| | | | |  | | By Eugene Daniels, Lauren Egan, Myah Ward and Benjamin Johansen | | | Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. With help from producer Raymond Rapada. Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Eli | Email Lauren Here at West Wing Playbook, our fundamental creed, our raison d'être, is holding powerful people and institutions to account. And when those people make things right, we believe they deserve a shout out, too. Guided by these principles, we are pleased to report that the food on Air Force Two is no longer “bleh.” In March, we reported on the sad and very hungry White House officials who said the food on the vice president’s plane left much to be desired, especially when compared to the bougie experience of traveling with the president on Air Force One. As a reminder, here’s a taste of the complains from the last time we covered this: — “It’s a little more Southwest Airlines than Four Seasons,” said a former staffer to Vice President KAMALA HARRIS, who described Air Force Two food as “horrible slop.” — The meals could be so unappetizing that staff would “take three bites of whatever is there and drop it on the table or put it back in the bag,” the same former aide said. — “While staffers flying with the president can order a beer on the way home from a long day of travel, those traveling on the vice president’s plane don’t have that option.” Recently, West Wing Playbook traveled on Air Force Two following the vice president’s three-day trip to London for an artificial intelligence summit. Aides on the trip (and some back in Washington) were very excited to preview the upgrades to the cuisine. “You’re going to be pleased!” one Harris official said. “It’s time for a follow up,” another remarked. Like any good journalist, we decided to investigate. Now, the presentation didn’t include the finest of Air Force china, and drinks at the back of the plane were still served in plastic cups (albeit, some emblazoned with the vice presidential seal) — but the food was, in our humble opinion, up to snuff. The vice president’s office declined to comment, so there’s no stated explanation for the improved food selection on the plane. But both aides and reporters on the trip agreed improvements had been made. And we can only assume that West Wing Playbook is to thank for that. “It was [still] not as good as Air Force One, but it was good. To me, it was like your average United [Airlines] first class meal on an international flight,” one reporter told West Wing Playbook. As for the offerings … The first meal was mushroom chicken (succulent, not a bit dry!) with mashed potatoes and a salad. Those riding in the back of the plane cleaned off their plates we can confidently report. Not a single person pulled out the packed dinners secured from a London pub they’d hit up earlier in anticipation of bland Air Force Two food. The second meal was tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, not the hardest dish to execute but one providing a nice comfort option for the middle of an almost nine-hour flight. One drawback remains: There’s still no booze on Air Force Two. But that hasn’t stopped folks from imbibing. Everyone (reporters included) carried on bottles of wine and liquor to share (after work hours, of course!). This reporter bought a bottle of gin that was shared among those in the back of the plane — NOT straight but with tonics and ginger ale. MESSAGE US — Are you RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FOOD ON AF2? We want to hear from you. And we’ll keep you anonymous! Email us at westwingtips@politico.com. Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe here!
| | | | A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers: The Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes would have devastating unintended consequences for communities of color. Criminalizing menthol will fuel an illicit market, increasing the potential for negative law enforcement interactions and significant criminal justice penalties. As advocates for equal justice for Black and other minority communities, we urge the Biden administration to withdraw the proposed menthol ban. Learn more. | | | | | Before he was elected president, who regularly visited the Belgian Embassy to avoid breaking the law? (Answer at bottom.)
| | IN NEED OF DON DRAPER: The Biden team has focused a significant amount of its reelection ads around promoting the president’s record, but many close allies are beginning to question whether there should be a larger effort to go after former President DONALD TRUMP, our JONATHAN LEMIRE, ADAM CANCRYN, HOLLY OTTERBEIN and ELENA SCHNEIDER report. The campaign had banked on Trump’s Republican presidential rivals attacking the former president, but that hasn’t happened. Trump is cakewalking his way to the nomination. “But the idea of making the election more about Biden’s predecessor than Biden himself remains hotly debated. One national Democratic strategist close to the campaign said it’s imperative that the campaign do everything in its power to make voters aware of what Biden’s done in office,” they write. THE AXE HASN’T QUITE FALLEN: Concerns about campaign strategy were heightened after this weekend’s NYT poll showed Biden trailing in key battleground states, with Democrats such as former Obama adviser DAVID AXELROD skeptical about whether or not Biden is the right guy for the Democratic ticket. Today, Axelrod — whose relationship with the Biden White House has been contentious — told our SHIA KAPOS and Adam Cancryn: “It’s overreacting to say I told him to drop out. I didn’t do that.” Read more of the piece, which includes a Biden world text thread reacting to Axe’s initial remarks. TAKING A VICTORY LAP: Biden will meet Thursday with United Auto Workers President SHAWN FAIN and union auto workers in Illinois to tout UAW’s historic agreement with the big three American automakers, as well as the reopening of a major Stellantis assembly plant, Bloomberg’s JORDAN FABIAN reports. Will an endorsement ensue? If you’re a little birdie with knowledge of it, let us know. CLEAN UP: When asked during Tuesday’s press briefing whether the White House viewed ripping down posters of Israeli hostages as a form of peaceful protest, press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE said she was “not going to go into specifics on that particular thing.” Right on cue, RNC Research clipped the comment. Jean-Pierre followed up with a tweet, writing: “For the past month, the families of those who have been taken hostage have lived in agony. Tearing down pictures of their loved ones — who are being held hostage by Hamas — is wrong and hurtful.” WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS YOU TO READ: This piece by CNN’s RENE MARSH and KATIE LOBOSCO, who report that the Department of Education on Tuesday is sending guidance to colleges and K-12 schools concerning their “legal obligation” to address discrimination. Failure to address such incidents, including against Jewish, Israeli, Arab or Palestinian students, could potentially cost schools federal funds, the government warned. Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA told CNN that the Office of Civil Rights in the department has seen an uptick of reported discrimination cases since the Israel-Hamas war began, and that he has seen “eight or nine” cases of antisemitic and Isalamophobic cases on college campuses since Oct. 7. White House chief of staff JEFF ZIENTS, communications director BEN LABOLT and deputy communications director HERBIE ZISKEND each shared the piece on X. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO READ: The latest poll from Reuters/Ipsos, which showed that just 39 percent of respondents approved of Biden’s performance as president — the lowest level since April. The percentage of respondents who rated “war and foreign conflicts” the No. 1 concern rose from 4 percent in October to 8 percent in November, a sign of anxiety over the intensifying Israel-Hamas war, notes Reuters’ JASON LANGE.
