Politico Playbook Audio Briefing

Yesterday, the International Association of Fire Fighters announced that they will not endorse a candidate for president — a blow to Kamala Harris, especially as the group traditionally backs Democratic presidential candidates. Coming on the heels of the Teamsters’ non-endorsement, what exactly is the status of organized labor’s relationship with the Democratic Party? Labor and immigration reporter Nick Niedzwiadek joins Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton to discuss what it all means. That, plus big news about former President Barack Obama’s return to the presidential campaign trail.

If you thought there wasn’t anything new you could learn about Donald Trump on January 6, special counsel Jack Smith has news for you. Yesterday, a federal judge unsealed a 165-page legal brief by Smith with new details of Trump’s attempt to overturn the election results in 2020. The questions now: Will this matter in the 2024 election, and how will it affect Trump’s legal jeopardy? Senior legal reporter Kyle Cheney joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to break it down. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris campaigns today with former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). That, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

Those who predicted a slugfest were sadly disappointed. In Tuesday night's VP debate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance had a debate that was light on body blows and heavy on policy. Playbook co-authors Eugene Daniels and Rachael Bade break down the highs, the lows, and, unrelated but importantly: why it's time for you to put your Halloween decorations up.

Expect jabs over military service and who’s ‘weird’ from JD Vance and Tim Walz during the first — and only — vice presidential debate in 2024. With just over one month until Election Day and a tight race, the stakes couldn’t get any higher. Reporters Meredith Lee Hill and Mia McCarthy join Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to walk through what they’re watching for during tonight’s showdown.

After Hurricane Helene devastated cities across the Southeast this past weekend, political finger-pointing has sprung over how to best respond to disaster-torn communities. At a campaign rally, former President Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of neglecting disaster areas while vacationing, and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for fundraising over the weekend. Later today, Trump plans to visit Valdosta, Georgia for a briefing on the disaster, and President Joe Biden plans to visit disaster-impacted areas later this week. But, North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards told Playbook's Rachael Bade that his constituents need water, food, and federal disaster assistance, not political photo opps. That, plus, everything else you need to know today.

Mitch McConnell’s remaining time as head of the Senate GOP may be limited, but he still has plenty to say — if you get the chance to talk with him. We did. And we asked him about the future of the filibuster, the upcoming election and some of the most controversial campaign remarks from Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance. Playbook co-authors Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels talk through what we learned — and the one topic on which he’s remaining mum.

Just weeks before an election in which they hope to regain a majority, Senate Republicans are singing from the same hymnal in public. But behind the scenes, there are real divisions as jockeying heats up to replace Mitch McConnell and become the next GOP leader. Frontrunners John Thune (S.D.) and John Cornyn (Texas) are appealing to supporters and — who else — former President Donald Trump. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through it all. Plus, what we know about New York Mayor Eric Adams’ indictment. All that, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

That smell coming off Capitol Hill today? Jet fumes, as members prepare to get out of dodge. The House of Representatives is expected to vote this evening on a continuing resolution that will fund the government until December. According to Playbook editor Mike DeBonis, what happens next is heavily influenced by the outcome of the election. He breaks it all down with Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels. Plus, formal charges from the Department of Justice for would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh, and the rest of the news you need to know today.

President Joe Biden will address the United Nations General Assembly this afternoon in what is expected to be one of the most important appearances in the final months of his presidency. Aides to the president say Biden has two goals: to burnish his own foreign policy legacy and to bolster Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. White House Bureau Chief Jonathan Lemire joins Playbook editor Mike DeBonis to walk through what else we know. Plus, another possible scandal for a New York Republican representative, and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a six-month continuing resolution that would fund the government until late December. The move is in direct defiance against former President Donald Trump’s stated wishes for the bill, but Johnson argued that a government shutdown 40 days before the election would be “political malpractice.” Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down what’s included in the bill and what’s missing. Plus, multiple staffers on North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign team have resigned and everything else you need to know today.

On Thursday, reports surfaced that North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson used a pseudonym on internet forums to express support for antisemitic ideals, as well as to comment on pornographic material. Natalie Allison of POLITICO reported that Robinson had an account on the website Ashely Madison, which is designed for married people looking for extramarital affairs. POLITICO's Natalie Allison talks with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about the discoveries and whether his faltering poll numbers in North Carolina could impact Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial attempt to avoid a government shutdown has been quashed. Yesterday, Johnson put a spending bill on the floor, and it died in a 202-220 vote, with some Republicans joining with Democrats to down the proposal. So … where does Johnson go from here? Playbook editor (and former congress reporter) Mike DeBonis joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to walk through next moves. Plus, the Teamsters put out a non-endorsement in the presidential race, while Donald Trump made some outlandish predictions about New York’s vote during a rally on Long Island. All of that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with three journalists—including Playbook’s own Eugene Daniels—to chat about some of the election’s most pressing issues. Eugene and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza discuss what we've learned about the Democratic presidential nominee's stance on the war in Gaza, restoring Roe v. Wade, and how she perceives the task of winning Black voters.

Democrats have been using the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, as fodder for support on the campaign trail, but some are more worried about the transition of power should Kamala Harris win the White House in November. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs deep on what both Democrats and Republicans are saying. Plus, the latest updates on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Sunday and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

For the second time in just over three months, Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. Around 1:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman who was located in the brush outside of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Trump, who was on the golf course, was unharmed. But this story is just beginning; Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through what we know about the incident and the alleged gunman’s puzzling political views.

Legalized sports gambling is everywhere. Could betting on elections be next? Americans will soon be able to legally gamble on the presidential election. After a judge rejected the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s attempt to block it, financial exchange company Kashi launched the country’s first fully regulated election-betting markets on Thursday. Capital markets reporter Declan Harty walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through what this means for the election, and why some officials are ringing alarm bells.

It’s mid-September, which means it’s that time of year again: Sweater weather is upon us, leaves are starting to change colors and the threat of yet another government shutdown looms over Capitol Hill. As Congress braces for a spending fight, Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to avert a potential government shutdown has, so far, failed. With a slim majority in the House, internal GOP divisions and little vocal support from former President Donald Trump, Johnson is finding it difficult to push a spending bill through ahead of Election Day. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels breaks down Johnson’s dilemma with Congress reporter Sarah Ferris.

In a debate that circled around abortion, immigration, foreign policy and, yes, eating pets, Vice President Kamala Harris effectively dominated Tuesday night's debate against former president Donald Trump by provoking him into outbursts and steering him away from political weak spots. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade, and Eugene Daniels analyze the highs, lows, and whoas of the debate, and each campaign’s missed opportunities.

For the first time as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris will step on the debate stage to face off against former President Donald Trump. National political reporter Holly Otterbein joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to analyze what each candidate needs to achieve for a successful debate night.

Congress returns to session today after its August recess and it already has a spending fight on its hands. At the center of the fight between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is a law aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from voting by requiring proof of citizenship to register. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through the situation.