| | | | |  | | By Garrett Ross | | | |  The House Freedom Caucus is out with new demands as Speaker Kevin McCarthy navigates a solution to avoid a looming government shutdown. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo | THE SOUND (AND FURY) OF FREEDOM — Congress is still out for its lengthy August recess, but the House Freedom Caucus is already drawing its battle lines for when lawmakers return to address the looming government shutdown deadline. “The group of roughly three dozen Republican lawmakers said it would oppose any short-term stopgap unless leadership meets a slew of their demands,” our colleague Jordain Carney reports. Their opposition comes after Senate Majority Leader CHUCK SCHUMER and Minority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL said publicly earlier this month that a temporary fix will be necessary to avoid a shutdown at the end of September, with more time needed to hash out new spending bills. “In the eventuality that Congress must consider a short-term extension of government funding through a Continuing Resolution, we refuse to support any such measure that continues Democrats’ bloated Covid-era spending and simultaneously fails to force the Biden Administration to follow the law and fulfill its most basic responsibilities,” the Freedom Caucus said in a statement. The declaration spins up more trouble for Speaker KEVIN McCARTHY, who had recently told the GOP conference that a short-term solution would likely be the best way to avoid a shutdown, and will now have to navigate yet another schism within his slim majority. UP FOR DEBATE — It’s beginning to look a lot like debate week. Here’s a peek at the facelift on Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, where the GOP presidential field will descend for the first primetime showdown:
|  Courtesy of Fox News | And with two days to go, here’s a grab-bag of good reads that will do well to inform your viewing of the first DONALD TRUMP-less square-off between the Republican challengers. — Time’s Molly Ball writes from Albia, Iowa, on the state of the race: “It is somehow both early and late in a Republican primary campaign of maximum consequence … Too early, rival campaigns and many voters say, for people to start paying attention and making up their minds about a primary season half a year away. And yet it already feels too late for anyone to lay a finger on Trump, whose lead in polls stands at 30 or 40 points.” — AP’s Scott Bauer writes from Madison, Wis., on the significance of the state for Republicans: “Wisconsin will be one of the biggest toss-ups in the general election. It’s a distinction held by a shrinking but often-shifting number of places, as former swing states like Ohio and Florida become more reliably Republican and Virginia and Colorado more Democratic. That leaves Wisconsin along with Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Nevada as among the most competitive states that could decide the presidency.” — NYT’s Reid Epstein covers how Democrats are viewing Wednesday’s primetime showdown: “They will be watching with bated breath in hopes that the Republican candidates embrace the likely-to-be-absent Donald J. Trump, defend him over his four criminal indictments, endorse national restrictions on abortion and — in the Democrats’ dream scenario — call for cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Even without Mr. Trump onstage, Democrats see the Republican White House hopefuls as avatars for what they describe as a party in thrall to its extreme elements.” — NBC’s Sahil Kapur examines the increasingly influential Asian American bloc of voters that both parties are racing to tap into: “In a country where the past two elections were decided by fewer than 100,000 votes, the estimated 24 million Asian Americans could be a force for years to come — whether it’s in states like Nevada, where Democrats are losing less-educated white voters, or in red-to-purple trending states like Georgia and Arizona, where Republicans are losing the suburbs.” Good Monday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line: gross@politico.com.
| | | | A message from The American Petroleum Institute (API): Did You Know: Americans count on oil and natural gas – made, moved and improved by nearly 11 million workers and suppliers in all 50 states, contributing trillions to communities and the U.S. economy. From Pennsylvania to California, America’s natural gas and oil workforce strengthens our nation. Our economic outlook is brighter when we lead on energy, and our dedicated workforce is a reminder that we need Washington policies to encourage investment and enable development. | | | 2024 WATCH RAMASWAMY-RAMA — VIVEK RAMASWAMY has emerged as something of a surprise breakout in the crowded primary field, fairly consistently leading the pack of presidential hopefuls behind Trump and RON DeSANTIS. But his entry into the race earlier this year shocked even to his closest confidants, ABC’s Will Steakin and Kendall Ross report. GOP operatives who were on a call that Ramaswamy organized told ABC that a White House run was “the last thing” they anticipated. “They had figured that maybe Ramaswamy, then a little-known biotech millionaire, had been working on a new business venture, or was writing a book, or was even contemplating a run for Senate in his home state of Ohio.” The DeSantis equation: But Ramaswamy was prepared for the pushback. Responding to skepticism of his odds for success in the period before he jumped in, Ramaswamy had another argument for his legitimacy: “In the lead-up to his announcement, Ramaswamy would tell several other conservative activists that he believed that if he ran, it could stop DeSantis from running or impact his viability as a candidate if he did enter the race, sources said.” The sliding doors moment: And yet, Ramaswamy nearly had another path to relevancy that would have likely precluded his presidential bid. “Heading into 2022, Ramaswamy had inked a deal and had been working with the popular right-wing media company The Daily Wire on a project that was ultimately scrapped, according to multiple sources familiar with the project.” Shortly after the deal crashed, Ramaswamy pivoted to his campaign conception. Notable quotable, from a former adviser for Ramaswamy: “It's clear that he's been wanting to be famous for a long time.” Meanwhile, The Atlantic’s John Hendrickson digs in on Ramaswamy’s ethos: “This is how a debate with Ramaswamy unfolds. He’ll engage with your question, but, when needed, he’ll expand its parameters. If that fails, he’ll pivot to thoughts on the existence of a higher power. ‘I don’t think that human beings ever accepted that Black people were not created equal in the eyes of God,’ he said. (His favorite president, THOMAS JEFFERSON, believed exactly that.)” Read on for some eyebrow-raising answers from Ramaswamy on 9/11 and TUCKER CARLSON THE WHITE HOUSE WHAT THE FIRST LADY’S OFFICE IS READING — “On classroom culture wars, teacher in chief Jill Biden treads lightly,” by WaPo’s Kara Voght and Jesús Rodríguez: First lady JILL BIDEN’s “speeches seldom get into the nitty-gritty of the content being challenged or how the backlash from conservative activists is putting the profession under duress. Rarely does Biden bring up the topic unless prompted to address it — for example, by journalists, or by someone on the photo line.”
| | | | GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE. | | | | | BEYOND THE BELTWAY THE LATEST IN LA — “Southern California prepares for more floods as post-Tropical Storm Hilary brings more rain,” by AP’s Christopher Weber, Damian Dovarganes and Jordi Lebrija THE LATEST IN MAUI … — “For Hawaii’s Governor, a Balancing Act With No Margin for Error,” by NT’s Shawn Hubler — “Maui Knew Dangerous Wildfires Had Become Inevitable. It Still Wasn’t Ready,” by NYT’s Tim Arango, Jack Healy and Damien Cave UNDER THE GUN — “Grieving Governor’s Moderate Gun Proposal Is Spurned by G.O.P. Allies,” by NYT’s Emily Cochrane in Nashville: Tennessee GOP Gov. BILL LEE “has summoned lawmakers back to Nashville on Monday for a special session on public safety that could include consideration of a limited version of the law. But without the support of most in his own party, that measure appears, once again, destined for failure, underscoring the power dynamics of a Republican supermajority driven by a right-wing base hardened against any potential infringement on gun ownership.” Related read: “Firearms killed a record number of children in 2021, study finds,” by NBC’s Berkeley Lovelace Jr. LAY OF THE LAND — “State lawmakers move to ban Chinese land ownership,” by WaPo’s Kimberly Kindy: “Lawmakers in 33 states have introduced 81 bills this year that would prohibit the Chinese government, some China-based businesses and many Chinese citizens from buying agricultural land or property near military bases, according to a Washington Post analysis of data compiled by the Asian Pacific American Justice, an advocacy group. A dozen of the bills are now law in states such Alabama, Idaho and Virginia.” FOR THOSE KEEPING TRACK — “Three years after a foiled plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, the final trial is set to begin,” by AP’s John Flesher and Ed White: “Jury selection in the final case is set to begin Monday. Opening arguments are scheduled for Wednesday in rural Antrim County, a tourist haven known for cherry and apple orchards, sparkling lakes and quaint villages. Among them is Elk Rapids, where [Gov. GRETCHEN] WHITMER has a vacation home.” RAIDERS OF THE LOST ART — “Court documents suggest reason for police raid of Kansas newspaper,” by AP’s Jim Salter: “The police chief who led the raid of a Kansas newspaper alleged in previously unreleased court documents a reporter either impersonated someone else or lied about her intentions when she obtained the driving records of a local business owner. But reporter PHYLLIS ZORN, Marion County Record Editor and Publisher ERIC MEYER and the newspaper’s attorney said Sunday that no laws were broken when Zorn accessed a public state website for information on restaurant operator KARI NEWELL.”
| | | | Enter the “room where it happens”, where global power players shape policy and politics, with Power Play. POLITICO’s brand-new podcast will host conversations with the leaders and power players shaping the biggest ideas and driving the global conversations, moderated by award-winning journalist Anne McElvoy. Sign up today to be notified of the first episodes in September – click here. | | | | | AMERICA AND THE WORLD THE WAR IN UKRAINE — “How Ukraine is exploiting Biden’s cluster bomb gamble,” by WaPo’s John Hudson and Anastacia Galouchka: “To reassure the public, Ukraine’s defense minister said U.S. cluster munitions “will be used to break through the enemy defense lines” — a reference to the maze of Russian trenches and minefields that have slowed Ukraine’s counteroffensive. But in practice, soldiers said, the utility of cluster munitions is more complicated. The munitions cannot penetrate Russian troops hiding in foxholes, but they are a menace to exposed infantrymen advancing on Ukrainian territory, soldiers said.” IMMIGRATION FILES — “What One Image Shows About the Darién Gap,” by NYT’s Federico Rios PLAYBOOKERS MEDIA MOVE — Arit John is now a reporter covering national politics at CNN. She previously was a correspondent covering national politics for the L.A. Times. WHITE HOUSE ARRIVAL LOUNGE — Elizabeth Darnall is now special assistant to the president and Senate legislative liaison at the White House. She most recently was senior health policy adviser for Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). TRANSITIONS — Ken Gude is leaving NP Agency, where he was a partner, to move to Wales, where he will help run Swansea City Association Football Club, with longtime friend Andrew Coleman. (No word on whether a new “Ted Lasso” spin-off is also in the works.) … Joshua Baron is now a director for technology and national security at the NSC. He most recently was program manager at DARPA. … Elan Strait is joining Potential Energy as head of policy and impact. He previously was a negotiator on the Paris Agreement and a climate adviser for the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate. Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
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