POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing POLITICO
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POLITICO Playbook's must-listen briefing on what's driving the day in Washington.
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May 9, 2024: Biden's breaking point on Israel
Last night, President Joe Biden drew a clear red line that Israel is rapidly approaching: After months of devastating military efforts, he will halt shipments of bombs and other munitions to Israel if it launches a major military invasion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. But as Pentagon reporter Lara Seligman tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, Biden’s new conditions may come too late. Plus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) long-awaited attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson goes down in flames.
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May 8, 2024: Can Biden Trump-proof his $1.6 trillion legacy before the election?
President Joe Biden is betting that $1.6 trillion in climate and infrastructure money can transform America, create green jobs, out-compete China — and maybe catapult him to a second term. But according to a POLITICO analysis of public data, only a small portion of that money has been spent. Energy reporter Zack Colman joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the ongoing feud between Rep. Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy, and a Florida judge indefinitely delayed former President Trump's classified document case.
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May 7, 2024: Biden’s Israel-Gaza bind
On Monday, Hamas approved a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. But Israel did not approve of the proposal, which national security reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza is “softer” than what Israel wanted. As Israel's invasion of Rafah looms, President Biden finds himself in a bind on how to navigate the increasingly complicated situation. Plus, a look inside the meeting between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Speaker Mike Johnson.
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May 6, 2024: A one-two punch of bribery indictments
Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife have been indicted on bribery charges, and Republicans are looking to squeeze the scandal for all it's worth. This comes mere months after New Jersey Congressman Bob Menendez faced a similar indictment, and the plan, Playbook co-author Rachael Bade is told, is to use the situations as proof of questionable ethics within the party. Also on the agenda this week: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will force a vote on the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson, and Republicans ramp up the offensive on campus protests. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.
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May 3, 2024: How this week set the course for the next phase of the Trump trial
It’s the trial that has captured the world’s attention — and, given that it’s closed off from cameras, very few people know what the Trump hush money prosecution looks like up close. One person who does? Politico reporter Erica Orden. She’s been in the courtroom all week, and joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to talk about the biggest developments — and why they matter in the short and long term. Plus, Playbook has a juicy excerpt from the new book by South Dakota Gov. (and Trump VP hopeful) Kristi Noem, and what Rep. Jerry Nadler has to say on Israel and campus protests on the Playbook Deep Dive podcast.
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May 2, 2024: The ‘Old Trump’ appears at two rallies in the Midwest
For the first time since the start of his criminal trial in New York, former President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail yesterday with rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan. The Trump who showed up marked a return to form — for better or worse — but also a reminder of the unique vulnerabilities he brings to the general election (from railing against his indictments and comparing himself to Al Capone, to thanking by name the conservative justices responsible for overturning Roe). Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Ryan Lizza break down the appearances and where we expect things to go from here.