| | | | |  | | By Eugene Daniels, Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza | Presented by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce | With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to a crowd at the North Charleston Coliseum on April 19, 2023 in North Charleston, South Carolina. | Sean Rayford/Getty Images | | | | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | | NEW 2024 POLLS — “Donald Trump Tops Ron DeSantis in Test of GOP Presidential Field, WSJ Poll Finds,” by WSJ’s Alex Leary: “DONALD TRUMP has gained command of the GOP presidential-nomination race over RON DeSANTIS. … Mr. DeSantis’s 14-point advantage in December has fallen to a 13-point deficit, and he now trails Mr. Trump 51% to 38% among likely Republican primary voters in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup.“ Read the full results … “Poll: Biden 2024 splits Dems but most would back him in Nov.,” by AP’s Seung Min Kim and Emily Swanson: “Only about half of Democrats think President JOE BIDEN should run again in 2024, a new [AP-NORC] poll shows, but … 78% of them say they approve of the job he’s doing as president. And a total of 81% of Democrats say they would at least probably support Biden in a general election.” DON’T SAY ‘HEY’ — This week, we’ve brought you stories about DeSantis’s off-putting social skills and lack of personal relationships with fellow Republican elected officials (including those from Florida). Yesterday, we got a surprising email from a reader who had his own DeSantis story to share. We at Playbook get all types of scoops, tips and announcements but for obvious reasons, this one caught our eye. “I sat right next to DeSantis for two years on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and he never said a single word to me,” it read. “I was new to Congress, and he didn’t introduce himself or even say hello.” It was from former Rep. DAVID TROTT (R-Mich.). We called him up to talk about it. “I go to my first [House Foreign Affairs Committee] hearing early, and DeSantis showed up right at the gavel time and didn’t say hello or introduce himself,” Trott said. “And then the next hearing, the same thing happened. I think the third time it happened, I thought, ‘Oh, this guy’s not ever going to say hello to me.’” Eventually, Trott took the initiative and introduced himself to DeSantis. And he could see that the Florida congressman had a certain something. “He’s got an ability to size up the electorate and figure out what issues and hot buttons he needs to press to advance his political ambitions,” Trott said. “There’s no question there’s a talent there. No taking that away from him.” But equally apparent to Trott was what DeSantis was missing. “If you’re going to go into politics, kind of a fundamental skill that you should have is likability. I don’t think [he] has that,” Trott said. “He never developed any relationships with other members that I know of. You’d never see him talking on the floor with other people or palling around. He's just a very arrogant guy, very focused on Ron DeSantis.” Given that, Trott isn’t surprised that so many members of the Florida delegation are opting to endorse Trump over their own governor. “He wasn’t really liked when he was in Congress. And now it's coming home to, you know, prove out as some of the Florida delegation endorsed Trump and and some of the donors, you know, think he’s kind of awkward in terms of how he interacts with them,” Trott said. “If his pre-presidential campaign was playing out differently, then I’d say, ‘Well, maybe he just didn’t like me.’ But I think there’s something more at work here.” In short, said Trott, “I think he’s an asshole. I don’t think he cares about people.” Related read, via NYT’s Michael Bender and Annie Karni: “When ANNA PAULINA LUNA’S father was killed in a car crash in January 2022, she received notes from two prominent Florida Republicans. One was from former President Donald J. Trump, a condolence letter that he signed, ‘Donald.’ The second letter came not from Gov. Ron DeSantis, but from his wife, CASEY. “The letters meant something to Ms. Luna, who was endorsed by both Mr. Trump and Mr. DeSantis in the House race she won last year. But in the end, she backed Mr. Trump for president in 2024. ‘Trump’s operation is personal,’ Ms. Luna said in an interview on Capitol Hill, hours before flying to Mar-a-Lago for a dinner with Mr. Trump and the Florida congressional lawmakers who have endorsed him. ‘You take the time to actually get to know the people you’re going to be working with and that does make a difference.’”
| | | | A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce fights for pro-growth policies that benefit small businesses. The Chamber represents members across the country and in every sector, and 90% of the Chambers’ members are small businesses and state and local Chambers of Commerce – the backbone of the American economy.
