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How Biden and Ramaswamy are alike

Presented by The American Petroleum Institute (API): The unofficial guide to official Washington.
Aug 27, 2023 View in browser
 

By Ryan Lizza, Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade

Presented by

With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross

DRIVING THE DAY

MISTAH PRIGOZHIN, HE DEAD — “Russia says it confirmed Wagner leader Prigozhin died in a plane crash,” AP

Veterans of the pre-Trump GOP are increasingly concerned about the vision that Vivek Ramaswamy offers. | Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Photo

ALSO DEAD: REAGANISM AND CLINTONISM — At least that’s the big argument at the heart of two important pieces this morning, one by Jonathan Swan in the Times about the debate inside the Republican Party and one by David Lynch in the Post.

Swan uses key clashes between VIVEK RAMASWAMY and MIKE PENCE at last week’s debate to explain how a new generation of MAGA-inspired right-wingers see Reaganism — neoliberal on the economy, hawkish on foreign policy, optimistic in its rhetoric — as “hopelessly naive” and anachronistic.

Meanwhile, Lynch looks closely at President JOE BIDEN’s record on trade, China and industrial policy, and sees an overthrow of the laissez-faireism that gripped the Democrats starting in the ’90s with BILL CLINTON and extended deep into the BARACK OBAMA era.

Here’s how Swan lays out the anti-Reagan backlash inside the GOP:

“Extolling RONALD REAGAN used to be the safest of safe spaces for an ambitious Republican. Yet here was an upstart candidate, with no record of public service, standing at center stage in a G.O.P. debate and invoking Mr. Reagan’s famous 1984 ‘morning in America’ theme not as an applause line, but to mock one of the party’s staunchest conservatives — an original product of the Reagan revolution — as out of touch with America’s true condition. …

“In the new right’s telling, conservatives like Mr. Pence are hopelessly naïve, and must stop fetishizing civility, decency and the self-defeating ideal of ‘limited government.’ Republicans aligned with the new right, such as Gov. RON DeSANTIS of Florida, argue that conservatives should instead use every lever of governmental power available to them to defeat the ‘woke’ left.

“DONALD J. TRUMP established this theme in his 2016 campaign for president. He reinforced it in his inaugural address in 2017, in which he offered a dark vision of ‘American carnage.’ And he continued the apocalyptic and vengeful rhetoric throughout his presidency. But the four criminal indictments of Mr. Trump have only intensified this retributive mood.”

Veterans of the pre-Trump GOP are increasingly concerned. Swan quotes former Reagan speechwriter KEN KACHIGIAN:

“I think if there’s no message of hope, or vision that America shares some of what Reagan’s sense of vision was, then you draw the curtain against what drove America to make it different — that we’re still a good people, and there’s still a lot of optimism in America.”

Over in the Post, here’s how Lynch explains Biden’s rejection of the old Democratic consensus:

“President Biden is making it clear that the United States’ rejection of full-throttle globalization during the Trump administration was no aberration, as he continues a remarkable break with decades of trade policy that spanned both Republican and Democratic administrations.

“Blending a tough-on-China stance with lavish federal subsidies for favored industries, the president is reshaping the U.S. approach to cross-border commerce to focus on the needs of Americans as workers rather than consumers.

“Left out of the president’s strategy, to the irritation of many business groups, have been traditional trade deals, which gave American companies greater access to foreign markets in return for allowing producers in those countries to sell more goods in the United States. The White House says the old approach cost many American factory workers their jobs.”

Free traders from the Clinton-Obama era are increasingly concerned. Lynch quotes an agitated LARRY SUMMERS, who recently called Biden’s policies “increasingly dangerous”:

“I am profoundly concerned by the doctrine of manufacturing-centered economic nationalism that is increasingly being put forth as a general principle to guide policy.”

There’s very little out there today as worthy of your time as these two pieces, so give them a careful read and get on with a restful Sunday. The summer’s almost over and things are about to get chaotic in Washington, on the 2024 campaign trail and in courtrooms in Florida, Georgia, Manhattan and D.C. this fall.

Good Sunday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.

 

A message from The American Petroleum Institute (API):

How Are Gas Prices Determined? The biggest factor in what Americans pay at the pump is the price of crude oil. Because of this, changes in the retail price of gasoline typically track changes in global oil prices. Oil prices are impacted by geopolitics, supply and demand fundamentals, inventories, seasonality, and market expectations. The Biden administration should support continued growth in American oil to boost supply and put downward pressure on prices. Fuel up on facts.

