Subject: POLITICO Huddle : THE #SOTU IS… NOT TRUMP — Obama talks past, future, ISIS & heated rhetoric — HALEY JABS TRUMP, TOO — The odd moments you didn’t see on camera — OBAMA: CURE CANCER, STOP GERRYMANDERING, BUT CRICKETS ON GUNS — Freedom fires warning shots — KING OF JORDAN STANDS UP THE GOP.
From: "POLITICO Huddle" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 08:02:12 -0600

01/13/2016 08:59 AM EDT

By Rachael Bade ([email-masked] or @RachaelMBade)

THE #SOTU IS... NOT TRUMP! He may not have been in attendance last night, but GOP frontrunner Donald Trump was spotlight-center, regardless. President Barack Obama used his speech to knock him and other Republicans over and over again for fearmongering, painting instead a picture of hope and - of course - "change." Then South Carolina Republican Gov. Nikki Haley made waves in her GOP rebuttal for doing the same, though without calling Trump out by name. In short: the Kick-Trump sentiment was very in vogue last night here in Washington, capping off Obama's last State of the Union. We've got it all laid out in today's extra-long Huddle ... 

"THE PAST, THE FUTURE, ISIS AND TRUMPISM DOMINATE OBAMA'S LAST STATE OF THE UNION," David A. Fahrenthold for The Washington Post: "President Obama used his final State of the Union address to consider himself as an ex-president - talking in conversational, contemplative and backward-looking terms at the country he would leave behind, and warning not-very-subtly that the country shouldn't pick Donald Trump to take his place. 'As frustration [with politics] grows, there will be voices urging us to fall back into tribes, to scapegoat fellow citizens who don't look like us, or pray like us, or vote like we do, or share the same background,' Obama said, one of several moments when he seemed to
 be referencing the Republican front-runner's suspicious attitude toward immigrants and Muslims. 'We can't afford to go down that path. It won't deliver the economy we want, or the security we want, but most of all, it contradicts everything that makes us the envy of the world.'"

"Obama's speech came with more than a year - a full one-eighth of his term - still remaining in the White House. But he seemed to be already thinking of what the place would look like without him and trying to balance confidence in his achievements ('Ask Osama bin Laden,' he said at one point, touting his anti-terror credentials) with acknowledgements that many Americans didn't feel as good about the Obama era as he did. Earlier in the speech, Obama said that 'one of the few regrets' of his presidency was that - after he ran on a message of unity and healing - American politics had become more divided and resentful on his watch." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2c42e21a9e9831b2965eff0b83eec1a59e06ec3f86c92dd84 

Contrasts self with GOP 2016 candidates: Jeff Mason And Roberta Rampton for Reuters: "He said it was 'fiction' to describe the country as being in economic decline. While acknowledging that al Qaeda and Islamic State posed a direct threat to Americans, he said comparing the effort to defeat the militants who control swaths of Iraq and Syria to World War Three gave the group just what it wanted. 'Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks, twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages: they pose an enormous danger to civilians; they have to be stopped. But they do not threaten our national existence,' Obama said." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c250f5a08102ef9abe971078a1db0662d663c4aae2a414cb56 

FORGET OBAMA: HALEY ALSO JABS TRUMP IN SOTU REBUTTAL. Bloomberg's Kevin Whitelaw and Margaret Talev: "South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered a barbed Republican response to U.S. President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address, but her main target was her own party's 2016 front-runner, Donald Trump. While never mentioning Trump's name, Haley's effort on Tuesday to sketch out a kinder and gentler vision of the party was aimed squarely at pushing back against the billionaire's populist campaign for the White House. And it prompted a sharp backlash from some of the party's most fervent conservative voices." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2ce267c868f3e5ad30aac0766f6dd537886fd6d2056417040 

It underscores the GOP's headache over Trump. Her speech highlighted mainstream Republicans' unease with Trump and his heated rhetoric. Trump has rocketed to the top of the polls despite a series of controversial immigration statements, including a call to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S. that's been criticized by centrist and moderate Republicans. It's the kind of rhetoric that's made many GOPers nervous about the future of the party as they strive to diversify. Hill leaders chose Haley - who rose to popularity last year when she backed efforts to remove the Confederate flag following the racially charged massacre of blacks at a bible study - just as the veepstakes head up.
 Many believe she could be chosen as a running mate for the 2016 nominee - though perhaps not if Trump wins... My story: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c299be0fd65ab055281ae6ea8d8d87abd3fc7009de23aceab0 