Hear from Main Street businesses on how the Chamber advocates for them during challenging times. The U.S. Chamber is big on small business. | | | |  President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy on April 19 in Accokeek, Maryland. | Nathan Howard/Getty Images | BIDEN GEARS UP FOR REELECTION — After months of speculation and countless will he or won’t he? debates, advisers to President Biden are preparing to launch his reelection campaign next week, multiple people briefed on the decision tell Playbook, confirming multiple other reports. On Tuesday, April 25, Biden’s campaign plans to release a low-key video touting Biden’s achievements and making the case that he’s the right person to lead America for another four years. The video will be paired with a fundraising appeal to supporters as Biden’s massive finance operation whirs into motion. Why now? — The choice of date isn’t random. For years, folks in Biden world have talked about how superstitious the president is. Tuesday will mark four years to the day since Biden launched his most recent presidential campaign. What gives you better juju than announcing your reelection bid on the anniversary of your successful bid for the White House? More from Jonathan Lemire, Christopher Cadelago and Myah Ward — There’s a practical reality: The sooner Biden announces, the sooner he can start raising money and building out what could easily be the most expensive campaign of our lifetime. “Biden’s top aides have quietly undertaken extensive preparations for a run, holding regular meetings with the president and first lady since last year in the White House residence,” report WaPo’s Tyler Pager and Michael Scherer, who scooped news of the impending video announcement yesterday. “ANITA DUNN and JEN O’MALLEY DILLON, two of Biden’s top advisers, have been overseeing the reelection efforts, including interviewing staff for top roles, while the Democratic National Committee has funded research projects to study the election landscape.” — Biden world feels increasingly optimistic about his coalition sticking together. “The political durability of the Republican front-runner, former President Donald J. Trump, has added to Mr. Biden’s ability to keep a coalition of Democrats together, including progressives who have at times taken issue with some White House policies,” report NYT’s Shane Goldmacher, Michael Shear and Maggie Haberman. “Mr. Trump … has proved to be a glue holding factions of the Democratic Party in place since 2020, when Mr. Biden won the South Carolina primary after losing the first two early state contests.” Still, there are a few big caveats: — Biden’s aides told us that things can change and stressed that nothing is final until the big boss gives the final go. (Biden is notorious for taking a long time to make his own political decisions.) — Some advisers in Biden’s orbit feel there’s no benefit to throwing in just yet. Everyone in the Democratic Party is already operating as if he’s running, there’s no real primary challenger (no offense, MARIANNE WILLIAMSON or RFK JR.) and putting off an announcement allows Biden to focus on being the president — and drawing an implicit contrast to the top Republican contenders as they rip each other apart. — And there are the practical reasons why next week isn’t ideal. Next week, Biden and first lady JILL BIDEN are hosting a state dinner with the prime minister of South Korea, the House is expected to vote on Republicans’ controversial and consequential debt limit proposal, and, of course, the week will culminate with the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK (AND POSSIBLY RELATED) — The president is scheduled to speak on Tuesday at North America’s Building Trades Unions’ U.S. Legislative Conference, which will be held at the Washington Hilton. (Biden’s first event after his video announcement in 2019? An event at a union hall. More kismet.) Happy Friday. Thanks for reading Playbook. Are you a former Republican House member with stories about Ron DeSantis? Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.
| | | | A message from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocates for a tax and regulatory environment that helps—not hurts—small business owners to create jobs and serve our communities and economy.
Every day, the Chamber fights for the 90% of its members who are small businesses and state and local Chambers of Commerce. They are concerned about inflation, regulation, and the worker shortage.
But the Chamber’s work doesn’t stop with advocacy.
