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| By Dustin Gardiner and Lara Korte |
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 Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Schiff have been among the most vocal House Democrats raising questions about President Joe Biden's fitness to be the party's nominee. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo |
Programming Note: Playbook will be off next week, but we’ll be back in your inboxes on Monday, July 29. To keep following our reporting on this historic political moment, read our continued California coverage here and subscribe to POLITICO Pro. DRIVING THE DAY — Messages shared between Democratic delegates and activists in California after President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance lay bare the infighting over their nominee’s fitness for a presidential run, our colleague Christopher Cadelago reveals this morning. The previously unrevealed conversations among California Democrats make plain that, behind the scenes, the party is in a state of angry turmoil. Read his exclusive story here. THE BUZZ: WITH HER BLESSING? — Nancy Pelosi has not publicly called on Biden to step aside, but privately she told him last week that she and other Democratic lawmakers worry he’s dragging down the party, our colleague Rachael Bade reported overnight. Pelosi also warned Biden that some Democratic lawmakers would start to grow louder in their griping about his political weaknesses, according to two people close to her. That appears to be happening this week, and many of the House Democrats now pressuring Biden have something in common: deep ties to Pelosi herself. On Wednesday, Rep. Adam Schiff, perhaps Pelosi’s closest protégé, called on Biden to “pass the torch” because he has “serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November.” It was a powderkeg statement from Schiff, one of the most visible Democrats in the House who appears all-but-guaranteed to be California’s next senator. Both Pelosi’s and Schiff’s offices declined to say whether he sought her input before going public. A top California Democratic strategist told Playbook that Pelosi is giving members the go-ahead to speak out and distance themselves from Biden’s sinking brand, in part, because Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been reluctant to go there. “There’s no control of House Democrats,” said the strategist, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. “They’re free to do whatever they like because President Biden, I think he’s lost control of the party.” As the private pressure from Pelosi mounts, here’s a stocktake of where her California acolytes stand in their own public remarks: Adam Schiff What he’s said: His statement Wednesday was widely interpreted as a signal for other House Democrats to speak out. Schiff cited the stakes the election poses: “A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy.” The New York Times also reported that Schiff told attendees at a fundraiser that Biden would prevent Democrats from flipping the House. Relationship with Pelosi: Schiff has long been one of Pelosi’s closest mentees, whom she entrusted to lead congressional investigations into Trump, as well as his first impeachment trial. He also served as chair of the powerful House Intelligence Committee under her. The former speaker has often boosted Schiff’s career. Her endorsement of him in the state’s Senate race was an early signal that helped Schiff drown out Democratic opponents Rep. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee in the primary. Jared Huffman
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Rep. Jared Huffman. | Francis Chung/POLITICO |
What he’s said: Huffman previously circulated a draft letter calling on Democrats to delay Biden’s nomination. On Wednesday, Huffman said he’s dropping the letter because the DNC agreed to postpone a vote until at least Aug. 1. “This buys time. There is still time for a course correction,” the Marin County lawmaker told our colleagues in Washington. Huffman hasn’t called for Biden to step aside, but he said he’s worried about Biden’s denial about weak polling. Relationship with Pelosi: Huffman and Pelosi have represented neighboring Bay Area districts for over a decade. His hometown is just over the Golden Gate Bridge from Pelosi’s power base in San Francisco, and they have often worked together on legislation for the region. After Pelosi made comments questioning Biden’s mental fitness following his disastrous debate performance, Huffman said members were taking notes. “She’s someone who everyone listens to, and her words are chosen carefully and received seriously,” he told The Hill. Zoe Lofgren
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 Rep. Zoe Lofgren. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo |
What she’s said: Lofgren’s office said she wouldn’t comment on Biden’s status or any private conversations about the matter. She was among a handful of veteran lawmakers who spoke up during a private Democratic Caucus meeting last week, sharing concerns that Biden might not have a path to win unless he can do something different to reassure voters. Relationship with Pelosi: Lofgren is one of Pelosi’s longest-serving House colleagues from the Bay Area, and their friendship stretches back to the mid-1990s. The former speaker has entrusted Lofgren with a series of leadership posts. The San Jose representative was previously chair of the Committee on House Administration and was selected by Pelosi to serve as impeachment manager during Trump’s first trial. Mark Takano
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Rep. Mark Takano. | Francis Chung/E&E News/POLITICO via AP Images |
What he’s said: Takano was one of four prominent House Democrats who called for Biden to step down during a closed-door caucus meeting last week, speaking out along with three other longtime Pelosi allies: Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.). Takano declined to elaborate publicly. Relationship with Pelosi: Takano has spoken extensively about how Pelosi’s early support and mentorship shaped his political career. The lawmaker from Riverside County has served with Pelosi for over a decade, and she made him chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee when she was speaker. Mike Levin
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 Rep. Mike Levin. | House Television/AP |
What he’s said: Levin was one of the earliest battleground House Democrats calling for Biden’s exit, an indication of how many within the party worry the president’s unpopularity could cost them swing seats. “It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together,” Levin said in a statement. He also directly asked Biden to step down during a call with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as the AP reported. Relationship with Pelosi: Levin faces a tough reelection fight in a purple district that GOP strategists have long sought to reclaim. It’s a seat that Pelosi raised oodles of money to help Democrats flip in 2018, as the party chipped away at GOP’s grip on suburban parts of Orange and San Diego counties. GOOD MORNING. Happy Thursday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.
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| The CNN-POLITICO Grill has quickly become a key gathering place for policymakers and thought-leaders attending the RNC in Milwaukee.
