Playbook: Biden’s NYC money bomb

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With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine

DRIVING THE DAY

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG KITTY — President JOE BIDEN heads to the Big Apple tonight for a star-studded fundraising event with former Presidents BARACK OBAMA and BILL CLINTON and “Late Show” host STEPHEN COLBERT.

More than 5,000 people are expected to hit Radio City Music Hall for the event in person, the campaign says, with thousands more watching online. The cheapest tickets start at $250 and go up to $500,000 for smaller receptions. You want a photo with all three presidents? That’ll run you $100,000.

The campaign says Biden will break fundraising records, bringing in $25 million for the one-night-only event.

The event, our colleague Elena Schneider writes this morning, “will all but certainly increase Biden’s sizable financial advantage over former President DONALD TRUMP, who raised about $20 million in all of February. And it will serve as a vivid reminder that the president has ample resources at his disposal as he tries to claw his way up from a small but persistent polling deficit in the general election.”

Today’s NYC split screen: “Trump will attend the wake of a slain NYPD officer as he goes after Biden over crime,” by AP’s Michelle Price and Philip Marcelo

MAY HIS MEMORY BE A BLESSING — JOE LIEBERMAN, the Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent who served four terms in the U.S. Senate died yesterday at age 82 following complications from a fall.

He’s remembered for approaching “the pinnacle of Democratic politics as AL GORE’s running mate in 2000 only to be driven from the party six years later over his support for the invasion of Iraq ordered by the Republican who beat them,” the Connecticut Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas writes in a majestic obituary. (Two years after that, of course, he was runner up to be Republican Sen. JOHN McCAIN’s running mate — passed over for SARAH PALIN in a choice the late Arizona senator later openly regretted.) More recently, he’d devoted his efforts to supporting No Labels’ quixotic attempts to recruit and run a presidential candidate of its own. The NYT obit … AP … POLITICO … His last major profile, by WaPo’s Kara Voght … His last op-ed, last week in the WSJ

THE KNOWN UNKNOWN OF RFK JR. — At this point, we know about all there is to know about Biden and Trump. Both men have run for president before. Both men have won the White House. Both have been in the glare of public scrutiny since bell bottoms were fashionable and cars came with 8-track stereos.

And yet for all we know about these men and this campaign, it’s a third man — one who has been in the public consciousness for just as long, if not longer — who has emerged as the known unknown of the 2024 race: ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.

This much people agree on: RFK Jr. is a spoiler.

What they don’t quite agree on is whose campaign his candidacy is spoiling.

In public, Biden’s aides and allies will say that Kennedy is a candidate whose “extremism” will draw more from Trump’s voters than the president’s.

But if you look at their actions, not their talking points, you’ll find that Biden world isn’t dismissing RFK or his potential popularity. The DNC has hired Dem operatives LIS SMITH and MATT CORRIDONI to focus on the third-party threat, with Kennedy getting the most attention. They’re banking on voters ultimately being frightened enough by the prospect of a second Trump term that they’ll abandon Kennedy lest he throw the entire election.

Likewise, in public, Trump suggests that Kennedy will kneecap Biden’s candidacy. “He is Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, not mine,” Trump posted on Truth Social yesterday. “I love that he is running!”

But in heralding Kennedy as “the most Radical Left Candidate in the race, by far,” Trump isn’t just trying to drive up Kennedy’s appeal on the left (though he is attempting to do that, knowing that an anti-endorsement from Trump is something of a badge of honor to a certain type of voter); he’s also trying to brand Kennedy as a creature of the left — someone wholly unacceptable to a Trump-curious voter.

Hell, RFK described himself as “a spoiler for President Biden and for President Trump” during his speech on Tuesday at the rally announcing his running mate, NICOLE SHANAHAN.

If you talk to actual experts on the data, a far cloudier picture emerges.

“RFK Jr.’s candidacy brings with it the potential for a substantial swing vote, largely due to two factors — a large share of the electorate (potentially as many as one in five voters) has an unfavorable opinion of both Trump and Biden, while RFK Jr. is largely represents a blank slate with most voters, with the potential for both sides to paint him as aligned with the opposition,” TOM BONIER, the Democratic data guru and CEO of the TARA Group, told us last night.

LAKSHYA JAIN, analytics maven at Split Ticket, said that it’s damn near impossible to know if or how RFK could spoil the election for Trump or Biden — especially since his strongest demographic “are the most disengaged or disaffected voters, who are less likely to approve of the major candidates from either party.”

