POLITICO Playbook: Beto’s last 2020 mic drop

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST … “Beto O'Rourke drops out of 2020 race,” by David Siders: “Beto O’Rourke abandoned his flagging presidential campaign Friday, writing that it is ‘clear to me now that this campaign doesn't have the means to maneuver forward successfully.’ The previous Texas congressman had been lagging for months in single digits in public opinion polls and was susceptible to not qualifying for the November debate.

“‘Our campaign has been about seeing clearly, speaking truthfully and appearing decisively in the perfect interests of America,’ O’Rourke wrote on Medium. ‘Although it's troublesome to simply accept, it's clear to me now that this campaign does not have the means to maneuver forward efficiently.’” POLITICO

-- “The End of Betomania,” by NYT’s Matt Flegenheimer in Des Moines: “Officially, the top came Friday evening, among teary supporters and stern-faced employees, on the bottom of a humid riverside hill. He spoke across from the world the place the remaining 2020 Democratic contenders can be addressing the gang at a rah-rah candidate dinner, their teams’ cheers already audible from the road above as they filed in.

“‘We’re all somewhat loopy to be doing this,’ Mr. O’Rourke informed one supporter quietly, consoling all comers after giving some valedictory public remarks about staying in the battle. ‘In a great way.’ One after the other, they approached to thank him, to hug him, to take another picture — a grim political processional in the yr of the merry candidate photograph line, accomplished after dusk in entrance of six big picket letters, painted blue to read ‘NO FEAR.’” NYT

THE STATE OF PLAY by way of WAPO’S MATT VISER and JENNA JOHNSON: “In one of the hyper-charged political rises and dramatic collapses in current occasions, O’Rourke on Friday night turned the highest-profile candidate to drop out of the 2020 presidential marketing campaign, amid monetary strains and lagging reputation. His abrupt exit capped every week during which Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) significantly curbed her personal ambitions, laying off most of her New Hampshire employees and reorienting her campaign toward Iowa. In the identical week, an excellent PAC set as much as benefit Joe Biden began operating, a mirrored image of his wrestle to realize floor in Iowa whilst he maintains a position on the prime of what is now a 16-candidate area.

“O’Rourke’s departure demonstrated the winnowing of what began as a historically giant and numerous presidential subject and now's largely controlled by 4 candidates, all of them white, most of them in their 70s, and two of them far to the left ideologically. His determination, coupled with Biden’s and Harris’s difficulties, leaves institution moderates nervous concerning the shape of the race three months earlier than the Iowa caucuses.” WaPo

THE TWITTER PRESIDENCY … “In Trump’s Twitter Feed: Conspiracy-Mongers, Racists and Spies,” by NYT’s Mike McIntire, Karen Yourish and Larry Buchanan: “By retweeting suspect accounts, seemingly with out regard for their id or motives, [President Donald Trump] has lent credibility to white nationalists, anti-Muslim bigots and obscure QAnon adherents like VB Nationalist, an anonymous account that has promoted a hoax about prime Democrats worshiping the Devil and interesting in baby sex trafficking.

“To evaluate this unprecedented moment, The New York Occasions examined Mr. Trump’s interactions with Twitter since he took workplace, reviewing each of his greater than 11,000 tweets and the tons of of accounts he has retweeted, monitoring the methods he is exposed to info and replicating what he is more likely to see on the platform. The end result, including new knowledge analysis and previously unreported particulars, presents probably the most comprehensive view yet of a digital world during which the president spends vital time mingling with extremists, impostors and spies.

“Pretend accounts tied to intelligence providers in China, Iran and Russia had directed hundreds of tweets at Mr. Trump, in response to a Occasions evaluation of propaganda accounts suspended by Twitter. Iranian operatives tweeted anti-Semitic tropes, saying that Mr. Trump was ‘being managed’ by international Zionists, and that pulling out of the Iran nuclear treaty would profit North Korea. Russian accounts tagged the president more than 30,000 occasions, including in supportive tweets concerning the Mexican border wall and his hectoring of black football players. Mr. Trump even retweeted a phony Russian account that stated, ‘We love you, Mr. President!’” NYT … Interactive

ABOUT LAST NIGHT … TRUMP’S NEW 2020 BATTLE CRY: “Trump to Mississippi rally crowd: Impeachment is an affront to you,” by Matthew Choi: “To President Donald Trump, the Home's vote on impeachment wasn't simply an affront to him, however to the hundreds of thousands of People who voted for him. ‘Yesterday’s vote by the novel Democrats is an assault on democracy itself,’ Trump stated throughout a Friday night time rally in Tupelo, Mississippi.

