| | | | |  | | By Eugene Daniels, Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza | | | With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross
| 
President Joe Biden largely brushed off political matters while overseas. But as he left, he told reporters a reelection announcement would come “relatively soon.” | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | |  | DRIVING THE DAY | | Overnight, President JOE BIDEN left his happy place — his ancestral homeland of Ireland — to head back to the states. It was a trip that was, by design, light on deliverables and heavy on vibes. As our colleague Adam Cancryn puts it in his final colorful dispatch from the Emerald Isle, Biden came “to reaffirm its close relationship with the U.S. — and to reaffirm his own personal relationship with a place he credits for shaping him.” The Irish, he writes, affirmed him right back: “His age didn’t make him old, it provided him wisdom. His gaffes didn’t make him shaky, they gave him charm.” “So what was it all about?” asks the Irish Times’ Pat Leahy in a wry and soulful wrapup of the four-day jaunt. “Perhaps the bigger message is that all the folksiness and chumminess are not just the mood music that surrounds the important bit — but that these things matter. They’re more than just malarkey, as Biden might say.” But NYT’s Katie Rogers and Michael Shear saw some domestic resonance in Biden’s romp, which centered a message of unity and hope — the mood music of his expected re-election campaign: “Throughout his trip, Mr. Biden used Ireland — with its shared democratic ideals, diverse and complicated political and sectarian history and its past as a nation whose people had searched for a better life abroad — to reiterate exactly what he sees at the core of both countries: ‘Freedom. Equality. Dignity. Family. Courage,’ Mr. Biden said during remarks to Parliament.” Related reads: “At Irish shrine, Biden meets priest who gave Beau last rites,” by AP’s Darlene Superville, Colleen Long and Jill Lawless in Knock, Ireland … “As Joe Biden roams Ireland, Hunter stays by his side,” West Wing Playbook EYES ON 2024 — Biden, of course, largely brushed off political matters while overseas. But as he left, he told reporters a reelection announcement would come “relatively soon” and said that the trip “just reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done.” A sense of optimism, in fact, will be essential as Biden’s team preps to enter the race. Our Steve Shepard writes this morning about Biden’s precarious state in the polls, with numbers “right around the mark where some of his predecessors who were denied second terms sat at this point of their presidencies.” He’s not only “struggling with independents” but also “soft among Democrats and left-leaning demographic groups, a weakness that suggests a diminished enthusiasm for his candidacy.” On the flip side, however, GOP frontrunner DONALD TRUMP maintains worse favorability ratings than Biden, and in a general election, there’s plenty of evidence any wavering Democrats will come home to Biden in a matchup with Trump or Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS. New quarterly fundraising numbers, meanwhile, show the Republican faithful continuing to ignore the electability concerns and close ranks around Trump. Alex Isenstadt scoops this morning that Trump’s Manhattan indictment turbocharged his Q1 fundraising, which totaled $18.8 million between his campaign and his joint fundraising committee. “The figures provide a snapshot of how Trump’s arrest has, at least for the time being, shaped the Republican primary,” Alex writes. “While the former president’s indictment — along with potential future charges in several ongoing investigations — puts him in serious legal jeopardy, it has helped to solidify his standing with his supporters and grow his campaign war chest.” Related reads: “Trump reports little income from Truth Social, $1M from NFTs,” by AP’s Michelle Price … “Donald Trump Quit SAG-AFTRA Two Years Ago — But Still Collects 6-Figure Pension,” by The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin
