Subject: POLITICO Playbook, presented by PhRMA: California primary tonight will be the ‘leading indicator’ for the 2018 general election
From: "Anna Palmer Jake Sherman Daniel Lippman" <[email-masked]>
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Date: Tue, 05 Jun 2018 04:42:56 -0600
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Today's POLITICO Playbook presented by PhRMA 
            
By JAKE SHERMAN ([email-masked]; @JakeSherman), ANNA PALMER ([email-masked]; @apalmerdc) and DANIEL LIPPMAN ([email-masked]; @dlippman)
        
Listen to today's Audio Briefing | Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
                  Driving the Day         
VLADIMIR PUTIN speaks to Austrian TV ahead of a visit to the country (Kremlin transcript): 

ARMIN WOLF: "Mr. [Yevgeny] Prigozhin, along with 12 other Russian citizens, has been indicted in the United States for meddling in the presidential elections. You and Donald Trump talk so nicely over the telephone, but Trump has been president for a year and a half and there still has not been a bilateral summit between you, in contrast to Bush and Obama with whom you met within the first six months of their presidencies. Why is it taking so long?"

PUTIN: "You should ask our colleagues in the United States. In my opinion, this is the result of the ongoing acute political struggle in the United States. Indeed, Donald Trump and I have, firstly, met more than once at various international venues and secondly, we regularly talk over the phone. 

"Our foreign affairs departments and special services are working fairly well together in areas of mutual interest, above all in the fight against international terrorism. This work is ongoing. ... In a recent telephone conversation, Donald said he was worried about the possibility of a new arms race. I fully agree with him." Full transcript  http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce498a23dcc6c918281dc6d097ad331972f2f4d11bcc8788d17da9c442828c054ee1fb45b4fe80dafc 

HAPPY CALIFORNIA PRIMARY DAY ... SETTING THE TABLE ... NYT'S NATE COHN: "The quirks that make the California primary risky for Democrats also make it a leading indicator of the general election. ... Since 1990, the major party vote share in top-two congressional primaries in Washington (which also uses the top-two system) and California has differed from the general election result by an average of just three percentage points. ... 

"[T]his is about as good as any data we're going to get. The average House poll over the final three weeks of an election is off by an average margin of 6.2 points, according to FiveThirtyEight. So the primary results are a bit like getting a free round of more than 50 final House polls in early June. ... 

"If this is a wave environment like in 2006 or 2010, which would probably make the Democrats slight to modest favorites to retake the House, it shouldn't be too hard to tell. Seat by seat, Democrats would probably be pretty close to half the vote in the seven California districts that Hillary Clinton won in Republican territory in 2016." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce544e27d0ccaebdebb165bed81a6dee854834d51c53be860ff118d848e313e80f65f5baa08fa17d74 

-- AP: "Blue wave? California tops list as midterm matchups form," by Steve Peoples and Michael Blood in Los Angeles: "No state will be more consequential in the success or failure of a prospective blue wave this fall. But before then, Democrats must avoid self-inflicted wounds in Tuesday's so-called jungle primaries that feature a swarm of ambitious candidates who could cannibalize their own party's chances. At the same time, Republicans face the embarrassing prospect of failing to nominate any candidates in marquee races for the U.S. Senate and governor." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ceea592ddcedb901c9d2503d39c37d83c4d0ed277168e6091c87abf429a6eb08134e185c882460f0c9

-- L.A. TIMES' CHRISTINE MAI-DUC: "Today is make or break for Democrats in California's House races": "Voters in California's key House districts are poised Tuesday to determine match-ups that could make or break Democrats' chances of taking back the House this fall.

"The most pressing concern for Democrats is whether their wide, boisterous field of candidates means the party will be locked out of multiple races thanks to the state's top-two primary, which advances the two candidates with the most votes regardless of party. The prospect of voters only having the choice between two Republicans on the ballot in crucial races in November has forced Democratic groups to spend more than $7 million in the closing weeks of the campaign to avert disaster.

