| | | | |  | | By Ryan Lizza and Eugene Daniels | | 
This weekend, President Joe Biden, dozens of members of Congress and hundreds of media and journalists (us included) will mingle with celebrities at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | EXCLUSIVE: GOP PONIES UP $125 MILLION TO FLIP HOUSE — The Congressional Leadership Fund, the KEVIN MCCARTHY-aligned GOP super PAC, is booking "$125 million in TV ad reservations in roughly 50 media markets across the country — a massive down payment on the party's bid to wrest back the majority this fall," Ally Mutnick reports. Worth noting:
- $111 million of the ad reservations are earmarked for flipping Democratic-held seats.
- Where they're targeting: The "core of the map — where CLF placed some of its most lengthy and substantial buys" — are districts that JOE BIDEN carried by 6 to 9 points. But they're also targeting "several Democrats in seats that Biden carried by double digits in 2020."
- For the sake of comparison: This initial purchase is already more than CLF spent on ads during the entire 2020 election cycle.
IS IT UNSEEMLY? — This DAVID AXELROD quote to the NYT about whether it's safe for Biden to attend the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, given the Covid risks, grabbed our attention: "Well, there is a question of whether it's EVER appropriate to engage in an exercise in gaudy, celebrity-drenched self-adulation, but that's a separate question." Yes, but it's a good one. Biden's approval rating is 42%. Congress' is 24%. Trust in media is down to 36%. Americans are getting hammered by inflation, the continued uncertainties of the pandemic and fears from the war in Ukraine, which has raised the specter of nuclear conflict. And yet this weekend, Biden, dozens of members of Congress and hundreds of media and journalists (us included) will mingle with celebrities like KIM KARDASHIAN at a black-tie event. Dozens of other parties (beginning tonight) on Capitol Hill, at D.C.'s fanciest restaurants and across Georgetown — many of them sponsored by large corporations — will feature the same milieu. VOTERS ARE NOT PARTYING — The enormous gap between the excitement in Washington about the return of the WHCA weekend and the ongoing anxiety of voters hit us hard this week as we watched focus groups of voters conducted by longtime Democratic pollster CELINDA LAKE. On Tuesday night, Lake talked to a group of "high-information" Democrats scattered around the country over a Zoom call while we watched on mute. This appeared to be one of the more financially well-off focus groups we've seen this year, but like the others, these voters were defined by their disgust. When asked the first word that popped into their mind about how things are going in the country, here's what they said: "frustrated," "disbelief," "aggravated," "discouraged," "unsure," "worrying," "resigned," "frightened." The only positive words offered were "better" and "OK." One Biden voter who thought things would improve after DONALD TRUMP said he now knew that may never happen. "There's just gonna be sucky things out there all the time," he said. "So I'm resigned to the fact that that's going to be life." When asked if they personally have experienced sticker shock when going out to buy something, every single participant raised their hands. Their views of Biden were lukewarm. On the positive side, they viewed him as "decent," "unifying" and one said that they "personally like him." On the negative side, they said he was "unrealistic," "hasn't really delivered on his promises," "needs to be stronger," "gives in too easily" and is "old, slow, and misspeaks a lot." Lake asked the group a revealing question: What animal do they think of when they think of Democrats and Republicans? The Democrats were described as sheep, cats, weasels, "skittish mice," chickens and bears (because they are "a little bit more slow moving"). "The Democrats tend to get characterized by weak animals," Lake said. "And the Republicans tend to get characterized by aggressive predators." The project's overall goal is to find issues that could motivate Democrats and independents to vote in a year when turnout for Biden's party is likely to drop. Lake says the level of despondency she's seeing in the ongoing focus groups has actually reduced some. Last year there was little that would motivate frustrated Democrats; now, there's some life in issues like Jan. 6, health care, abortion and, most of all, anything that might alleviate inflation. Her advice is that Biden should do something — anything — to show he's trying to solve the country's big problems. She's bullish on executive actions, even if they get overturned in the courts, because they show that Biden is at least trying. And she said voters in her research consistently respond better to passing smaller, more easily understandable pieces of legislation rather than the kind of mega-bill alphabet soup that defined 2021 (ARP, BIF, BBB). "People can't figure out what's in it," she said of those bills. And the hodgepodge of policies has come at the expense of a clear Democratic economic vision. "I don't think we're getting defeated by the culture wars," she said. "I think we're getting defeated by the lack of a resonant economic message." We asked Lake how she would advise a Democratic candidate who wanted to go to the WHCA dinner this weekend. "I would tell them you can go," she said, "but don't get press on it." Good Thursday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza. BEHIND THE SCENES — How does Biden navigate the tricky politics of attending the dinner in a time of widespread public anxiety? JEFF NUSSBAUM, a Biden speechwriter who left the White House this week, told us in an exclusive interview that the rule they live by in Biden world is "the Hippocratic Humor Oath, which is first do no harm." "In this moment, you're trying to find where three circles intersect: actual funny, Washington funny and appropriate for a president to say," said Nussbaum. "That's really tricky now, because can you tell a joke about Covid? Well, a million Americans have died, so that's probably off limits. Can you tell a joke about PUTIN? Probably not. So there's a lot of territory that others can joke about, but it's incredibly risky for the president to joke about. Caution is not one of the best ingredients for humor, but caution is a necessary ingredient for this president and this moment."
