| | | | | |  | | By Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza and Tara Palmeri | | | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC CLOUDS GOP'S AFGHANISTAN MESSAGING — Republicans universally agree that President JOE BIDEN's bungled handling of the Afghanistan pullout has given them fresh ammunition to attack the commander in chief. Many Democrats think the same. But a major rift is starting to emerge in GOP messaging, as the DONALD TRUMP wing of the party seeks to turn the matter into a base appeal with anti-immigration rhetoric. Over the past week, most GOP lawmakers have lambasted Biden for abandoning interpreters and Afghan civilians who put their lives at risk to help U.S. troops — and are now trapped as armed militias block their escape. But a not-insignificant chunk of the party is using the Afghanistan disaster as fodder for their campaign against immigration. The unsubstantiated charge: that Biden intentionally fumbled the withdrawal in order to flood the U.S. with Afghans. MAGA personality CHARLIE KIRK went there earlier this week , claiming "Biden wants a couple hundred thousand more ILHAN OMARs to come into America to change the body politic permanently." Then it was TUCKER CARLSON suggesting that "first we invade, and then we are invaded," while STEPHEN MILLER tweeted that it's "clear that Biden & his radical deputies will use their catastrophic debacle in Afghanistan as a pretext for doing to America what ANGELA MERKEL did to Germany & Europe." The conspiratorial comments threaten to undermine legitimate questions from other Republicans about what this episode says about Biden's credibility and competence. They come as the party is trying to project the botched withdrawal as a legacy-defining moment for Biden, rather than just a blip on the radar. The divergent messaging points were on display in a pair of statements put out by Trump. Earlier this week he asked: "Can anyone even imagine taking out our Military before evacuating civilians and others who have been good to our Country and who should be allowed to seek refuge?" But after seeing the now-viral picture of more than 600 Afghan refugees packed into a U.S. C-17, Trump wrote Wednesday: "This plane should have been full of Americans. America First!" On Twitter on Wednesday, former Trump campaign adviser-turned-Newsmax host STEVE CORTES tweeted the C-17 photo with this caption: "Raise your hand if you want this plane landing in your town?" ALYSSA FARAH, a former Pentagon spokeswoman as well as comms chief for MIKE PENCE and the White House, retweeted Cortes' missive with emojis of an American flag and a woman raising her hand, and wrote: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." And while Fox News' LAURA INGRAHAM asked whether it is "really our responsibility to welcome thousands of potentially unvetted refugees from Afghanistan," GOP Utah Sens. MITT ROMNEY and MIKE LEE had this to say in a joint statement: "Over the past 20 years, thousands of Afghans have risked — and in many cases sacrificed — their lives, and the lives of their families, in aid of the United States. Oftentimes, they have safeguarded the lives of American troops. Now under immediate threat by the Taliban, we have a duty and moral obligation to assist these brave men and women." Meanwhile, Republican governors such as KEVIN STITT (Okla.), SPENCER COX (Utah) and PHIL SCOTT (Vt.) have said they welcome Afghan refugees to their states. The mixed messaging is irking many traditional Republicans who see the salient points they're making drowned out. Earlier this week, when CNN's Jake Tapper asked Sen. BEN SASSE about Miller's initial tweet on this issue, the Republican senator from Nebraska shot back: "First of all, I don't give a rip what Stephen Miller has to say about anything. But the significant point here is the United States gave our word to people and the United States has to be the kind of nation that keeps our word." MORE: Read Marc Caputo on the GOP schism on Afghanistan. | | | | A message from Climate Power: Investing in clean energy jobs now will mean millions more good-paying jobs across the country this year. Clean energy is the fastest-growing industry in America and provides a huge opportunity to create millions of good-paying, union jobs for builders, roofers, painters, engineers and electricians, autoworkers, accountants, administrators, researchers, and teachers. All it will take to get to a clean energy future is making sure big corporations and the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share. Congress, let's get it done. | | | SPEAKING OF THE TRUMP WING … Alex Isenstadt on Wednesday night scooped a Trump-commissioned poll showing the president remains hellbent on taking out incumbent Georgia Gov. BRIAN KEMP for refusing to intervene in the state's election vote tabulation. "The survey, which was paid for by Trump's Save America PAC, shows Kemp on shaky political ground among base Republican voters and suggests he would be at risk of losing the nomination to former Sen. DAVID PERDUE, a Trump ally who lost reelection earlier this year — but who hasn't publicly expressed interest in waging a primary challenge to Kemp," Isenstadt reports. "In a hypothetical primary matchup, Kemp would lead Perdue and a number of other challengers — but he'd be shy of the majority of the vote needed to avoid a runoff with Perdue. But the poll also tested a prospective scenario in which Trump endorsed Perdue in a primary against Kemp and found the former senator would flip the script, pulling ahead of the