🎯 Axios PM: Pelosi passes the torch

Plus: Taylor Swift snafu | Thursday, November 17, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Constellation   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Nov 17, 2022 Good afternoon. Today's newsletter — edited by Sam Baker — is 489 words, 2½-minute read.     1 big thing: "The hour has come" Photo: Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images   House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — one of the shrewdest, most powerful, most polarizing and most effective legislative leaders in American history — is handing over the reins. "The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic Caucus," Pelosi said in a speech from the House floor today as she announced that she'll step aside as the party's leader. "Never would I have thought that someday I would go from homemaker to House speaker," Pelosi said. Details: Pelosi was the first woman to be speaker of the House. She led the Democratic Caucus, in both the majority and the minority, for 20 years. She's been an exceptionally skilled legislative tactician and a prolific fundraiser. And engineering what would happen after she stepped down was part of that strategic hold on power. What's next: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is likely to take over as the House Democrats' top leader. If Democrats retake the majority in a few years, he could be the first Black speaker. Go deeper: Meet the next leaders     2. Taylor Swift fans broke Ticketmaster Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Amazon It's been three days, and Ticketmaster still can't handle the demand for Taylor Swift tickets. Driving the news: Presale tickets for Swift's upcoming tour dates were supposed to be available earlier this week, but Ticketmaster's site crashed under the "unprecedented demand" for tickets. It ultimately had to postpone presales for some tour dates. Tickets were supposed to go on sale to the general public tomorrow — but now Ticketmaster has canceled that, too, again citing "extraordinarily high demands … and insufficient remaining ticket inventory to meet that demand." Swift still sold 2 million tickets on Tuesday alone — the most any artist has ever sold on a single day. Demand is so high in part because this will be Swift's first tour since 2018. She's released four albums since then. She'd have to perform 900 stadium shows in order for everyone who tried to buy tickets to be able to see her perform, according to Ticketmaster.     A message from Constellation Constellation is the #1 producer of clean energy     While others just talk about clean energy, Constellation is the #1 producer. The proof: We generate enough clean energy to power 15 million homes, producing 50% more carbon-free power than any other company in America. Learn how we're working to create a clean energy future for every American.     3. Catch up quick Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic at Wimbledon on July 10 in London. Photo: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images Wimbledon will (slightly) relax its rules requiring all-white attire, allowing women to wear colored undershorts. (AP) Buffalo, New York, is bracing for "crippling" snow as cold weather sweeps the U.S. Go deeper. North Korea fired a missile into the sea in response to U.S. efforts to strengthen its security ties with South Korea and Japan. Go deeper.     4. Weed-infused seltzer catches on THC-infused seltzer drinks are manufactured in Mount Clemens, Mich. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios    Hard seltzer is extremely popular. Marijuana is extremely popular. Enter marijuana seltzer. Driving the news: A new brand of THC-infused seltzer is rolling out across Michigan tomorrow, Axios Detroit co-author Annalise Frank reports. It'll contain about 2 mg of THC per can. That's pretty standard in the small but growing market for THC-infused seltzers. They're similar to the low alcohol-by-volume seltzers that have become so popular over the past few years — just with THC instead of alcohol. Thrillist did a taste test earlier this year, if you're curious …     A message from Constellation Constellation is the #1 producer of clean energy     While others just talk about clean energy, Constellation is the #1 producer. The proof: We generate enough clean energy to power 15 million homes, producing 50% more carbon-free power than any other company in America. Learn how we're working to create a clean energy future for every American.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: