News: Expert advice for a newsy WHCD week

Monday, April 24, 2023

Expert advice for a newsy WHCD week

Apr 24, 2023

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By Eugene Daniels, Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza

Presented by National Association of Realtors®

With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross

An illustration featured Roy Wood Jr., the White House and calendar dates

It’s shaping up to be a big year on the social front at this years' annual White House Correspondent's Dinner. | POLITICO illustration/Photos by Getty Images, iStock

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DRIVING THE DAY

THE REELECT TAKES SHAPE — All the usual caveats apply — nothing’s final till it’s final, etc., etc. — but we continue to expect President JOE BIDEN will announce his run for president in a video tomorrow. And, in further evidence that a launch is imminent, news of key campaign hires is starting to leak.

JULIE CHAVEZ RODRIGUEZ is expected to be named campaign manager, CBS’ Ed O’Keefe and Fin Gómez scooped yesterday. The veteran Democratic operative and top White House staffer — and granddaughter of CESAR CHAVEZ — is now a senior adviser and assistant to the president and director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, where she’s one of the highest-ranking Latino officials in West Wing history.

Beyond Rodriguez, MICHAEL TYLER is a leading contender for campaign comms director, Chris Cadelago and Sam Stein report. Tyler is a CORY BOOKER and DNC alum who most recently worked on Atlanta’s bid to host the Democratic National Convention.

All the preparations are setting up a reelect that will look very different from Biden’s previous, pandemic-era campaign, Reuters’ Jeff Mason writes. “Gone will be the aversion to public events, large and small, likely replaced by traditional campaign stops at diners, factories and union halls with handshakes, selfies, and crowds of people.” And the GOP will be looking to pounce on Biden’s age at any sign of a stumble — or a slow schedule.

Related read: “How Democrats Learned to Cast Aside Reservations and Embrace Biden 2024,” by NYT’s Shane Goldmacher

HUNTER STRIKES BACK — As his dad preps for political battle, our Kyle Cheney reports that HUNTER BIDEN’s team is firing two new salvos this morning at key Republican tormentors. His lawyer ABBE LOWELL is first asking the Treasury IG to probe how the younger Biden’s “suspicious activity reports” wound up in the hands of GARRETT ZIEGLER, a former Trump White House official. A second letter seeks an Office of Congressional Ethics review of Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) for her repeated attacks on Biden family members on social media and other public forums. The Ziegler Treasury letter … The Greene ethics letter.

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WELCOME TO WHCD WEEK — At its heart, the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is about celebrating the First Amendment and honoring the journalists who hold our nation's most powerful officials accountable to the citizens who elected them.

It’s also, however, the centerpiece of a week's worth of festivities for Official Washington, and Playbook is your one-stop shop for all the goings-on. Yes, there will be lots of SPOTTEDs and overheards. But we’re also hoping to provide some context and insight into the most interesting conversations and commentary we’re hearing as the week rolls on.

But first: Let’s talk about the parties — because the only thing buzzier than the conversation inside the parties is the conversation about the parties.

It’s shaping up to be a big year on the social front: The scene has fully returned to a pre-pandemic footing, the legendary Garden Brunch is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and POLITICO is doing its part with no fewer than three separate bashes — our Thursday battle royale with the London Playbook crew over at the British Embassy, a pre-dinner reception with CBS Saturday evening, and the exclusive Sunday brunch hosted at the home of ROBERT and ELENA ALLBRITTON.

The Playbook team has assembled a guide to all the events, which we’ll keep updating through the week, but we’ve also brought together a panel of experts to address some of the pressing social questions of the week. They’ve been to all the parties you want to get into, and they’re even throwing some of them:

TAMMY HADDAD, media doyenne and Garden Brunch founder/co-host
SUSANNA QUINN, entrepreneur and former Hill aide
STEVE CLEMONS, Semafor editor at large
SYMONE SANDERS, MSNBC host and former senior White House aide
REPORTER X, frequent denizen of the Playbookers section granted anonymity so as not to invite employment repercussions

If you haven't received an invite to a hot party, how do you weasel your way into getting one?

