

The Playbook Podcast
POLITICO
POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns bring their fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the biggest story driving the day in the nation’s capital.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 26, 2023 • 6min
Apr. 26, 2023: Biden's 2024 strategy emerges
President Joe Biden launched his re-election campaign with a slick video and not much fanfare — though we have the scoop on a big splash his allies are preparing. Plus, the other news you need to know today.Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza talks with White House editor Sam Stein.

Apr 25, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 25, 2023: Biden's last dance
President Joe Biden launches his re-election campaign with a video release this morning and is scheduled to make his first remarks as an official 2024 candidate at a union conference later in the day. Plus, all eyes on the House and what Kevin McCarthy’s planned debt limit vote shows about his strength as speaker.Playbook co-author Rachael Bade talks with Congress reporter Olivia Beavers.

Apr 24, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 24, 2023: A lotta news and a lotta parties during Correspondents' Dinner week
It’s a huge week for us at Playbook — the White House Correspondents' Dinner is on Saturday and we're also expecting President Joe Biden to launch his re-election campaign this week — although the usual caveats apply. Plus we've got our eyes on the House, where Speaker Kevin McCarthy is hoping to get his Republican conference in line behind his plan to handle the debt limit.Playbook editor Mike DeBonis talks with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels.

Apr 21, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 21, 2023: A former GOP congressman lets loose on DeSantis
Today, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling regarding abortion pill mifepristone, with major implications for reproductive rights and health care. Plus, President Joe Biden is eyeing next Tuesday for a soft launch of his 2024 campaign, and a former colleague of Ron DeSantis in the House on his lack of more Republican endorsements.Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels.

Apr 20, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 20, 2023: McCarthy faces his biggest test yet
Mifepristone, the most widely used abortion pill in the U.S., will continue to be widely available for at least two more days after the Supreme Court extended its deadline. On Capitol Hill, we're about to see Speaker McCarthy face his biggest test yet. And in 2024 land, Chris Christie is starting to spend a lot of time in early states. Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with Playbook co-author Rachael Bade.

Apr 19, 2023 • 8min
Apr. 19, 2023: Trump undercuts DeSantis endorsement and a day of hearings on the Hill
The “Jack the Dripper” story heads to Capitol Hill today, Supreme Court action on abortion pill is expected and we’re processing the surprise settlement in the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News. Plus DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Homeland Security Committee. Over in the Senate, Rocket Man himself Elton John will testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on PEPFAR.Playbook editor Mike DeBonis talks with Playbook co-author Rachael Bade.

Apr 18, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 18, 2023: So how's Kevin McCarthy gonna sell his debt limit plan?
Watching House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sell his debt limit plan to his conference, many of whom have never voted to increase the debt ceiling, is gonna be interesting. Plus — the position that Senate Democrats are in after Senate Republicans came out against temporarily replacing Sen. Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, and what else you need to know in politics today.

Apr 17, 2023 • 6min
Apr. 17, 2023: Congress is back today. Here are our biggest questions.
Is DiFi's career over? That's probably the biggest question facing the Senate. Plus, Speaker Kevin McCarthy gives a speech at the New York Stock Exchange this morning and Republicans are set to face a whole host of hot-button headlines — Trump and Tennessee among them — that they didn't have to weigh in on over the past couple of weeks.Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down her reporting.

Apr 14, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 14, 2023: DeSantis's abortion ban
It's a very big day on the abortion-rights front: inside the contradictory court orders on mifepristone and Florida's abortion ban. Plus, Thursday, FBI arrested the suspected source of a massive trove of leaked national security documents — Jack Texeira — who is expected to appear in federal court in Boston today.Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with national security reporter Erin Banco.

Apr 13, 2023 • 7min
Apr. 13, 2023: Is time up for Dianne Feinstein?
Donald Trump's legal drama continues to develop on multiple fronts, Sen. Tim Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis wade into the 2024 pool and D.C.'s reaction to Sen. Dianne Feinstein's statement.Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton talks with Playbook editor Mike DeBonis.