"'Tuesday's primaries in California are obviously taking all of our attention because of how big the stakes are,' said Meredith Kelly, a spokeswoman for the [DCCC]." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce87b83be12300bdeabfe689ca1caca087e461dc895e0aec5d44a08739385c07bae564a40e57140468 

... WHAT THE INSIDERS TELL US ABOUT CALIFORNIA ... 

-- DEMOCRATS (a national operative working on House races): EXPECTATION SETTING: "Of early ballots returned as of Monday, June 4th - Registered Democrats trail Registered Republicans by between 8-12 points in CA-39 [the seat GOP Rep. Ed Royce is vacating] and CA-48 [GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's seat], not including about 20% Decline to State voters' ballots. This is a major disadvantage in the early vote, and if Democrats do not outpace Republican turnout on Election Day, then Democrats expect lockout situations in both districts. ... 

"Across the country, the amount of Democratic energy and number of candidates allows Democrats to compete in typically Republican places - but under the complicated top-two system, this can be a threat if enough Democratic voters don't coalesce behind top-performing Democrats in already GOP-leaning districts."

"Remember: under a worst-case-scenario, Democrats get locked out of two competitive districts, leaving FIVE Clinton districts in California alone and TWENTY-THREE Clinton districts nationwide - the amount of districts Democrats started the cycle with before the new PA maps added two."

IN OTHER WORDS: If you're a Democrat, expect bad things to happen, but the party has other territory in which they can make up ground.

-- FROM REPUBLICANS: "Democrats didn't just break glass here, they threw a flaming chair out the window. Spending $7 million (including super-expensive LA broadcast) just to a candidate into the general shows how worried Democrats are. They bought ads for 5.4 million homes to reach just 105,000 voters.

"Watch the Josh Newman Senate Senate recall election over the gas tax. Could be close. The district overlaps with CA39 and, with gas approaching $5 a gallon out there, will show how much the gas tax will drive turnout."

-- KEVIN MCCARTHY has spent a bundle of money on the gas-tax initiative, because Republicans think it'll drive up the conservative vote in a state where Republicans are basically a glorified special interest group.

****** A message from PhRMA: New analysis from IHS Markit shows providing access to discounted medicine prices at the pharmacy could save seniors with diabetes more than $350 annually. Sharing negotiated rebates could also save Medicare nearly $1,000 annually for every senior taking diabetes medication, reducing total health care spending by approximately $20B over the next 10 years. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce5143d667e0b8b5db423b97ad3b9211a26bcf613ff1d5ac821491896ccdf4b588bbbf2cbe51bf50e3 ******

ONE NUGGET from STEVEN SHEPARD, ELENA SCHNEIDER, CARLA MARINUCCI and DAVID SIDERS: "The Super Tuesday of 2018 has arrived. Here's what you need to watch": "Martha Roby on red alert: If there's one House incumbent to watch on Tuesday night, it's Rep. Martha Roby (R-Ala.), who has spent nearly $1 million so far in her campaign for renomination.

"Roby's political battle began in October 2016, when she announced that she wouldn't support Trump's presidential bid after the release of the 'Access Hollywood' video. Roby had defeated a local activist in the GOP primary in March 2016 primary, 67 percent to 28 percent.

"But that activist, Becky Gerritson, objected to Roby's stance on Trump and ran a write-in campaign. Roby still won, but the 49 percent of the vote she captured was down substantially from 67 percent two years earlier.

"Roby has four primary challengers this time around, including a familiar name: former Rep. Bobby Bright, whom Roby narrowly defeated in the 2010 general election, when Bright was a Democratic member of Congress. The large field against Roby could set up a mid-July runoff if the incumbent doesn't earn a majority of the vote on Tuesday." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cec62069a9fc42f54297ba1b784d395f77566f1b81b32ce40d10e8a03cd529ee85cf704855ba518bb5 

Good Tuesday morning. The Caps beat the Las Vegas Knights 6-2, putting D.C. just one game away from its first major professional sports championship in 27 years. The Caps -- up 3-1 -- play game five Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Las Vegas.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ... Keep your eyes on the House floor today, where the immigration discharge petition is at 213 -- five away from the 218 it needs to spark a big floor debate.