- What's on the menu? Nussbaum wouldn't dish on the exact jokes, but did suggest we can expect Biden to take on some of his critics. "There are some elements where you actually help yourself by showing that you can laugh at things that others might think actually hurt you," he said. "So if we can laugh at 'Let's go, Brandon' or laugh at the age jokes, that helps because it kind of defuses it."
- But, but, but: There's a danger in being too self-deprecating, because those jokes can "kind of shift from being funny and self-deprecating to effectively confirming what was not necessarily a positive perception of him."
- Who is writing this speech? It's a team effort. Jokes are sent in from all over the administration, including from chief of staff RON KLAIN. Nussbaum revealed that director of digital strategy ROB FLAHERTY is considered one of the funniest Biden staffers, and has submitted multiple jokes. A group of outside comedians also pitches in. (The speech still isn't finished, according to another White House official.)
Nussbaum also said that the White House has a goal in mind for the speech beyond simply landing punchlines: "to remind people that a president can have an occasionally antagonistic relationship with the media but not see the media as enemies of the state." By the way: If you're heading to a WHCD-related party this week, help us out! Send us spotteds of big names, good gossip or funny moments: You can email tips to us at playbook@politico.com, or just text us: Save 202-556-3307 as "Playbook" in your contacts now, and when you see something interesting, shoot us a text. (And don't worry, we'll keep you anonymous.) BIDEN'S THURSDAY: — 9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President's Daily Brief. — 10:45 a.m.: Biden will deliver remarks about supporting Ukraine. — 2 p.m.: Biden will meet with small business owners. — 5 p.m.: The Bidens will host a screening of "The Survivor" to commemorate Yom HaShoah and Holocaust Remembrance Week. It's their first official movie screening in office, for the new film from director BARRY LEVINSON. (Do "Diner" next!) Press secretary JEN PSAKI will brief at 3 p.m. THE HOUSE will meet at 10 a.m. At noon it will take up a bill to create a lend-lease program for Ukraine, with first votes predicted between 1:15 p.m. and 2 p.m. and last votes between 3:10 p.m. and 4 p.m. Speaker NANCY PELOSI will hold her weekly presser at 9:45 a.m. Testifying before Appropriations subcommittees today: Interior Secretary DEB HAALAND at 9 a.m., Agriculture Secretary TOM VILSACK at 10 a.m., Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA at 10 a.m., Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN at 10 a.m., A.G. MERRICK GARLAND at 2 p.m. and Energy Secretary JENNIFER GRANHOLM at 2:30 p.m. Granholm will also testify before an Energy and Commerce subcommittee at 10 a.m. Blinken will also testify before the Foreign Affairs Committee at 1 p.m. DHS Secretary ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS will testify before the Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. VA Secretary DENIS MCDONOUGH will testify before the Veterans' Affairs Committee at 10 a.m. HHS Secretary XAVIER BECERRA will testify before the Ways and Means Committee at 10:30 a.m. THE SENATE is in. Testifying before Appropriations subcommittees today: FDA Commissioner ROBERT CALIFF at 10 a.m. and Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG at 10:30 a.m.