 

ADD THIS TO YOUR LEXICON — “The Trump Triangle” (noun) — Broadly speaking, the three archetypal voters 2024 hopefuls must navigate in today’s Republican Party.

NYT: DeSantis “has the difficult task of navigating the Trump Triangle, appealing to voters who like Mr. Trump’s policies and brash manner; those who are aligned with his policies, but are tired of his legal troubles; and the Never Trump Republicans who want a return to the pre-Trump party.”

MO’ PROBLEMS, MO’ MONEY — “Trump raised $7.1 million after Georgia booking, mugshot,” scooped by Alex Isenstadt: “The former president raised $4.18 million on Friday alone, the single-highest 24 hour period of his campaign to date.”

SURROGATE SWARM — “Biden has a New Hampshire problem. Enter Bernie Sanders,” by Lisa Kashinsky and Holly Otterbein in Goffstown: “Biden’s effort to strip New Hampshire of its first-in-the-nation primary could keep the sitting president from campaigning in the state in the run-up to the 2024 primaries. But his allies can.

“Onetime rival-turned-cheerleader Sen. BERNIE SANDERS of Vermont crossed state lines Saturday to deliver an economic policy speech — with plenty of praise for the Biden administration — at presidential pit-stop Saint Anselm College. California Rep. RO KHANNA headlined a major state Democratic Party fundraiser in May. And Pennsylvania Gov. JOSH SHAPIRO is keynoting New Hampshire Democrats’ annual convention next month.”

SUNDAY BEST …

— Ramaswamy on whether he thinks racism is a mental health issue in light of the Jacksonville, Fla., shooting targeting Black people, on NBC’s “Meet the Press”: “Well, I do believe that racism in many cases is manufactured in a way that creates more racism in this country. … I am genuinely worried that we’re seeing a new wave of anti-Black and anti-Hispanic racism as a consequence of these so-called anti-racist movements. … I think the right answer is actually to restore colorblind equality, colorblind meritocracy, embrace what unites us across our diversity.”

— Ramaswamy on Rep. AYANNA PRESSLEY’s (D-Mass.) outrage over him calling her part of the “modern KKK,” on CNN’s “State of the Union”: “I stand by what I said to provoke an open and honest discussion in this country … I think it is the same spirit to say that ‘I can look at you and based on just your skin color, that I know something about the content of your character, that I know something about the content of the viewpoints you’re allowed to express.’”

— CHRIS CHRISTIE on MARK MEADOWS’ effort to move his Fulton County trial to federal court, on CBS’ “Face the Nation”: “There’s no doubt that under the statutes, there’s an argument [for him] to make. … Whether Mark Meadows wins that motion or doesn’t is not going to make a substantive difference on how ultimately a jury is going to be asked to make these decisions.”

— Sanders on a primary challenge to Biden, on “Meet the Press”: “In this particular time, this particular moment in American history, when we’re taking on somebody — the former president, who in fact does not believe in democracy, he is an authoritarian, and a very, very dangerous person — I think at this moment there has to be a unification of progressive people in general.”

 

A message from The American Petroleum Institute (API):

Fuel Up on Facts. The biggest factor in what Americans pay for gasoline is the price of crude oil. When crude oil supply can’t meet demand, pump prices can rise. Washington policymakers should support continued growth in American oil production to help boost global supply and put downward pressure on prices.

 

TOP-EDS: A roundup of the week’s must-read opinion pieces.

  • “Actually, Hunter Biden Is Getting It Worse From the DOJ,” by N.Y. Mag’s Ankush Khardori
  • “The abortion pill faces its most disturbing attack yet,” by Rhonda Garelick in the L.A. Times
  • “The Space Force needs to get bigger,” by WaPo’s David Ignatius
  • “It’s too late, GOP also-rans. Nothing will stop Trump, except maybe the law,” by the L.A. Times’ Jonah Goldberg
  • “Trump’s Mug Shot Has a Silent Message,” by The Atlantic’s Megan Garber
  • “Nevada Republicans Go Bust,” by The Dispatch’s Chris Stirewalt
  • “Why do Republicans disproportionately believe health misinformation?” by WaPo’s Philip Bump
  • “You’re Probably Saving Enough for Retirement,” by Andrew Biggs in the WSJ
  • “Trump Can’t Go Home Again,” by POLITICO Mag’s Jack Shafer
  • “The Forgotten Part of MLK’s Dream: Good Jobs and Higher Wages,” by Ken Chenault and Ken Frazier in the WSJ
  • “Joe Biden Made Drug Negotiation Possible. But He Can’t Stop Now,” by Nicholas Bagley for POLITICO Mag

BIDEN’S SUNDAY — The president has nothing on his public schedule.