On Tuesday, POLITICO and Bayer convened two conversations: a discussion with Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) and an executive conversation with Bayer’s Jessica Christiansen, senior vice president and head of crop science and sustainability communications.
The conversations focused on the news of the day in Milwaukee, including deeper discussion centered on the critical challenges faced by the agriculture sector.
CATCH UP HERE |
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 | CAMPAIGN YEAR | |
SURVEY SAYS — A majority of Californians — 59 percent — say they would vote for a $10 billion climate bond heading to the ballot in November, according to new polling released last night by the Public Policy Institute of California. Some other highlights from the survey: — Schiff is more popular than Biden, by a sizable margin: Sixty-four percent of likely voters support the California Democrat in the U.S. Senate race against Republican opponent Steve Garvey, who notched 33 percent support. Meanwhile, Biden polled at a lower rate of 55 percent, with Trump collecting 30 percent of likely voters. (Note: this poll was conducted from June 24 to July 2, before last weekend’s Trump rally shooting. Biden and Trump debated on June 27.) — Climate change is top of mind: When asked to identify the state’s most important environmental issue, 17 percent of respondents said climate change, followed by wildfires at 15 percent and water supply at 14 percent. Water concerns have declined from previous years as the state has recovered from a deep drought. — Insurance costs have people on edge: Eight in 10 respondents said they were at least somewhat concerned that home insurance will become more expensive because of climate change risks. A smaller amount, 24 percent, said they had considered moving to avoid climate-related impacts. — California’s ready for renewables, with an asterisk: Two-thirds of Californians said they supported the state’s law requiring all electricity to come from renewable sources by 2045, including 59 percent of independents. But just 44 percent of respondents said they’re willing to pay more for renewable electricity. — Camille von Kaenel, Tyler Katzenberger
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| FOR GOOD MEASURE | |
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AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein. | Kevin Wolf/AP Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation |
CLOSING DOORS — Proposition 34 will remain on the November ballot after the California Supreme Court declined on Wednesday to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the landlord-backed measure targeting the funding of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Opponents of the measure had expressed optimism that the justices might consider their case after the court requested briefs on an expedited timeline late last week. Instead, the California Supreme Court has stuck to its long tradition of allowing measures to go to the ballot, so voters can have the final say. The measure could still face a future legal challenge should it pass. “Pre-election review is a very high bar,” said Jacki Schechner, the VP of media relations at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We are confident that the voters will see through this obvious revenge initiative and vote it down.” — Will McCarthy
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 California Labor Federation chief Lorena Gonzalez. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo |
LABOR’S TAKE — The California Labor Federation threw its backing behind six of the 10 measures on November’s ballot at its statewide convention on Wednesday. On the labor group’s list of supported measures: Both the school construction bond and the climate bond (Props 2 and 4); the efforts to remove dormant language banning same-sex marriage from the state constitution and to ban all forms of slavery (Props 3 and 6); a constitutional amendment related to vote thresholds for public housing bonds (Prop 5); and a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour (Prop 32). It opted to take no position on the last four issues on the ballot: Rent control (Prop 33), Prop 34, a measure related to a tax on some health care plans (Prop 35) and the tough-on-crime initiative from prosecutors and big box retailers (Prop 36). The endorsements come as the labor movement, which typically puts significant resources into ballot fights, has found itself without any top priorities on this year’s list of issue questions. — Emily Schultheis
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| CLIMATE AND ENERGY | |
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There’s a fight over who’s going to help make California’s EV chargers more reliable. | Joshua Bickel/AP |
GREEN JOBS FOR SOME — California’s climate success depends on electric vehicle chargers. A fight is brewing between unions and the EV industry over who should get to install and fix them. Read more in last night’s California Climate.
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| TOP TALKERS | |
— Republicans are calling for unity. But they’re still mispronouncing Kamala Harris’ name four years after she became vice president. (San Francisco Chronicle) — The Pentagon is ending its Gaza pier mission and instead shifting humanitarian aid efforts to an Israeli port after the sea-based effort experienced near-constant complications. (The Washington Post) WANT THE SCOOP ON THE RNC? Follow POLITICO’s live blog coverage for latest news as Republican power players meet this week in Milwaukee.
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| AROUND THE STATE | |
— San Francisco mayoral candidate Mark Farrell has a 20-year plan to revive the city’s downtown, which he called a “ghost town” in an interview with CNBC this week. — In case you forgot it’s summer: More extreme heat is coming to California later this week, though temperatures aren’t expected to reach the record highs seen earlier this month. (Los Angeles Times) — A Palm Springs hospital deal may block some health services for Coachella Valley residents. (The Desert Sun) — Former San Francisco school board member Ann Hsu is running to regain her seat in November after being ousted two years ago in the wake of racist comments about Black and brown students. (San Francisco Chronicle) — The San Jose Spotlight is calling out Democratic House candidate Sam Liccardo for skipping its candidate forum. As Spotlight’s CEO writes, the former San Jose mayor has long feuded with the outlet over its coverage. Gil Rubinstein, Liccardo’s spokesperson, dismissed the brouhaha in a text to Playbook: “Unclear what they are talking about, Sam has agreed to seven debates across the district.”
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| PLAYBOOKERS | |
PEOPLE MOVES — Ryan Waite is the new vice president of public affairs for the West Coast operations of the firm Think Big. He previously worked for Campaign Solutions and Push Digital. BIRTHDAYS — Jeannette Carpenter of PowerSchool … former Rep. T.J. Cox (D-Calif.). WANT A SHOUT-OUT FEATURED? — Send us a birthday, career move or another special occasion to include in POLITICO’s California Playbook. You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form. CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Rebecca Haase to find out how: rhaase@politico.com. |
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