The Playbook Podcast

Republicans demanded a border deal in order to pass any Ukraine aid. And they’ve just about got one. But if Donald Trump gets his way, Republicans will abandon that effort and the bill will go down in flames. Congress reporter Ursula Perano joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to talk through the bizarre politics on the Hill that are leading some Republicans to ditch the deal they helped broker — and what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell really thinks about it.

When it was unveiled, the bipartisan tax deal brokered by Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) seemed like a layup — it expanded the child tax credit (a Dem priority) while offering relief to businesses (a GOP priority). But now, in the cold spotlight of simple congressional vote-counting, it faces a very real challenge: border politics. Can it actually pass? Tax policy reporter Ben Guggenheim walks Playbook co-author Rachael Bade through what has to happen to make it through the Congress.

A victory in the granite state for former President Donald Trump effectively ended Nikki Haley’s shot at the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. But the former governor of South Carolina announced Tuesday she will continue the fight in her home state, even though she is expected to lose by an even larger margin there. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, handily — and, as expected— won the New Hampshire write-in campaign, upsetting Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips who hedged much of his campaign’s bets on success in the state. The biggest takeaway from the night, as Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza tells Eugene Daniels, is that all signs point to a repeat of the 2020 race.

Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Ryan Lizza talk about what Ryan's been experiencing on the ground in New Hampshire, where Donald Trump currently has a double digit polling lead over Nikki Haley. Plus everything else you need to know today.

After vowing to stay in the race despite a disappointing second place finish in Iowa, Gov. Ron DeSantis made a 180-degree turn and ended his turbulent campaign Sunday. Florida reporter Gary Fineout talks to Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels about the failure to launch and whether we'll see DeSantis as a surrogate. Plus, POLITICO legal editor James Romoser breaks down what you need to watch for in Donald Trump trial news this week.

With Senate negotiators expected to unveil a bipartisan border deal any day now, the chatter on Capitol Hill has turned to one elephantine obstacle: How to get this thing past the GOP-led House. The answer may just be… Democratic votes. And that could be a problem for Speaker Mike Johnson, especially as Donald Trump and the party’s right flank aren’t eager to support a border compromise — potentially dooming Johnson’s speakership. But now, a new scenario is gaining steam: If that happens, might Democrats actually help keep the gavel in the Louisianan’s hands? Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through the possibilities.

With a partial government shutdown just days away, a clutch of top government officials — including President Joe Biden and House Speaker Mike Johnson — met yesterday to negotiate a potential spending deal. But before any deal gets finalized, they must reach a compromise on two big issues: border security (a priority for the GOP) and aid to Ukraine (a priority for Biden). So, what, if anything, changed in the meeting? And what’s the state of play today? White House reporter Myah Ward shares her readout with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels.Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels interviews White House reporter Myah Ward.

The Supreme Court will take up Chevron deference on Wednesday, a principle related to how much consideration judges must give to federal agency regulations and other executive branch decisions that stems from a Reagan-era environmental regulation. Energy reporter Alex Guillén tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza that the fact the court is even taking it up signals that a change in the 40 year-old rule seems likely.Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza interviews energy reporter Alex Guillén.

Capturing more than 50% of the delegates up for grabs, former president Donald Trump claimed a historic, dominant win mere minutes after the Iowa caucuses began Monday night. By the end of the evening, he had also picked up another endorsement, this time from businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who withdrew his bid for president. Florida governor Ron DeSantis claimed second place and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley came in third. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade was on the ground in Iowa and tells Eugene Daniels what she saw and heard.

We’re just days away from the first ballots cast in the 2024 presidential cycle: the Iowa caucuses. But this year’s GOP contest is shaping up to look a bit different than you may expect. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza sits down with storied Iowa Republican strategist David Kochel in Des Moines to talk the field, campaigns and what to expect on Monday.