“Trump's comment follows the Home voting Thursday largely alongside get together strains to set the bottom guidelines for an impeachment inquiry. The vote was a litmus check for the impeachment course of, with average Democrats who had been tepid on diving into impeachment voicing their near-unanimous help.

“In Mississippi, Trump framed the probe — sparked by the president's request for Ukrainian officials to research a home political rival — as an assault on his supporters in the rally audience. He reprised the dismissive language he'd employed throughout former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into the 2016 election, calling the impeachment probe a ‘witch hunt.’” POLITICO

HMM … “Trump, DHS differ on who is appearing DHS secretary,” by Ian Kullgren, Anita Kumar, and Daniel Lippman: “President Donald Trump stated this evening that Homeland Security official Chad Wolf is now appearing DHS secretary — and an agency spokesperson promptly replied that he is not. Trump advised reporters before leaving for a campaign rally in Mississippi that Wolf had changed appearing DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan, whose final day in the job was purported to be Thursday. McAleenan had deliberate to prolong his stay till Nov. 7, but Trump stated Wolf was appearing secretary already.

“‘He’s right now appearing and we’ll see what occurs,’ Trump stated. ‘We've got nice individuals in there.’ However DHS disputed that in a written statement a number of minutes later, saying that McAleenan continues to be in cost. ‘McAleenan is the appearing secretary,’ the spokesperson stated in a press release to the press pool. ‘Wolf is the appearing undersecretary for coverage.’

“Trump referred to as Wolf a number of days in the past and advised him to anticipate to be appointed, an individual accustomed to the plan advised POLITICO on Thursday. Two other officials stated that the White Home has been chatting with reluctant GOP senators — together with Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) — and asking them not to oppose Wolf’s appointment to be undersecretary of the division.” POLITICO

Good Saturday morning. Hundreds of Nats fans are anticipated to descend on the Nationwide Mall this afternoon for the parade to have fun the Nationals’ World Collection victory. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. near the Washington Monument and final about two hours traveling to Pennsylvania Avenue and Third Road N.W.

-- SPOTTED FRIDAY NIGHT: Members of the Washington Nationals -- including GM Mike Rizzo, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Aníbal Sánchez, Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Hudson and Sean Doolittle -- celebrating their World Collection win at Cafe Milano. … Juan Soto at Fish by Jose Andrés at MGM Nationwide Harbor.

-- MEANWHILE … WAPO’S JOSH DAWSEY unpacks how the RNC paid for Trump’s luxurious box at the World Collection recreation, leaving lawmakers with the sticky drawback of who and the way a lot to reimburse for the ticket. WaPo … AND NOT EVERY NATS participant is planning on going to the White House Monday. Sean Doolittle confirmed to the Submit that he will take a move.

ABOUT THAT WALL … “Smugglers are sawing by means of new sections of Trump’s border wall,” by WaPo’s Nick Miroff in San Diego: “Smuggling gangs in Mexico have repeatedly sawed by means of new sections of President Trump’s border wall in current months through the use of commercially obtainable energy instruments, opening gaps giant enough for individuals and drug masses to cross by way of, according to U.S. agents and officers with information of the injury.

“The breaches have been made utilizing a well-liked cordless family software referred to as a reciprocating noticed that retails at hardware stores for as little as $100. When fitted with specialized blades, the saws can slice via one of the barrier’s steel-and-concrete bollards in a matter of minutes, in response to the brokers, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they were not approved to talk publicly concerning the barrier-defeating methods.

“After slicing by way of the bottom of a single bollard, smugglers can push the steel out of the best way, allowing an grownup to match via the hole. Because the bollards are so tall — and are hooked up solely to a panel at the very prime — their size makes them simpler to push aside as soon as they've been reduce and are left dangling, in accordance with engineers consulted by The Washington Submit.” WaPo

KEEPING HER EYE ON THE PRIZE -- NANCY PELOSI’S 2020 ADVICE … “‘What works in San Francisco does not necessarily work in Michigan,’ Pelosi stated at a roundtable of Bloomberg News reporters and editors on Friday. ‘What works in Michigan works in San Francisco — talking about staff’ rights and sharing prosperity.’ ‘Keep in mind November,’ she stated. ‘You will need to win the Electoral School.’” Bloomberg … More from the Pelosi interview

-- SPEAKING OF WHAT’S PLAYING ACROSS THE COUNTRY … “Is the anti-Trump suburban revolt escalating? Watch Virginia,” by AP’s Steve Peoples and Alan Suderman in Richmond, Va.: “Almost three years into Trump’s administration, Virginia’s leftward shift seems to be rapidly accelerating. Because the beginning of 2017, Democrats have gained each statewide contest, made historic positive aspects within the House of Delegates and picked up three further congressional seats. And on Tuesday, Democrats are simply a handful of latest seats away from seizing management of both chambers of the Virginia legislature for the first time in more than two many years.