A LONG, and interesting, thread from SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TEXAS) on whether the president could pardon himself. http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce1d28405cf8247aec4d935dc0e1e876b2781d5cabc83ba105a8970f36a9e47c612d19941012732d80 (Leaving aside the silly media criticism).

THE INVESTIGATIONS ... 

-- THE BIG PICTURE: NYT'S CHARLIE SAVAGE: "Trump and His Lawyers Embrace a Vision of Vast Executive Power": "President Trump, ramping up his assertions of extraordinary powers, declared in a tweet on Monday that he had 'the absolute right' to pardon himself for any crime.

"While no president has ever purported to pardon himself, and it is not clear whether Mr. Trump could legitimately take such a step, the president's claim was the latest in an aggressive series of moves to assert his control over federal law enforcement. Last month, Mr. Trump crossed a traditional line by ordering an investigation into the Russia investigators. And late last year he boasted he has 'an absolute right to do what I want to with the Justice Department.'

"The president has had help in shaping his expansive view of his authority: For at least a year, his lawyers in the investigation into whether he tried to obstruct the Russia inquiry have been advising the president that he wields sweeping constitutional powers to impede investigations no matter his motive - and despite obstruction-of-justice laws that everyone else must obey." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce04ff67ef410eed20d394f9fc8ed2e7e53c7adc07018a1a76b7a9de8860bb30b871ee3a5dcf492dfa

-- WAPO'S CAROL LEONNIG, BOB COSTA, ROS HELDERMAN and JOSH DAWSEY: "Trump's legal team readies for fraught showdown with Mueller, even as president declares broad powers": "Despite President Trump's declarations that he has expansive powers that could blunt the special-counsel investigation, his legal team is preparing for the possibility of a presidential interview, or a legally precarious subpoena battle over such a sit-down. ... 

"[P]rivate moves by Trump's attorneys and advisers indicate that -- despite the president's public bravado -- they are readying for a fraught legal confrontation that could have far-reaching consequences. Trump lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani has acknowledged in recent interviews with The Washington Post that the outcome of such a showdown is uncertain. 'Both sides are taking a big risk with a subpoena fight,' he said. ... 

"As the two sides head toward a confrontation over a presidential interview in the coming weeks, newly hired White House lawyer Emmet Flood and other attorneys are strategizing about how to handle a subpoena from Mueller that would seek to compel Trump to testify in the investigation. 

"Several White House officials said Flood has cautioned Trump and others about the unpredictability of a subpoena fight that could be decided by the Supreme Court. Such a case would be unprecedented. ... Meanwhile, Giuliani and other advisers have begun making plans to prepare Trump for a possible sit-down with Mueller. They are eyeing a few special guests -- including former New Jersey governor Chris Christie (R) -- to conduct practice sessions with the president." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cedba0a4b29111c04e30773d1b59c5aba7ee81046f929f095b496300e69f581e8f919cb8517d40afd8 

-- @GovChristie: "The WaPo story tonight saying I have been asked to help prepare @realDonaldTrump for any interview with Bob Mueller is dead wrong. I have not been asked by anyone to do anything of the sort. The story is wrong."

-- NYT'S MATT APUZZO: "Trump Team Pushed False Story Line About Meeting With Kremlin-Tied Lawyer, Memo Shows": http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ceaf19155a70b74ace25afeacf1a335e2160413b69fe0d83c0ec6383a0c25b5fba679e57daf77f9049

-- DARREN SAMUELSOHN: "Mueller accuses Manafort of witness tampering": "Special counsel Robert Mueller's office on Monday accused Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for Donald Trump, of tampering with witnesses ahead of his upcoming trial on charges involving illegal lobbying work.

"In an 18-page motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, one of Mueller's prosecutors, Andrew Weissmann, called for an immediate hearing to determine whether Manafort and another, unidentified person repeatedly contacted two other unnamed people 'in an effort to secure materially false testimony' concerning the activities at the center of February's superseding indictment.

