Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Republicans appear on the verge of losing the Latino voter coalition that helped carry President Donald Trump in 2024. But that doesn’t mean they’re embracing Democrats. Then the other stories animating Washington: several tech companies fund Trump’s effort to accelerate AI, Abdul El-Sayed taps into Flock anxieties in a new attack ad against Mike Rogers, and the Kansas Senate seat is now a toss-up.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Trump’s Latino coalition cracked

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors he’s never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas. Plus in other news: Sam Altman says he’d love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors he’s never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas. Plus in other news: Sam Altman says he’d love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

In audio from a private meeting obtained by Playbook, Ken Paxton tells donors&nbsp;he’s&nbsp;never felt less in control of a campaign, as he trails Democrat James Talarico in Texas.&nbsp;Plus&nbsp;in other news: Sam Altman says&nbsp;he’d&nbsp;love to see less money in politics, even as AI money floods the midterms and Pete Buttigieg tests a message that sounds a lot like a preview of 2028.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Paxton's campaign control

Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets. Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms. Plus, Democratic Strategist and former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman, Adam Jentleson, joins Playbook for a 200-second interview. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Nearly a decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets. Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms. Plus, Democratic Strategist and former chief of staff to Sen. John Fetterman, Adam Jentleson, joins Playbook for a 200-second interview. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Nearly a&nbsp;decade after leaving the White House, Barack Obama is still one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful political assets.&nbsp;Then the other stories animating Washington: Open AI CEO Sam Altman faces heat after his POLITICO interview, a&nbsp;suspected pneumonic plague case in Russia has U.S. officials watching closely, and&nbsp;what Trump's latest Truth Social posts say about the GOP outlook on the midterms.&nbsp;Plus,&nbsp;Democratic Strategist and&nbsp;former&nbsp;chief&nbsp;of&nbsp;staff&nbsp;to&nbsp;Sen. John Fetterman,&nbsp;Adam Jentleson,&nbsp;joins&nbsp;Playbook&nbsp;for a 200-second interview.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

It’s 2026. Still Obama’s Party.

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November? Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November? Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

Knives are out for MAGA Inc.’s top two globetrotting advisers, Chris LaCivita and James Blair. Does this open the duo to take the fall if a blue wave materializes in November?&nbsp;Then the other stories animating Washington: Marco Rubio sounds presidential in Athens, despite saying he doesn’t have plans to run in 2028, Mike Rogers takes aim at Trump in his latest ad and a political kink controversy may not be that controversial at all.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

Knives out on MAGA Inc.

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in California, told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on. Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and what a new bill from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Chuck Schumer says about 2028. 
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: <a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook">politico.com/playbook</a>

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in California, told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on. Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and what a new bill from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Chuck Schumer says about 2028. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook

A Democratic pastor running for Senate in Kansas says Kamala Harris should stay in&nbsp;California,&nbsp;told Chuck Schumer he is a liability and is taking the "woke" label head on.&nbsp;Playbook hears from Adam Hamilton and what his campaign could tell us about the Democrats' appeal to the heartland. Then the other stories animating&nbsp;Washington:&nbsp;Sen. Thom Tillis’ unfiltered texts to the President, Ken Paxton’s Trump problem and&nbsp;what a new bill from&nbsp;Rep.&nbsp;Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sen.&nbsp;Chuck Schumer&nbsp;says about&nbsp;2028.&nbsp;
For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/playbook" rel="noopener noreferrer">politico.com/playbook</a>&nbsp;

The heartland’s ‘woke’ Democrat

Steny Hoyer’s vision for the majority, the launch of POLITICO Pro Canada and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Steny Hoyer’s vision for the majority, the launch of POLITICO Pro Canada and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 12, 2018

The 17th anniversary of 9/11, the House makes Hurricane Florence plans and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The 17th anniversary of 9/11, the House makes Hurricane Florence plans and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 11, 2018

Republicans facing tough races in Texas and Wisconsin, the U.S. closing the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Republicans facing tough races in Texas and Wisconsin, the U.S. closing the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 10, 2018

A $2 million fundraiser for the DCCC, Republican spending from Protect the House and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

A $2 million fundraiser for the DCCC, Republican spending from Protect the House and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 7, 2018

The president is isolated, Brett Kavanaugh stumbles on a line of Mueller questioning, and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The president is isolated, Brett Kavanaugh stumbles on a line of Mueller questioning, and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 6, 2018

Ayanna Pressley upsets Mike Capuano, POLITICO releases its 2018 race ratings and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Ayanna Pressley upsets Mike Capuano, POLITICO releases its 2018 race ratings and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 5, 2018

House Republicans want to get out of Washington quickly, MJ Hegar drops a new ad in Texas, and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

House Republicans want to get out of Washington quickly, MJ Hegar drops a new ad in Texas, and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

September 4, 2018

One Nation drops ads in key Senate races, Republicans confront hard midterm truths and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

One Nation drops ads in key Senate races, Republicans confront hard midterm truths and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 31, 2018

The brain drain at Trump’s White House, Andrew Cuomo pledging to serve out another term as governor and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The brain drain at Trump’s White House, Andrew Cuomo pledging to serve out another term as governor and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 30, 2018

An August scorecard, Trump’s massive whack at public institutions and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

An August scorecard, Trump’s massive whack at public institutions and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 29, 2018

POLITICO’s Dasha Burns bring her fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the stories driving the day in the nation’s capital. She will be joined by her fellow co-authors and journalists from across POLITICO — available, as always, in audio and video formats each morning.

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