THE 14-HOUR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING Thursday taught us valuable little new concerning the substance of the impeachment of President DONALD TRUMP. However it placed on vivid display the Republicans’ blood lust for JOE BIDEN and his son HUNTER, undermining a central thesis of the previous VP’s marketing campaign: that he’s uniquely qualified to convey down Washington’s fevered partisanship.
IN FACT, Thursday confirmed that Biden himself could be the fever.
THE MODERN-DAY CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY has tended to focus its power on individuals as emblematic of perceived ills -- HILLARY CLINTON and ERIC HOLDER, for example. And, at the moment, they have their eyes transfixed on BIDEN. The majority of congressional Republicans say what House Minority Chief KEVIN MCCARTHY stated at our Playbook event Thursday: TRUMP would beat anyone within the Democratic subject. (Knowledge doesn’t all the time agree with them.) But should Biden make it to the White Home -- or even when he doesn’t -- Republicans say they’ll use any sliver of power they've to research, poke and probe BIDEN and his son.
“THIS IMPEACHMENT EFFORT could have wounds and scars that may last into the subsequent administration, and any perception that one way or the other might be restored or the genie put back within the bottle is just not reality,” Rep. MARK MEADOWS (R-N.C.) informed us.
IT’S EASY TO DISMISS THE HOUSE as an outlier, the more conservative and rambunctious of the 2 chambers. But in at the moment’s Republican Social gathering on Capitol Hill, the loudest widespread denominator tends to prevail. Just see Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.), who, after months of badgering from TRUMP-aligned conservatives, decided to use his clout as Judiciary chairman to open an inquest into Biden-related issues -- one thing he had vowed to avoid.
OF COURSE, the furor may subside -- because it did with HILLARY CLINTON. But Republicans say they find the Democrats’ impeachment of TRUMP egregious, and their blind eye to Biden’s conduct notably disturbing.
DEMOCRATS say Joe Biden did nothing fallacious -- and there’s no specific evidence of wrongdoing by the previous VP. But to Republicans, the information are quite simple: Hunter was on a board of a outstanding firm in a rustic the place his father carried out overseas policy. Politically, it’s a digestible message, and substantively, to the GOP, it deserves sustained attention.
AND NOW, THERE ARE REPUBLICANS who're already vowing to put into regulation that youngsters of presidents and VPs can't serve on overseas boards -- inspired by BIDEN.
“THE LESSON LEARNED for our country that we truly do something about is making certain that no son or daughter of a president or vice chairman is getting a highly paid company gig from a corrupt overseas company run by a corrupt overseas oligarch, the place you haven't any qualifications, no experience for it,” Rep. LEE ZELDIN (R-N.Y.) stated.
NEW THIS MORNING … Speaker NANCY PELOSI’S office has put out a video of former Home Republicans criticizing the GOP on impeachment. The two-minute clip
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH … L.A. TIMES’ MOLLY O’TOOLE and SARAH WIRE: “Millions in military aid at center of impeachment hasn’t reached Ukraine”: “More than $20 million of the Pentagon help on the middle of the impeachment battle nonetheless hasn’t reached Ukraine. The continued delay undermines a key argument towards impeachment from President Trump’s Republican allies and a brand new authorized memo from the White Home Workplace of Administration and Price range.”
Good Friday morning. It’s Friday the 13th.
IMPEACHMENT DRAMA -- “House Judiciary Committee postpones approval of impeachment articles to Friday,” by Andrew Desiderio and Kyle Cheney: “The primary impeachment in a era is about to hit the House flooring — however not earlier than a ultimate burst of partisan rancor and an abrupt, if short-term, delay from the House Judiciary Committee.
“The panel was shifting Thursday to approve two articles of impeachment towards President Donald Trump — one charging him with abuse of power, the opposite with obstructing congressional investigations — whereas keeping off last-ditch efforts by Republicans to derail them earlier than a ultimate flooring vote anticipated next week.
“But just after 11 p.m., following a marathon 14-hour debate, Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) paused the proceedings and introduced the committee would wait till 10 a.m. Friday to vote on the articles of impeachment.” POLITICO
-- AP: “‘It's now very late at night time,’ Nadler stated after presiding over the two-day session. ‘I would like the members on each side of the aisle to consider what has happened over these past two days and to look their consciences before they forged their remaining votes.’”
PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN … NYT, A18 … PETER BAKER and MAGGIE HABERMAN: “For Trump, Impeachment May Be a Political Plus, but Also a Personal Humiliation”: “This can be a season of conflicting impulses for a president who typically seems ruled by them. As the House strikes toward what even he says is an inevitable vote to impeach him for top crimes and misdemeanors, Mr. Trump toggles between self-pity and combativeness. He appears forward to a Senate trial that he appears positive to win and thinks that it'll assist him on the marketing campaign path when he travels the nation boasting that he had been ‘exonerated’ after the newest partisan ‘witch hunt.’
“But he nurses resentment over the purple mark about to be tattooed on his web page within the historical past books as solely the third president in American history to be impeached. It doesn't matter what some of his critics say, advisers stated he genuinely does not need to be impeached, viewing it as a personal humiliation. Even in personal, he accepts no blame and expresses no remorse, but he rails towards the enemies he sees all around him.”
BURGESS EVERETT and MARIANNE LEVINE on the SENATE TRIAL: “The [GOP] is uniting around a technique that might shortly acquit President Donald Trump of articles of impeachment while giving them the chance to call witnesses later in the trial if Republicans and the president aren't glad with how issues are going, based on interviews with almost a dozen Republican senators on Thursday.
“Heading into the trial, Republicans’ plan can be to name no witnesses and simply permit House Democrats after which the president’s attorneys to make their case before the public. After that, the Senate would contemplate calling individuals either for stay testimony or closed-door depositions. It’s a plan they consider will insulate the Senate GOP from strain to call a number of controversial witnesses — which the caucus would wrestle to do for political and procedural reasons alike — while placing Trump on monitor to be cleared before the top of January.” POLITICO
WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL to discuss the impeachment course of. On Thursday night time, he went on Fox News’ “HANNITY” to advertise a new printing of his ebook “The Long Recreation,” which contains a ahead by TRUMP and an afterward by him. Word that McConnell’s look got here after a Thursday meeting with White Home counsel Pat Cipollone in his Senate workplace.
A FEW KEY BITES … MCCONNELL stated there “shall be no distinction between the president’s position and our position as to the way to handle” impeachment, which he stated he’s dealing with “in complete coordination with the White House counsel.” He stated -- as Burgess noted -- that the “president’s counsel might or might not determine they need to have witnesses.” “The case is so darn weak coming over from the House. We all know the way it’s going to finish: There’s no probability the president’s gonna be removed from workplace. My hope is that there gained’t be a single Republican who votes for both of those articles of impeachment.”
-- MCCONNELL ON A SHORT TRIAL: “If you realize you could have the votes, you’ve listened to the arguments on each side, and you consider the case is so slim, so weak that you've the votes to end it, that could be what the president’s legal professionals would like, and you may definitely make a case for making it shorter quite than longer since it’s such a weak case.”
BIG NEWS … CAITLIN EMMA and JEN SCHOLTES: “Lawmakers reach a bipartisan deal ‘in principle’ to fund the government”: “Prime congressional appropriators announced on Thursday that they've reached a ‘deal in precept’ to fund the federal authorities and increase defense and domestic budgets by $49 billion in fiscal 2020, with plans for a House vote as early as Tuesday.
“The bipartisan agreement would avert a government shutdown that otherwise would kick in when a stopgap spending invoice expires on Dec. 20, or yet one more stopgap that may stretch into the new yr. … The House and Senate will probably look to cross all 12 appropriations payments in two huge packages, or ‘minibuses.’”
-- THIS WILL BE NEXT WEEK’S SEQUENCING, as of now, with the caveat that it’s December, so issues can change: Tuesday: authorities funding (if it’s ready and released with sufficient time for assessment.) Wednesday: impeachment. Thursday: USMCA.
NEW … HOUSE MAJORITY FORWARD -- an arm of House Majority PAC, which supports Home Democrats -- is spending $2.5 MILLION thanking HOUSE DEMOCRATS for voting for the Democrats’ most up-to-date bill aimed toward decreasing the cost of prescribed drugs for People.
THE 30-SECOND SPOT differs area by area. The spot for Rep. MAX ROSE, whose district is anchored in Staten Island, is referred to as “Like Hell,” and the narrator says, “Max Rose knows you have to struggle like hell to make issues higher. Thank him for preventing to lower drug prices.” The ad they minimize for Rep. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER of Virginia known as “And You” -- it says if Medicare might negotiate lower drug prices, it ought to be good for seniors, “for you, and you, and you.” The spot for Iowa Rep. ABBY FINKENAUER urges her to “maintain taking names and decreasing costs,” and highlights the invoice’s benefits for rural People.
HOUSE MAJORITY FORWARD can also be airing advertisements on behalf of Iowa Rep. CINDY AXNE, Maine Rep. JARED GOLDEN, Michigan Reps. ELISSA SLOTKIN and HALEY STEVENS, Nevada Rep. SUSIE LEE, New Jersey Rep. ANDY KIM, New Mexico Rep. XOCHITL TORRES SMALL, New York Reps. ANTONIO DELGADO and ANTHONY BRINDISI, Oklahoma Rep. KENDRA HORN, South Carolina Rep. JOE CUNNINGHAM, Utah Rep. BEN MCADAMS and Virginia Rep. ELAINE LURIA.
-- SARAH FERRIS (@sarahnferris) on different cash pouring in for this effort: “DCCC launches mid-5-figure digital advert buy to promote Pelosi’s drug pricing invoice. Conservative group AAN counters with $four *million* ad promoting the GOP’s version of the bill.”
IS THERE A CHINA DEAL? … WSJ: “Michael Pillsbury, an adviser to the president, stated he spoke with Mr. Trump, who stated the deal requires China to buy $50 billion value of agricultural items in 2020, along with power and different goods. In trade the U.S. would scale back the tariff fee on many Chinese language imports, which now ranges from 15% to 25%.” WSJ … More from Adam Behsudi
2020 WATCH …
-- NYT’S MAGGIE HABERMAN and ANNIE KARNI: “Will Trump Debate a Democrat in 2020? He’s Not So Positive”: “President Trump is discussing together with his advisers the likelihood of sitting out the overall election debates in 2020 because of his misgivings concerning the fee that oversees them, in accordance with two individuals acquainted with the discussions. Mr. Trump has advised advisers that he does not belief the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonprofit entity that sponsors the debates, the two individuals stated.” NYT
-- ALEX ISENSTADT: “Trump shocks black voters — by making an attempt to get their votes”: “The Westside Gazette payments itself as ‘Broward County’s oldest and largest African American owned-and-operated newspaper.’ For five many years, the Fort-Lauderdale, Fla. weekly has catered to a staunchly Democratic readership.
“So when readers opened an version last month to discover a full-page advert from President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, many couldn’t consider it. Why would he even hassle? ‘I assumed it was fairly abnormal,’ stated Bobby Henry, the newspaper’s publisher and chief government supply. He stated a reader sought him out at church last weekend to ask what was up. ‘For [Trump] to reach out to the broader African American group is what stunned me.’