"Backed by an affidavit from an FBI agent who has been working on the Manafort case, Mueller's office said Manafort and one of his longtime associates - described as 'Person A' - tried in the wake of the Trump official's indictment to contact other members of the so-called Hapsburg Group, a collection of former senior European politicians who were working with Manafort and covertly promoting Ukrainian interests in Washington." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cecb3219ae1a937b4422675aa37269da3690e78a50965b8d76fa4aeada0c014fd0cff37f2585885177 ... The prosecutors' filing http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce8cce3d8ed27ba76196e360b30eba386ea339d6ad8ef02d4b86529e5d72e8a680c19f3ed0725efd53 

SCOOP - "Law professors torch Trump legal memo," by Josh Gerstein: "A recently published letter from President Donald Trump's attorneys claiming that the president could not have obstructed the federal investigation into ties between his campaign and Russia is deeply flawed, 14 prominent law professors and legal scholars said Monday in a pointed and blunt rebuttal sent to top lawyers at the White House. 

"'The Office of the President is not a get-out-of-jail free card for lawless behavior,' the professors wrote in their letter, obtained by POLITICO. 'Indeed, our country's Founders made it clear in the Declaration of Independence that they did not believe that even a king had such powers; they specifically cited King George's obstruction of justice as among the "injuries and usurpations" that justified independence.

"'Our Founders would not have created - and did not create - a Constitution that would permit the President to use his powers to violate the laws for corrupt and self-interested reasons.' Among the better known signers of the rebuttal: Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe, former U.S. Attorneys Harry Litman and Joyce Vance and former Obama White House ethics czar Norm Eisen. The letter was coordinated by Project Democracy, a watchdog group." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cea10982b61c553c7e4d889e0d1438492690ffef9e33c01200c5a76d93581eb651c84137a25871d313 ... The letter http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce01178d9c6d394281ed4fba3b3bf3a0d5a447f3201b88a92e9bd27f84b1da4f3d27419eeb57637941 

CULTURE WARS -- PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: "Trump cancels Eagles' White House celebration on eve of visit after fewer than 10 players planned to attend," by Zach Berman, Jonathan Tamari and Les Bowen: "The Eagles were scheduled to be honored by Trump at 3 p.m. on the South Lawn. Fewer than 10 players planned to attend, a team source told the Inquirer and Daily News. Eagles representatives were in Washington on Monday preparing logistics. Owner Jeffrey Lurie planned to make the visit, the source said.

"'It has been incredibly thrilling to celebrate our first Super Bowl championship,' the Eagles said in a statement. 'Watching the entire Eagles community come together has been an inspiration. We are truly grateful for all of the support we have received and we are looking forward to continuing our preparations for the 2018 season.'" http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce4519a568395fc2a0e01fb485085be496e53fbfde28803f7266c08684c1dcbbe7f47db9b3c753670c 

-- IT'S WORTH NOTING: The Philadelphia Eagles haven't won a championship since 1960. That was before the NFC-AFC merger in 1970 and before the Super Bowl existed. That's 68 years of fans in Pennsylvania (a key 2020 state) and southern New Jersey supporting the team. DOES IT MATTER? Probably not. Trump clearly feels like he is winning this argument.

-- FLASHBACK, NYT'S KEN BELSON and MARK LEIBOVICH on April 25: "Lurie, who called Trump's presidency 'disastrous,' cautioned against players getting drawn into the president's tactics. 'We've got to be careful not to be baited by Trump or whomever else,' Lurie said. 'We have to find a way to not be divided and not get baited.'" http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce47db7304096572c8306546099b616aea4e12704219db262b7494442aa2639d5f1048c860015d909a 

THE LATEST ON TRADE ...

-- WSJ: "How China Skirts America's Antidumping Tariffs on Steel," by Matthew Dalton in Smederevo, Serbia, and Lingling Wei in Beijing: "Three years ago, the steel mill outside the small city of Smederevo, Serbia, appeared headed for the scrap heap.

"The Serbian government, which owned the mill, had stopped subsidizing it after six straight years of losses. Hemorrhaging cash, it struggled to buy spare parts and raw materials such as iron ore.

"Now production is hitting all-time highs under its new owner, Hesteel Group, a Chinese state-owned steel producer. Exports from the plant, which is backed by tens of millions of dollars from Chinese state banks and investment funds, are surging. And it has started shipping steel to the U.S.