Tammy: What have you got to trade — a special guest you can bring, your family’s ticket to the Citi Open, a hot table at Café Milano, a private tour of the pandas, drinks at the Wharf?
Susanna: Ask a host, but buyer beware: There is nothing more annoying. Washington may have a short memory for scandals, but we remember pushy party people. And please, unless you KNOW it is OK, do not ask for a plus-one unless it is ROB LOWE or the cast of “Succession.”
Steve: Don't sweat yet. Invites to the best parties arrive all the way up until Thursday noon of WHCD week, so at 12:01 p.m. that day, you have a problem. But if you are really desperate, either pal around with a Member of Congress and sneak in that way or dress up like a TikTok influencer and pick your moment to slide by the gate guards.
Symone: You just have to give it up to a higher power and hope a high-profile person you know is walking in when you are. (This happened to me a few years ago: JOY REID was walking into the NBC afterparty. I was outside, and then voila … I was sipping champagne and taking pictures.)
Reporter X: Well, have you called Tammy? I'm kidding. Sort of.

With so many parties happening at once, how do you decide which one(s) to go to?

Tammy: All of them.
Symone: Quality over quantity is my motto.
Susanna: If you are lucky enough to be so popular, then be loyal. Follow the example of DEBBIE DINGELL — she always shows up for her friends even if it’s a quick drive-by.
Reporter X: Go where your friends are going. No matter how fun the party sounds or how prestigious it looks or what celebrities are allegedly going, you will have more fun if you go to parties with actual friends.
Steve: That's easy. Go to them all. I do.

What’s your best piece of WHCD week advice?

Tammy: Take the time to stop and thank the brave reporters, producers, crew and especially members of the military who fight for democracy every day.
Susanna: My husband (who has been around a lot longer than me) said, “Leave town.” My advice is to gravitate towards those who inspire you and just listen. And if you aren’t invited anywhere, just tell people that you had an anaphylactic reaction to the cherry blossoms and no one wants a guest covered in hives.
Reporter X: Don't go too hard on Thursday night. You'll thank me for this later. By Sunday, make plans to see some friends who are not part of this industrial party complex. You will be ready for a break.
Steve: Always say hello to people you don't know. Help the hosts by introducing yourself to people who are just hanging out alone. Never be a jerk. Never be the last person at a party. Thank the hosts and organizers profusely. Remember and remind folks that the week is actually about the role of the media in a democracy. Hydrate.
Symone: It’s a marathon not a sprint, folks. Also, this is a WORK week.

WE NEED YOUR HELP: Heading to an event this week? We’ll be out and about, but we’d love to have as many eyes and ears on the ground as possible.

Send us spotteds of recognizable names and faces. See a surprising pair having a chat in the corner? Watch some celebrities rubbing shoulders with White House officials? Overhear a great bit of gossip? See something hilarious happen? Let us know, and send pics!

We’re rebooting our Playbook texting line, too. Save 202-556-3307 as “Playbook” in your contacts now, and when you see something interesting, just shoot us a text! One of us will be on the other end to text you back. Or, you can always email tips to us at playbook@politico.com. (And don’t worry, we’ll keep you anonymous.)

Good Monday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Eugene Daniels, Rachael Bade, Ryan Lizza.

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REPUBLICANS VS. THE DEBT CEILING — There’s another big story in Washington this week: House Republicans will be trying to muscle through what amounts to an opening bid in the looming debt ceiling standoff. Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY expressed confidence on Fox News yesterday that despite his razor-slim margin, he’ll lock down the votes to raise the limit until early 2024 while cutting $4.5 trillion in spending.

“We will hold the vote this week and we will pass it and send it to the Senate,” the California Republican insisted.

Since the House doesn’t return till tomorrow, the earliest this vote could happen would be Wednesday. But if McCarthy still needs time to whip, the roll call could be pushed to the end of the week — or beyond. People close to the whip tally tell Playbook they’re not there, but they’re in a good position.

Keep an eye on conservatives pushing for more cuts, squeamish moderates who could face blowback for beefed-up work requirements, and midwestern Republicans who are grumbling about taking a vote that will roll back ethanol subsidies.

Republican leaders are trying to argue to the rank and file that while the bill may be imperfect, passage would enable GOP lawmakers to tell the public that they’re trying to avert an economic calamity — and fortify their position for negotiations with the White House.

Indeed, if House Republicans succeed, the focus will immediately turn to Biden and Democratic leaders, who are still insisting on a clean debt ceiling hike sans concessions. That position is already looking untenable, with even some Hill Democrats arguing that it’s time for both sides to sit down.

Related reads: “Wall Street starts to fear a debt limit crisis,” by Ben White, Sam Sutton and Eleanor Mueller: “For most of this year, many on Wall Street assumed that lessons learned from the 2011 crisis … would prevent such an event from happening again. That faith is starting to fade.” … “He’s got the most thankless job in Congress — writing a GOP budget,” by Jennifer Scholtes and Caitlin Emma on Rep. JODEY ARRINGTON (R-Texas)

THE WEEK AHEAD — Tuesday: Trial in E. JEAN CARROLL’s civil suit against DONALD TRUMP opens in NYC. … Wednesday: Biden hosts South Korean President YOON SUK YEOL for an official state visit and dinner. … Thursday: Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS speaks in Israel. … Friday: Biden hosts major campaign donors in Washington. … Saturday: White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

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BIDEN’S MONDAY:

9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President’s Daily Brief.

Noon: Biden and VP KAMALA HARRIS will have lunch.

2 p.m.: The Bidens and Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA will honor the Council of Chief State School Officers’ 2023 Teachers of the Year in the Rose Garden.

3:15 p.m.: Biden will meet with Tennessee state Reps. GLORIA JOHNSON, JUSTIN JONES and JUSTIN PEARSON in the Oval Office.

Press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE will brief at 1:15 p.m. with national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN.

THE SENATE and THE HOUSE are out.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Migrants start walking north on their way to Mexico City from Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, Sunday, April 23, 2023.(AP Photo/Edgar Hernandez Clemente)

Migrants start walking north on their way to Mexico City from Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, in a mass protest procession through to demand the end of detention centers, Sunday, April 23, 2023. | Edgar Hernandez Clemente/AP Photo

PLAYBOOK READS

2024 WATCH

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Club for Growth is out with a full-page newspaper ad this morning attacking DONALD TRUMP — this time by likening him to Biden, Natalie Allison reports. “Joe Biden & Donald Trump have the same plan for Social Security: Cut 20% or more,” the ad reads, referencing the projected impact on benefits if the program’s trust fund is depleted.

On the eve of Biden’s anticipated campaign launch, the anti-tax group placed the ads in the Palm Beach Post and NYC edition of the WSJ. The Club and its president, DAVID McINTOSH, have had a turbulent relationship with Trump since his 2016 candidacy, but are once again all in on opposing him, most recently railing against the “Biden-Trump plan” on entitlements. The new ad follows efforts by Trump and a super PAC boosting him to hit DeSantis on past support for cuts to Medicare and Social Security, an issue dividing the GOP 2024 field.

A Trump spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. See the ad here

LEADER OF THE PAC — “Inside the pro-DeSantis super PAC that could make or break his 2024 run,” by Semafor’s Shelby Talcott: “The billion-dollar question is how far DeSantis and his allies are willing to go in attacking the former president when the real war begins and what areas they’ll pick to make the case.”

DESANTIS IN JAPAN — “DeSantis, an Enigma on Foreign Policy, Praises U.S.-Japan Ties in Tokyo,” by NYT’s Motoko Rich and Nicholas Nehamas: “Given his history, Mr. DeSantis’s remarks in Tokyo will be closely parsed. In both Japan and South Korea, ‘there is great concern about possible outcomes of the U.S. election,’ said BRUCE KLINGNER, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

‘They are concerned about an isolationist U.S. president who can continue or resume the previous president’s threats to withdraw troops from Japan and South Korea,’ he said.”

MORE POLITICS

GOOD SIGN FOR REPUBLICANS — Q1 fundraising reports show swing-seat Republican incumbents muscling ahead of their Democratic counterparts, Axios’ Josh Kraushaar and Andrew Solender report. Among the top 20 fundraisers in the group of House members deemed most vulnerable, 17 were Republicans, giving them an early boost in the bid to retain the lower chamber. The GOP front-liners’ average hauls and cash on hand were both significantly higher than Dems’. Democrats note that the DCCC outraised the NRCC and a resurgent Trump could bolster liberal fundraising, but they acknowledge “real concerns about their grassroots energy.”

Notable big fundraisers: Reps. JUAN CISCOMANI (R-Ariz.), TOM KEAN JR. (R-N.J.), PAT RYAN (D-N.Y.) and MARIE GLUESENKAMP PEREZ (D-Wash.)

