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Presented by Blackstone: | | | | | |  | | By Tina Sfondeles and Alex Thompson | | | Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. With Allie Bice. Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Tina A top adviser to the Duchess of Sussex MEGHAN MARKLE has been privately helping the behind-the-scenes effort to pass universal paid leave legislation — with one of the groups she consults for engaging in talks with the White House. GENEVIEVE ROTH , who runs Invisible Hand, a “social impact and culture change agency," is a senior strategic adviser for the Archewell Foundation, Markle and Prince HARRY’s charitable organization. Roth has also been working with PL+US, a nonprofit advocacy group campaigning for universal paid leave to be included in the social spending package, aka Build Back Better, that Democrats are hoping to pass through budget reconciliation this month. PL+US, along with the group Paid Leave for All, have been in touch with the White House and members of Congress, according to a Democratic strategist with close ties to the White House. That includes calls and emails with JENNIFER KLEIN, co-chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, and staffers at the Office of Public Engagement. “I can confirm that we have collaborated with her [Roth] and the Duchess’s team on the issue of paid leave, but I can’t go beyond that,” PL+US spokesman NEIL SROKA said. The White House didn’t respond to questions about whether Markle has had any meetings or calls with officials about paid leave. Neither did Roth. Markle nabbed headlines last month after she called individual senators to advocate for paid leave — using phone numbers given to her by Sen. KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND (D-N.Y.) Markle also bought about 25 staffers at PL+US $25 Starbucks gift cards in tribute to their work, Sroka tweeted in October. In an open letter to Senate and House leaders sent on Oct. 20, Markle wrote that “paid leave should be a national right, rather than a patchwork option limited to those whose employers have policies in place, or those who live in one of the few states where a leave program exists.” The bill that passed the House earlier this month included four weeks of paid leave for most workers, a downgrade from the 12 weeks the president initially proposed. It could get cut entirely by the Senate, which is now considering the bill, thanks to opposition from swing vote JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.), who has said he doesn’t think the program should be created through the reconciliation process. He also said he’d prefer a program funded by contributions from employers and employees. But the advocacy groups aren’t giving up hope. Biden 2020 campaign pollster CELINDA LAKE appeared in a Zoom meeting for PL+US with reporters today, where she said that the absence of paid leave in the final Build Back Better law would send a devastating message to women voters in the midterms. “It’s not a secret. It’s not a novel finding that Democrats are having trouble breaking through on messaging. I think the major message ... to the elected officials is, ‘this is a huge missed opportunity in an area we need,’” Lake said. “We desperately need to define what is in these packages. We desperately need to convince voters to tune into what we’re doing and that what we are doing delivers for them and their families.” Do you work in the Biden administration? Are you in touch with the White House? Are you JANA K. PLAT, public engagement assistant and analyst? We want to hear from you — and we’ll keep you anonymous: westwingtips@politico.com. Or if you want to stay really anonymous send us a tip through SecureDrop, Signal, Telegram, or Whatsapp here . Or you can text/Signal Alex at 8183240098. | | | | A message from Blackstone: Blackstone's investment approach is focused on the future. We identify companies that are shaping a stronger economy and help them accelerate their growth. We can deliver great returns for our investors by strengthening the communities in which we live and work. Learn more. | | | | | | From the University of Virginia’s Miller Center Who called his first speech as president "just a little straight talk among friends"? (Answer at the bottom.) | | | DOUG WATCH — A night with DOUG EMHOFF will cost you at least $1,000. That’s the minimum for a DNC fundraiser in D.C. with the second gentleman on December 9, according to an invitation obtained by DANIEL LIPPMAN . The tiers are Host ($25,000), Co-Host ($10,000), Friend ($5,000), Sponsor ($2,500), and Supporter ($1,000). Asked how much they expect to raise and where it will be held, a DNC spokesperson said he didn’t “have any other details to provide.” OFFICE MOVES: KHANYA BRANN has been promoted to be chief of staff for the comms office of the White House, a White House official told Lippman. She most recently was senior communications assistant and special assistant to the director of communications of the White House. She is replacing EMMA RILEY who recently left for the Labor Department. FOLLOW-UPS: In response to our story yesterday about frustration over the levels of Latino staffing in the White House, a White House official told us they have “implemented new policies to further broaden the applicant pool.” We pressed yesterday on what those “new policies” were but they said they likely didn’t have time before our deadline. We told them we’d include any details in today’s newsletter. In response, a White House official said they have required regular diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for White House staff, shared open White House positions with stakeholders, and launched other initiatives. HOMEWARD BOUND — National security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN doesn’t often travel with Biden on domestic trips, but he made an exception today as the president traveled to Minnesota. “Jake is of course a proud Minnesotan, and I’d also expect the team will be discussing national security business during the trip,” said an official. POOL DIVE: Biden got an interesting reception as he drove from Minneapolis to Rosemount, Minn., according to pool reporter TODD GILLMAN of the Dallas Morning News. “The half hour drive was uneventful until the last couple of minutes when knots of onlookers appeared along the route to dispel the ‘Minnesota friendly’ myth. Closest to the college were maybe 100 anti-Biden folks. Trump flags waved. A green sign said ‘Build Back Broke.’ One woman in a green hat held a sign with a red line across a hypodermic needle and the message ‘STOP THE EXPERIMENT NOW!’ Other signs, some hand drawn, read: ‘FJB’