"As the Trump administration ramps up its fight against Chinese steel and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross ended trade talks with Beijing over the weekend without a settlement, U.S. officials are confronting a strategic shift from China's state-backed manufacturers. For the past several years, they have been shutting production at home and expanding overseas, fueled by tens of billions of dollars from Chinese state-owned lenders and funds." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ceccdfc1d49e5d5cff667c3d28019c6e20810b0a92a3c914cee9f0d3e7b82018232fd7c3b1d3e5becb 

NYT'S ANDREW ROSS SORKIN in SEATTLE: "Howard Schultz to Step Down as Starbucks Executive Chairman": "Howard Schultz, the outspoken executive chairman of Starbucks, will leave the company at the end of the month, bringing to an end the tenure of a socially conscious entrepreneur who turned a local Seattle coffee chain into a global giant with more than 28,000 stores in 77 countries.

"Mr. Schultz's decision to retire, a plan he said he privately outlined to the board a year ago, will most likely stoke speculation that he is considering a run for president in 2020. He is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate for the Democratic Party and has become increasingly vocal on political issues, including criticizing President Trump last year as 'a president that is creating episodic chaos every day.'

"While Mr. Schultz, 64, typically bats away speculation about his political ambitions with an eye roll or a pithy answer, on Monday he acknowledged for the first time that it is something he may consider.

"'I want to be truthful with you without creating more speculative headlines' ... For some time now, I have been deeply concerned about our country - the growing division at home and our standing in the world.' 'One of the things I want to do in my next chapter is to figure out if there is a role I can play in giving back ... I'm not exactly sure what that means yet.'" http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cedbf968e1dc3bcf41afb722474d2a716f588cee5c9b778e6ce67493fd8ae82a59074ae2651a7e6078 

TRUMP'S TUESDAY -- The president is meeting with U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. He will also have lunch with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In the afternoon, Trump will participate in the "Celebration of America" and then will meet with lawmakers. He will also participate in a bill signing for "The Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Act of 2018." 

-- VP MIKE PENCE is on the Hill today, meeting with Senate Republicans. He's also hosting former Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar (R) and former Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn (Ga.) in his West Wing office.

PENCE is going to Brazil and Ecuador at the end of the month -- his third trip to Latin America as vice president. It's another attempt to keep pressure on the Maduro regime in Venezuela, an aide said. 

FUN STORY -- "Crowd cheers when valedictorian quotes Trump. Then reveals it was Obama," by Louisville Courier-Journal's Thomas Novelly: "A Kentucky high school student wanted to share some words of wisdom with his graduating class, but there was a twist that no one saw coming. 

"'This is the part of my speech where I share some inspirational quotes I found on Google,' said Bell County High School valedictorian Ben Bowling in his speech. '"Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table." - Donald J. Trump.' The crowd burst into applause. 'Just kidding,' Bowling said. 'That was Barack Obama.' The 18-year-old valedictorian said the crowd quickly went silent." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce7e2212566b0b134529f54dbd092d45d1fca6931adfd3f4429ecbfcf8d48efac5f5a06901bd7756f2

YOU'RE INVITED -- HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP STEVE SCALISE (R-La.) will sit down with us for his first live D.C. event since the shooting JUNE 12 at the D.C. Bar headquarters (901 4th Street NW). RSVP http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce6b7a157e57c319e24ea8472db8e348f83340c4dbd3aa9a6e379c0dd257d0290af8bb9ed995a4ac88

          Playbook Reads         

PHOTO DU JOUR: Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a reception for the Organization of American States at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on June 4. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo

WHITE HOUSE DEPARTURE LOUNGE -- "Shahira Knight leaving White House for Clearing House banking group," by Ben White and Nancy Cook: "Shahira Knight, a top economic adviser to President Donald Trump, is leaving the White House to join the Clearing House, a banking policy and lobbying group. 