Notable laggards: Reps. DAVID SCHWEIKERT (R-Ariz.), GEORGE SANTOS (R-N.Y.), DINA TITUS (D-Nev.) and MARCY KAPTUR (D-Ohio).

WHAT THE END OF GERRYMANDERING LOOKS LIKE — “Control of the House goes through the Empire State,” by Brittany Gibson in Newburgh, N.Y.: “New York Democrats are rebuilding at every level — and plagued by state party infighting. Republicans fear being lumped in with the more extreme members of their caucus and abortion politics may destroy the gains they’ve made … For both parties, the journey to victory in New York will be long, tough and expensive.”

SLOTTING IN FOR SLOTKIN — “Slotkin’s Senate run may complicate Dems bid to retake House,” by AP’s Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Mich.: “[I]t’s not clear whether anyone else can repeat [Rep. ELISSA] SLOTKIN’s success in one of the most competitive districts in the United States.”

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CONGRESS

INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT — “‘The problem child’: FBI’s Hill allies warn it is fueling surveillance angst,” by Jordain Carney: “While both FBI and Justice Department leadership typically make a personal pitch to Congress for an extension of the program known as Section 702, the deepening chasm between House Republicans and top law enforcement officials has complicated that dynamic. In short, the House GOP doesn’t trust the bureau. … And it means the FBI’s typical entreaty — that keeping its powers intact is essential to national security — won’t carry much weight this time around.”

ANNALS OF ENTITLEMENT REFORM — “More care at home could save Medicare, lawmakers believe,” by Ben Leonard and Erin Schumaker: “A new bill from Reps. ADRIAN SMITH (R-Neb.) and DEBBIE DINGELL (D-Mich.) that aims to reduce care in hospitals and other health care facilities and increase it in living rooms marks a rare, bipartisan collaboration on a potential solution to Medicare’s financing problem. And it has drawn support from tech companies, insurers, venture capitalists, providers and telehealth advocates. But some health economists told POLITICO they’re skeptical at-home care can deliver the savings the proponents are promising.”

PAUL GOSAR FILES — “GOP congressman defends sharing link to antisemitic site,” by the Forward’s Jacob Kornbluh

POLICY CORNER

STATS OF THE DAY — Through temporary humanitarian parole programs that tap private sponsors, 300,000 Ukrainians have come to the U.S. and 360,000 Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans and Haitians are anticipated to come by the end of the year, NYT’s Miriam Jordan reports. All in all, these back-door and fairly under-the-radar moves by the Biden administration — along with temporary protected status enlargements — “could become the largest expansion of legal immigration in decades.”

AMERICA AND THE WORLD

CRISIS IN SUDAN — “Sudan Evacuations Accelerate as Fragile Cease-Fire Falters,” by Bloomberg’s Simon Marks, Okech Francis and Mohammed Alamin: “The UK and US militaries managed to airlift their diplomats to safety, with the US ferrying consular staff in MH-47 Chinook helicopters. Thousands of American citizens, mostly dual nationals, are said to remain.”

THE LATEST SPAT — “Russia ‘will not forgive’ U.S. denial of journalist visas,” AP/Moscow: “Russia said Sunday that the United States has denied visas to journalists who wanted to cover Foreign Minister SERGEY LAVROV’s trip to New York, and Lavrov suggested that Moscow would take strong retaliatory measures.”

WAR IN UKRAINE

THE NEXT PHASE — As the world awaits Ukraine’s long-anticipated spring counteroffensive, the Biden administration is already bracing for blowback if Kyiv doesn’t succeed, Jonathan Lemire and Alex Ward report this morning. In case of failure, they expect hawks to blame the U.S. for not providing Ukraine fighter jets, longer-range missiles and more. And they expect doves — as well as European allies — to express louder doubt that Ukraine can win back all its territory.

THE SUPPLY EFFORT — “Unprepared for long war, U.S. Army under gun to make more ammo,” by AP’s Marc Levy, reporting from the Scranton, Pa., Army Ammunition Plant

BEYOND THE BELTWAY

HOW POLICY CHANGE HAPPENS — Wondering what’s behind the spate of recent bills in GOP-dominated state legislatures to loosen child labor laws? WaPo’s Jacob Bogage and María Luisa Paúl dig up the answer: The think tank Foundation for Government Accountability and its lobbying branch Opportunity Solutions Project, based in Florida, drafted the model legislation that has sparked outcry in Arkansas and found success in Iowa and elsewhere.