| | | | A message from Airlines for America: Did you know? Every day more than 780,000 workers in America make our industry go. Last year alone, airlines helped 50,000 new careers take flight. That's thousands of new jobs – pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and others – every month. In fact, job growth in the U.S. passenger airline industry is significantly outpacing overall U.S. job growth – and we are still hiring. Learn more: www.airlines.org/jobs. | | | Meanwhile, the primary jockeying continued across the country yesterday … IN INDIANAPOLIS: The National Rifle Association’s annual meeting put the primary dynamics on stark display, with Trump receiving a two-minute standing ovation when he took the stage while his former Vice President MIKE PENCE garnered, well, a more nuanced reaction. “Trump’s former running mate was met with a mix of applause and loud boos that continued as he prepared to speak in the state he once served as governor,” WaPo’s Dylan Wells writes. “‘I love you too,’ he joked in response. Later, he called serving as vice president the greatest honor of his life. While many applauded, an attendee loudly shouted ‘never again!’” (Pence later got a standing O of his own.) IN NASHVILLE: Pence then decamped for the RNC donor summit in Tennessee, where he made the case for “traditional Republican principles” over a “vision driven by the promise of winning at the expense of our highest ideals,” according to a transcript of his remarks. “We will win if we run boldly as Republicans,” he said, according to the transcript. “We will lose if we run away from that proven American agenda.” More from AP’s Jill Colvin IN MANCHESTER: And DeSantis received a rock-star greeting at a New Hampshire GOP dinner last night, garnering “multiple standing ovations,” per Massachusetts Playbook’s Lisa Kashinsky, especially after protesters rushed the stage during his speech. “DeSantis was swarmed for photos after his speech, despite officials pleading with people to stay in their seats so the governor could move about the room” and worked the dinner for more than an hour as he works to shush those doubting his politicking skills, Lisa reports: “[H]e’s trying to walk the walk in this small state that prides itself on putting politicians through the retail-politics ringer, and is expected to follow up his star turn in Manchester with some smaller stops on Saturday.” Good Saturday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.
| | | | A message from Airlines for America:   Did you know? Every day more than 780,000 workers in America make our industry go. Last year, airlines helped 50,000 new careers take flight. Learn more: www.airlines.org/jobs. | | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — It’s already been reported that former South Carolina Gov. NIKKI HALEY hauled in $11 million in the first six weeks of her presidential campaign but Playbook got a peek at some big names that will appear in her FEC report when it’s filed tonight. They include oil-and-gas titan HAROLD HAMM, Home Depot co-founder BERNIE MARCUS, Texas energy moguls MINDY HILDEBRAND and RAY HUNT, Kind Bar entrepreneur DANIEL LUBETZKY and DOROTHY HAMILL (yes, that Dorothy Hamill). MEANWHILE IN ARIZONA — Independent Sen. KYRSTEN SINEMA raised $2.1 million in the first three months, compared to Rep. RUBEN GALLEGO’s $3.7 million, our colleague Jessica Piper reports. The context: “Sinema has kept mum so far on whether she plans to run for reelection in 2024. Should she decide to launch a bid, it could spark a three-way race as Democrats have largely coalesced around Gallego.” Plus, Republican MARK LAMB jumped into the race earlier this week. Gallego’s dig: In a statement noting the fundraising gap, Gallego was quick to skewer Sinema. “Today, Senator Sinema’s Q1 FEC Report confirmed what we already knew: Sinema does not have the resources or fundraising ability to be competitive in 2024, should she decide to run for Senate.” (h/t Semafor’s Dave Weigel)
| | BIDEN’S SATURDAY: The president arrived in Rehoboth Beach, Del., earlier today and has nothing else on his public schedule.
