The Playbook Podcast

Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a six-month continuing resolution that would fund the government until late December. The move is in direct defiance against former President Donald Trump’s stated wishes for the bill, but Johnson argued that a government shutdown 40 days before the election would be “political malpractice.” Playbook co-author Rachael Bade breaks down what’s included in the bill and what’s missing. Plus, multiple staffers on North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign team have resigned and everything else you need to know today.

On Thursday, reports surfaced that North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson used a pseudonym on internet forums to express support for antisemitic ideals, as well as to comment on pornographic material. Natalie Allison of POLITICO reported that Robinson had an account on the website Ashely Madison, which is designed for married people looking for extramarital affairs. POLITICO's Natalie Allison talks with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about the discoveries and whether his faltering poll numbers in North Carolina could impact Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial attempt to avoid a government shutdown has been quashed. Yesterday, Johnson put a spending bill on the floor, and it died in a 202-220 vote, with some Republicans joining with Democrats to down the proposal. So … where does Johnson go from here? Playbook editor (and former congress reporter) Mike DeBonis joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to walk through next moves. Plus, the Teamsters put out a non-endorsement in the presidential race, while Donald Trump made some outlandish predictions about New York’s vote during a rally on Long Island. All of that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with three journalists—including Playbook’s own Eugene Daniels—to chat about some of the election’s most pressing issues. Eugene and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza discuss what we've learned about the Democratic presidential nominee's stance on the war in Gaza, restoring Roe v. Wade, and how she perceives the task of winning Black voters.

Democrats have been using the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, as fodder for support on the campaign trail, but some are more worried about the transition of power should Kamala Harris win the White House in November. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs deep on what both Democrats and Republicans are saying. Plus, the latest updates on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Sunday and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

For the second time in just over three months, Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. Around 1:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman who was located in the brush outside of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Trump, who was on the golf course, was unharmed. But this story is just beginning; Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through what we know about the incident and the alleged gunman’s puzzling political views.

Legalized sports gambling is everywhere. Could betting on elections be next? Americans will soon be able to legally gamble on the presidential election. After a judge rejected the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s attempt to block it, financial exchange company Kashi launched the country’s first fully regulated election-betting markets on Thursday. Capital markets reporter Declan Harty walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through what this means for the election, and why some officials are ringing alarm bells.

It’s mid-September, which means it’s that time of year again: Sweater weather is upon us, leaves are starting to change colors and the threat of yet another government shutdown looms over Capitol Hill. As Congress braces for a spending fight, Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to avert a potential government shutdown has, so far, failed. With a slim majority in the House, internal GOP divisions and little vocal support from former President Donald Trump, Johnson is finding it difficult to push a spending bill through ahead of Election Day. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels breaks down Johnson’s dilemma with Congress reporter Sarah Ferris.

In a debate that circled around abortion, immigration, foreign policy and, yes, eating pets, Vice President Kamala Harris effectively dominated Tuesday night's debate against former president Donald Trump by provoking him into outbursts and steering him away from political weak spots.

Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade, and Eugene Daniels analyze the highs, lows, and whoas of the debate, and each campaign’s missed opportunities.

For the first time as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris will step on the debate stage to face off against former President Donald Trump. National political reporter Holly Otterbein joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to analyze what each candidate needs to achieve for a successful debate night.