"Knight served as deputy director of the National Economic Council and played a critical role in the administration's biggest legislative achievement, the sweeping rewrite of the tax code the president signed into law last year. ... Knight will join the Clearing House as it merges with another bank lobbying group, the Financial Services Roundtable. She will serve as executive vice president and head of public affairs." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cef1f94c0e6f0d0004b57ebe14cb94da9da983c86e172e373fce78284056234b34e2ae37aa54ef71d4 

POLITICO/MORNING CONSULT POLL ... HEATHER CAYGLE: "Poll: Partisan gap could limit women's gains in November": "Republican voters - men and women - are more likely than the general electorate to say that a man in elected office would do a better job than a woman when it comes to many of the core functions of government, particularly in the executive branch: working with foreign leaders, ordering a military intervention, addressing a terrorist attack, negotiating with Congress and addressing threats to U.S. national security." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cecd53b1497128796351b2ec3e38e0124f2360ae949e1703ac4ca807d3e4b1b61b1110f2e8c7941910

ON THE LEFT -- "DNC Deputy Chair Ellison expected to run for Minnesota AG," by Isaac Dovere: "Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is expected to make a last-minute entry into the race for Minnesota attorney general on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with his plans. ... Ellison has been in Congress since 2007, and served as deputy chair of the [DNC] since last year, as a leader of the Bernie Sanders wing of the party. But he's been chafing for months at both roles: being in the minority in Congress and being subsumed to DNC Chairman Tom Perez, who beat him for the top job. ... [A]ttorneys general have taken on major significance within the Democratic resistance to the Trump
 administration, and Ellison is eager to be a leader in that fight." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce37b4814201262b97faf9ba40be0dcb60ad15e920e187f1fadbe36f4b64fce6b5d855015255609e9e

BLOOMBERG'S JENNIFER JACOBS: "Trump Told Kim Kardashian She and Kanye West Are Helping Him With Black Voters": "President Donald Trump welcomed Kim Kardashian to the White House last week to discuss prison reform. But there was something else on his mind. Trump told the reality TV star and wife of hip-hop mogul Kanye West in the Oval Office that the couple was boosting his popularity with African-Americans, according to two people familiar with the matter. 

"About a month before the meeting West praised Trump in a tweet, claiming that he and the president 'are both dragon energy.' Trump later credited the April 25 West tweet with raising his approval rating among African Americans, a group that has shown scant support for the president.

"'Kanye West must have some power because you probably saw I doubled my African American poll numbers. We went from 11 to 22 in one week,' Trump said May 4 at the National Rifle Association's annual conference in Texas, without identifying the source of the data. Trump appeared to be referring to data from a Reuters weekly tracking poll, in which the portion of black men approving of Trump rose from 11 percent the week ending April 22 to 22 percent for the week ending April 29. But Reuters considers the number of African American respondents to those weekly polls too small to reliably indicate a shift in opinion." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce2cf689b87a56a05a9cf2b0158a80bb6f4671778f00a87b8abc836ce250380cce80decc388d0fedea 

COMING ATTRACTIONS ... DESERET NEWS: "Paul Ryan, Michael Bloomberg, Meg Whitman to speak at Mitt Romney's annual political retreat," by Lisa Riley Roche in Park City: "Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, along with U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, are speaking at Mitt Romney's annual political retreat this weekend." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cebb134492f140bfe2df2facacd0ed36699e26908ffc923ea4fc1b6bb2ce4472b1630aa4f24f1f8627

****** A message from PhRMA: For more than 10 years, Medicare has provided prescription drug coverage for seniors. Competition continues to keep premiums low, but seniors are facing higher out-of-pocket spending. Insurers negotiate significant discounts for medicines in Part D. Giving seniors 80% of those discounts at the pharmacy counter could save a senior with diabetes more than $350 per year on their health care costs. The change could also save Medicare nearly $1,000 per year for every senior taking diabetes medication. How? By helping patients afford the drugs they need to stay healthy and stay out of the hospital. Seniors share the cost. They should share the savings. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce5143d667e0b8b5db423b97ad3b9211a26bcf613ff1d5ac821491896ccdf4b588bbbf2cbe51bf50e3 ******