governor, 41 percent to 26 percent, giving Perdue the upper hand going into a runoff against the incumbent." Good Thursday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza, Tara Palmeri. | | | | A message from Climate Power:   Americans want a clean energy future, good-paying jobs and a solution to the climate crisis. And they want big corporations to pay their fair share. | | | BIDEN'S THURSDAY: — 9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President's Daily Brief. — 10 a.m.: Biden and VP KAMALA HARRIS will meet with their national security team on Afghanistan. HARRIS' THURSDAY: The VP will also address the National Association of Black Journalists Convention virtually in the morning. THE SENATE and THE HOUSE are out. | | | | INTRODUCING OTTAWA PLAYBOOK : Join the growing community of Politicos — from lawmakers and leaders to pollsters, staffers, strategists and lobbyists — working to shape Canada's future. Every day, our reporting team pulls back the curtain to shed light on what's really driving the agenda on Parliament Hill, the true players who are shaping politics and policy across Canada, and the impact it all has on the world. Don't miss out on your daily look inside Canadian politics and power. Subscribe to Ottawa Playbook today. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | | 
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Cars and other property sit destroyed on Wednesday, Aug. 18 in Grizzly Flats, Calif., after the Caldor Fire spread through rugged forested areas of El Dorado County. | Allison Dinner/Getty Images | TALIBAN TAKEOVER THE LATEST — Reuters' @steveholland1: "WH update: Since [Tuesday] night's update, the US military evacuated approximately 1,800 individuals on 10 C-17s. Since August 14, nearly 6,000 people evacuated." INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE COMMS STRATEGY— "Biden scrambles to tamp down panic over Afghanistan," by Christopher Cadelago, Natasha Korecki and Laura Barrón-López: "Biden's aides are adjusting their communications strategy regarding the country's collapse to corral supportive voices and push back on the 'crisis of confidence' narrative. "Their overt adjustments include dispatching national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN to the press briefing Tuesday to offer more transparent answers — delivered in a more conciliatory tone than the president took in his remarks on Monday. And the White House shared a new image of the president surrounded by his national security team, countering its much-maligned weekend photo of Biden appearing isolated at Camp David amid the erupting chaos in Kabul. … "It was all part of the response to the sweep of Democrats who separated from Biden since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban over the weekend, openly criticizing him for his management of the tense wind-down of America's 20-year troop presence in the country. Now, the administration is facing probes from three congressional committees helmed by senior Democrats and aggressive efforts by Republicans to exploit the morass overseas." NIXING THE TIMELINE — "U.S. troops will stay until all Americans are out of Afghanistan, even if past Aug. 31 deadline," by ABC's Molly Nagle: "The president cautioned that his focus is on completing the mission by Aug. 31, but when pressed by GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, conceded the mission could take longer. 'So Americans should understand that troops might have to be there beyond Aug. 31st?' Stephanopoulos asked. 'No,' Biden replied. 'Americans should understand that we're gonna try to get it done before Aug. 31st.'" WHAT THEY KNEW & WHEN THEY KNEW IT — "CIA's Former Counterterrorism Chief for the Region: Afghanistan, Not An Intelligence Failure — Something Much Worse," by Douglas London, who worked under Trump but volunteered for then-candidate Biden, writing for Just Security MORE: — NYT: "Series of U.S. Actions Left Afghan Allies Frantic, Stranded and Eager to Get Out" … "First Resistance to Taliban Rule Tests Afghanistan's Uncertain Future" … " Memory of Migrant Crisis Haunts Europe as First Afghan Refugees Land" … — AP: "Afghans plead for faster U.S. evacuation from Taliban rule" … "Misread warnings helped lead to chaotic Afghan evacuation" … "U.S. friends try to rescue brother in arms in Afghanistan" — WaPo: "Biden administration moved slowly to help Afghan refugees as it prepared to exit" ... "Pentagon defends against accusations it wasn't ready for Kabul's fall, won't commit to evacuating all Afghan allies" … "Biden administration moved slowly to help Afghan refugees as it prepared to exit" — POLITICO: "Treasury moves to block IMF aid to Taliban" — U.S. News & World Report: "From 300,000 to a Few Hundred: What Happened to Afghanistan's Army" — CNN: "The Taliban are sitting on $1 trillion worth of minerals the world desperately needs" — Sky News: "Desperate women throw babies over razor wire at compound, asking British soldiers to take them" — Axios: "Inside the White House scramble to protect Afghan allies" THE WHITE HOUSE CONVENER IN CHIEF — "Harris uses convening power to expand her political network," by Eugene Daniels: "For the seven months since she was sworn in, Kamala Harris has used her ceremonial office to build a network of allies and associates that can serve two purposes: strengthen the administration's connections with key power players and groups while building an unofficial political operation in waiting — one she could activate for a future presidential bid. "Almost once a week, the fiercely