HARRIS’ SATURDAY: The vice president and second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF are in Los Angeles and have nothing on their public schedule. | | | | | | 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
|  President Joe Biden stands with his son Hunter Biden and sister Valerie Biden Owens as he looks at a plaque dedicated to his late son Beau Biden while visiting Mayo Roscommon Hospice in County Mayo, Ireland, on Friday, April 14. | Patrick Semansky/AP Photo | | | PLAYBOOK READS | | 9 THINGS THAT STUCK WITH US 1. 2024 WATCH: Former Secretary of State MIKE POMPEO is passing on a presidential run, he announced yesterday. Speaking to Fox News’ Bret Baier, Pompeo said: “While we care deeply about America and the issues that I have been talking about this last year and a half and frankly for decades matter an awful lot. This isn’t our moment. This isn’t the time for us to seek elected office.” But don’t expect him to just line up behind his former boss. “In the Fox interview, Pompeo said that he will ‘see how the primary plays out’ before making a decision on any endorsement, and that he might not support Trump,” our colleague Meridith McGraw writes. “‘I think Americans are thirsting for people making arguments, not just tweets,’ said Pompeo, when asked if he thinks anyone can beat Trump, who currently leads in polling.” Youngkin is out, for now: “Youngkin Gives 2024 Presidential Run the Cold Shoulder,” by NYT’s Trip Gabriel: “Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican whose surprising election in a blue-trending state set off instant talk of a presidential run, has tapped the brakes on 2024, telling advisers and donors that his sole focus is on Virginia’s legislative elections in the fall. Mr. Youngkin hopes to flip the state legislature to a Republican majority. “That could earn him a closer look from rank-and-file Republicans across the country, who so far have been indifferent to the presidential chatter surrounding him in the news media, and among heavyweight donors he would need to keep pace alongside more prominent candidates. He has yet to crack 1 percent in polls about the potential Republican field.” 2. LEAK LATEST: “Leaked secret documents detail up to four additional Chinese spy balloons,” by WaPo’s Evan Hill, Cate Cadell, Ellen Nakashima and Christian Shepherd: “The Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States this year, called Killeen-23 by U.S. intelligence agencies, carried a raft of sensors and antennas the U.S. government still had not identified more than a week after shooting it down, according to a document allegedly leaked to a Discord chatroom by JACK TEIXEIRA, a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. “Another balloon flew over a U.S. carrier strike group in a previously unreported incident, and a third crashed in the South China Sea, a second top-secret document stated, though it did not provide specific information for launch dates.” Related read: “What leaked docs show about U.S.-Russia fight for Middle East,” by Nahal Toosi 3. ABORTION PILL LATEST: “Alito keeps access to abortion pill unchanged for next five days while Supreme Court reviews emergency appeals,” by Alice Miranda Ollstein and Josh Gerstein: “The interim orders issued Friday afternoon do not signal how [Justice SAMUEL] ALITO or the full court is likely to rule on the substance of the case. They merely give the justices more time to consider a pair of emergency appeals from the Biden administration and a drug company that manufactures the medication.” 4. DEMS’ DIFI DILEMMA: “Dianne Feinstein digs in,” by Christopher Cadelago and Jennifer Haberkorn: “Confidants and top allies to the 89-year-old Democratic senator are rebuffing calls for her to not just temporarily remove herself from the Senate Judiciary Committee but step down from her job entirely before her term is up in 2024. They argue her request this week to be replaced on the committee while recuperating from shingles should satisfy critics — at least for now. They view the calls for her to quit as laced with ageism, sexism, ideological disputes and unchecked political opportunism.” 5. McCAUL-ING CARD: “Up close in Taiwan with the Republican who compared Xi to Hitler,” by Olivia Beavers in Taipei: “The [Rep. MICHAEL] McCAUL-led trip was Congress’ largest bipartisan trip to the island since the 1979 passage of the Taiwan Relations Act, a measure that codified the American commitment to support the island’s democracy without direct antagonism of China. But in many ways, the visit was the McCaul Show. The GOP chair — whose gregariousness and sense of humor breaks from the stereotypical mold of overseas diplomats — appeared ready to stretch the ambiguity doctrine at every turn.” 6. HMM: “Manchin’s wife broke ‘conflicts of interest’ ethics pledge, emails show,” by Fox News’ Lacey Christ: “According to the emails, [GAYLE] MANCHIN quietly advised Coalfield Development, a nonprofit organization, in October 2021 on a $62.8 million grant from the American Rescue Plan that ultimately led to an organization headed by her husband's campaign committee and leadership PAC's treasurer receiving millions of dollars from the grant. The ethics pledge Manchin signed in April 2021 stated she would recuse herself from such advisement boards to ‘avoid any actual or apparent conflicts of interest.’” 