On one hand: Kennedy’s “name is Democratic, so it could appeal to Democratic curious voters, but it could also appeal to older voters,” Jain told us.

On the other: “Old voters who remember the Kennedy name and are now Republicans. That’s why it’s like it’s not easy to say who he would draw from.”

But what’s in a name? As our colleague Jeremy White writes this morning: “For decades, the Kennedy name was synonymous with a mainstream strain of civic optimism that preached public service and a beneficent government. But that was a different era, when a different kind of Kennedy could be seen running for the highest office in the land — and when more Americans had faith in their government.

“Today, RFK Jr.’s supporters tend to place a corrupt government at the root of America’s ills. They ask not what their government can do for them, but what it has done to them.”

Good Thursday morning. Thanks for reading Playbook. Drop us a line: Rachael Bade, Eugene Daniels, Ryan Lizza.

WEIRD STORY — On Wednesday, Republican campaign operative CARLTON HUFFMAN dropped his lawsuit accusing American Conservative Union chair MATT SCHLAPP of sexual assault, stemming from a 2022 incident in which the conservative leader allegedly groped the HERSCHEL WALKER staffer’s groin.

“The claims made in my lawsuits were the result of a complete misunderstanding, and I regret that the lawsuit caused pain to the Schlapp family,” Huffman said in a statement provided to our Daniel Lippman on Tuesday — which Daniel confirmed in a text conversation with Huffman. “Neither the Schlapps nor the ACU paid me anything to dismiss my claims against them.”

Now, both parts of that statement are in dispute.

First: Schlapp did pay Huffman to drop the suit — reportedly to the tune of $480,000, CNN’s Jamie Gangel and Gregory Krieg scooped last night.

Second: Huffman “has also taken issue with the content of a conciliatory statement that a Schlapp spokesperson provided to media outlets in Huffman’s name,” reports the Daily Beast’s Roger Sollenberger. “The verbiage in that statement was not what Huffman had agreed to as part of the settlement, [sources] said. … [Huffman] never recanted his claims — though the media statement that ACU had provided in his name chalked the lawsuit up to a ‘complete misunderstanding.”

And then there’s this: “Huffman’s counsel notified Schlapp’s legal team that some of Schlapp’s personal statements and social media posts celebrating the lawsuit’s resolution appeared to be in breach of the agreement’s nondisparagement clause. Those posts have since been taken down, including one where Schlapp, citing a Washington Examiner report on his personal Twitter account, wrote that he had been ‘cleared’ of wrongdoing and that Huffman had ‘apologized.’ The new allegations suggest that the legal battle … might be heating back up almost as soon as it ended.”

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

AND AFTER ALL THAT — “Caps, Wizards will stay in D.C. under deal announced by Bowser, Leonsis,” by WaPo’s Jonathan O’Connell, Teo Armus, Gregory S. Schneider, Michael Brice-Saddler and Meagan Flynn: “The agreement marks a sharp change in plans for [TED] LEONSIS, who three months ago joined Virginia Gov. GLENN YOUNGKIN (R) to announce a handshake agreement to build a new arena in the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria.”

WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY

On the Hill

The Senate and the House are out.

What we’re watching … The closely watched nomination of ADEEL MANGI to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, potentially making him the first Muslim circuit judge, looks to be dead in the water. In-cycle Sen. JACKY ROSEN (D-Nev.) yesterday said she would not vote to confirm him, per the Nevada Independent’s Gabby Birenbaum, citing opposition from law enforcement in her state. As the third Democratic opponent in a 51-49 Senate, her opposition most likely renders a new White House push for the Mangi’s confirmation moot. More from NBC’s Monica Alba and Sahil Kapur

At the White House

Biden will travel to New York where he will attend a campaign reception this evening.

VP KAMALA HARRIS will receive briefings and conduct meetings with staff.

PLAYBOOK READS

2024 WATCH

FROM ‘NO LABELS’ TO NO CANDIDATE — After investigating the possibility of joining a No Labels bid in recent weeks — going so far as to commission polling in over a dozen states and tallying up a potential campaign budget — CHRIS CHRISTIE has decided not to make a centrist third-party presidential bid, WaPo’s Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey scooped.

“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third party candidacy,” Christie said in a post on X. “While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward.”

While No Labels leaders had given themselves until the first weeks of April to appoint their chosen candidate, the nonprofit “cannot directly fund a presidential campaign, creating a financial challenge for any contenders who want to run,” Scherer and Dawsey write.