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | PHOTO OF THE DAY
|  First lady Jill Biden hugs high school teacher Kurt Russell, the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, as President Joe Biden looks on during a White House event honoring the 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year on Wednesday. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | CONGRESS MANCHIN INTRIGUE — A nugget from Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns' new book, "This Will Not Pass," via CNN's Manu Raju: Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) told Sen. JOHN THUNE (R-S.D.) early last year that he'd defect to the GOP if Thune were its leader instead of MITCH MCCONNELL. MORE HOUSE GOP FALLOUT — McCarthy isn't the only member of the leadership to try to smooth things over following leaked audio from Martin and Burns. House Minority Whip STEVE SCALISE (R-La.) met with Rep. MATT GAETZ (R-Fla.) on Wednesday, Olivia Beavers reports, after Gaetz blasted Scalise for calling his post-Jan. 6 comments "potentially illegal." But "Scalise appears to have offered Gaetz a partial mea culpa rather than complete remorse," Olivia writes. Scalise told her: "I said: 'I'm sorry if this caused you problems.'" FOOT ON THE GAS — Top congressional Democrats are preparing legislation to suspend the gas tax and take on price gouging by fossil fuel behemoths, WaPo's Tony Romm, Leigh Ann Caldwell and Mike DeBonis report. Timing: Some Dems aim to have the measures adopted by Memorial Day. IMMIGRATION REFORM RESURRECTED? — Bloomberg's Ellen Gilmer and Steven Dennis report that a bipartisan group of senators are meeting today to take the most substantial steps so far this year to craft a deal on immigration reform. Sen. THOM TILLIS (R-N.C.) says he wants to strike an agreement with Senate Judiciary Chair DICK DURBIN (D-Ill.) that includes (1) a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, (2) upgrades to border security and (3) a guest-worker program "to alleviate labor shortages." Timing: Some advocates are eyeing the lame-duck period after the election. THE WHITE HOUSE MARK YOUR CALENDARS — Biden will travel to South Korea and Japan from May 20-24, Psaki announced Wednesday evening. ALL POLITICS POSTED AT 3 A.M. — "Shunned by the Right, Murkowski Bets Big on the Center in Alaska," NYT's Emily Cochrane from Anchorage on how Sen. LISA MURKOWSKI is "attempting something almost unheard-of: running for re-election as a proud G.O.P. moderate willing to defy party orthodoxy." "I may be the last man standing. I may not be re-elected," she told Cochrane in an interview. "It may be that Alaskans say, 'Nope, we want to go with an absolute, down-the-line, always, always, 100-percent, never-question, rubber-stamp Republican.' And if they say that that's the way that Alaska has gone — kind of the same direction that so many other parts of the country have gone — I have to accept that. But I'm going to give them the option." CRUZ V. TRUMP — The Pennsylvania and Ohio GOP Senate primaries are pitting Trump against Sen. TED CRUZ (R-Texas) as the rivals-turned-allies back different horses once again with different visions for the party's future, Burgess Everett reports this morning. It's a test of each man's sway with the Republican base, and "Cruz's decision to keep working for his candidates opposite Trump is captivating the GOP." REDISTRICTING ROUNDUP — Democrats suffered a major setback Wednesday when the New York state Court of Appeals tossed out their congressional map — which could cost Dems at least three House seats. The 4-3 decision deemed the Democratic-drawn maps unconstitutional and ordered a neutral expert to replace them. More from City & State New York The decision capped a string of court setbacks for Democrats, who not long ago were seen as emerging from redistricting nationwide with a much better-than-expected outcome. Instead, Democratic gerrymanders have frequently been struck down while Republicans' have remained intact. "Shorter 2022 redistricting: it's permissible to brazenly gerrymander in some states (mostly red), but not others (mostly blue)," writes Dave Wasserman. JAN. 6 AND ITS AFTERMATH COMMITTEE LATEST — The Jan. 6 committee has talked with multiple RNC staffers past and present, Betsy Woodruff Swan and Kyle Cheney report , with "particular interest in staff from the RNC's digital and finance teams." — RUDY GIULIANI is expected to go before the committee in May, CNN reports.
| | | | JOIN US ON 4/29 FOR A WOMEN RULE DISCUSSION ON WOMEN IN TECH : Women, particularly women of color and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, have historically been locked out of the tech world. But this new tech revolution could be an opportunity for women to get in on the ground floor of a new chapter. Join POLITICO for an in-depth panel discussion on the future of women in tech and how to make sure women are both participating in this fast-moving era and have access to all it offers. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | PLAYBOOKERS | | A big day for our colleagues: Helena Bottemiller Evich was nominated for a James Beard award for this story, Michael Kruse won a National Headliner Award for his magazine features, and POLITICO's Recovery Lab came in second place for a Headliner Award. George Will suggested amending the Constitution to ban senators from the presidency. Jeff Bezos tweaked Elon Musk while suggesting that Matthew Yglesias was making good use of Twitter to pitch ideas for season two of "Reacher." Mitt Romney is not a fan of Dems potentially forgiving student loan debt: "Other bribe suggestions: Forgive auto loans? Forgive credit card debt? Forgive mortgages? And put a wealth tax on the super-rich to pay for it all. What could possibly go wrong?" Kamala Harris is pushing through the coronavirus with a nice work-from-home setup, per Doug Emhoff. WHCA WEEK PARTIES — The Friday night party for Funny or Die is beginning to take shape. The soiree at The Reach