loyal VP meets with advocates, activists, industry leaders and members of Congress to address her ever growing duties, which her staff calls her 'Ceremonial Conversations' series. And her staff then continues to communicate and coordinate with the individuals and groups that have attended her meetings long after they leave the EEOB." — ANOTHER HARRIS READ — "Kamala Harris has touted her role on Afghanistan policy. Now, she owns it too," by L.A. Times' Noah Bierman MARK YOUR CALENDARS — "Israeli PM Bennett to visit Biden in midst of Afghanistan crisis," Axios: "[NAFTALI] BENNETT will visit next Thursday, the White House confirmed, which will likely make him the first world leader to meet Biden during his 'Saigon moment.' Israeli and U.S. officials initially tried to schedule the visit for July, but it was shifted to August." | | | | A message from Climate Power:   The climate crisis is here, American workers are ready, now it's up to Congress. | | | INFRASTRUCTURE YEAR WHAT COULD THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SOLVE? WaPo rounded up stories from reporters at 10 sites around the country to take stock of what's at stake: "Much of that infrastructure is on the decline and badly showing its age. The highways built mid-century as an extensive interstate system are hampered these days by outdated road designs that contribute to crashes and congestion. "The bridges that are essential connections within urban and rural areas often face costly repairs or even replacement. Public transit systems haven't kept up with growth or changing travel patterns, leaving Americans ever more dependent on cars to get around." With stories from Colorado, the Carolinas, Michigan, Oregon and more CONGRESS PREVIOUSLY UNDISCLOSED — "Colorado's Boebert discloses husband's work for energy firm," by AP's Nicholas Riccardi: "Colorado Rep. LAUREN BOEBERT's husband made $478,000 last year working as a consultant for an energy firm, information that was not disclosed during Boebert's congressional campaign and only reported in her financial disclosure forms filed this week. … JAYSON BOEBERT received the money as a consultant to 'Terra Energy Productions' in 2020, and earned $460,000 as a consultant for the firm in 2019. "Boebert did not report the income last year, when she stunned the political world by ousting incumbent Rep. SCOTT TIPTON during the GOP primary in Colorado's sprawling 3rd district, which stretches from ski resorts to energy-rich basins in the state's west." CAPITOL POLICE LATEST — "Chief in charge of intel before Capitol riot returns to post," by AP's Michael Balsamo and Eric Tucker: "YOGANANDA PITTMAN, the Capitol Police official who led intelligence operations for the agency when thousands of Donald Trump loyalists descended on the building last January, is back in charge of intelligence as officials prepare for what's expected to be a massive rally [Sept. 18] at the Capitol to support those who took part in the insurrection. "Pittman — elevated to acting chief after then-Chief STEVEN SUND was forced to resign in the aftermath of the deadly insurrection — was passed over last month for the role of permanent chief. … Pittman's tenure as assistant chief was marred by a vote of no-confidence from rank-and-file officers on the force and questions about intelligence and leadership failures." MASK WARS NEW BIDEN MANDATES — "The Biden administration will use a federal civil rights office to deter states from banning universal masking in classrooms," by NYT's Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Erica Green … "Biden says U.S. will require nursing homes get staff vaccinated or lose federal funds," by CNN's Jeremy Diamond and Tami Luhby THE LATEST LOCAL/STATE DRAMA — "Miami, Tampa schools defy DeSantis on masks despite threats," by Andrew Atterbury in Tallahassee: "Two of the largest school districts in Florida and the nation on Wednesday bucked the DeSantis administration by passing mask mandates for all students just one day after other school districts in the state were put on notice for taking similar action." AND IN TEXAS … "A Texas School Made Masks Part Of Its Dress Code To Get Around Gov. Abbott's Ban," by NPR's Rachel Treisman: "The Paris Independent School District will now require students to wear masks as part of its dress code. The Paris ISD board of trustees said in a statement that it 'believes the dress code can be used to mitigate communicable health issues' and amended it accordingly to protect the district's students and employees. 'The Texas Governor does not have the authority to usurp the Board of Trustees' exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district,' it continued." FLOODING THE ZONE — "Delta variant cases overwhelm contact tracing in hard-hit states," by NBC's Amanda Michelle Gomez TRUMP CARDS KUSHNER ALLY CHARGED — "Kenneth Kurson, pardoned friend of Jared Kushner, charged in New York for installing spyware on then-wife's computer," CNN: "New York prosecutors charged KENNETH KURSON, the former editor of the New York Observer newspaper who was pardoned by Trump, with two state felonies for eavesdropping on his then-wife by installing spyware on her computer. "The charges, announced Wednesday by Manhattan District Attorney CY VANCE, come seven months after Kurson, a close friend of JARED KUSHNER, was pardoned by Trump of federal criminal charges alleging he cyberstalked three people. Kurson was arraigned Wednesday on the two state felonies — eavesdropping and computer trespass — and released on his own recognizance. He did not enter a plea. Kurson had denied the federal charges." | | | | SUBSCRIBE TO "THE RECAST" TODAY: Power is shifting in Washington and in communities across the country. More people are demanding a seat at the table, insisting that politics is personal and not all policy is equitable. The Recast is a twice-weekly newsletter that explores the changing power dynamics in Washington and breaks down how race and identity are recasting politics and policy in America. Get fresh insights, scoops and dispatches on this crucial intersection from across the country and hear critical new voices that challenge business as usual. Don't miss out, SUBSCRIBE . Thank you to our sponsor, Intel. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | IN MEMORIAM — "Joseph Galloway, chronicler and champion of soldiers in Vietnam, dies at 79," by WaPo's Harrison Smith: "Mr. Galloway later recounted the [first major Vietnam War] battle in a best-selling book, 'We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young' … In a journalism career that spanned nearly five decades, Mr. Galloway became known for writing elegant, richly detailed stories that immersed readers in conflicts around the world, including the 1971 war between India and Pakistan and the 1991 Persian Gulf War." SPOTTED: Arnold Schwarzenegger offering bodybuilding tips at the Gold's Gym in Venice Beach. Pic … former Trump DOD senior adviser Sally Donnelly having dinner Wednesday night with former Obama Army Secretary Eric Fanning at the Tabard Inn. MEDIA MOVE — Julie Tate will join the NYT investigations team as a researcher. She previously has been a longtime researcher at WaPo. Announcement STAFFING UP — The Biden administration announced several new nominations: Scott Nathan as CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Viquar Ahmad as assistant Commerce secretary for administration and CFO, Matthew Axelrod as assistant Commerce secretary for export enforcement, Robert Gordon as assistant HHS secretary for financial resources, and Charles Sams as director of the National Park Service. TRANSITIONS — Molly Mitchell is joining Bully Pulpit Interactive to lead the firm's marketing and external comms. She most recently was states press secretary at the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, and is a 2018 DCCC and Axios alum. … Patrice Snow is joining DC Vote as comms director. She previously was comms director and national press secretary for TogetherFund, and is a Tom Steyer campaign alum. ENGAGED — Brad Bosserman, head of corporate and brand partnerships at POLITICO, proposed to Priscilla Magee, director of government affairs at National Elevator Industry Inc., on Monday night. The proposal took place at Dumbarton House in Georgetown, followed by a surprise dinner party with friends at Fiola Mare. Pic … Another pic WEEKEND WEDDING — Ashley Spillane, founder and president of Impactual and founder of the Civic Responsibility Project, and Dan Drabik, CTO of Quill.org, got married Sunday in Shenandoah National Park. Instapics WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Kelsey Freeman Saelens, director of government relations for Cargill Inc., and Drew Saelens, director of government relations and patient advocacy for Dendreon Pharmaceuticals, welcomed Molly Josephine Saelens on Friday. Pic — John Zang, senior policy analyst at Duane Morris Government Strategies, and Clare Zang, a materials scientist, welcomed Alexandra Olivia Zang on Saturday. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Former President Bill Clinton … Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) … Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts … Molly Jong-Fast of The Daily Beast …Mary Matalin … NYT's Joe Kahn and Farhad Manjoo … Julius Genachowski of the Carlyle Group … WSJ's Brody Mullins … Michelle Bloom … Daily Mail's Emily Goodin … McKinsey's Neil Grace … Neil Patel of the Daily Caller and Bluebird Asset Management … Adam Tomlinson … NAM's Rob Damschen … Pat Jones of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association … CNN's Paula Reid … Lauren Henson of New Heights Communications … Steve Sothmann of the Leather and Hide Council of America and Meat Import Council of America … former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) … Matt Haase and Andrew Vlasaty of Sen. Roy Blunt's (R-Mo.) office ... Maria Reynolds of Sen. Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) office … Christian McMullen of Rep. Jodey Arrington's (R-Texas) office … Adam Conner of the Center for American Progress … Vox's Madeline Marshall … Arlene Violet … WaPo's Mark Seibel … Alan Pyke … Shannon Campagna of Van Scoyoc Associates … Elizabeth Bibi of the Human Rights Campaign ... Missy Kurek … Facebook's Eva Guidarini … Kevin Minoli … Maggie Cleary ... Jack Livingston ... Matthew Beck ... Ralph Alswang … Tipper Gore … Lisa Guide … former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder … Tom Rogers … John Sadler (78) … Sara Durkin Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Allie Bice, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross. | | | | A message from Climate Power: We can build back better and achieve a clean energy future with good-paying clean energy jobs. And we can get it done by making sure big corporations pay their fair share.
Clean energy is not only healthier, it is now cheaper than fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of energy. They will never run out and will only get cheaper. This switch saves everyone money, forever.
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