CO—by U.S. Chamber of Commerce—is a “how-to” resource for anyone who has questions about starting, running, or growing a small business. | | | THE PLAYBOOK INTERVIEW: DAVID MANDEL — What happens when true believers lose their integrity and moral compass in pursuit of their cause? That question is among the most relevant issues in politics. And given the stakes for the country, it may not immediately seem like the stuff of comedy. But that’s the central question animating “The White House Plumbers,” the hotly anticipated new HBO miniseries that premieres on May 1. The five-episode series takes viewers on a darkly funny ride with E. HOWARD HUNT (WOODY HARRELSON) and G. GORDON LIDDY (JUSTIN THEROUX), two fumbling ex-spooks and misguided “patriots” who use any means necessary to secure the 1972 re-election of RICHARD NIXON — including breaking into the Democratic National Committee's headquarters at the Watergate Office Building. Of course, instead of saving Nixon, Liddy and Hunt end up destroying his presidency. David Mandel knows more about the intersection of Hollywood and Washington than just about anyone. Mandel has had a storied career as a comedy writer and producer — he’s a veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and went on to lead production of “Veep,” one of the funniest and most accurate shows ever made about Washington, for its final three seasons. On this week’s episode of Playbook Deep Dive, Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with Mandel about lessons he’s learned translating Washington for Hollywood — first with “Veep” and now with “The White House Plumbers” — and how a certain president elected in between these two shows changed everything about what makes politics funny. Listen here … Download and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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Olivia Nuzzi, David Mandel, Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory participate in a Q&A on stage during an HBO Special Screening of "White House Plumbers" at the U.S. Navy Memorial Theater on April 19. | Courtesy of FGS Global | SPOTTED at the screening party for “The White House Plumbers,” hosted by Olivia Nuzzi and Tammy Haddad at The Burke Theatre at the United States Navy Memorial on Wednesday night: David Mandel, Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Pete Huyck, Alex Gregory, Casey Bloys, Naomi Biden and Peter Neal, Kathleen Buhle, Mike and Tricia Donilon, Ron Klain and Monica Medina, John McCarthy, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Kellyanne Conway, Bob Woodward, Sally Quinn, Jonathan Martin, Reggie Love, Bob Costa, Bruce Handy, Ben LaBolt, Symone Sanders and Shawn Townsend, Jay Shaylor, Maggie Haberman, Abby Phillip, Sheila Angelo, Jessica Carter Altman, Jamie Weinstein and Michelle Fields, Jim Acosta and Liz Landers, Eric Schultz, Brittany Shepherd, Rachel Levitan, Ben Jacobs, Scott Bixby, Andrew Bates and Megan Apper, Nate Stephens, Meridith McGraw, Jackie Kucinich, Adrienne Elrod, Boris Sanchez, Sabrina Singh and Jacqui Heinrich. NIGHT OF THE HUNTER — “Federal prosecutors have considered four possible charges against Hunter Biden,” by NBC’s Sarah Fitzpatrick, Tom Winter, Ken Dilanian and Michael Kosnar: “The possible charges are two misdemeanor counts for failure to file taxes, a single felony count of tax evasion related to a business expense for one year of taxes, and the gun charge, also a potential felony. Two senior law enforcement sources told NBC News about ‘growing frustration’ inside the FBI because investigators finished the bulk of their work on the case about a year ago.” HEADS UP — “New coronavirus subvariant Arcturus is now in L.A. Is there reason to worry?” by L.A. Times’ Rong-Gong Lin II and Luke Money: “Officially designated XBB.1.16, the subvariant also has attracted attention after anecdotal reports linking it to what has been a rare Covid-19 symptom: pink eye.”
| | BIDEN’S FRIDAY:
9:30 a.m.: The president will receive the President’s Daily Brief.
2:15 p.m.: Biden will deliver remarks on environmental justice.
4:10 p.m.: Biden will depart the White House en route to Camp David.
Press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE will brief at 1 p.m.
VP KAMALA HARRIS’ FRIDAY:
10:15 a.m.: The VP will depart D.C. en route to Miami.
2 p.m.: Harris will sit down with Telemundo for a TV interview.
3:50 p.m.: Harris will tour Lirman Coral Lab and the University of Miami’s hurricane simulator.
5:10 p.m.: Harris will deliver remarks at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Coastal Resilience Funding Announcement event.
6:45 p.m.: Harris will depart Miami to return to D.C.
