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

Omarosa keeps dominating the news, results from a big primary election night and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Omarosa keeps dominating the news, results from a big primary election night and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 15, 2018

An Omarosa observation, Trump back on the road in New York and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

An Omarosa observation, Trump back on the road in New York and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 14, 2018

Keith Ellison’s response to abuse allegations, the latest fallout from Omarosa Manigault Newman’s tapes and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Keith Ellison’s response to abuse allegations, the latest fallout from Omarosa Manigault Newman’s tapes and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 13, 2018

Michael Avenatti in Iowa, a major milestone in the Paul Manafort trial and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Michael Avenatti in Iowa, a major milestone in the Paul Manafort trial and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 10, 2018

The president’s effect at the ballot box, the latest on Chris Collins and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The president’s effect at the ballot box, the latest on Chris Collins and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 9, 2018

Takeaways from the Ohio special election, Putin lobbying Trump on arms control and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Takeaways from the Ohio special election, Putin lobbying Trump on arms control and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 8, 2018

Election Day in Ohio, the latest on the Paul Manafort trial and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Election Day in Ohio, the latest on the Paul Manafort trial and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 7, 2018

A preview of the Ohio special election, new ads targeting Republican senators on Brett Kavanaugh and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

A preview of the Ohio special election, new ads targeting Republican senators on Brett Kavanaugh and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 6, 2018

The investigations Democrats will launch if they take back Congress, Trump targeting the news media in Pennsylvania and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

The investigations Democrats will launch if they take back Congress, Trump targeting the news media in Pennsylvania and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 3, 2018

Five days left in Ohio’s 12th, Republicans trying to read the president on a shutdown and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

Five days left in Ohio’s 12th, Republicans trying to read the president on a shutdown and more in today’s Audio Briefing.

August 2, 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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