7. CAUGHT IN THE CULTURE WARS: “Bans on Transition Care for Young People Spread Across U.S.,” by NYT’s Francesca Paris: “Before this year, just three state legislatures had enacted full or partial bans. In addition to the 10 signed into law, bans have passed at least one chamber of seven more state legislatures on the path toward enactment this year.” In the states: “Transgender adults brace for treatment cutoffs in Missouri,” by AP’s Hannah Schoenbaum and David Lieb … “Colorado offers safe haven for abortion, transgender care,” by AP’s Jesse Bedayn and Colleen Slevin in Denver 8. INFLATION NATION: “Economists Turn More Pessimistic on Inflation,” by WSJ’s Gabriel Rubin and Anthony DeBarros: “On average, economists expect inflation, as measured by the annual increase in the consumer-price index, to end this year at 3.53%, up from 3.1% in the January survey. Inflation in March was 5%, the Labor Department reported this past week, the lowest in two years.” 9. DANCE OF THE SUPERPOWERS: “Antony Blinken Tries to Draw Vietnam Closer, With an Eye on China,” by WSJ’s William Mauldin and Jon Emont in Hanoi, Vietnam: “In Communist-led Vietnam, [Secretary of State ANTONY] BLINKEN didn’t make direct comments about Beijing, with whom Washington’s relations have worsened. Instead, as with much of Southeast Asia — where governments are wary about picking sides — U.S. officials say they are eager to build practical cooperation based on trade and adhering to agreed upon international rules of the road.”
| | | | A message from Airlines for America:   U.S. airlines are helping thousands of new careers take off every month. Learn more: www.airlines.org/jobs. | | | |  | CLICKER — “The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics,” edited by Matt Wuerker — 16 funnies GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Ryan Lizza: — “Adrift,” by AP’s Renata Brito and Felipe Dana in Belle Garden, Tobago: “In the early morning hours of May 28, 2021, a strange boat appeared in the Caribbean. As local fishermen approached it, they made a grisly discovery: Everyone aboard it was dead. The boat and its passengers' origins were a mystery. Yet what remained held clues to their story.” — “A Tense Wait for an Imprisoned Son,” by WSJ’s Elizabeth Bernstein: “The Russian émigré parents of journalist Evan Gershkovich raised him to know and love the culture of their homeland. Now they look for Russia to release their detained child.” — “How Botched Star Terry Dubrow Found His Higher Calling,” by GQ’s Eve Peyser: “The longtime reality TV fixture is one of the most beloved plastic surgeons in the country, someone so skilled with a scalpel that he can fix the supposedly unfixable. And now he has a message for anyone looking to get some work done.” — “The Meticulously Crafted Adventures of David Grann,” by N.Y. Mag’s James Walsh: “How a bookish reporter became one of the most sought-after writers in Hollywood.” — “Dril Is Everyone. More Specifically, He’s a Guy Named Paul,” by The Ringer’s Nate Rogers: “Paul Dochney posted his way into the halls of internet lore. After 15 years of anonymity, can he emerge without compromising his act?” — “The Incredible Story of How Nike Signed LeBron James,” by Esquire’s Jeff Benedict: “Thought AIR was wild? Try a three-way battle between Reebok, Nike, and Adidas for the King's first sneaker.” — “Conspiracy theorists made Tiffany Dover into an anti-vaccine icon. She’s finally ready to talk about it,” by NBC’s Brandy Zadrozny in Higdon, Ala.: “The Tennessee nurse stayed quiet in hopes that her silence would quiet false claims of her death. Now, she says it only hurt.” — “From passion to pariah,” by WaPo’s Marc Fisher and Liz Clarke: “How Washington fell out of love with its NFL team — and came to despise its owner.” — “When a Legislature Goes to War With Its State’s Richest City,” by Kathy Gilsinan in Nashville for POLITICO Magazine: “Tennessee’s GOP supermajority is free to settle partisan scores with its political enemies, no matter what voters think.” — “Neo-Nazi Fight Clubs Are Fat-Shaming Men Into White Nationalism,” by Vice’s Mack Lamoureux and Sam Eagan: “Fitness groups and fight clubs exclusively for white men, known as “active clubs,” have become a crucial recruitment tool for white nationalists in the U.S.”