will be hosted by Henry R. Muñoz (Democratic megadonor who was the DNC's finance chair during Obama's second term and currently chairs the board of the developing Latino Museum) and People Magazine editor-in-chief Liz Vaccariello. The party, like many others, is returning for the first time in years. If you can get a ticket, we're told some big names are coming, including Billy Eichner, Trevor Noah, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, Brooke Shields, Danny Ramirez, Iain Armitage, Mario Van Peebles, BD Wong, Jay Roach, and Harry Hamlin, Amelia Gray Hamlin and Delilah Belle Hamlin. — One event we missed adding earlier this week: The Atlantic, National Journal and Government Executive are teaming up after a two year hiatus for a Friday night dinner hosted by David and Katherine Bradley and Laurene Powell Jobs. We're told White House press secretary Jen Psaki is expected to be in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg at the dinner. It's quite a change from the 2018 Bradley dinner, which featured Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, and the 2019 one, which featured Kellyanne Conway. — Speaking of WHCD, we hear that DNC Chair Jamie Harrison will be sitting with McClatchy. Add him to your names of people to corner. OUT AND ABOUT — MSNBC President Rashida Jones hosted a private dinner at Seven Reasons to celebrate the launch of Symone Sanders' new show, "Symone." The series is in the middle of dress rehearsals from the MSNBC studios in Washington, and, at the party, Sanders teased a "special guest" for her premiere on May 7. (Wonder who?) SPOTTED: Shawn Townsend, Cedric Richmond, Jamal Simmons, Richard Hudock, Michael LaRosa, British Ambassador Karen Pierce, Andrea Mitchell, Jonathan Capehart, Anna Palmer, Tammy Haddad, Jonathan Martin, Hilary Rosen, Rachel Scott, Kate Bennett, Kevin Young, Yvette Miley, Emma Carrasco, Catherine Snyder, Lorie Acio and Jesse Rodriguez. — The Clinton Foundation held a fundraiser reception at the Whittemore House on Wednesday night, followed by a smaller dinner at the Clintons' home. Former President Bill Clinton spoke at length, as the Clinton Foundation ramps its work back up this year, with a particular focus on the global refugee crisis, climate change and economic/health disparities. SPOTTED: Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Matt Gorman, David Jones, Peter and Sarah O'Keefe, Jim Rosapepe, Mack McLarty, Rodney Slater, Adrienne Elrod, Bob Hernreich, Elizabeth and Vaughan Bagley, Stephanie Streett, Kevin Thurm, Huma Abedin, James and Janet Blanchard, Fred Eychaner, John Evans and Steven Wozencraft, Richard Morningstar, Janet Murguía, Jon Davidson, Anastasia Dellaccio, John Podesta and Craig Minassian. — Maggie's List held its annual reception at the Capitol Hill Club on Wednesday night. SPOTTED: Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Reps. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Glenn "G.T." Thompson (R-Pa.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Dan Webster (R-Fla.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.) and John Joyce (R-Pa.), Nicolee Ambrose, Sandra Mortham, Carrie Almond, Christine Torretti, Annette Meeks, Carrie Coxen, Heather Wolf, Kaitlyn Martin and Lauren Zelt. — The annual Grammys on the Hill Awards honored Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) at the Hamilton on Wednesday night. Take 6 also performed, and Sofia Carson emceed. SPOTTED: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), John Curtis (R-Utah), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.). NEW NOMINATIONS — Biden announced his latest round of federal judicial nominees: Sarah Merriam and Lara Montecalvo for circuit courts, and Elizabeth Hanes, Anne Nardacci and Ana Reyes for circuit courts. TRANSITIONS — Amanda Fuchs Miller is now general counsel for Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). She most recently was legislative director for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.). … Finsbury Glover Hering is expanding its energy and sustainability team, adding Sarah Zukowski and Meira Bernstein as directors in its D.C. office. Zukowski is an alum of BPI as well as the offices of Catherine Cortez Masto and Richard Blumenthal. Bernstein most recently was at DHS and is a Joe Biden campaign alum. … … Walter Smoloski is joining Athos as an account executive. He previously was a legislative aide and press secretary for Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md). … Virginia Hinzman is now director of scheduling for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). She most recently was deputy scheduler/executive assistant to the chief of staff for Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). … Libertie Green is now scheduler for Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.). She most recently was finance associate at Eckert & Associates. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Laura Hall, managing director at Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and Andrew Shaw, partner at Dentons, welcomed Hannah Shaw on Monday. She joins big brother Ethan. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Justice Elena Kagan … Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) … former Secretary of State James Baker III (92) … Zoe Garmendia … Josh Schwerin of Saratoga Strategies … Maurice Daniel … Ed Pagano of Akin Gump … Kristine Kippins … POLITICO's Ben Weyl, Eric Geller, Erin Peck and Chris Denecke … Time's Chris Wilson … Alejandra Owens … Carrie Hessler-Radelet … Daniel Keylin of Sen. Thom Tillis' (R-N.C.) office … WaPo's Karoun Demirjian … Anastasia Khoo of Conservation International … Ben Garmisa … NPR's Deepa Shivaram … Susan Katz Keating … Morton Kondracke Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Mike Zapler, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Bethany Irvine, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross.
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