 

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.

 
 

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea King and Yolanda King lead a gathering yesterday for the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. | Alex Wong/Getty Images

PLAYBOOK READS

9 THINGS FOR YOUR RADAR

1. HEADS UP: Two more sexual misconduct allegations have emerged against Conservative Political Action Conference Chair MATT SCHLAPP from younger men who say he made unwelcome entreaties, WaPo’s Isaac Arnsdorf and Beth Reinhard scooped. Those allegations prompted Vice Chair CHARLIE GEROW to call for an outside investigation into the matter in his resignation letter Friday, which Natalie Allison reported last week was the latest piece of turmoil to hit the American Conservative Union. The Post has details on the two new alleged incidents, though the ACU in a statement calls them “completely fabricated and … a blatant attempt by Mr. Gerow and disgruntled individuals to force Mr. Schlapp to step down.”

2. HATEFUL TRAGEDY IN FLORIDA: “3 Black victims killed in racially motivated shooting at Jacksonville Dollar General,” by The Florida Times-Union’s Teresa Stepzinski: “Three people were gunned down Saturday by a Clay County man wearing a tactical vest and armed with an ‘AR-15 style’ rifle and a handgun bearing swastikas at a Dollar General store near Edward Waters University in Jacksonville. Sheriff T.K. WATERS said the attack was racially motivated by a white man in his 20s who targeted the Black victims — two men and a woman — before he shot and killed himself.”

3. MARCHING ON: To mark the 60th anniversary of Rev. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’s March on Washington, thousands of people descended on the Mall yesterday to chart the progress the U.S. has made and how far it has yet to go, AP’s Aaron Morrison and Ayanna Alexander report. Tying the Civil Rights Movement’s battles to contemporary struggles over voting rights, election subversion and more, speakers urged Americans to keep demonstrating for positive change. “Sixty years later, we’re the dreamers” who inherited King’s dream, Rev. AL SHARPTON said. “The problem is we’re facing the schemers.”

4. EYES ON NOVEMBER: “The next big abortion battleground: Pennsylvania,” by Holly Otterbein in Philadelphia: “The major showdown over a state Supreme Court seat signals that these once little-noticed elections have become expensive, high-stakes affairs after the fall of Roe v. Wade last year. A pro-Democratic super PAC is quietly gearing up to make abortion the centerpiece of the campaign [for DAN McCAFFERY]. … Though Republicans may not display as much outward confidence as Democrats, they are cautiously optimistic about the race. The GOP establishment got its preferred candidate in [CAROLYN] CARLUCCIO.”

 

A message from The American Petroleum Institute (API):

Policy matters: To help Americans at the fuel pump, Washington must support U.S. oil production.

 

5. THE COST OF SILENCE: U.S. officials were told that Saudi Arabia was shooting and killing hundreds or thousands of Ethiopian immigrants at its Yemeni border, which could rise to the level of crimes against humanity if it were a coordinated policy. Yet they’ve chosen not to go public with criticisms of Riyadh on the matter, NYT’s Ben Hubbard and Edward Wong report. A recent State Department report says the U.S. has raised concerns with Saudi Arabia privately, but it’s not clear whether that’s had an impact. “Rights violations, no matter how grave, rarely take priority when diplomats do business with their counterparts from rich partners like Saudi Arabia.”

6. MINNESOTA THRICE: “What the History of Jesse Ventura and Jill Stein Means for Joe Biden,” by David Siders in Duluth for POLITICO Magazine: “[I]f there’s any place a third-party candidate might gain enough traction to pull some Democratic-leaning votes away from Biden — or where an insurgent Democrat could dull enthusiasm for him in the run-up to the election — there’s a credible argument it’d be here. … [But] ‘we need to vote for Biden.’ That’s something I heard repeatedly in Minnesota, including from progressive Democrats who had previously voted for third-party candidates or who had run as third-party candidates themselves.”