“Voters across a number of other states additionally head to the polls Tuesday, including Mississippi and Kentucky, whose high-profile gubernatorial races have attracted Trump’s direct involvement.

“But more than anyplace, Virginia’s lower-profile state legislative elections will check the magnitude of the GOP’s suburban slide. Democratic victories might reshape the nationwide political landscape in 2020 — and, maybe more broadly, politics across the South for many years. Like Virginia, suburban North Carolina, Georgia and Texas have seen explosive progress and demographic shifts in recent times that have given Democrats actual momentum, even if they've yet to break via.” AP

DAILY RUDY -- “‘I’m the best-paid interpreter within the world’: Indicted Giuliani affiliate Lev Parnas touted windfall from Ukrainian oligarch,” by CNN’s Vicky Ward and Marshall Cohen: “Earlier this yr, Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, acquired a sudden windfall of money from a outstanding Ukrainian oligarch who is preventing extradition to america and is suspected of getting ties to the Russian mob, in line with 4 sources who spoke with Parnas.

“This summer time, Parnas informed potential business associates that his company started receiving payments from the oligarch, Dmytro Firtash, who resides in Austria while preventing bribery fees in the US, the sources informed CNN.

“Parnas also informed these individuals he met with Firtash several occasions over the summer time while in Vienna. In June, in accordance to certainly one of these sources, Parnas vouched to Firtash for 2 well-known Washington legal professionals who later brought up Firtash's plight in a face-to-face assembly with Lawyer Common William Barr.” CNN

IMPEACHMENT CLIP PACKET …

-- “Rick Perry gained’t testify at impeachment inquiry hearing,” by Ben Lefebvre: “Power Secretary Rick Perry won't testify before Home investigators' impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, in line with the DOE. ‘The Secretary will not partake in a secret star chamber inquisition the place company counsel is forbidden to be current,’ DOE spokesperson Shaylyn Hynes stated in an e mail, including that Perry would think about a request from lawmakers to testify in an open hearing. An individual engaged on the inquiry had stated Perry was anticipated to testify on Wednesday.” POLITICO

-- “Growing variety of GOP senators think about acknowledging Trump’s quid pro quo on Ukraine,” by WaPo’s Rachael Bade and Seung Min Kim: “A growing variety of Senate Republicans are ready to acknowledge that President Trump used U.S. army assist as leverage to pressure Ukraine to research former vice chairman Joe Biden and his household because the president repeatedly denies a quid professional quo.

“In this shift in strategy to defend Trump, these Republicans are insisting that the president’s action was not unlawful and doesn't rise to the level of an impeachable offense as the Democratic-led House moves forward with the open part of its probe.

“But the shift among Senate Republicans might complicate the message coming from Trump as he furiously fights the claim that he had withheld U.S. help from Ukraine to strain it to dig up filth on a political rival, whilst an growing number of Republicans marvel how lengthy they will continue to argue that no quid professional quo was at play within the matter.” WaPo

-- “Prime White House official tried to seek out out if ambassador went rogue or acted at Trump’s path on Ukraine,” by CNN’s Kylie Atwood and Manu Raju: “A prime White House official advised lawmakers he tried to seek out out whether President Donald Trump advised a key US diplomat he needed Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, multiple sources conversant in his closed-door impeachment inquiry deposition on Capitol Hill advised CNN.

“His actions show concern contained in the White Home about the extent of the President's position within the push for investigations that would help Trump politically. Tim Morrison, the President's prime Russia adviser, had a number of conversations with American Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. In these discussions, the ambassador referenced talks he had with the President. Morrison turned involved that Sondland was going rogue on Ukraine. Morrison informed lawmakers he thought Sondland was a ‘free radical,’ based on two of the sources. The term was a reference to molecules that cause most cancers.

“To seek out out whether or not Sondland had talked to the President, Morrison went as far as asking Trump's government secretary if the President had truly talked with Sondland. The ambassador's claims about having the conversations checked out each time, Morrison stated in his testimony Thursday, in accordance with the sources.” CNN

2020 WATCH ...

-- NATASHA KORECKI in Des Moines: “In Iowa, Biden confronts a growing menace: Pete Buttigieg”: “Joe Biden dropped to fourth place in Iowa, based on a new ballot released Friday, his worst displaying thus far within the pivotal early state. A couple of hours later, on the largest gathering thus far for any 2020 event, it was clear why.