“But that’s precisely what Trump is doing. The president’s reelection marketing campaign has spent $1 million in an effort to make inroads with black voters, and extra is coming, in accordance with an individual with direct information of the planning. The initiative, dubbed ‘Black Voices’ by the marketing campaign, up to now has included advertisements in black-run newspapers and on radio stations, volunteer training seminars, and a kickoff event hosted by Trump in Atlanta final month.” POLITICO
-- “Bloomberg’s bottomless wallet funds hiring frenzy,” by Sally Goldenberg
SUNDAY SO FAR …
TRUMP’S FRIDAY -- The president will participate in the arrival of Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez at 11 a.m. in the South Portico. He'll take part in an expanded bilateral assembly with Benítez at 11:10 am in the Oval Workplace. Trump and first woman Melania Trump will participate in a Christmas reception at eight:15 p.m. within the Grand Lobby.
BORIS UNBOUND … JACK BLANCHARD on WHAT JOHNSON’S BIG WIN MEANS: “Any prospect of Britain remaining within the EU has gone. … Johnson now has free rein to recast Britain’s whole relationship with Europe as he sees fit … Johnson will even have the facility to reshape domestic coverage over the approaching years without restraint from his get together or from Parliament. … The Conservatives are more likely to rule Britain for the entire of the 2020s at the very least. … Large question marks cling over the future of the union … The potential for a reunited Eire.” More from London Playbook … The results … What Johnson’s win means for Brexit
-- “Donald Trump: Tory victory opens door to ‘massive’ UK-US trade deal,” by POLITICO Europe’s Cristina Gallardo
MARKETWATCH -- “Stocks Rally as Trade and Brexit Uncertainties Recede,” by WSJ’s Steven Russolillo and Joanne Chiu: “International shares rallied Friday as indicators of progress in resolving two main overhangs—the U.S.-China commerce spat and Brexit—bolstered buyers’ danger urge for food late in what is already a banner yr for markets.”
BRIAN HOOK SPEAKS … THE IRAN ENVOY’S REMARKS AT CFR: “Because of our strain, Iran’s leaders are dealing with a choice they have not confronted critically because the end of the 1980s: Either pursue negotiations and compromise, or manage economic collapse. Our strain will continue to deny this regime revenue and disrupt its financial networks till we have now secured a comprehensive settlement.” State.gov … ICYMI: Alex Ward’s profile of Hook
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION -- “Senate Confirms John Sullivan as U.S. Ambassador to Russia,” by NYT’s Michael Levenson: “The Senate on Thursday confirmed President Trump’s nominee John J. Sullivan to be the subsequent United States ambassador to Russia, succeeding Jon M. Huntsman Jr., who resigned in August after a turbulent tenure characterised by sanctions towards Moscow and investigations into the Kremlin’s election interference.
“Mr. Sullivan, an in depth ally of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who had been serving as deputy secretary of state, was confirmed by a vote of 70 to 22. His confirmation has been intently watched as one of many key steps wanted to pave the best way for a potential Senate run by Mr. Pompeo in his residence state, Kansas.” NYT
2020 MOVE -- “Biden picks up O'Rourke alum to steer digital efforts,” by Zach Montellaro: “Rob Flaherty, who served as the digital director for former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s ill-fated presidential bid, is becoming a member of the former vice chairman's marketing campaign. Beforehand, Flaherty was the artistic director at Priorities USA — the main Democratic super PAC — and was digital rapid-response director on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.” POLITICO
MEDIAWATCH … SMART STORY from MICHAEL CALDERONE: “Newspapers in swing states have but to embrace impeachment”: “The journalistic juices at the moment are flowing, with the editorial pages of The Washington Publish, Los Angeles Occasions, Boston Globe, Orlando Sentinel, Philadelphia Inquirer, and USA Right now all calling for impeachment of President Donald Trump.
