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| | | | |  | | By Max Tani and Allie Bice | Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Max When Judge KETANJI BROWN JACKSON appeared before the Senate for her highly-scrutinized Supreme Court confirmation hearings, one Republican senator had a left-field question that had nothing to do with her record of jurisprudence. “Have you ever had any interactions with a group called American Prospect?” Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) asked Jackson. She said she hadn’t. But for the 32-year-old liberal magazine, Graham’s name-check was just the latest moment in what has been a certifiable run during the Biden years. The Prospect has repeatedly broken big stories about the Biden administration at times, becoming a bit of a liberal bulwark as the White House drifts towards the center ahead of the midterms. In addition to several tough pieces the publication ran about the record of one time potential SCOTUS nominee, Judge MICHELLE CHILDS — which was the reason for Graham’s inquiry — the Prospect picked up that GENE SPERLING was being buzzed about for a job in the administration (though they did get the precise job wrong). In that same piece, by longtime liberal scribe ROBERT KUTTNER, it let out the news that had largely been discussed in private circles to that point: that Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) wasn’t the only Senate Democrat uneasy with NEERA TANDEN’s nomination to lead OMB. The Prospect also recently made waves with an in-depth examination of the business record of former Covid czar JEFF ZIENTS , and dove into why the Biden administration seemed to be sourcing many of its high-profile nominees from the consulting firm, WestExec. The magazine hasn’t just broken negative stories about the Biden operation. It has also published lengthy complimentary pieces about ideologically-aligned figures working within the administration. Earlier this month, the magazine ran a glowing profile of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director ROHIT CHOPRA littered with news nuggets. In the same issue, it profiled National Labor Relations Board General Counsel JENNIFER ABRUZZO, lesser known figure who has in recent weeks gained some notoriety due to Amazon’s criticism of the NLRB. Most publications experienced a major dip in traffic and influence when DONALD TRUMP left office. But for the Prospect, a nonprofit magazine with just 14 staffers that largely relies on several thousand recurring monthly donors and some medium- and high-value single time donors, covering the Biden administration has paid dividends. The magazine has taken advantage of the deep rolodexes of left-leaning journalists like Kuttner and HAROLD MEYERSON, who have covered multiple Democratic administrations. Top editor DAVID DAYEN said the publication saw a traffic bump in late 2020 and early 2021 as it broke stories about potential nominees for Biden’s cabinet positions. “We didn’t focus a ton on Trump. We were more interested in the structures of power through governing from the Democratic standpoint. We were focused on power in the corporate boardroom. So we didn’t have as far to fall,” Dayen said. “It reflects our interest in governing and seeing how Democrats with this very narrow majority can make progress. That’s where we’ve been since the moment of the election.” And the Biden administration is reading. The White House granted the publication access to officials for its recent issue focusing on fixing supply chain problems. Clearly the communications team was pleased. Dayen told West Wing Playbook that White House officials requested copies of the issue (the print magazine publishes just six times a year). At one point recently, Dayen says, a senior administration official told him a copy was placed in the Oval Office. “It’s been an interesting relationship,” he said. Dayen said that part of the magazine’s recent success is rooted in the decision to focus on the possible incoming White House team long before it took office. When interviewing for the top job in 2019, he mentioned that he was interested in running a feature titled the “Day One Agenda,” a project focused on what a new Democratic administration could do on its first day without congressional action. He said it was a success, and opened doors to help the magazine break news on Biden’s eventual cabinet nominees. The success of the Prospect is a throwback to the days when left-leaning magazines like the New Republic, the Nation, or Mother Jones were heavy hitters in Democratic D.C. power circles. Those days seemed to be slipping away during the dawn of internet publications, which drained some of the talent and audience away from the magazines. Dayen says he’s “consciously tried to bring that era back,” noting his pride in many of the publication’s high profile alumni such as the New York Times’ EZRA KLEIN and JAMELLE BOUIE. “I see us as more in a lane with places like Politico, and Bloomberg, and reporting in the Wall Street Journal,” he said. “We’re telling stories from a different perspective, a more progressive perspective.” TEXT US — Are you JENNIFER ABRUZZO, general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board? We want to hear from you (we’ll keep you anonymous). Or if you think we missed something in today’s edition, let us know and we may include it tomorrow. Email us at westwingtips@politico.com or you can text/Signal/Wickr/WhatsApp Alex at 8183240098 or Max at 7143455427.
| | | From the University of Virginia’s Miller Center Which president was parodied as “a man who forced himself to smile when he loved to frown; a man who forced himself to shake hands when his hands were already shaking?” (Answer at the bottom.)
