The Playbook Podcast

As the election year kicks off, President Joe Biden is making plans. In the coming weeks, Biden will headline big speeches in both Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson is applying pressure on the president to act more aggressively about the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, which just happens to be an area where the president consistently polls weakest. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks it all down.

Though the House and Senate are still on holiday recess, two big pieces of business from 2023 remain unfinished. Government funding for the new fiscal year and the $100 billion supplemental for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan — a bill that Republicans are demanding be paired with new border security policies — are likely to dominate the first few weeks on the Hill. The looming Iowa caucuses, too, Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza explains, may further complicate things.An earlier version of this episode misstated the first government funding deadline this year. It is January 19.

Exploring the significance of Macomb County in American politics, from 'Reagan Democrats' to presidential battlegrounds. The secret history of American suburbs, including George Romney's role in desegregation and the lasting impact on American politics.

Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, and Steve Garvey discuss the California Senate primary race. Schiff is leading, but Porter and Lee are in a dead heat with Garvey. The guests analyze the progressive stances of the candidates and the pressures they face. The discussion also explores key constituencies and the potential impact of Trump voters in the race.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s ballots, citing his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Senior legal reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to break down what this means going forward, and how it may impact the election at large.Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews senior legal reporter Kyle Cheney.

At a number of recent appearances, President Joe Biden has shown he is not afraid to draw comparisons between the rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. Though not wholly unexplored territory, the move is unusual and seen by some as extreme. White House bureau chief Jonathan Lemire joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to discuss why the Biden team has decided to cross the line, and what potential drawbacks he could face.Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews White House bureau chief Jonathan Lemire.

With senators stuck on the Hill for another week before the Christmas holidays — thanks to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — the pressure is on to pass President Joe Biden’s $106 billion national security supplemental. But Republicans aren’t going for it, so it is unclear whether there will even be a hearing before the new year. Plus, more trouble in the DeSantis camp as Jeff Roe, the leader of his PAC, Never Back Down, resigned Saturday night.

Republican George Santos has been ousted, sparking a special election in NY's 3rd district. The Democratic and Republican nominees, Tom Suozzi and Mazi Melesa Pilip, are discussed, focusing on Pillows' compelling backstory and connection to the Israel Hamas war. The significance of the special election and potential redrawing of district lines is highlighted in relation to determining party control in the House and as an indicator for the 2024 election.

As it weighs how to proceed in negotiations over a new tranche of aid to Ukraine, the Biden administration faces a dilemma of both policy and politics: How much can they concede on border security without losing ground with Democratic voters in 2024? The answer to that question is complicated — both on Capitol Hill, where progressives are fuming at Biden for what they see as caving to the right, and in the general public, where independent voters are fuming at Biden for being too far to the left on matters of migration. White House reporter Jen Haberkorn joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to explore the ins and outs of the latest fight roiling Washington.Playbook co-author Rachael Bade interviews White House reporter Jen Haberkorn.

In a last ditch attempt to convince Congress to agree to send more humanitarian aid to his country before the end of the year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Capitol Hill. He met with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other senior officials, and hosted a press conference with President Joe Biden. But, as national security reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, without a border deal, chances of more aid to Ukraine are all but impossible.Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels national security reporter Alex Ward.