7. CASH DASH: VP KAMALA HARRIS has proven a major draw for the Biden reelect on the fundraising circuit lately, Bloomberg’s Akayla Gardner reports. “Hosts are often forced to turn away interested supporters,” and Harris has brought plenty of celebrity names out to help raise money, from ANNA WINTOUR to ROSARIO DAWSON. Even as Harris remains fairly unpopular nationally, her support among the Democratic base makes her a valuable fundraiser for the campaign.

8. SALT IN THE WOUND: “The SALT Cap Has a $20 Billion Hole,” by WSJ’s Richard Rubin: “Many business owners can easily — and legally — dodge the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions, and that costs the federal government as much as $20 billion a year, according to a new estimate by the Tax Policy Center. … [O]wners of closely held businesses such as law firms and car dealerships are using workarounds allowed by three dozen states to avoid paying more to the federal government. As a result, the cap — part of the 2017 tax overhaul — is generating 80% to 85% of its intended revenue.”

9. GOLDEN STATE GRUMBLING: “Biden advisers bristle at Newsom’s plan to debate DeSantis,” by NBC’s Jonathan Allen, Carol Lee and Monica Alba: “California Gov. GAVIN NEWSOM is increasingly being viewed as a nuisance to some of President Joe Biden’s political advisers … Newsom’s plan to debate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on television carries more risk than potential reward, these people say. … Harris allies take particular umbrage at what they see as Newsom’s attempt to position himself for the 2028 Democratic presidential [primary] at the expense of the vice president.”

 

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PLAYBOOKERS

Tina Smith is the latest Minnesotan pol to enjoy the state fair’s firefighters.

Vivek Ramaswamy sees Elon Musk as a potential presidential adviser.

Nicole Gee’s family got an apology from Fox News for publishing a false story.

Asa Hutchinson said he got nearly 4,000 new donors after the debate.

Quinn Mitchell, 15, is one of New Hampshire’s toughest presidential questioners.

Donald Trump’s Fifth Avenue tower clock is under fresh scrutiny.

OUT AND ABOUT — The Texas State Society hosted a tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson yesterday for the 115th anniversary of his birth (which is today) at LBJ Memorial Grove. SPOTTED: Lynda Johnson Robb and Charles Robb, Lucinda Robb, Stewart McLaurin, Rev. Stephanie Kendell, Christopher Bjornson, Kyle Oliver and Lyndon Boozer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul … DNI Avril Haines … Roger Stone … Semafor’s Steve Clemons … Jennifer Senior … Fox News’ David Spunt … POLITICO’s Darius Dixon, David Iaconangelo and Kasi Perkins … Megan Cassella of Barron’s … Francesca McCrary … Ty Matsdorf … Christopher LaPrade of PhRMA … Leah Daughtry … Benjamin Haas … CNN’s Jedd Rosche … Vanessa Wruble … George Hartmann … Kelsey Berg … Francisco Flores-Pourrat … Sarah Schenning of Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) office … Moutray McLaren … Spencer Silverman of Axiom Strategies … Pete Boyle … TikTok’s Mac Abrams … former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) … August Skamenca ... Gary Cohn … NBC’s Josh Mankiewicz … Karla Raettig of the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund … Jefferson Thomas … Jinnie Christensen of Rep. Vern Buchanan’s (R-Fla.) office … Michael Boots of Breakthrough Energy … Peter Sterne

Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here.

Send Playbookers tips to [email protected] 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.

 

A message from The American Petroleum Institute (API):

How Are Gas Prices Determined? The cost of crude oil is the No. 1 factor in determining retail fuel prices, accounting for nearly 60% of the cost of a gallon of gasoline. Oil companies do not set gasoline prices, nor do convenience store operators or retailers.

Historically, fuel demand increases to higher levels during summer months – even with U.S. refineries operating at near record capacity to produce more fuels to meet demand. Increased demand for motor fuels during summer, layered on top of geopolitical events, affects global market fundamentals. Federal reviews have shown that these market forces of oil supply and demand affect changes in gasoline prices.

New studies show that the U.S. holds more crude oil reserves than anywhere else in the world. Washington policies can add to global supply, and put downward pressure on crude costs and gasoline prices at the pump. Instead of dipping into America’s emergency reserves, Washington should increase access to areas – onshore and offshore across America – for safe, responsible development.

 
 



This post first appeared on Test Sandbox Updates, please read the originial post: here

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