| | | | 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 | | Mitch McConnell returned to the Capitol yesterday. Elon Musk is sitting down with Tucker Carlson for an exclusive interview. Bill Clinton is in Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (with some pretty sporty kicks). Stormy Daniels is set to receive a new award. Donie O’Sullivan is a popular man in Ballina, Ireland. Ron DeSantis’ yearbook photos have been discovered. The Daily Beast’s Jake Lahut was barred from covering DeSantis yesterday, and it might have had something to do with the pudding fingers story. You’ve seen latte art. But have you seen Joe Biden Guinness art? OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED on Friday night at the Italian Embassy for a gala for the National Museum of Women in the Arts which was emceed by Susan Goldberg: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, Juan José Gómez Camacho, Anita McBride, Patti White, Stuart Holliday, Susan Fisher Sterling, Winton Holladay, Cecilia Alemani, Tony Podesta, Trisja Malisoff, Judy Chicago and Donald Woodman, Sophia Narrett, Carlye Packer, Gaby Mizes, Elizabeth Demaree, Kim Ogg and Anne-Imelda Radice. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Mark Titus Hoover, strategy adviser at the State Department, and Jerilyn Hoover, health workforce development adviser at USAID, on Tuesday welcomed Eveline Renee Hoover, who came in at 8 lbs, 1.5 oz and 19.5 inches. Pic … Another pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas) (4-0) … Sarah Bloom Raskin … Pete Rouse … The Hill’s Amie Parnes … Tom Rosenstiel … Ray Locker … Pat Devney of Rep. Ann Kuster’s (D-N.H.) office … Leslie Shedd of the House Foreign Affairs GOP … Jamie Geller … POLITICO’s Anna Gronewold, Liz McCormick, Devyn Rorie and Alex Samsel … POLITICO EU’s Suzanne Lynch … Rishi Banerjee … Dana Gansman … FERC’s Mary O’Driscoll … Max Neuberger … Heather Joy Thompson … Lisbeth Lyons of Women in Print Alliance … Nina Rees of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools … Bloomberg’s John Harney … Jason Lamote … Asher MacDonald … former Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) … Kristin McCarthy … FTI Consulting’s Cheyenne Hopkins … Ann Miller … Robyn Swirling … Kate Bernard … Jaimey Sexton … BCW’s Cara Rich THE SHOWS (Full Sunday show listings here): ABC “This Week”: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) … Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) … Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Panel: Chris Christie, Donna Brazile, Jane Coaston and Rachael Bade. NBC “Meet the Press”: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) … Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) … Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Panel: Leigh Ann Caldwell, Stephen Hayes, Hallie Jackson and Jeh Johnson. CNN “State of the Union”: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp … Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Panel: Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Mia Love, Ashley Allison and David Urban. CBS “Face the Nation”: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) … Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) … Asa Hutchinson … Christine Lagarde … Jan Crawford … Caitlin Huey-Burns. FOX “Fox News Sunday”: Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) … retired Gen. Jack Keane … Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). Panel: Kayleigh McEnany, John Delaney, Josh Holmes and Mario Parker. MSNBC “The Sunday Show”: House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) … Rev. William Barber… Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones … NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. 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.
| | | | A message from Airlines for America: Did you know? U.S. passenger airlines currently employ their largest workforce in 20 years – and we aren’t stopping there. Our carriers know that the miracle of aviation is not possible without the more than 780,000 employees that make our industry go. We understand the importance of securing a pipeline of employees – including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and others – to accommodate growing demand for air travel across the country and around the globe. This is why U.S. airlines are investing heavily in our employees – new and old – and offering quality jobs with wages above the U.S. private sector average. In fact, in 2022, airlines helped 50,000 new careers take off – and we are still hiring.
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