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Presented by Airlines for America: POLITICO's must-read briefing on what's driving the afternoon in Washington. | | | | |  | | By Eli Okun | | | |  President Joe Biden celebrated good inflation news in a statement but acknowledged that there’s more work to do. | Charles McQuillan/Getty Images | INFLATION NATION — Prices eased for Americans in March, a welcome reprieve from two years of elevated inflation, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data out today. But under the hood, there were some more worrisome indicators of stubbornness, another sign that policymakers still have a long way to go. Key takeaways:
- The top-line number was a big drop: Prices rose 5% year over year last month, down a full percentage point from the 6% rate in February.
- That’s the smallest increase since May 2021, and nearly half as high as last summer’s 9% peak, though still well above the Fed’s 2% target.
- Month to month, prices ticked up just 0.1%. Energy costs in particular dropped from February, as did used vehicles and medical care. And food cost inflation finally ground to halt, with prices flat in March. Details from the AP
President JOE BIDEN celebrated the good news in a statement, saying that there’s more work to do but “this progress means more breathing room for hard-working Americans.” Reports WaPo’s Rachel Siegel, “Overall, the report gave the markets and Fed watchers confidence that the central bank’s aggressive rate hike campaign could be nearing its end.” But, but, but:
- The core index, which omits volatile food and fuel prices, actually accelerated slightly, rising 5.6% year over year compared to February’s 5.5%.
- Housing costs — and the service sector more broadly — continued to be the worst driver of inflation, while airfares skyrocketed 4% in just a month.
For Fed Chair JEROME POWELL, the decisions aren’t getting any easier. But another interest rate hike is now likely in the cards for the central bank’s next meeting. ON WISCONSIN — Democrats’ 2024 Senate map locked in another incumbent as Wisconsin Sen. TAMMY BALDWIN announced today that she’ll run for reelection. The campaign could be one of the country’s most pivotal swing Senate races, though Baldwin is a strong fundraiser and she romped by 11 points in her last go-around in 2018. Baldwin plans to run on Democrats’ recent legislative record, from the Inflation Reduction Act to help for veterans’ toxic burn pit exposure, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Lawrence Andrea reports. She’s also expected to focus heavily on abortion rights, especially in the wake of a liberal state Supreme Court candidate’s big victory last week. The NRSC has highlighted Wisconsin as one of its top targets to flip this cycle, but it remains to be seen who they’ll nominate. GOP officials would love Rep. MIKE GALLAGHER, but he doesn’t seem very interested. Businessman ERIC HOVDE is weighing a bid. Up for debate: In other Wisconsin news, the RNC laid out some plans for its first presidential debate of the cycle, which will take place in Milwaukee in early August. As Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser scooped, Fox News will host the debate. And in a sign of just how much the Republican Party landscape has shifted, the media partners will be Young America’s Foundation and Rumble, boxing out the mainstream media. (Though YAF, which is led by former Wisconsin Gov. SCOTT WALKER, is still a little too establishment for some RNC committee members.) Some questions remain unanswered: RNC Chair RONNA McDANIEL said more guidelines for the criteria to make the debate stage will come soon. McDaniel said there could be two stages — a main debate and an undercard, like in 2016 — but doesn’t anticipate that being the case. The debate will happen at the same time as the RNC’s summer meeting in Milwaukee. Good Wednesday afternoon. Thanks for reading Playbook PM. Drop me a line: eokun@politico.com.