‘You Suck’
‘High Gas - C'mon man’
‘Trump still president’
…
A bit more before arrival a handful of Biden supporters held nice signs such as ‘Let's Go Joe’ and ‘Welcome to Rosemount.’" ‘TIS THE SEASON: This year’s White House Holiday Tourbook was illustrated by children’s book illustrator AMY JUNE BATES (no relation to deputy press secretary ANDREW BATES). Bates also illustrated the children’s book JILL BIDEN wrote about her husband’s childhood, “Joey,” which was released during the 2020 campaign. The first lady’s office said Bates “graciously donated her time and talents to help bring the First Lady’s Gifts from the Heart holiday theme to life.” MERCH UPDATE: Yesterday, we touted the “Circle Back” shirt being hawked by the White House Correspondents Association. We quoted from an email from STEVE PORTNOY, but he reached out today to note that he was passing along a note from WHCA Vice President TAMARA KEITH of NPR, who designed the shirts. Portnoy said Keith also designed other “very hot” items in the store, including mugs and luggage tags. | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | | NEW DOD ACQUISITION CHIEF — Biden will nominate WILLIAM LaPLANTE to be the Pentagon's top official in charge of acquisitions and sustainment, the White House announced Tuesday. CONNOR O’BRIEN, LEE HUDSON and PAUL McCLEARY scooped the news and have more details for Pros HERE. | | | OOPS — Yesterday, we included a scoop about CHAD SMITH landing at the Energy Department. But we missed that our colleague, E&E News’ EDWARD KLUMP, already scooped us last week. Help us make it up to him by giving him a follow here. | | | THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART — The White House Covid-19 response team today said the administration is gathering more information on the new Omicron variant before it moves to change current restrictions on international flights, ORIANA PAWLYK writes. | | | | A message from Blackstone:   | | | The Biden administration has banned travel from South Africa, which first reported the new variant, as well as from nearby Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique. But there have been indications the variant may have originated in Europe, raising questions about whether the U.S. might have to shut down flights from Europe once again. | | | Surgeon General VIVEK MURTHY will be on Morning Joe tomorrow morning | | | White House considering Richard Cordray as top Fed banking regulator (WSJ’s Nick Timiraos, Andrew Ackerman and Ken Thomas) Defense secretary orders national guard to get vaccinated or face loss of pay (NBC’s Courtney Kube) Congress fumbles for shutdown remedy ahead of Friday deadline (POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes and Caitlin Emma) | | | He received the president’s daily brief in the morning, and later delivered remarks and signed four bills aimed at supporting veterans into law. Vice President Harris and VA Secretary DENIS MCDONOUGH accompanied the president. Biden then traveled to Rosemont, Minn., where he visited Dakota County Technical College and delivered remarks. A large troop of officials and aides traveled with POTUS on Air Force One, including Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA, Minnesota’s two Democratic Sens. AMY KLOBUCHAR and TINA SMITH, Rep. BETTY McCOLLUM (D-Minn.), Office of Public Engagement director CEDRIC RICHMOND, National Economic Council director BRIAN DEESE, communications director KATE BEDINGFIELD, press secretary JEN PSAKI, and the aforementioned Sullivan. He’s scheduled to arrive back at the White House this evening. | | | Harris took part in a virtual rally with advocacy organizations to celebrate the House’s passage of the Build Back Better Act. In the afternoon, she swore in JONATHAN KAPLAN to be the ambassador to Singapore and DAVID COHEN to be ambassador to Canada. | | | | DON’T MISS CONGRESS MINUTES: Need to follow the action on Capitol Hill blow-by-blow? Check out Minutes, POLITICO’s new platform that delivers the latest exclusives, twists and much more in real time. Get it on your desktop or download the POLITICO mobile app for iOS or Android. CHECK OUT CONGRESS MINUTES HERE. | | | | | | | | Jen Psaki isn’t the only one with an impressive competitive swimming record — MICHAEL LaROSA, the first lady’s press secretary, was a star swimmer in high school and college, too. In high school, LaRosa won the 100 yard freestyle and 100 yard butterfly in his district. Back then, he “was considered one of the best swimmers in [Leigh] Valley,” Pennsylvania, according to a January 2021 report by The Morning Call. He was even inducted into the Easton Athletic Hall of Fame so you know he’s a BFD. He also set records as a Seton Hall University student-athlete, including as a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay team, and won the East Academic All-Star accolade every year. "Politics is a lot like sports," he told Lehigh Valley Live in 2019, when he was working as a producer for MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews.” "It's all about the horse race. Working in politics or covering politics is just as time consuming as being an athlete in training,” he explained. We’re pinning this quote for the next time the Biden White House complains about the national media’s obsession with “horse race coverage,” Michael. | | | GERALD FORD, who took over the presidency following the resignation of RICHARD NIXON on August 9, 1974. He added, "I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your president with your prayers." For information on speeches with wishful thinking and the rest of the presidents, visit millercenter.org. Got a better question? Send us your hardest trivia question on the presidents and we may feature it on Wednesdays. We also want your feedback. What should we be covering in this newsletter that we’re not? What are we getting wrong? Please let us know. Edited by Emily Cadei | | | | A message from Blackstone: Blackstone is investing to help power the modern economy, focusing on the sectors and themes where we see the greatest potential for growth and impact over the long term. This approach has led us to invest in entrepreneurs advancing how we use technology to connect, scientists developing novel therapeutics for patients, and businesses creating a more sustainable future. We’re investing in the companies and leaders who are shaping the future, and we’re dedicated to providing them with the partnership and resources they need to help accelerate their growth.
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