But did she go too far? If you're not part of the GOP establishment, frankly, yes: "Haley Faces Conservative Backlash After SOTU Response," by Kasie Hunt for NBC: "South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley impressed some Democrats and moderate Republicans with her Republican response to the State of the Union Tuesday night - but there's already backlash brewing on the conservative right. 'Trump should deport Nikki Haley,' conservative commentator Ann Coulter tweeted part way through Haley's speech.... Radio host Laura Ingraham also tweeted about Haley's speech, writing, '[Former Obama official] Van Jones just praised Nikki Haley speech. Enough said.'" http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2e0ac3ed5ceb79976ca3ceeaa5c245b52ded4f3f7572953fa 

THE BIZARRE MOMENTS YOU DIDN'T SEE ON CAMERA. Yea, you know who you are - doing weird things on the chamber floor during State of the Union. Jake had a spotlight from above the chamber floor: "[B]ehind the scenes, all other norms of behavior one would expect from high-ranking federal officials go out the window. Before the speech, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) - the second-ranking GOP lawmaker - screamed 'coach!' to Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, a guest of Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.). He wanted Harbaugh to turn his attention to McCarthy's college-aged son. Harbaugh - seated in an area named the 'ladies box' - obliged."

"There were loads of pictures taken on the House floor - a blatant violation of the chamber's rules... Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Reps. Ed Pearlmutter (D-Colo.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Patrick Murphy posed for a pre-State of the Union photograph. They were all elected to Congress in 2006... [W]why did Vice President Joe Biden stop to greet House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas? ... embrace House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton of Michigan...? ... Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) was the only House Republican leader to stand up when Obama celebrated the near eradication of HIV/AIDS. Florida GOP Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
 stood up and cheered when Obama cheered marriage equality." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2fe419859223abe6f13b50fc288e59980d6632ae1de69c521 

More color: "GOP, Dems use cheers, boos to express their politics," by AP's Mary Clare Jalonick and Matthew Daly: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2fc06d2c406fa1f77dde1b6a1e146fd11de26428586f56897 

QUESTION OF THE NIGHT: "WAS IT SUNFLOWER? MANGO? TANGERINE?" Yes, this is a real debate, friends: What was the color of first lady Michelle Obama's dress last night? The AP actually has a story: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c29f7c77d616559df464bf1f02758b37a1965266f394a5daae I contend it was mango, and she looked fabulous. (Burgess is rolling his eyes right now having dealt with us Politico ladies gushing over her attire last night. Priorities.) 

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: "Let me take one more look at this thing." - President Obama as he approached the exit of the chamber, then whirled around to take in the view for the last time. 

MORE CAFFEINE, PLEASE. It's Jan. 13, 2016. Thanks for reading Huddle, where we're bemoaning the fact that we just went to bed a couple hours ago. I'm subbing in for SKim the rest of the week, so catch me here: [email-masked], or Tweet: @RachaelMBade. 

TODAY IN CONGRESS: The House returns at 9 a.m. for legislative business with first and only votes between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Senate is out until next Tuesday.

AROUND THE HILL: At 12:15 p.m. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has her weekly presser but that's about it. Republicans prepping for the GOP Baltimore retreat.

POLICY PITCH WATCH - "Obama's cancer cure 'moonshot.'" Pro Health's Rachana Pradhan looks at the reality of the not-so-lofty goal: "President Barack Obama pledged to put America on the path to cure cancer in his final State of the Union speech, and placed Joe Biden, still mourning the death of his son, 'in charge of Mission Control' to defeat the disease. 'For the loved ones we've all lost, for the family we can still save, let's make America the country that cures cancer once and for all,' Obama said... The lofty call for a cancer cure isn't necessarily the impossible... The White House is developing a detailed road map for accelerating research, compressing 10 years' worth of work into
 five, using the National Institutes of Health and private partnerships. Biden has already met with hundreds of the world's top cancer scientists and researchers." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2708b6e1d3c2ae46ad6d7f2df867034ec4d16868f3a442548 

 "Obama's State of the Union pledge to push for bipartisan redistricting reform was a late add," LA Times' Javier Panzar: "President Obama used his last State of the Union address to push for national voting reforms and went off script to specifically call for bipartisan groups to draw new congressional districts instead of lawmakers. 'I think we've got to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters and not the other way around,' he said before veering from his prepared remarks to add: 'Let a bipartisan group do it.' In recent days, aides to the president had said he was concerned about gerrymandering, the flood of money in politics and
 other barriers to voter participation." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2394eeab85c40ae2500dfa14b21c28cd7c3fe178787b2d949 

WHAT WASN'T SAID - SURPRISINGLY. "President Obama says little about gun control in State of the Union," Jason Silverstein for New York Daily News: "President Obama fired blanks on the issue of gun control in the State of the Union - barely even mentioning one of the hottest issues leading up to his final address... The hour-long address included just one reference to firearms, with Obama saying America must work on 'protecting our kids from gun violence.' Otherwise, he avoided the issue - one of several surprise sidesteps in a short speech that overlooked several anticipated talking points." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c21d1492f4229901b0f2082cadd6dde22e200042a8342a28f8 

