| | | |  | | By Jack Blanchard with Dasha Burns | | Presented by |  | | | With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray On today’s Playbook Podcast: Jack and Dasha mull the state of the MAGA movement as conservatives descend upon Texas for CPAC.
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| Good Wednesday morning. This is Jack Blanchard, properly excited for MLB Opening Day. Yes, spring is officially in the air — admittedly it’s about 39 degrees outside right now — and the Nats open on the road against the Chicago Cubs tomorrow. Get in touch. START YOUR DAY WITH US: Trump’s trade supremo Peter Navarro will be interviewed on stage at POLITICO’s Economy Summit in D.C. this morning. Also on the lineup: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) … IBM’s Gary Cohn … Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) … Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa,) … Anthropic’s Peter McCrory … AFL-CIO’s Lauren McFerran and more. And there’s still time to snag a seat. Register now to attend in person or watch online In today’s Playbook … — We test the mood at CPAC after Republicans lose Mar-a-Lago. — Inside JB Pritzker’s makeup call with the CBC. — And for whom did Antonin Scalia insist upon ordering rabbit for lunch? Read on.
|  | DRIVING THE DAY | | CPAC VIBE CHECK: At one of the world’s biggest conservative conferences, the mood is often one of raucous celebration. But how about this year? For the first time in a decade, President Donald Trump is not expected to appear in person at CPAC, which starts in Texas today. And the event comes with the American right beset by bitter infighting, with the country mired in an unpopular war and the president tanking in the polls. Right now it’s Democrats doing most of the celebrating — their latest victory coming last night in a dramatic special election flip in Florida State House District 87 … aka the district containing Mar-a-Lago. It’s only one state-level win, but the symbolism is unmissable — and the headlines are already going viral around the world. POLITICO’s Gary Fineout has the story. Mar-a-Lago blues: “If Democrats can win in Trump’s own backyard, we can win anywhere,” delighted DNC Chair Ken Martin said last night. “Trump’s own neighbors just sent a crystal clear message. They are furious and ready for change.” Beyond the hyperbole (and there’s plenty around this morning) the important data point is that this district voted +11 for Trump in 2024, marking yet another sign of a shift in public mood. Last night, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was effectively daring the Florida GOP to press ahead with its redistricting plan, suggesting — perhaps a little over-confidently — that the whole thing could now backfire. Favorite election detail, via Gary: “State election records show that Trump, as well as first lady Melania Trump and Trump’s son Barron, all voted by mail in the House District 87 election. Trump requested his mail-in ballot on March 14, just days after he insisted that the SAVE America Act include limits on mail-in voting. Trump on Monday, during a stop in Memphis, referred to voting by mail as ‘mail-in cheating.’”
| | | | A message from Venture Global: Who says Americans don't build big things anymore? Through innovation, Venture Global is delivering American energy at a fraction of the cost, in a fraction of the time. That's Venture Global. That's Unstoppable Energy. ventureglobal.com | | | | The broader backdrop here is a MAGA movement still fighting with itself over Iran, Charlie Kirk, the Epstein files and more. POLITICO’s Liz Crampton — who’ll be covering CPAC in Texas this week, TSA permitting — tells Playbook that “how united MAGA stands” in the face of these “pressure points” will be the most fascinating aspect of the event. Don’t expect much news out of the Trump administration lineup — Linda McMahon, Brooke Rollins and Brendan Carr are among the highlights — but there will be plenty of MAGA world mega-stars too, including Steve Bannon, Nick Shirley, Benny Johnson and Jack Posobiec. Hard times: And these are “difficult times within the conservative movement,” CPAC host and organizer Mercedes Schlapp told Dasha in a phone call late last night. “What we have seen is a divide in the conservative movement,” Schlapp said. “There's a lot of tension, of certain talking heads that basically have different opinions on different issues. And that's why we don't want it to be just about words, it really is about actions. We can go and speak up and say, you know, we disagree — but the name-calling in the conservative world is not helpful.” Unsurprisingly, organizers are eager to focus on the bigger picture — namely, the spread of MAGA ideology around the world. CPAC speakers from overseas this year include Poland’s populist President Karol Nawrocki, former British PM Liz Truss — now trying to reinvent herself as a conservative YouTuber — and the sons of jailed ex-Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro, Flávio and Eduardo. “It’s spread across the globe,” Schlapp