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Presented by American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes : The power players, latest policy developments, and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing. | | | | |  | | By Lauren Egan, Myah Ward and Benjamin Johansen | | | Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Eli | Email Lauren TOWSON, Md. — When Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA and White House domestic policy adviser NEERA TANDEN arrived this afternoon at Towson University for a roundtable event on antisemitism, the campus was quiet. Outside of the roughly 30 Jewish students from Baltimore-area schools invited to the discussion, few people were even aware that senior Biden administration officials were on campus. Students shuffled between classes, lined up at the campus Starbucks and gave little thought to Cardona and Tanden as they made their way to a conference room on the fifth floor of the library. Although pro-Palestine protests had taken place on campus the day before and more demonstrations were in the works for the weekend, students weren’t lingering outside the library to confront the administration officials over their dissatisfaction with President JOE BIDEN’s response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. That’s probably because the visit, part of the Biden administration’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, had been kept under wraps. On Sunday, the White House sent an email about the steps it was taking to combat antisemitism and mentioned there would be an event on an unnamed campus. But no other details were provided. We asked multiple times over the course of the next few days for information but received nothing. Eventually, a small group of reporters were told about the event Wednesday afternoon, but the location was kept strictly off the record. College campuses have seen a burst of protests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Vice President KAMALA HARRIS’ staff went so far as to develop a contingency plan in case of protests during a weeks-long tour of college campuses earlier this month, but those disruptions never materialized. The quietness around Cardona and Tanden’s visit underscores how sensitive the White House is about the volatility of the situation and the possibility that frustration with the administration could erupt more publicly at any point.
|  Towson University President Mark Ginsberg, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and domestic policy council adviser Neera Tanden participate in a roundtable with students on antisemitism. | Lauren Egan | In the room, Cardona and Tanden asked students to be candid about their experiences with antisemitism at school. Towson students shared that classmates wrote “Fuck Jews” on a campus chalkboard. They said harassment on anonymous student social forums was rampant. Protesters on campus had shouted “Jewish genocide” and the chant used by Hamas, “From the river to the sea.” University administrators, the students argued, were too preoccupied with remaining neutral and unwilling to push back against hateful rhetoric. Tanden and Cardona expressed their deep concern for the situation and commitment to use what the students shared to sharpen the administration’s response. But there was also a subtle acknowledgement of the complicated political dynamics, especially as Arab and Muslim American leaders have criticized the White House for its handling of the conflict. “The president has said very clearly that attacks on the state of Israel are wrong. He also believes in two states,” Tanden said, before adding: “We have to navigate complicated issues around politics.” When a student said that it was “hard now to have sympathy” for their Palestinian and Muslim peers, Tanden gently pushed back. It was important, she said, to see everyone as human. “The only way we can actually build a democracy that functions is for each of us to see each other.” Bianca Quilantan contributed to this report. MESSAGE US — Are you DAVID MARSH, director for economic mobility? We want to hear from you. And we’ll keep you anonymous! Email us at westwingtips@politico.com. Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here!
| | | | PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW. | | | | | | | | | Which future president referred to his black-and-white cocker spaniel in a speech, using his pet to deflect allegations of wrongdoing? (Answer at bottom.)
| | BLUE CITY PRESSURE: White House chief of staff JEFF ZIENTS, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs director TOM PEREZ, and other White House and DHS officials met Thursday with Chicago Mayor BRANDON JOHNSON, Denver Mayor MIKE JOHNSTON and a staff member from New York City Mayor ERIC ADAMS’ office to discuss the immigration crisis straining blue cities across the country. The conversation primarily focused on the president’s supplemental aid request, according to a person familiar with the meeting, but work authorization was also discussed. White House press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE told reporters during today’s briefing that the conversation was “constructive” and that if Republicans “truly care” about border security, they will support the administration’s national security supplemental request. STUFF STILL MATTERS ON HIS SIDE OF THE GLOBE: In the leadup to Friday’s summit with leaders from nations in the Western Hemisphere, Biden met with Dominican Republic President LUIS ABINADER. Biden said the relationship between the U.S. and Dominican Republic “runs deep” and discussed expanding economic opportunities, as well as the humanitarian crisis in the DR’s neighboring country, Haiti. Chilean President GABRIEL BORIC later met separately with Biden, and they discussed the 200-year-long economic partnership between the two countries. Biden then poked fun at Boric, who is 37: “The only problem I have with you is you’re too young,” Biden joked. “That’s not a problem,” Boric replied. SOME GOOD NEWS: National Security Council spokesperson JOHN KIRBY told reporters that 74 more Americans escaped Gaza, heading into Egypt on Thursday. That’s in addition to the five who got out yesterday. “We fully expect that more Americans will be able to depart at a similar pace, if not better than what we have seen,” Kirby said. FIRST IN WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Vice President KAMALA HARRIS is participating in a fundraiser next Thursday in Boston, our DANIEL LIPPMAN has learned. Donation amounts range from $1,000 to be a "supporter" to $25,000 to be a host. [INSERT CHELSEA CHANT]: Second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF, accompanied by REECE JAMES, captain of the Chelsea football club, and Chelsea board members, met with students in London on Thursday to promote the club’s “No to Hate” campaign it launched in 2021. James also presented Emhoff with a personalized “SGOTUS” jersey, which we can’t wait to see him sport very soon.