"THE 8 ISSUES ON WHICH OBAMA ISN'T QUITE DONE WITH CONGRESS," per The Fix's Amber Phillips: "1. Reform the criminal justice system... 2. Address the opiate epidemic...3. Fund universal prekindergarten... 4. Talk seriously about poverty... 5. Vote to authorize force against the Islamic State... 6. Approve the TPP... 7. Lift the trade embargo with Cuba... 8. Invest in malaria prevention and treatment." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2317848fdaf83166d6f37c8fbf4050680dedcd612eb5ab6da 

IN NON-SOTU NEWS--

FREEDOM FIRES WARNING SHOTS. The Ryan Honeymoon is over and the Freedom Caucus is plotting, per Bloomberg's Billy House: "U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan had a good run in his first few weeks on the job, clearing out several high-profile bills in a year-end rush. The good times may not last. Ryan is already lowering expectations of major legislative achievements in 2016, saying he wants to focus on spelling out a conservative agenda. Far-right Republicans say they want more -- and that they'll push Ryan for votes on their top priorities, such as making significant tax changes, reining in entitlement programs and enacting a new health-care law."

"That tension -- between Ryan's push to set out broad principles and the House Freedom Caucus's impatience to force higher-profile confrontations -- could intensify this week as House Republicans go to Baltimore to sort out their legislative agenda. If the three dozen members of the conservative Freedom Caucus don't like the outcome, they say they are prepared to push him just as hard as they pushed Ryan's predecessor, John Boehner, who eventually quit the job." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2cace8f3c89b3d551fe3fcbc5f8f65e6434debfb1a61b6ba5 

UNDERTHE RADER: "King Abdullah will reject GOP invitation to speak." A scoop by Burgess and Bres: "King Abdullah of Jordan will spurn the GOP's invitation to address House and Senate Republicans at their retreat in Baltimore on Wednesday night, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Though Abdullah was never confirmed, the optics of meeting with Republicans and not having a face-to-face with President Barack Obama may have proven to be too much." LINKS

THE JUICY: "Black lawmakers weigh plan to condemn Rep. Duffy over abortion comments," Lauren French with this little gem: "The Congressional Black Caucus is weighing whether to ask for a formal condemnation of Republican Rep. Sean Duffy over abortion-related comments the Wisconsin lawmaker made on the House floor. Last week, Duffy suggested that the Congressional Black Caucus is ignoring the impacts of abortion on minority communities - comments that drew immediate criticism from black lawmakers who felt the message was racially tinged. Now, the caucus is considering offering a privileged resolution to condemn Duffy's remarks. Offering a privileged resolution to criticize a colleague is
 highly unusual, but CBC members say the abortion comments amounted to an attack on the black caucus making a formal criticism of Duffy fair game." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2e07b039c71638b3d46be390f6951b79719be0c254873eb7f 

CARSON TAPS EX-GOP BENGHAZI INVESTIGATOR. No, no - not Bradley Podliska (My first thought, too)... But still interesting (h/t Kyle Cheney who chased down to confirmed). The Hill's Julian Hattem: "A former top aide on the House Select Committee on Benghazi has been brought on to advise Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson, in the wake of a series of flubs that prompted questions about Carson's foreign policy expertise. Last month, the retired neurosurgeon's campaign quietly hired ex-committee investigator Sara Barrineau, who has also worked in the White House's Situation Room for the National Security Council and in the State Department, according to LegiStorm, a website that tracks
 Congress. Barrineau had spent slightly more than a year on the GOP-led special committee, which has become an object of scorn among Democrats." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=fdf1bb6d3d11c6c2a7a4a6604435f3f269135414537641134cbf7f0a18de8ec8 

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB. They come from different parties and regions, but they all share the same birthday. Sen. Roy Blunt, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. Greg Walden, Rep. Bill Shuster and Rep. Chris Van Hollen were all born on Jan. 10. And each year, they celebrate their joint-birthday with a lunch hosted by one of the members. This year, Walden served sandwiches and cake in his Capitol office, and they all paid a special tribute to Capps' retirement. This pic is adorbs: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4583369d756b13c9085fe2f2525f73c0b2f89f4b316c6d623aa8c39243cfe418 (H/t Andrew Malcolm and SMK!) 

TUESDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER. Dan Roth, Rep. Karen Bass' com director, was the first to answer that Wayne Newton was the "wholesome" entertainer chosen in 1983 after Interior Secretary James Watt indirectly banned the Beach Boys from participating in Fourth of July festivities on the National Mall (because all rock bands "attracted the wrong element").

TODAY'S TRIVIA: Which comes from our winner: People talk about completing a "Full Grassley" before the Iowa caucus. How does Senator Grassley treat himself after completing this endurance test? Email [email-masked]. 

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