said. “[CPAC] has got a huge international flare to it now.” But the president’s absence will be keenly felt, especially in an election year. Trump’s CPAC speeches have had a rally-the-troops element in years gone by. “I think the president is focused on the war,” Schlapp says. “Obviously the country's in a different state right now; we're in a different reality that we're facing. And things are changing, as you know, literally by the minute or by every hour.” MIA: The other missing face from CPAC will be Sen. John Cornyn — not that Texas’ four-term senior senator was ever likely to show his face at a MAGA jamboree. But his absence on home turf will be noted, not least because his bitter rival, Ken Paxton, will be speaking at CPAC’s prestigious Ronald Reagan Dinner on Friday night. And there’s still no endorsement from Trump, with the GOP Senate run-off now exactly two months away. Tick tock. Speaking of Trump: With a trip to Texas apparently off the agenda, the president will be addressing his party in D.C. tonight at the NRCC annual fundraising dinner. But here too, the mood may be less than jolly — with Republicans in competitive districts fearing the worst, and others gloomy that a proposed deal on DHS funding suddenly looks less likely this week. POLITICO’s Katherine Tully-McManus and Jennifer Scholtes have the latest on that. Same old story: Republicans are raging at Dems, Dems are refusing to budge … plus ça change. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top GOP appropriator, told Playbook’s Ali Bianco that Democrats “keep moving the goal posts” on DHS. “Every time we put something on the table and we think we have agreement, they back up,” Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), another GOP negotiator, said. “We have been clear and consistent in our caucus from day one that we need to have some reforms,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) replied. Time is running out for a deal as a scheduled recess approaches at the end of the week. And landing in the even-harder-to-do-file … is the GOP plan for a second reconciliation bill, POLITICO’s Jordain Carney and Meredith Lee Hill report. More funding for immigration enforcement, plus key parts of the SAVE Act, form the crux of the proposed package. But the scale of GOP unity required — not to mention the agreement of the parliamentarian — make it quite a challenge. “Already enough House Republicans have told POLITICO they do not believe GOP leaders will be able to muster the multiple near-unanimous GOP votes needed.”
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| | | | WAR AND PEACE THE BEST-LAID PLANS: The Trump administration has sent Iran a 15-point plan designed to bring an end to the war, POLITICO’s Felicia Schwartz reports, confirming yesterday’s NYT scoop. But Iran has its own ideas. While you were sleeping, WSJ’s Summer Said and Robbie Kramer revealed details of Iran’s own peace proposals — and it’s safe to say they’re not going down well here in the U.S. So much for compromise: Iranian demands include … the closure of all American bases in the Gulf, the payment of reparations for missile attacks on Iran, plus the lifting of all existing sanctions, they report. Iran also wants to collect fees for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, an end to Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and permission to restart its missile-building program without limits. “A U.S. official called the demands ridiculous and unrealistic,” the WSJ reports, unsurprisingly. “The posturing will make reaching a deal with Tehran harder than before Trump started the war, Arab and U.S. officials said.” Nevertheless: Mediators from Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan are still pushing to secure a meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials as soon as tomorrow, Axios’ Barak Ravid reports. There’s nothing confirmed yet. OIL PRICE WATCH: Revelations yesterday that thousands more U.S. troops are being deployed to the region sent oil prices soaring above $100 a barrel again, per the WSJ. But if you ask Interior Secretary Doug Burgum — as our very own Jonathan Martin did at the POLITICO Pub at CERAWeek in Houston last night — the energy sticker shock will last weeks, not months. “We’re doing everything in the Trump administration to drive policies that lower prices across the country,” Burgum said. That may prove cold comfort for oil execs, who are stressed out, POLITICO’s James Bikales and Ben Lefebvre report. FINAL POUR AT THE POLITICO PUB AT CERAWEEK: We’re closing out the POLITICO Pub at CERAWeek by S&P Global with another stacked lineup, as EQT CEO Toby Rice and Williams CEO Chad Zamarin kick things off, followed by Southern Company CEO Chris Womack, FERC Commissioner Judy Chang and Naftogaz Group Chief International Officer Alex Riabchyn, all joining POLITICO journalists for on-the-record conversations. Programming begins at Tom’s Watch Bar at 3:30 p.m. Central and will be livestreamed here, with badged CERAWeek attendees able to register here to attend in person.