“However the current flurry of editorials hasn’t come near the extent 20 years in the past when greater than 115 newspaper boards referred to as for President Bill Clinton’s resignation after the release of unbiased counsel Ken Starr’s report, which happened two months earlier than articles have been formally drawn up in Congress. And the half-dozen or so editorial boards out front this time stay largely on the coasts or are geared towards national audiences.” POLITICO
-- FROM A PEW RESEARCH SURVEY of trust in the news media through the Trump period: “About three-in-ten Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (31%) say journalists have very low ethical requirements, roughly six occasions the 5% of Democrats and Democratic leaners who say this.” Pew
-- Kevin Poulson has joined the investigations staff on the WSJ, “the place I'll be diving into election interference and all method of digital chicanery as part of a small cadre of like-minded journo-geeks,” he tweets. He beforehand was a reporter for The Every day Beast.
Send tricks to Eli Okun and Garrett Ross at politicoplaybook@politico.com.
SPOTTED: Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) at Union Station on Thursday afternoon. … George Will strolling into Brooks Brothers on Connecticut Avenue on Thursday afternoon. … Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.) on American Airways flight 4322 from DCA to NYC, sitting in seat 14C, on Thursday.
HOLIDAY PARTY CIRCUIT -- SPOTTED at the POLITICO Playbook vacation get together Thursday night time, hosted by the Nationwide Restaurant Association (supported by the Distilled Spirits Council, Beer Institute, NBWA, IFA, SNAC International, American Beverage Affiliation and American Beverage Licenses): Dawn Sweeney, Sean Kennedy, Craig Purser, Lauren Kane, Chris Swonger, Frank Coleman, Jim McGreevey, Dan Roth, Matt Haller, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Guy Benson, Adam Clever, Reem Sadik, Emorie Broemel, Reema Dodin and Will Nordwind.
-- SPOTTED on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s holiday celebration at its headquarters Thursday night time: Tom Donohue, Jon Downs, Carl Hulse, Jim Young, Meredith Singer, Geoff Manville, Neil Hare, Andrew Friedman, Michelle Russo, Martin Durban, Patrick Metal, Scott Reed, Sarah Armstrong, Brianna Puccini, Kelsey Barron, Kelley Moore, Christopher Buki, Ben Brody and Alex Gangitano.
-- SPOTTED at a bipartisan holidays reception for FMC, the association of former members of Congress: Anne Marie Buerkle, Cliff Stearns, Connie Morella, Dan Maffei, Dennis Hertel, Martin Frost, Martin Lancaster, Tim Hutchinson, Tim Petri, Nick Rahall, Jeff Werner, Peter Lefkin and Satohiro Akimoto.
-- SPOTTED on the Hamilton Place Strategies holiday celebration Thursday night time: Tony Sayegh, Eamon Javers, Josh Dawsey, Lauren Claffey, Victoria Guida, Katy O’Donnell, Caitlin and Alex Conant, Zeke Miller, Saleha Mohsin, Alan Rappeport, Colin Reed, Molly Meiners, Fritz Vaughan, Joey Smith, Rob Schmidt and Dan Ronayne.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD -- Lee Russell, CFO of the Republican Attorneys Common Association, and Jordan Russell, associate at R Squared LLC, welcomed Margaret “Maggie” Grace Russell on Thursday. She joins huge brother Campbell and came in at 7 lbs, 10 ouncesand 20 inches. Pic
BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Michael D. Smith, government director of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and youth opportunities packages on the Obama Foundation. A fun reality about him: “I like to sing — principally gospel music. I grew up in the Pentecostal Church, and was in church and faculty choirs. And I’m undoubtedly a choir singer, not a soloist! I don’t have many shops to sing right now aside from on Sunday mornings, in my automotive and with my closest buddies and colleagues with whom we randomly discover ourselves breaking into track to punctuate a moment!” Playbook Q&A
BIRTHDAYS: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) is 77 … Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is 57 … Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) is 61 … former Secretary of State George Shultz is 99 … Herman Cain is 74 … Mo Elleithee, government director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service and a Fox Information contributor, is 47..
Src: POLITICO Playbook: The Biden fever
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