IRA IMPACT — The Inflation Reduction Act’s massive infusion of funds into clean energy development has small towns across America making risky bids to compete for the money, WSJ’s Phred Dvorak and Amrith Ramkumar report from Walterboro, S.C. It’s “a leap of faith from small communities around the country that are committing significant local resources to attract businesses, sometimes in unproven industries. Some have been burned before.”

THE NEW SECTARIANISM — “In two states, gun violence pits blue cities against red legislatures,” by WaPo’s Silvia Foster-Frau in Louisville, Ky.

MEDIAWATCH

SHELL SHOCK — “Jeff Shell Ousted at NBCUniversal for ‘Inappropriate Relationship,’” by Variety’s Rebecca Rubin

LESS THAN MEETS THE EYE — “Fox’s settlement with Dominion unlikely to cost it $787.5M,” by AP’s Mae Anderson: “How much the lawsuit will actually end up costing Fox is unclear because there are ways it can defray some of the expense, primarily through insurance and the use of tax deductions. Fox can deduct the Dominion settlement from its income taxes as an expense necessary for the cost of doing business.”

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

PLAYBOOKERS

Chuck Grassley would like Fox News to ask Donald Trump some forward-looking questions.

Leah Yoon Frelinghuysen will perform “Arirang” on piano with Richard (Yongjae) O’Neill on viola in a private lunch with Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol tomorrow.

IN MEMORIAM — “New York Post reporter Conor Skelding loses battle with cancer,” by the N.Y. Post’s Jorge Fitz-Gibbon: “He was 31. Skelding, a native of Chicago, joined The Post in April 2021 after several years as a reporter with Politico and Reorg.”

OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED at the home of Francesca Chambers and Michael Moroney for their annual White House Correspondents BBQ: Tom DeFrank, Jeff Mason, Angela Greiling Keane, David Jackson, Sara Cook, Nandita Bose and Richard Luchette, Jay McMichael and Jen Simpson, Patsy Widakuswara, Kellan Howell, Maegan Vazquez, Trevor Hunnicutt, John Bennett and Rema Rahman, Wajd Waqfi, Lina Khalaf, Nikki Schwab, Joey Garrison, Emily Goodin, Alex Wong, Akayla Gardner and Steven Nelson.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Ariel Grover is joining Liftoff Campaigns as partner. She previously was email fundraising director at SKDK.

TRANSITIONS — Christopher Garcia is now a senior associate for federal affairs at Uber. He most recently was congressional and legislative affairs adviser for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, and is a Biden White House and Amy Klobuchar alum. … Adrienne Mendenhall is now a director at Crowell & Moring International. She previously was global business development lead at Access Health International. … Micki Werner will be a senior congressional liaison officer at the Australian Embassy. She previously was a legislative aide for Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

ENGAGED — Hunter Ihrman, director of policy comms at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and Natalie Morgan, press secretary for Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), got engaged over the weekend. They met their first week of college at George Washington University and stayed friends for the next five years, but it took a long car ride to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s inauguration for them to become a couple. Pic … Another pic

WEEKEND WEDDING — Chelsea Matzen, foundation director for the National Grocers Association, and Matt DiNuzzo, senior project manager for Clark Construction, got married Saturday at the Hyatt Arcade in Cleveland. They met online through a shared Pittsburgh/Cleveland rivalry.Pic

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) … Treasury’s Mike Gwin … The Hill’s Al Weaver … Vanity Fair’s Abigail Tracy … Andrew Kirtzman … Erin DeLullo … Zack Roday … Clark Packard … Ruth Guerra ... Terron Sims II ... Jesica Wagstaff … Hillary Lassiter … POLITICO’s Griffin Taylor, Miranda Wilson, Dellon Jones and Ellie Borst … Megan Sowards Newton of Jones Day … Conner Prochaska ... Kathy Duda of the Patent Office Professional Association (6-0) … Stuart Chapman of Thorn Run Partners ... Megan Nashban Kenney … Robb Walton of BGR Group … Jameson Cunningham ... Megan Hannigan … Edelman’s Luis Betanzo ... Smithsonian’s Gabriella Kahn … former Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) … Dana Wechsler Linden … AIPAC’s Aubrey Lopez (35)

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