AMAZON ONE-CLICK ALERT: "H.R. McMaster Is Shopping A Book Around," by BuzzFeed's Steven Perlberg: "Former national security adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster is shopping a book around to publishers, his agent confirmed to BuzzFeed News, becoming the latest figure in the Trump orbit to seek to cash in on the surging appetite for politics books. Prominent book agent Amanda 'Binky' Urban from ICM is representing McMaster in his pursuit. At a book party Monday night for her husband, media writer Ken Auletta, Urban confirmed that she was working with McMaster." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce7802a4f75277f1f046ba20b4197428a9261410960f590f19d8285aa3ca948e495f53f27b2395f983 

U.S. AT RISK ... "Trump's lack of cyber leader may make U.S. vulnerable: Experts and lawmakers worry the nation is rudderless on the vital issue of cybersecurity," by Eric Geller: "The absence of senior cybersecurity leaders in President Donald Trump's administration may be leaving the United States more vulnerable to digital warfare and less prepared for attacks on election systems, according to lawmakers and experts worried about White House brain drain under national security adviser John Bolton. 

"Both Republicans and Democrats are expressing concern that the White House is rudderless on cybersecurity at a time when hostile nations' hackers are moving aggressively, inspiring fears about disruptive attacks on local governments, power plants, hospitals and other critical systems. 

"POLITICO spoke with nearly two dozen cyber experts, lawmakers and former officials ... about Bolton's decisions to oust the White House's homeland security adviser and eliminate its cyber coordinator position. The overwhelming consensus is that Bolton's moves are a major step backward for the increasingly critical and still-evolving world of cyber policy." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ceafa8f4f493909cbc8078b27be92cc30c5c9270dd70e01298f65c205a3a4a021ea7309895cbecac42 

BEYOND THE BELTWAY -- NATASHA KORECKI in Chicago: "Illinois governor's race spending surges past $200 million": "Billionaire J.B. Pritzker dropped $25 million into his campaign this week and Gov. Bruce Rauner's campaign is preparing to air at least $1 million in attack ads beginning Tuesday, keeping the Illinois governor's election on track to be one of the most expensive in U.S. history.

"After a brief ceasefire, the two wealthy businessmen restarted their frenzied pace of spending this week for an election that's still five months away. Pritzker, who has already pumped $100 million of his own personal wealth into the contest, has not set a limit on what he's willing to spend.

"In fact, a source close to the Pritzker campaign said, the Democratic businessman is vowing to spend double whatever multimillionaire Rauner puts into the contest. 'For every dollar he spends, we're ready to spend two,' the source told POLITICO on Monday." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce561bc04d5618d1b37e073c63c1a07cf761cc77392d7de170583b79d004576ec9cd51ddaf0dd20def

MEDIAWATCH -- Meridith Webster is joining Vox Media as the company's first chief communications officer. She previously led the public affairs practice of Emerson Collective and is also a Bloomberg, Obama WH and State alum.

-- "'This Was Lachlan's Revenge': As a Murdoch Son Moves to Consolidate His Power, Rupert Says 'I'm Still Here,'" by Vanity Fair's Gabe Sherman: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce58eccfa19845539c719305b75bf11ef14549af99f351b79d079fd1fdf9c958dff8ca7941c7f6cbb3

                  Playbookers         
SPOTTED: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) giving the keynote speech at Princeton's Class Day ceremony on Monday and received a standing ovation. Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) also attended since her daughter is a graduating senior -- pics http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce7426e42d08950cd4cee10eb478b68afed79c192620597de6ee0e497a55395340a0ec5ab17125b742 ... http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce5e6cfb5852499290835f95adcd8bb4b1370da7296a8c51c286735682f5e59b30b09484e2310ba86d ... Rep. George Holding (R-N.C.) in first class (seat 2C) on American flight 856 from Charlotte to DCA Monday night "looking London bankerish in white collar, rep tie and double cuffs ... Suit coat stayed on," per our tipster.

REMEMBERING ROGER CONANT ... MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE: "Conant, Roger Royce 80, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2018 in Melbourne, Florida, surrounded by family after suffering a massive stroke on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ingrid Junker Conant; two sons and two daughter-in-laws, Alexander and Caitlin, and Nicholas and Janna; a grandchild, Cecelia (and two more due this fall); and three loving nieces.