| | | RAISING EXPECTATIONS THROUGH THE ROOF — When you expect some bad political news is coming, it can help to precondition the public to it. On Monday, Press Secretary JEN PSAKI said that the White House is anticipating the March Consumer Price Index headline inflation number “to be extraordinarily elevated.” That’s some aggressive or alarming (or both) pre-spin for the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ next CPI update, set to be released Tuesday morning. Psaki blamed the forthcoming number on “Putin’s price hike,” as the Russian invasion into Ukraine drags on and has sparked a spike in energy prices. She added that they “expect a large difference between core and headline inflation reflecting the global disruptions in energy and food markets.” WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS YOU TO READ: This Fox News story about the wide-ranging support for the administration’s nominee to lead the ATF, STEVEN DETTELBACH, from former prosecutors and law enforcement officials. White House deputy press secretary ANDREW BATES tweeted out the story, specifically highlighting the graf that said “a number of Republican-appointed federal prosecutors have offered their endorsements for Dettelbach as of Monday morning — including former Trump deputy attorney general ROD ROSENSTEIN.” Fellow White House deputy press secretary CHRIS MEAGHER also tweeted it out. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO READ: Sen. MAGGIE HASSAN (D-N.H.) telling local news after visiting Texas and Arizona that the president "really needs to step up here, develop a plan and get more resources to the southern border.” Hassan said those working at the border need “significant, additional numbers, people, on the ground … They need more technology. They need access roads and, in some places, they need physical barriers.” IN HONOR OF NATIONAL PET DAY — Never before seen footage of WILLOW , the Biden’s cat adopted in January 2022, was featured Monday by The Dodo, a site that shares animal content. According to the site, Willow has three jobs within the White House, including napping on any and all desks, watching the birds outside and scouring rooms for treats.
| The West Wing Playbook team also couldn’t help but notice an exchange — that seemed playful, but maybe not? — between former Trump adviser KELLYANNE CONWAY and MICHAEL LaROSA, first lady JILL BIDEN ’s press secretary, on Twitter. The two tweeted a handful of kind of cringey cat puns at each other, with Conway tweeting the cat footage, writing “Now the CAT is the most popular, scandal-free #Biden.” To which LaRosa tweeted at Conway to “Stay pawsitive.” Conway wrote back: “Get out while you can.” LaRosa responded: “Catty.”
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world’s most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO’s special edition “Global Insider” so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | | GOING ON TOUR — The Biden administration kicked off a rural infrastructure tour Monday, as Democrats attempt to utilize the funding to help build support among rural voters ahead of the midterms, our XIMENA BUSTILLO and MEREDITH LEE report for Pro s. The administration unveiled a roadmap as to how it plans to use the infrastructure funds for rural American communities. It’s another step in the White House’s “Building A Better America,” initiative. An array of administration officials are set to participate in the tour. Interior Secretary DEB HAALAND and Forest Service Chief RANDY MOORE were the first, traveling to Denver. Biden is scheduled to travel to Menlo, Iowa Tuesday.
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President Joe Biden and his nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Steve Dettelbach | Drew Angerer/Getty Images | A NEW ATF DIRECTOR IN TOWN — The president today formally nominated Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The announcement came months after Biden withdrew his first ATF pic, DAVID CHIPMAN, our QUINT FORGEY reports. Dettelbach is a former federal attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Since the summer of 2021, the agency has been without a permanent director, led by acting director MARVIN RICHARDSON. Our LAURA BARRÓN-LÓPEZ and CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO reported that Dettelbach was under consideration for the post earlier this month. FRED GUTTENBERG, an activist against gun violence who lost his daughter at the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, was at Biden’s event. Following it, he told the president it was his and his wife’s wedding anniversary, Biden then proceeded to call and wish her a happy anniversary. DEFENSE SWITCH UP — The administration is also expected to announce the nomination of Army Gen. CHRISTOPHER CAVOLI to lead the U.S. European Command, a post that is responsible for NATO operations in Europe, WSJ’s NANCY YOUSSEF and GORDON LUBOLD scoop. The move comes as the military continues to shift its focus from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Cavoli is expected to move into the role this summer. CALLING IN FORMER LAWMAKERS — The president announced that former Connecticut Sen. CHRISTOPHER DODD and former Florida Rep. DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL will serve as special advisors for the Ninth Summit of the Americas this summer. Dodd has a decades-long relationship with Biden and Mucarsel-Powell was a leader within the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
| | | Kamala Harris, Marty Walsh and the unlikely bonds of politics (WaPo’s Matt Viser) U.S. Economy Now ‘Facing Rocky Waters,’ Biden Aide Deese Says (Bloomberg’s Olivia Rockeman) With COVID mission over, Pentagon plans for next pandemic (AP’s Lolita Baldor) Biden, Democrats face a growing political headache as immigration clash intensifies (NBC News’ Sahil Kapur)
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | | Biden headed back to the White House after spending the weekend in Delaware. He received the President’s Daily Brief in the morning. Biden also met virtually with Indian Prime Minister NARENDRA MODI. The leaders discussed clean energy and technology and military cooperation between the two nations, along with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a White House readout of the call. Biden announced new action on gun crime from the Rose Garden. Deputy Attorney General LISA MONACO also delivered remarks.
| | | She joined the president at the gun control event in the Rose Garden. She also announced new action on relieving medical debt later in the afternoon.
| | | When he was growing up, JOSH HSU, counsel to Vice President KAMALA HARRIS, either wanted to play basketball professionally or work in a role that would help “make the world a more equal and just place,” he told Glamour back in July 2021. But the basketball dreams were dashed, Hsu said, when he “realized that I was not going to grow taller than 5'8.” Never say never, Josh! But, really, you can say never at this point.
| | | Richard Nixon, Superstar was comedian DAVID FRYE's pre-Watergate send up of the 37th president. The jokes, which included the infant Nixon sporting a five-o'clock shadow, got at the discomfort Nixon seemed to have with those outside his close circle of trust, an ironic characteristic for a man who chose the most public career possible. For more on Nixon and his path to the presidency, visit millercenter.org. A CALL OUT — Do you have a more difficult trivia question? Send us your best question on the presidents with a citation and we may feature it. Edited by Sam Stein | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
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