| | | | POLITICO's Economy Summit Join POLITICO’s Economy Summit on March 25 for discussions with government and industry leaders about the policy decisions that will determine tomorrow’s market risks and opportunities. Hear from Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Gary Cohn, and more. RSVP to attend in person or virtually. | | | | | TRAIL MIX MIDWAY MAKEUP: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker — an hour before hosting Seder at his residence yesterday evening — spoke for about 35 minutes with senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus, POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker and Shia Kapos scoop. The call came a week after POLITICO reported some CBC members were furious over Pritzker’s meddling in the Illinois Senate primary, a race that saw him funnel $5 million from his super PAC to boost Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton over Rep. Robin Kelly, a CBC member. Pritzker told the CBC “it’s time to come together” to deliver Hakeem Jeffries the speakership, according to a person familiar with the conversations. Members on the call included Chair Yvette Clarke, Gregory Meeks and Steven Horsford, who helped initiate the dialogue. “Pritzker is a politically deft politician and obviously is aware that sentiments which he read last week were probably not a good thing for any future prospects,” a source close to the CBC tells POLITICO. “He needed to nip it in the bud and he did more than that.” POLL POSITION: A new internal poll from Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s campaign shows her leapfrogging Rep. Haley Stevens, who’s now trailing the field in third place behind Abdul El-Sayed in the closely watched Senate Democratic primary, Playbook’s Adam Wren scoops. The poll by Global Strategy Group has McMorrow leading the field with 30 percent, followed by El-Sayed at 25 percent and Stevens at 23 percent, with 21 percent undecided. The same survey showed McMorrow in second place and trailing Stevens by six points last June. Thus far, none of the Democratic campaigns have spent money going negative. See the poll REDISTRICTING RODEO: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is launching her first ad in support of Virginia Democrats’ efforts to push voters to back a redistricting referendum next month that, if approved, would net Dems a 10-1 gerrymander, POLITICO’s Brakkton Booker scoops. The seven-figure ad buy features a direct-to-camera appeal from Spanberger, explaining Virginia’s “temporary” effort to redraw lines. The ad comes weeks after early voting began on March 6. Early returns suggest stronger turnout in GOP-leaning areas, even as Democrats hold a steep fundraising advantage ahead of the April 21 vote. Watch the ad More map-making moves: Missouri’s Supreme Court handed Republicans a big win, ruling the state legislature didn’t violate the state constitution in redrawing the map to favor the GOP, POLITICO’s Aaron Pellish reports. “But the fate of Missouri’s new map still hangs in the balance as Democrats continue to pursue multiple avenues to repeal the new map.” FOR YOUR RADAR: Start bookmarking those hotels now: Trump and the RNC are “strongly considering Dallas as the site of an unusual midterm convention later this year,” NYT’s Shane Goldmacher reports. KNOWING DAVE REGAN: Everyone in California politics knows him, but the trade union boss’ latest push for a wealth tax on California’s billionaires is reaching another scale, POLITICO’s Jeremy White writes in a must-read this morning. “The uproar over Regan’s pitch to backfill federal health care cuts has consumed California — even though the measure has not yet qualified for the November ballot.”
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| | | | BEST OF THE REST LGA CRASH: “NTSB chair warns against ‘pointing fingers at controllers’ in LaGuardia crash,” by POLITICO’s Oriana Pawlyk: “National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy rattled off a host of issues involving the truck operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, including the fact people in the air traffic control tower could not see it clearly because of a lack of surveillance technology. … Numerous questions about the crash remain unanswered, Homendy said.” THE EPSTEIN SAGA: Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer and his accountant — Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn — told lawmakers that they were never interviewed during the federal investigation into Epstein’s crimes, POLITICO’s Hailey Fuchs reports. “Both Indyke and Kahn sat for hours-long depositions with the Oversight panel earlier this month. They have denied knowing anything about Epstein’s crimes before the later allegations emerged. … Neither have been charged with a crime in connection with Epstein, though some lawmakers have portrayed them as key enablers of Epstein’s activities.” FED UP: “Prosecutor admits government lacks evidence of misconduct by Fed chair,” by WaPo’s Salvador Rizzo and Andrew Ackerman: “A top deputy to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro acknowledged in a closed-door hearing this month that the Justice Department did not have evidence of wrongdoing in its criminal investigation of the Federal Reserve over the cost of its building renovations.” MEDIAWATCH: “New York Times Accuses Pentagon of Defying Court Order,” by NYT’s Erik Wemple: “The company said in a legal filing that the department sought to fashion an ‘end run’ when it issued revised media rules on Monday. … On Monday, the department issued a revised set of restrictions that it said responded to the judge’s concerns. It also announced that it would shut down the Pentagon workspace used for decades by journalists … The Pentagon has also vowed to appeal [the] ruling.”