| | | | A message from Airlines for America: Did you know? 90 percent of Americans have flown at least once. More than half of Americans have flown before their 16th birthday. Two million people choose to fly each day in the U.S. This is possible because robust competition among U.S. airlines generates enormous options for consumers, which is why Americans from a range of economic, cultural and racial backgrounds have flown. In 2021, one-third of Americans who flew had family incomes under $75,000. Learn more: www.airlines.org. | | | 2024 WATCH IT’S OFFICIAL(LY BEING EXPLORED) — Sen. TIM SCOTT (R-S.C.) launched an exploratory committee to run for president with a three-minute video, scooped by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser, from Fort Sumter National Monument, where he emphasizes that “Biden and the radical left have chosen a culture of grievance over greatness.” Scott decries the “liberal agenda” on race and Communist China, and he calls for more parental choice in education and stronger defense of the borders and the streets. Watch here WHAT SCOTT FACES AT HOME — “Trump holds 21-point lead among SC GOP over DeSantis and Haley in 2024 race, poll shows,” by The State’s Joseph Bustos: “41% South Carolina Republicans are backing Trump, and Florida Gov. RON DeSANTIS and former S.C. Gov. NIKKI HALEY [are] nearly tied for second at 20% and 18%, respectively.” Scott is at 7%, MIKE PENCE at 5%. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS — “Trump and Iowa evangelicals: A bond that is hard to break,” by AP’s Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines: Many evangelical leaders “are open to Trump, grateful for his judicial appointments that resulted in the dismantling of a constitutional right to abortion. They are unswayed by the controversy swirling … That GOP loyalty to Trump was evident in interviews with more than a dozen Iowa pastors in the wake of Trump’s indictment.” MORE POLITICS BIG DEM LEGAL NEWS — Democratic super-lawyer MARC ELIAS and the DNC are ending their relationship over “a number of strategic disagreements,” Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman, John Bresnahan and Heather Caygle report. But his Elias Law Group will continue to work with all the other major Democratic entities in Washington. TENNESSEE FALLOUT — “Tennessee expulsions prompt Senate Democrats to call for DOJ inquiry,” by WaPo’s Matthew Brown: “In a letter to be delivered on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader CHARLES E. SCHUMER (D-N.Y.) and Sen. RAPHAEL G. WARNOCK (D-Ga.) call on Attorney General MERRICK GARLAND to ‘use all available legal authorities’ to conclude whether federal statutes were violated and ‘take all steps necessary to uphold the democratic integrity of our nation’s legislative bodies.’” Impact down ballot: “How the ‘Tennessee Three’ Backlash Fits Into Dems’ 2024 Plan,” by The Daily Beast’s Sam Brodey: “To Democrats who have toiled for years to rebuild state level power, the reaction to what unfolded in Tennessee not only crystallizes the party’s recent shift, but signals the increased investment they believe is coming to states where Democrats hope to make gains in the 2024 election cycle.” MARCY KAPTUR CELEBRATING TONIGHT — “JR Majewski launches congressional campaign after losing in 2022: ‘This time, we win,’” by the Washington Examiner’s Ryan King TRUMP CARDS FROM ONE CASE TO ANOTHER — “Trump asks to delay sexual assault trial following historic indictment,” by CNN’s Kara Scannell: “Lawyers for former President Donald Trump asked a judge to delay the start of a sexual assault and defamation trial for one month to allow a ‘cooling off’ period following the historic indictment charging Trump with falsifying business records. JOE TACOPINA, an attorney for Trump, asked the judge overseeing the battery and defamation lawsuit brought by former magazine columnist E. JEAN CARROLL to delay the trial until the end of May. The trial is scheduled to start on April 25.” JAN. 6 AND ITS AFTERMATH NIPPING TUCKER — “Media organizations sue for Capitol Hill surveillance tapes that McCarthy gave to Fox News,” by CNN’s Katelyn Polantz: “The press coalition [of nine outlets, including POLITICO] isn’t suing the House or the speaker directly. Instead, they are seeking access to the tapes through another mechanism, the federal public records law that the Justice Department, but not Congress, is covered by.”
| | | | GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat. | | | | | THE WHITE HOUSE AFTER THE ABORTION PILL RULING — “White House prepares for legal and political battle on abortion pill,” by WaPo’s Meryl Kornfield, Rachel Roubein and Laurie McGinley: “The Biden administration … is privately promising an array of liberal groups that it will wage a fierce legal battle to preserve access to abortion medication, while also developing contingency plans in case those efforts fall short. … One possibility is that Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of Mifeprex, the brand-name version of mifepristone, could file a new application to have the drug approved under the standard process.” WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION CAN DO — “White House moves to protect some abortion patients’ records,” by AP’s Amanda Seitz: “The White House’s proposed rule would prohibit health care organizations from sharing personal medical records with authorities for investigations related to reproductive care in states where a woman legally obtained an abortion.” BEYOND THE BELTWAY WHAT THE END OF ROE LOOKS LIKE — “Legal Abortions Fell by 6 Percent in the Six Months After Dobbs, New Data Shows,” by NYT’s Margot Sanger-Katz and Claire Cain Miller: “The overall decline exceeds what was estimated by some researchers before the Supreme Court ruling.” MEDIAWATCH THE FIRST BIG DEPARTURE UNDER ELON — “NPR quits Twitter after being falsely labeled as ‘state-affiliated media,’” by NPR’s David Folkenflik: “NPR will no longer post fresh content to its 52 official Twitter feeds … By going silent on Twitter, NPR’s chief executive says the network is protecting its credibility and its ability to produce journalism without ‘a shadow of negativity.’” DISHY MURDOCH READ — “Inside Rupert Murdoch’s Succession Drama,” by Gabriel Sherman on the cover of Vanity Fair: “Ascending to the throne and holding on to it are different propositions. LACHLAN’s future will be decided by his siblings, all of whom sit on the board of the trust that controls the company through a special class of stock. … The central fault line remains the rift between JAMES and Lachlan. … [RUPERT] MURDOCH is trying to prove he has one last act in him. But his erratic performance, which has thrown his personal life and media empire into disarray, has left even those in his orbit wondering if he’s lost the plot.” How Murdoch’s last marriage ended: “At the age of 91, Murdoch blew up his fourth marriage. [JERRY] HALL was waiting for Murdoch to meet her at their Oxfordshire estate last June when she checked her phone. ‘Jerry, sadly I’ve decided to call an end to our marriage,’ Murdoch’s email began, according to a screenshot I read. ‘We have certainly had some good times, but I have much to do…My New York lawyer will be contacting yours immediately.’ Hall told friends she was blindsided. … One of the terms of the settlement was that Hall couldn’t give story ideas to the writers on Succession.” THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW — “Vox Media Spins Off NowThis, the Viral Politics Site, a Year After Buying It,” by NYT’s Benjamin Mullin POLICY CORNER BOOGIE WOOGIE WOOGIE — “EPA pollution limits aim to boost U.S. electric vehicle sales,” by AP’s Matthew Daly and Tom Krisher: “The proposed regulation, announced Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency, would … call for far more new EV sales than the auto industry agreed to less than two years ago. If finalized next year as expected, the plan would represent the strongest push yet toward a once almost unthinkable shift from gasoline-powered cars and trucks to battery-powered vehicles.” NOT WHAT MANCHIN MIGHT HAVE ENVISIONED — “Green Tax Credits Are Likely to Be More Popular — and Expensive — Than Expected,” by WSJ’s Richard Rubin
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | AMERICA AND THE WORLD MORE REVELATIONS FROM THE MEGALEAK — “Leaked U.S. intel document claims Serbia agreed to arm Ukraine,” by Reuters’ Jonathan Landay and Aleksandar Vasovic: “Serbia, one of the only countries in Europe that has refused to sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, agreed to supply arms to Kyiv or has sent them already, according to a classified Pentagon document. … Serbia’s Defense Minister MILOS VUCEVIC dismissed the intel as ‘untrue.’” BIG SANCTIONS — “U.S. imposes sanctions on over 100 targets in action over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Reuters … “U.S. Sanctions Russian-Controlled IIB Bank, Executives in Hungary,” Bloomberg CONGRESS JORDAN STICKING IT TO BRAGG — “New York bodega clerk wrongfully charged with murder for stabbing attacker and mother whose son was stabbed to death lead GOP witnesses for Judiciary hearing targeting Alvin Bragg,” by the Daily Mail’s Morgan Phillips PLAYBOOKERS IN MEMORIAM — “Alicia Shepard, media writer and Watergate biographer, dies at 69,” by WaPo’s Emily Langer: “Ms. Shepard … was among the first researchers to examine the papers that Woodward and Bernstein sold in 2003 to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin for $5 million. She conducted months of research at the archive in the course of writing her 2007 book ‘Woodward and Bernstein: Life in the Shadow of Watergate.’” OUT AND ABOUT — SPOTTED last night at Del Mar for a dinner hosted by the National Restaurant Association and CEO Michelle Korsmo: Marty Kady, Rachel Schindler, Bob Cusack, Corby Kummer, Peggy Collins, Reid Wilson, Leah Askarinam, Sean Kennedy, Alexis Williams, Tia Mattson and Ray Day. MEDIA MOVES — Dana Canedy is now managing editor of the Guardian U.S. edition. She previously was a publisher at Simon & Schuster and is a NYT alum. More from the NYT … Ryan Heath is now a global technology correspondent at Axios and co-author of Axios Login. He previously was the editorial director of POLITICO Live and the author of Brussels Playbook. … Christine Baratta is now director of news and editorial content at Global Situation Room. She previously was executive producer and managing editor for television and radio at Bloomberg. TRANSITIONS — Brianna Dapuzzo is now digital director for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). She previously was press secretary/digital director for Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.). … Shennie Patel is now senior counsel in Crowell & Moring’s environment and natural resources group. She previously spent more than two decades at DOJ. WELCOME TO THE WORLD — Dominique Donahue, NBC News comms director, and Dan Donahue, head writer for “NBC Nightly News,” on Saturday welcomed James Donahue, who came in at 7 lbs, 2 oz and 20 inches. — Zach Butterworth, former Biden administration director of private sector engagement, and Ariel Butterworth welcomed Anne Austen on Friday. She joins big siblings Zach and Margaret. Pic — Ashlee McIntosh, an epidemiologist at the EPA, and Michael McIntosh, counsel at Skadden Arps, welcomed Caroline Mary McIntosh yesterday. Pic Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@politico.com or text us at 202-556-3307. Playbook couldn’t happen without our editor Mike DeBonis, deputy editor Zack Stanton and producers Setota Hailemariam and Bethany Irvine.
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