“Whereas Biden delivered a strong efficiency on stage before a crowd of 13,500 Democrats on the state social gathering’s Liberty & Justice dinner, he was overshadowed and outshined by the candidate who simply handed him in the polls — Pete Buttigieg. At the huge state get together occasion recognized for its catalytic impact on campaigns — it’s extensively remembered as a turning point for Barack Obama’s Iowa fortunes in 2007 — Buttigieg captured the audience’s creativeness, articulating a case for generational change.

“‘I didn’t simply come here to end the period of Donald Trump,’ Buttigieg stated to a roaring crowd of supporters. ‘I’m here to launch the era that should come subsequent.’ The South Bend, Ind., mayor’s speech provided an insight into his current surge right here, and why he's threatening to eclipse the previous vice president in a state the place Biden has been steadily dropping floor since summer time.” POLITICO … Des Moines Register’s dinner roundup

-- “‘This is going to cause down-ballot damage’: Warren's $20 trillion health plan fails to quiet critics,” by Marc Caputo and Alex Thompson

-- “Andrew Yang adds experience to his pirate-ship campaign,” by Eugene Daniels and Zach Montellaro

TRUMP’S SATURDAY -- The president will depart the White House at 6:50 p.m. en path to New York City.

WASHINGTON INC. -- “Okay Road’s latest star built enterprise on doubtful claims of Trump ties,” by WaPo’s Beth Reinhard and Jonathan O'Connell: “Since President Trump took office, the lobbyist Michael Esposito has been wildly profitable, turning a household business that when targeted on municipal transportation points into one of the fastest-growing lobbying companies in Washington. Esposito has broken into the international market, landing top-dollar Ukrainian shoppers final yr and amassing $1.65 million from Chinese tech big Huawei in a three-month interval this yr, in response to lobbying data. In all, Esposito’s firm, Federal Advocates, pulled in five occasions as a lot cash in 2018 as it did in the yr earlier than Trump took office, data show.

“Fueling that rise, at the least partially, are Esposito’s claims that he is uniquely positioned: a former Capitol Hill staffer who's close to centers of energy in the Trump administration. Esposito has ‘an open line of communication to the President of the USA’ and is in ‘regular’ contact with the president, Federal Advocates wrote in three contract bids reviewed by The Washington Submit. The same proposals say Esposito labored with the president’s son Eric Trump and son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner on actual property deals. And the firm’s website calls Esposito ‘an integral a part of the senior-most leadership’ of the Republican Nationwide Committee.

“Some of these very individuals, nevertheless, advised The Submit that Esposito’s claims are significantly embellished — or just not true. ‘I've no recollection of a Michael Esposito,’ stated Eric Trump. ‘Seems like somebody making an attempt to trade off our identify.’ ‘Jared Kushner doesn't know who Michael Esposito is,’ an administration official stated. The RNC just lately despatched him a ‘stop and desist’ letter. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham did not tackle Esposito’s declare of accessing the president but stated she did not know him.

“Esposito declined to be interviewed for this story. In emails, he stood by his claims. He stated nondisclosure agreements forestall him from discussing particulars of his work with Kushner and the president’s son. Esposito offered a photo of himself with Trump subsequent to an American flag at a 2017 fundraiser as evidence of his declare, in bids for native authorities contracts, to have a ‘robust personal and professional relationship with President Trump.’” WaPo

MATT DIXON and BRIAN FALER in Tallahassee: “What Trump may achieve as newest Florida Man”: “President Donald Trump’s choice to turn out to be a resident of the nation’s largest swing state took New Yorkers and Floridians by surprise — however perhaps it shouldn’t have. Trump introduced his transfer in a collection of Thursday night time tweets, saying he had been mistreated by New York officers, who have investigated his companies and aggressively sought his tax returns. The most recent Florida Man has some issues to realize by — at the very least on paper — leaving the Empire State for the Sunshine State.” POLITICO

DAVID RUBENSTEIN SPEAKS -- “‘I guess that's revealing’: David Rubenstein on Trump and the weight of history,” by Guardian’s Martin Pengelly

CLICKER -- “The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics,” edited by Matt Wuerker: 16 keepers

GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman (@dlippman):

-- “At 6, She Misplaced Her Greatest Pal In The Pittsburgh Synagogue Capturing. At 7, She’s Still Struggling With Trauma,” by BuzzFeed’s Julia Reinstein: “A yr after 11 of their own have been killed in an anti-Semitic attack, Jewish youngsters and teenagers in Pittsburgh are still dealing with the trauma: ‘This will affect her entire life — it’s not something that may simply..

Src: POLITICO Playbook: Beto’s last 2020 mic drop
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