"Roger was a leader in the investment management industry for more than 45 years, culminating in his founding of Magni Global Asset Management in 2009 as a vehicle for combining proprietary research with innovative algorithms to generate returns surpassing international indices. He also served as the firm's Chairman and CIO, directing its operations in New York City and St. Paul, Minnesota ... 

"There are few hobbies that Roger didn't have: He was an avid motorcycle, bicycle and Segway rider; runner; skier; scuba diver, and reader. He had season tickets for the Vikings football team and loved attending games with his sons and their friends. Even at 80 years old, he began every day with a 5-mile run." http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce43c563e9b96b0846dd1645684471045ca85dbdef071c1208460bea9a55818c5c7ec962dc3c37df83 

TRANSITIONS -- FIRST IN PLAYBOOK -- Luis Miranda and Mark Paustenbach have started Ambassador Public Affairs. Miranda is a former Obama WH press aide and DNC communications director, and Paustenbach is a former Obama Treasury spokesperson and DNC deputy communications director. Sarah Karp Ward is the firm's chief digital strategist.

-- Caitlin Carroll is joining Sen. Richard Burr's (R-N.C.) office as communications director and spokesperson for the Senate Intel Committee. She was most recently director of public affairs at PhRMA and is also an alum of the Republican Study Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

ENGAGED -- Chandler Smith, communications director for the Senate Republican Conference, on Saturday got engaged to John Costello, a former U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer and combat veteran now working for SAIC contracted to the State Department. "He proposed while the two were having a glass of wine on a rooftop in Cleveland Park with a city view. ... They have been dating for a year and a half after a first date at Harold Black in Eastern Market."

BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Elan Kriegel, co-founder of BlueLabs and analytics director for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. A fun fact about Elan: "I used to report afternoon traffic for a radio station in Madison, Wisconsin. There was no helicopter involved. Just me driving around with a police scanner." Read his Playbook Plus Q&A: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5cee50648b6ea789fbe4154f5f9c90477b48b0015d48a13444a82093e0764bc21483e1a25f2cfef1146

BIRTHDAYS: Bob Kraft is 77 ... Sam Sifton is 52 ... Ward Baker, former NRSC executive director and president of the Baker Group Strategies ... Megan Beyer ... David Espo is 69 (h/t Jon Haber) ... Suze Orman is 67 ... Katy Summerlin of ROKK Solutions ... Abeer Al Otaiba, founder and creative director of luxury fashion line SemSem ... Bill Moyers is 84 ... Andrea Peyser ... Mike Heimowitz ... Rob Engstrom ... Chelsea Raab of FiscalNote ... Jordan Ballard ... Matt Vasilogambros of Pew Trusts ... Shane Pummill ... 

... John D'Adamo, who runs the D.C. office of BizBash (h/t Brandon Shaw) ... Jordan Dickinson, senior LA for Rep. Dan Kildee (h/t Mitchell Richard) ... NBC News' Tali Deeb ... Carol Guensburg ... Katie Visco ... Aaron Moser ... Edelman's Cherith Cleaves ... Ellen Fleysher ... Riley Dickens ... Thomas Michael ... Aaron Latham ... Raj Khandwalla ... WaPo alum Tony Reid is 61 ... Arnold L. Flowers III ... Eric Wind ... Travis Brock ... Linda Krantz ... Karen Campbell ... Lester Pines (h/ts Teresa Vilmain)

****** A message from PhRMA: For more than 10 years, Medicare has provided prescription drug coverage for seniors. Competition continues to keep premiums low, but seniors are facing higher out-of-pocket spending. Insurers negotiate significant discounts for medicines in Part D. Giving seniors 80% of those discounts at the pharmacy counter could save a senior with diabetes more than $350 per year on their health care costs. The change could also save Medicare nearly $1,000 per year for every senior taking diabetes medication. How? By helping patients afford the drugs they need to stay healthy and stay out of the hospital. Seniors share the cost. They should share the savings. 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=297032a31b4fb5ce5143d667e0b8b5db423b97ad3b9211a26bcf613ff1d5ac821491896ccdf4b588bbbf2cbe51bf50e3 ******

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