THE SENATE and HOUSE are out. | | | | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | PHOTO OF THE DAY
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President Joe Biden meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, April 20. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | 2024 WATCH BUCKING THE BIBLE BELT — “Trump killed the ‘values voter’ wing of the GOP. It isn’t coming back in 2024,” by Adam Wren, Natalie Allison and Meridith McGraw: “Unlike in Republican presidential primaries past, just two candidates — [MIKE] PENCE, the former Catholic turned evangelical, and [Sen. TIM] SCOTT, who speaks of finding a ‘God Solution’ to the country’s racial divide — stand alone in making explicit appeals to Evangelical voters. Trump and DeSantis, meanwhile, are relying solely on their reputations as brute-force brawlers in the culture wars.” ONE TO WATCH — “Anti-abortion group blasts Trump over federal ban comments,” by AP’s Meg Kinnard: The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group “blasted former President Donald Trump on the issue Thursday, saying his contention that abortion restrictions should be left up to individual states, not the federal government, is a ‘morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate.’” Related read: “Lost on abortion politics, Republicans struggle for a solution,” by Burgess Everett WHO’S BANKROLLING DeSANTIS — “Top DeSantis Donor Says He's Ready to Put His Fortune Behind 2024 Bid,” by Time’s Eric Cortellessa: ROBERT BIGELOW, “who was also the single-largest donor to DeSantis’s 2022 reelection bid, confirms that he has already donated a little more than $20 million to Never Back Down. He says that’s just a start. The super-rich businessman plans to continue putting his wealth behind sending the Florida governor to the Oval Office. ‘I will give him more money and go without food,’ Bigelow says.” GOING BACK TO CALI — “GOP to host second presidential debate in California,” by Alex Isenstadt JUST POSTED — “Trump touts authoritarian vision for second term: ‘I am your justice,” by WaPo’s Isaac Arnsdorf and Jeff Stein CONGRESS INSIDE McCARTHY’S MAJORITY — “McCarthy assembles a new kitchen cabinet ahead of debt showdown — without his No. 2 Scalise,” by Olivia Beavers and Sarah Ferris: “Lately, [House Speaker KEVIN] McCARTHY is relying more on his informal advisers than the ones voted onto his leadership team. The California Republican is enlisting a stable of close allies to help guide the House GOP on its debt limit strategy, including Reps. PATRICK McHENRY (R-N.C.), FRENCH HILL (R-Ark.) and GARRET GRAVES (R-La.).” WHO’S AT DEFAULT … What Dems are reading: Biden is getting pressured by his own party to come to the negotiation table with McCarthy to discuss raising the debt limit, our colleagues Nicholas Wu and Adam Cancryn report. A growing contingent of House Democrats are acknowledging that Biden’s blanket refusal to engage with McCarthy may need to change with House Republicans aiming to pass their proposal next week. What Republicans are reading: “McCarthy’s debt limit bill praised by GOP conservatives, but centrists are skeptical,” by NBC’s Sahil Kapur and Scott Wong: “The bill, which would raise the debt ceiling in exchange for some spending cuts, was warmly received by some of the 20 holdouts who tried to stop McCarthy, R-Calif., from winning the speaker's gavel — a positive sign for the prospects of passage in the GOP-led House, where far-right members tend to drive the hardest bargain.” So far, conservative Reps. DAN BISHOP (R-N.C.), BOB GOOD (R-Va.) and CHIP ROY (R-Texas) have all signaled openness to the plan. Meanwhile, more centrist lawmakers, like Reps. TONY GONZALES (R-Texas), NANCY MACE (R-S.C.) and MARC MOLINARO (R-N.Y.) are proceeding with caution. Related read: “Leaving drama behind, GOP warms to McCarthy in debt fight,” by AP’s Lisa Mascaro SKEWERING SU — “GOP tries to paint Biden’s labor nominee as radical, hoping to turn Dem votes against her,” by Nick Niedzwiadek and Daniella Diaz GRILLING GRANHOLM — “Manchin grills Granholm over ‘budget busting’ electric vehicle rules,” by Kelsey Tamborrino JUDICIARY SQUARE THOSE ROBES HAVE DEEP POCKETS — “How Rich Is the U.S. Supreme Court?” by Bloomberg’s Emily Birnbaum and Bill Allison: “The nine Supreme Court justices in total are worth at least $24 million. Or it might be closer to $68 million. It’s impossible to get more specific than that. That’s because federal ethics laws require justices to disclose only those assets that might pose a conflict of interest. As a result, the public can only assess part of each justice’s holdings, valued in a broad range.” MORE POLITICS DEPT. OF DRAPE MEASURING — “Heritage Foundation Makes Plans to Staff Next G.O.P. Administration,” by NYT’s Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman: “This so-called Project 2025 — part of a $22 million presidential transition operation at a scale never attempted before in conservative politics — is being led by the Heritage Foundation, a group that has been staffing Republican administrations since the Reagan era. “Heritage usually compiles its own personnel lists, and spends far less doing so. But for this election, after conservatives and Mr. Trump himself decried what they viewed as terrible staffing decisions made during his administration, more than 50 conservative groups have temporarily set aside rivalries to team up with Heritage on the project, set to start Friday.” JUST POSTED — “The North Carolina governor’s race will be fought over abortion and LGBTQ+ rights,” by The 19th News’ Grace Panetta: “The most competitive and high-profile governor’s race of 2024 is set to take place in North Carolina — and will center on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, with major implications for the state’s future.” POLICY CORNER COMING NEXT WEEK — “Biden administration to announce plans for anticipated border surge,” by WaPo’s Nick Miroff AMERICA AND THE WORLD HOW IT’S PLAYING — “Israel’s Right-Wing Government Has Jewish Democrats at a Loss,” by NYT’s Jonathan Weisman SUNDAY SO FAR … ABC “This Week”: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). Panel: Terry Moran, Heidi Heitkamp, Sarah Isgur, Marianna Sotomayor. CBS “Face the Nation”: Mike Pence. CNN “State of the Union”: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) … Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Panel: Karen Finney, Scott Jennings, Paul Begala and Alyssa Farah Griffin. FOX “Fox News Sunday”: Asa Hutchinson … Pat Cohen. Panel: Olivia Beavers, Karl Rove, Tiffany Smiley and Juan Williams. NBC “Meet the Press”: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu … Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Panel: Rachael Bade, Eugene Robinson, Marc Short and Amy Walter. MSNBC “Inside with Jen Psaki”: John Kerry … Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.).
