAR IN UKRAINE ZELENSKYY SPEAKS — In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with Axel Springer outlets, Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and how he’s reached out to Trump to visit, Paul Ronzheimer and Alex Burns report: “While disagreeing with Trump emphatically on war policy, Zelenskyy spoke respectfully about Trump as a leader with whom he is eager to build a constructive partnership.” On Russia’s influence in the U.S. … “‘They have their lobbies everywhere: in the United States, in the EU countries, in Britain, in Latin America, in Africa,’ Zelenskyy said of Russia. ‘When we talk about the Congress — do you notice how they work with society in the United States?’” On whether Russia propaganda is influencing lawmakers in Congress … “Russia, he said, had succeeded in warping ‘the information field of the world.’ Without naming names, Zelenskyy claimed that American citizens were effectively doing Russia’s work within the U.S. media. ‘They pump their narratives through the media,’ Zelenskyy said.” MORE POLITICS FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Rep. SHRI THANEDAR (D-Mich.) will report raising $2.6 million in the first quarter and ending March with $5.1 million in cash on hand. That’s a significant war chest for his contested primary, which includes multiple high-profile challengers. Thanedar told us that about $65,000 of the Q1 fundraising came from PACs and individuals; the rest was his own $1.2 million loan and $1.3 million in investment income from a bitcoin-based fund. — VoteVets has put $200,000 behind a new advertisement targeting Montana GOP Senate candidate and former Navy SEAL TIM SHEEHY over recent questions around a gunshot wound Sheehy says he received during his military service: “It’s one more shady story that doesn’t add up,” a voiceover says in the 30-second spot. Watch the ad JUST IN — Former Capitol Police Officer HARRY DUNN’s campaign raised more than $3.75 million in the first quarter in his run for the open seat in Maryland’s 3rd District. Dunn’s quarterly haul consisted of 100,000 individual donations, with an average contribution of less than $21. More details GOLDEN STATE UPDATE — “Tied California House race heading to a recount,” by Sara Grace Taylor and Lara Korte
| | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | Ro Khanna wants Nicole Shanahan to step down as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate. Nadine Menendez wants to delay her upcoming corruption trial, citing “a serious medical condition.” House members, staffers and visitors can grab some “Pro Tem Tots” in the Capitol’s new “Hideaway” carryout option starting today. SPOTTED: Steven Mnuchin on the phone outside of Nobu. OUT AND ABOUT — OMB’s “Facing a Financial Shock” initiative and the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program hosted a “Financial Resilience Summit” at the Commerce Department yesterday, focused on the future of public benefits modernization. SPOTTED: Neera Tanden, Ida Rademacher, Andrea Palm, Xochitl Torres Small, Jason Miller, Daniel Tsai, Yingjia Huang, Robynn Butler, Nicole Hudson, Stacy Dean, Rachel Korberg, Tyonka Perkins Rimawi, Tim Shaw, Kelly Garcia and Jilma Meneses. — SPOTTED at Maggie’s List’s annual reception at the Capitol Hill Club last night: Speaker Mike Johnson, Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Burgess Owens (R-Utah), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.), Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), Sandra Mortham, Sue Lowden, Jennifer Carroll, Chele Farley, Matt Beynon, Ben DeMarzo, Britt Carter, Carrie Coxen, Kaitlyn Martin and Lauren Zelt. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Gordon Gray is launching the Pinpoint Policy Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit that will advocate for free markets and policies that promote economic growth. He most recently was VP for economic policy at the American Action Forum, and is a Rob Portman alum. TRANSITIONS — Ken Monahan is now senior director of U.S. government relations at Thermo Fisher. He previously was VP of international policy at the National Association of Manufacturers. … Madia Coleman is now deputy comms director for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. She previously was a comms specialist for the Maryland Department of Environment and is a DCCC alum. … Mark Toner will be acting assistant secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Global Public Affairs, succeeding assistant secretary Bill Russo. Toner most recently was minister counselor for public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Paris. … … Hector Colón is now a professional staff member for the House Rules Dems. He previously was deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.). … Elizabeth Dawes will be director of maternal and reproductive health at the Century Foundation. She is a co-founder of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and Black Maternal Health Week. … Imani Pope-Johns is now a senior manager at Aptive Resources. She previously was media relations lead at the U.S. Digital Service. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Jason Miller … former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh … Elizabeth Alexander … Ann Marie Hauser of the Hudson Institute … Josh Shultz … CNN’s Antoine Sanfuentes … Carter Yang … Samantha Dravis … Bradley Saull … POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein, Adam Behsudi, Gigi Ewing and Elyse Waterman … Jon Sallet … BGR Group’s Mark Tavlarides … Ray Zaccaro … Shelley Greenspan … Chris Lydon … Jessica Mackler … NBC’s Gary Grumbach … Howard Gantman … Dale Thorenson of Gordley Associates … Hanna Rosin … Employer Direct Healthcare’s Amy Dudley … Areig Elhag of Middle East Broadcasting Networks … Our Body Politic’s Bridget Mulcahy McAllister … Jeffrey Frank … Melinda Henneberger … Ann Klenk … Tyler Dever of Rep. Keith Self’s (R-Texas) office 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 Playbook Daily Briefing producer Callan Tansill-Suddath. Corrections: Yesterday’s Playbook misidentified the author of a piece about David Cameron's visit to Mar-a-Lago. It was Gary Fineout. It also misspelled Marjorie Dannenfelser's name. Monday’s Playbook misidentified Daniel Hornung’s maternal grandfather. His first name is Yrech. Sunday’s Playbook misidentified the author of a WaPo article. It was Amber Ferguson.
| | | | A message from The National Association of REALTORS®: The National Association of REALTORS® supports the broadest possible access to homeownership. That means taking a 360 degree view. We support the creation of more housing that’s affordable for regular Americans. We support broad access to housing finance, through alternative credit scoring, down payment assistance, and special purpose credit programs. We support strong enforcement of fair housing laws that protect consumers from discrimination. And we work closely with partners like HUD to ensure broad access to homeownership for all—from first-time buyers to veterans to homebuyers of every background. In communities across the country and in Washington, we believe every aspiring homeowner should have the support they need on their homeownership journey. Because the fairer housing is in our country, the stronger our country. Learn More at https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
