Deep blue California is shaping up to have one of the most consequential and hard-fought Senate races of the 2024 cycle — and that’s before the general election takes shape. A new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll finds that Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat of Burbank, is in the driver’s seat, with a wide lead heading into election year. But in the race for second place, two prominent Democrats — Reps. Katie Porter and Barbara Lee — are in a statistical dead heat with Republican Steve Garvey of L.A. Dodgers fame. Why does that matter? California political reporter Melanie Mason joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to talk it through.

December 21, 2023: Will California’s Senate primary knock out two major Dems?

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Mike Johnson has had a big week. Most notably, he survived a long-awaited attempt by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him as Speaker. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza and Rachael Bade sat down with him shortly after for nearly an hour for Playbook Deep Dive; they join Playbook Editor Mike DeBonis to discuss what they learned, what they were surprised by, and what’s next for Speaker Mike Johnson.

May 10, 2024: The paradox of Mike Johnson

Last night, President Joe Biden drew a clear red line that Israel is rapidly approaching: After months of devastating military efforts, he will halt shipments of bombs and other munitions to Israel if it launches a major military invasion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah. But as Pentagon reporter Lara Seligman tells Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels, Biden’s new conditions may come too late. Plus, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s  (R-Ga.) long-awaited attempt to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson goes down in flames.

May 9, 2024: Biden's breaking point on Israel

President Joe Biden is betting that $1.6 trillion in climate and infrastructure money can transform America, create green jobs, out-compete China — and maybe catapult him to a second term. But according to a POLITICO analysis of public data, only a small portion of that money has been spent. Energy reporter Zack Colman joins Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels to discuss. Plus, the ongoing feud between Rep. Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy, and a Florida judge indefinitely delayed former President Trump's classified document case.

May 8, 2024: Can Biden Trump-proof his $1.6 trillion legacy before the election?

On Monday, Hamas approved a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. But Israel did not approve of the proposal, which national security reporter Alex Ward tells Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza is “softer” than what Israel wanted. As Israel's invasion of Rafah looms, President Biden finds himself in a bind on how to navigate the increasingly complicated situation. Plus, a look inside the meeting between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Speaker Mike Johnson.

May 7, 2024: Biden’s Israel-Gaza bind

Texas Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife have been indicted on bribery charges, and Republicans are looking to squeeze the scandal for all it's worth. This comes mere months after New Jersey Congressman Bob Menendez faced a similar indictment, and the plan, Playbook co-author Rachael Bade is told, is to use the situations as proof of questionable ethics within the party. Also on the agenda this week: Marjorie Taylor Greene says she will force a vote on the motion to vacate Speaker Mike Johnson, and Republicans ramp up the offensive on campus protests. All that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

December 21, 2023: Will California’s Senate primary knock out two major Dems?

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