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➡️ Learn More about POLITICO Pro | | | | | | | TALK OF THE TOWN | | SPOTTED: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) at Butterworth’s in between Senate votes yesterday. NO FUNDING, NO PERKS — “Delta Air Lines Says It Will Suspend Special Services for Congress Members,” by NYT’s Livia Albeck-Ripka: “The services include airport escorts and specialized customer service for lawmakers. The Capital Desk, a dedicated reservations line that helps members book trips at government rates, make last minute changes and reserve seats on multiple flights on the same day, will remain open.” PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION — “Body-cam footage of federal officers shooting at people in D.C. to be released,” by WaPo’s Meagan Flynn: “Mayor Muriel E. Bowser signed into law emergency legislation that will trigger the release of police body-camera footage in recent cases in which federal officers shot at people on D.C. streets, incidents that caused broad concern among civil rights watchdogs and lawmakers about how those officers were operating in joint patrols with local police.” OUT AND ABOUT — Newsmax’s James Rosen celebrated the launch of the second volume of his biography of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia last night, at a house party hosted by close friends Jacob Heilbrunn and Sarah Despres. Rosen regaled guests with tales of his own strictly off-the-record lunches with the larger-than-life Scalia, including the memorable occasion at an Italian restaurant where, moments after meeting Rosen for the first time, Scalia smilingly dismissed his order of veal parmigiana and told the waiter his companion would have “the rabbit” instead. “I had never eaten rabbit,” Rosen grimaced. “I had no desire to eat rabbit.” But there was little else to do but accept his fate. — A reception at Apple Carnegie Library last night celebrated Apple’s history of accessibility innovation and hosted leaders, artists and advocates from the deaf and disabled communities. SPOTTED: Troy Kotsur, Sarah Herrlinger, Reps. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano, Haben Girma, Keely Cat-Wells, Blair Casey, Tiffany Guarascio, Parul Desai, Juan Lopez, Liam Fitzsimmons, Robert Edmonson, Tim Del Monico, Benjamin Burnett, Cassie Baloue, Sarah Ghermay, Olivia Oo, Josh Delaney, Daniel Castro, John Breyault, Jenna Leventoff, Paul Lekas, Teddy Tanzer, Megan Stokes and Julia Massimino. — The Asian American Action Fund held a Lunar Spring reception at the Coupang D.C. office yesterday. SPOTTED: House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Derek Tran (D-Calif.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and Dave Min (D-Calif.), San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, Julie Won, Jason Park, Irene Bueno, Albert Shen, Linda Pham, Zach Sentementes, Norberto Salinas, Jesse McCollum, Nate Wyatt, David Weissman and Samuel Negatu. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — JM Rieger is joining MS NOW as a senior digital reporter. He previously worked at WaPo. TRANSITIONS — Daniel Mencher is joining the Alpine Group as SVP. He previously worked on multiple Senate Appropriations subcommittees. … Sean Simons is now comms director for Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). He previously worked for Bill Gates, and is a Mark Kelly and One Campaign alum. … … Kathleen Gayle is now policy director for the Senate Banking GOP. She previously worked for Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). … Chelsea Hedquist is taking on a dual role as head of comms at the Human Rights Foundation while continuing at the Lantos Foundation. Candace Bryan Abbey is also joining HRF as head of global government engagement while staying at the Lantos Foundation. BIRTHWEEK (was yesterday): Grant Hines HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Bari Weiss … Alina Habba … Gloria Steinem … Erika Moritsugu … Sofia Kinzinger … POLITICO’s Raymond Rapada … NBC’s Emily Ngo … Michael Ortiz … Liz Timmons of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Dems … Joel Wanger of the Democratic Majority for Israel … AP’s Steven Sloan … Fox News’ Nick Kalman and Pat Ward … CAP’s Daniella Gibbs Léger … Katey McCutcheon of Firehouse Strategies … Aspen Institute’s Pete Weber … Marneé Banks … Emily Schillinger of Edison Electric Institute … Grant Dubler … Lauren Aronson of Mehlman Consulting … UPS’ Andrew Okuyiga … Patrick Bailey … Anthony Garrett … Lauryl Dodson … Sarah Eyman Samonas … Christopher Hale … Joe Chelak … Aaron David Miller … Carolyn Goodman … Arthur Allen … Chris Whipple … Burson’s Erica Cooke … Nicola Wenz … Kelton Morgan of CSG … Maggie Angel … Pete Van Vleet … Eva Roros of Rep. Russ Fulcher’s (R-Idaho) office Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us on Signal here. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Giuseppe Macri and deputy editor Garrett Ross.
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