| | | | 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 | | Patty Murray cast her 10,000th vote on the Senate floor yesterday, becoming the first woman to reach the milestone. Jamie Raskin said chemotherapy has “extinguished” his lymphoma. Dan Bongino parted ways with Fox News. Larry Elder intends to run for president. Donald Trump is a fan of Ice Spice, apparently. SCOTUSblog is leaving Twitter in light of the blue-check purge. OUT AND ABOUT — The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation held a happy hour at The Daschle Group yesterday evening. SPOTTED: Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tom Daschle, Greg Walden, Nathan Daschle, Charlie Panfil, Andrew Freedman, Rob Mathias, Shanita Penny, Tate Bennet, Alekhya Tallapaka, Amber Littlejohn, Liz Lopez, Michelle Dimarob, Nell Reilly, Eric Goepel and Jon Taets — Navigator Research hosted a private celebration in honor of its fifth anniversary last night. SPOTTED: Bryan Bennett, Jessica Floyd, Allyson Marcus, Ian Sams, Pat Dennis, Margie Omero, Nick Gourevitch and Jesse Ferguson. NEW NOMINEES — The White House announced several new nominations, including Cara Abercrombie as assistant secretary of Defense, Tobin Bradley as ambassador to Guatemala and Jeff Baran for another term as commissioner on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — GBAO Strategies is adding Ana Iparraguirre, Nisha Jain, Tim Jensen, Meg Marchand, Michelle Mayorga, Jason McGrath and Brian Shreffler as partners. ENGAGED — Bryan Coxwell, a software engineer for G3 Technologies, and Natasha Bertrand, a national security reporter at CNN and a POLITICO alum, got engaged on Thursday in Bellport, N.Y., with their dog Wally also with them for the occasion. The couple met at a mutual friend’s birthday party at Blue Ribbon Sushi in New York City in June 2017. Pic … Another pic WEDDING — Tony Podesta, a lobbyist, and Trisja Malisoff, who works in real estate in California and is a child advocate and philanthropist, got married on April 1 on the banks of Lake Como and celebrated with a post-wedding brunch the next day at Tony’s house in Kalorama with pizza from Comet Ping Pong, sushi from Kaz and a big chocolate cake. SPOTTED: John Podesta, Gabe Podesta, Geoff Morrell, Jon Haber, Amy Weiss and Peter Kadzik, Susan Fisher Sterling, Jananina Tshcape, Ilit Azoulay, Anila Rubiku, Kaywin Feldman and Tim Cone. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: NYT’s Jodi Kantor … Saagar Enjeti … POLITICO’s Gloria Gonzalez and Molly Childers … Matt Rivera … Felix Salmon of Axios … Greg Lyons of the Farm Credit Administration … Collin O’Mara of the National Wildlife Federation … Jay Cranford of CGCN Group … Will Boyington … Brad Cheney of the Majority Group … WSJ’s Katherine Finnerty … Mercury’s Jon Reinish … Steven Chlapecka … Paul Haenle of Carnegie China … Harry Williams of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund … MSNBC’s Amanda Hayes … Terrence Clark … FEMA’s Justin Knighten … Niamh King of the Aspen Institute … Annie Topp of Sen. John Thune’s (R-S.D.) 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 producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine. Correction: Thursday’s Playbook misreported Liz Parsons’ employer. | | | | 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 | | | | |
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