Who’s next? … For those of you keeping track at home, the list of people who’ve now passed on running on the No Labels ticket continues to grow. Christie joins Sens. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.), BILL CASSIDY (R-La.) and MITT ROMNEY (R-Utah), Rep. DEAN PHILLIPS (D-Minn.), former Govs. NIKKI HALEY (R-S.C.), LARRY HOGAN (R-Md.) and JON HUNTSMAN (R-Utah) and former Lt. Gov. GEOFF DUNCAN (R-Ga.), among others, in passing on a chance to be No Labels’ candidate.

More top reads:

  • Survey says: A new AP-NORC Center poll shows that Republicans are more like to express disapproval of Joe Biden’s continued presidency, while Democrats are more inclined to express “fearful” or “angry” feelings over the possibility of another Trump term, AP’s Bill Barrow and Linley Sanders report: “The findings are notable in an unusual campaign pitting an incumbent president against his predecessor, with both men facing doubters within their own parties and among independents.”

CONGRESS

UNLIKELY FRENEMIES — Rep. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-Ga.) hasn’t said when she will force a vote on her motion to vacate MIKE JOHNSON from the speakership in retribution for pushing through a government funding deal she opposed. But whenever she does pull the trigger, that warning shot could “backfire spectacularly,” Olivia Beavers, Jordain Carney and Nicholas Wu report: Johnson’s relationships with Democrats could save his job.

“There’s no guarantee any Republicans will join [Greene] in ousting Johnson, since even many conservatives are disinterested in firing another speaker,” the trio write. Plus, Johnson, “could end up answering her threat by giving Democrats floor time for Ukraine … That may well be enough to lock in a few Democratic votes for saving his job.”

So, what’s next? Should Greene follow through on her threat from last week to bring up the resolution, Republicans have two legislative days to bring it to the floor. But Johnson is likely to get help from his colleagues on the left, since “a sizable number of people in the House minority are loath to repeat the frenetic vacuum of the post-[KEVIN] McCARTHY period. Some in the party are also watching what Johnson does with the long-awaited foreign aid package and are likely to vote to protect him if it gets a floor vote.”

Related read: “Speaker Johnson’s only path to legislative salvation: House Democrats,” by WaPo’s Paul Kane

TRUMP CARDS

BAR CODE — A California judge recommended disbarring former Trump ally and attorney JOHN EASTMAN yesterday for violating ethics rules and possibly criminal laws “when he advanced Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results based on weak or discredited claims of fraud,” Kyle Cheney reports. In a lengthy 128-page opinion, Judge YVETTE ROLAND “concluded that [Eastman] made knowingly flimsy claims of fraud and irregularities in legal filings on Trump’s behalf, including his brief for Trump in a Supreme Court fight,” and found him “culpable for 10 of 11 charges that state bar investigators brought against him.”

And he’s not done yet … “Eastman’s pending disbarment compounds the legal trouble he’s facing in other states. He’s been charged alongside Trump and other allies in Fulton County, Georgia, as a member of an alleged racketeering conspiracy aimed at corrupting the results of the 2020 election in the state.”

More top reads:

  • Can’t stop, won’t stop: On Truth Social yesterday, Trump lashed out at Judge JUAN MERCHAN, making a false claim about an online post made by the judge’s daughter, AP’s Michael Sisak reports. Merchan has placed Trump under a gag order, which bars him from commenting on potential witnesses and jurors but does not forbid him from making comments about the judge or his family.
  • The new emoluments fight if Trump wins: Experts say that Trump’s newly publicly traded social media company could be a “fairly straightforward” path for foreign leaders and special interest groups to influence him should he retake the Oval Office in November, NYT’s Sharon LaFraniere reports.

THE WHITE HOUSE

LET THE GOOD TIMES ENROLL — The White House is announcing a new plan to extend the Medicaid enrollment period for tens of millions of people who’ve lost coverage due to the nationwide purge of state Medicaid rolls, Adam Cancryn reports this morning. Applicants would now have until Nov. 30 to sign up in a move aimed at reducing “the number of people losing health insurance coverage in the run-up to the November election.”

NIGHT OF THE HUNTER — Hunter Biden’s legal team was met with a cold welcome in court yesterday as lawyers for the president’s son sought to dismiss the slew of federal tax charges against him, Melanie Mason reports from Los Angeles. Although the younger Biden’s attorneys put forth multiple arguments claiming the prosecution was politically motivated in the case, California District Judge MARK SCARSI argued ‘there is no evidence [from the defense] that influenced the prosecutors’ decision here, and “said he would rule on Biden’s various motions to dismiss the case by April 17.”