|  Liza Acevedo | WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS YOU TO READ: This piece by JUSTIN BARAGONA for The Daily Beast, where he writes that the White House is demanding Fox News apologize to its viewers after host JESSE WATERS said he’s “had it” with Arab Americans. “Fox News owes an apology to every single viewer for this sickening attack on the rights and dignity of their fellow Americans… Fox News should learn from his example,” White House deputy press secretary ANDREW BATES told The Daily Beast. Both Bates and White House deputy communications director HERBIE ZISKEND shared the piece on X. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO READ: This piece by NYT’s PAMELA PAUL, where she argues that the establishment Democratic party is out of touch with its historically reliable base — working-class and middle-class families — now drifting from the party. Paul argues that Democratic leaders, specifically Biden, have diminished much of the party’s economic agenda in favor of more progressive social issues. Paul, and this is probably an understatement, is not a favorite inside the West Wing.
| | | | A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Powering the nation's supply chain, the U.S. business of chemistry drives innovation in semiconductors, energy, healthcare, and more. But urgent action is needed! Already the most heavily regulated sector, America’s chemical industry faces growing regulatory overload. The Biden Administration and Congress must correct course and do a better job understanding the negative impact of additional, unduly restrictive regulations on a fragile supply chain and economy before it’s too late. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes | | | | | HELP GRANTED: The Senate on Thursday confirmed two of Biden’s top military nominations, LISA FRANCHETTI as chief of naval operations and DAVID ALLVIN as the Air Force chief of staff, our CONNOR O’BRIEN reports. This gives the Joint Chiefs its first full slate of Senate-confirmed officers since July, after which Sen. TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-Ala.) has blocked dozens of senior military confirmations.
| | DON’T CALL IT CEASEFIRE: The White House announced Thursday that Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN will push Israeli officials for a temporary pause in its war efforts in Gaza to allow for more hostages to be released, NYT’s MICHAEL SHEAR reports. The “humanitarian pauses,” as the White House describes them, will be one of the points Blinken discusses when he travels to Israel on Friday to continue ongoing diplomatic efforts. The administration has notably not called for a ceasefire, which is what a growing number of Democrats are demanding. MORE CASH FOR BOYS IN BLUE: On Thursday, the Biden administration announced more than $330 million in funding for law enforcement across the country, ALEX GANGITANO writes for The Hill. The funding aims at recruiting more than 1,700 officers throughout nearly 400 departments across the country. The administration will also allocate over $73 million towards school safety, through deterrent measures such as cameras and metal detectors, Gangitano notes. “U.S. Associate Attorney General VANITA GUPTA told reporters Thursday that the funding will go directly to law enforcement agencies, noting ‘the number one issue’ her office hears from police offices is that there’s a recruitment and retention crisis,” Gangitano reports.
| | | | A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes:   | | | | | Biden’s Elusive AI Whisperer Finally Goes On the Record. It’s Not Good. (Nancy Scola for POLITICO) Democrats fear that Biden’s Israel-Hamas war stance could cost him reelection in Michigan (AP’s Joey Cappelletti) Don Lemon and Partner Tim Malone Dress as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for Halloween (People’s Angel Saunders)
| | | This week, our very own LAWRENCE UKENYE selfishly left us at West Wing Playbook to take on far more enlightening news challenges at POLITICO. Here are a couple of things we will miss about Lawrence. First, he likes purple. Like, a lot. As editor-in-chief at his school paper at Temple, his computer was purple. So were his phone, his water bottle, even his favorite pair of Crocs. “That’s one of my defining traits,” he has said. Second, you’ve probably never met anyone with a higher Spotify Wrapped total minutes. In 2020, Lawrence listened to more than 150,000 minutes!!! (That’s 2,500 hours, for us mathematically challenged.) He fully believes he will hit the same mark this year, with DRAKE, GUNNA, and STEELY DAN carrying him there. Thanks for leaving West Wing Playbook a better place than how you found it, Lawrence! And everyone please send their thoughts and prayers for his POLITICO fantasy football team. He needs it.
| | | | A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Our nation’s supply chain runs on the U.S. business of chemistry. When chemistry creates, America competes.
Semiconductors, automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, and energy all rely on chemistry. From EV’s to smartphones, America’s chemical manufacturers power innovations we can't live without.
Unfortunately, regulatory overload and lack of coordination between the White House and its agencies is handicapping American chemistry’s ability to create products that support national priorities, jeopardizing the economy and America’s ability to compete with countries like China. This tidal wave of unduly restrictive regulations could disrupt the supply chain for crucial technologies and everyday products.
President Biden and his administration need to understand how vital chemistry is to the supply chain when it comes to making the things America and the world can’t live without. The Biden Administration and Congress must support policies that empower chemistry, promote American innovation, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes. | | | | | On Sept. 23, 1952, RICHARD NIXON (at the time, running mate of presidential candidate DWIGHT EISENHOWER) addressed the nation to deny allegations he improperly used political funds for personal expenses. However, he did admit that his family dog, CHECKERS, was a political gift that he planned to keep. Thanks to the Nixon Foundation for this question! A CALL OUT! Do you think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best one about the presidents, with a citation or sourcing, and we may feature it! Edited by Eun Kyung Kim and Sam Stein.
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