POLICY CORNER

BALTIMORE BRIDGE LATEST — Adam Wren reports how Tuesday’s deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is playing out for Transportation Secretary PETE BUTTIGIEG. While his department confronts a “three-fold challenge” to reopen the Maryland port, address supply chain issues, and rebuild, Buttigieg also faces a political challenge under the watchful eye of potential voters. “Though he has said his only current ambition is to be the best secretary of Transportation that I can,’ the failed 2020 presidential candidate may run for political office again. And as with his every move, his management of the crisis will be a closely scrutinized part of his resume.”

And on the right … Some right-wing commentators, candidates and officials have attempted to link the tragedy to hot-button political issues, including “diversity initiatives, illegal immigration, coronavirus lockdowns and the Biden administration,” WaPo’s Maegan Vazquez reports. “Since the incident, several sitting Republican officials have sought to tie the Biden administration to the collapse of the nearly 50-year-old bridge.”

TIKTOK IN THE SWING STATES — As senators review the House-passed bill effectively banning TikTok from U.S. apps stores or forcing its sale, the popular social media company recently launched a new $2.1 million marketing campaign across key battleground states like Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, CNBC’s Brian Schwartz reports. “All five states are represented by vulnerable Senate Democrats, each of whom is running for another six-year term.” Watch the ad

TRENDWATCH — “Why Gasoline Prices Are Rising Faster Than Usual This Year,” by WSJ’s David Uberti

WAR IN UKRAINE

FOR YOUR RADAR — “Russia Amps Up Online Campaign Against Ukraine Before U.S. Elections,” by NYT’s Julian Barnes and David Sanger

PLAYBOOKERS

Devin Nunes reportedly made more than $7 million this week from Trump Media’s stock performance.

MIke Lindell’s MyPillow company was evicted from its warehouse.

Larry David called Donald Trump a “little baby” and a “sociopath.”

Gordon Sondland registered to lobby for Ukraine aid.

Liz Cheney drew a large crowd at an event in Iowa last night.

Mark Robinson is picking a truly ill-advised fight.

OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED last night at a book party at Studio Gallery celebrating Katie Rogers’ new book “American Woman” ($30) hosted by Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman: Maureen Dowd, Elisabeth Bumiller, Bill Hamilton, Josh Dawsey, Alex Thompson, George Conway, Eric Schultz, Mark Leibovich, Matt Latimer, Keith Urbahn, Olivia Nuzzi, Elizabeth Williamson, Eli Stokols, Lauren Egan, Jeff Mason, Eileen Sullivan, Erica Green, Julie Davis, Eileen Sullivan, Reid Epstein, and Michael LaRosa.

MEDIA MOVE — Taylor Gehrcke will be head of events at International Intrigue. He previously was director of events at The Messenger and is an Axios and United Nations Foundation alum.

TRANSITIONS — Ross Morales Rocketto will leave his role as co-executive director of Run for Something by the end of the year. Co-executive director Amanda Litman will move into a new role as president of the organization. … Jody Calamine will be director of advocacy for the AFL-CIO, working as its chief lobbyist and head of government affairs. He most recently was senior fellow and director of labor and employment policy at the Century Foundation, and is a Communications Workers of America alum. … Dana Balter is now comms director.at Inseparable. She previously was director of strategic communications at Citizen Action NY.

WEDDING — Ebony Bowden, founder of PR firm Eden Communications and former Washington correspondent for the New York Post, and Adam Lewkovitz, a senior product manager at Google, recently got married at Flora Farms in San José del Cabo, Mexico. The two first met at a Passover Seder in NYC in 2018. Pic … Another pic

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) … CBS’ Ed O’Keefe and Bob Kovach … Fox News’ Todd Piro … Tevi Troy … Cheryl Oldham ... Ricky Moxley ... Aaron Davis of the International Code Council … Hank Paulson ... Tim Phelps … Ted Verrill of Rep. Julia Letlow’s (R-La.) office … POLITICO’s Rex Willis and Abbey Sattele … Keith Nahigian … Bill Gertz … Alexander Grieve ... James Singer ... Janine Benner … former Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) (91) … former Reps. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii) (5-0) … Florida AG Ashley Moody … Lauren Ehrsam Gorey … Peter Ambler … Lee Hancock ... Jake Adelstein … Evan Allison … Danielle Banks

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