| | | | JOIN US ON 11/15 FOR A TALK ON OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: As the sustainability movement heats up, so have calls for a national standard for clean fuel. Join POLITICO on Nov. 15 in Washington D.C. as we convene leading officials from the administration, key congressional committees, states and other stakeholders to explore the role of EVs, biofuels, hydrogen and other options in the clean fuel sector and how evolving consumer behaviors are influencing sustainable energy practices. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | | TWO-YEAR VACANCY PLUGGED: The Senate on Tuesday confirmed MONICA BERTAGNOLLI to serve as the new director of the National Institutes of Health in a 62-36 vote. She is a cancer surgeon and currently leads the National Cancer Institute. The post has been vacant since FRANCES COLLINS stepped down two years ago. Our KELLY HOOPER and ERIN SCHUMAKER have more details. PERSONNEL MOVES: RUTH JONES NICHOLS has been promoted to senior adviser to the secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She previously served as the deputy assistant secretary for public engagement in the department.
| | | | A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers:   | | | | | PRESSING FOR A PAUSE: During a phone call on Monday, Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU to consider a three-day pause in fighting to encourage progress on releasing hostages held by Hamas, Axios’ BARAK RAVID reports. The proposal being discussed would have Hamas release 10-15 hostages and confirm the names of those being held, Ravid writes. Amid the ongoing U.S. efforts to reach a humanitarian pause, our ALEX WARD also reports the Biden administration “is confident Israel has moved, ever so slightly, closer to its view” on the matter. Following his call with Biden, Netanyahu appeared to shift his stance in an interview with ABC News. “As far as tactical little pauses, an hour here, an hour there. We’ve had them before, I suppose, will check the circumstances in order to enable goods, humanitarian goods to come in, or our hostages, individual hostages to leave,” he said. YELLEN’S WARNING: Treasury Secretary JANET YELLEN called Republican proposals to cut IRS funding in order to offset spending for Israel “damaging and irresponsible,” AP’s FATIMA HUSSEIN reports. “Playing politics with IRS funding is unacceptable,” Yellen said, trying to focus on the positive improvements the money is being used for, including making it easier to file taxes and speed up the time to issue refunds. TALKING NUKES: The United States and China on Monday had discussions around nukes, the first formal arms control talks between the two countries since the Obama administration, Vox’s JEN KIRBY reports. The talks come in the lead up to a highly anticipated meeting between President Biden and Chinese President XI JINPING next week.
| | | | GET READY FOR POLITICO’S DEFENSE SUMMIT ON 11/14: Russia’s war on Ukraine … China’s threats to Taiwan … a war in Gaza. The U.S. is under increasing pressure to deter, defend and fight in more ways — but not everyone agrees how. Join POLITICO's 3rd Annual Defense Summit on November 14 for exclusive interviews and expert discussions on global security and the U.S.'s race to bolster alliances and stay ahead of adversaries. Explore critical topics, including international conflicts, advanced technology, spending priorities and political dynamics shaping global defense strategies. Don’t miss these timely and important discussions. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | | | It’s Election Day, and we’ve got five big questions (POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro) A kidnapped Israeli activist and two sons grappling with a war in her name (WaPo’s Kevin Sieff) The Supreme Court appears poised to rein in its worst decision on guns (Vox’s Ian Millhiser)
| | | Senior White House adviser and infrastructure implementation coordinator MITCH LANDRIEU once had visions of acting grandeur. According to The Washington Post, Broadway was Mitch’s “first love” and his dream was to perform in a production by legendary composer and playwright STEPHEN SONDHEIM. He participated in multiple plays in high school and college. And although his aspirations faded over time, Landrieu has not shied away from showing off his skills. In 2012, during the beginning of his time as New Orleans mayor, Landrieu took to the stage during a benefit concert, singing STEVE EARLE’s “This City.” In 2013, he performed a beautiful rendition of the Catholic prayer, “Ave Maria,” at the funeral of Louisiana Rep. LINDY BOGGS. We know Mitch has a lot on his plate, but hopefully one day, he will get his Broadway shot. Also, Mitch, if you’re reading this (and, c’mon, we all know everyone reads to the very bottom of the newsletter), let’s do an interview strictly on your theater nerdom.
| | | | HERBERT HOOVER, when he served as Commerce secretary during Prohibition, would stop by the Belgian Embassy on his way home to have a drink legally, according to The Independent. The embassy was technically foreign soil, the publication noted. A CALL OUT! Do you think you have a harder trivia question? Send us your best one about the presidents, with a citation or sourcing, and we may feature it! Edited by Eun Kyung Kim and Sam Stein.
| | | | A message from National Association Of Black Law Enforcement Officers: The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice strongly opposes the Biden Administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. The unintended consequences of the ban, including higher incarceration rates and increased police interactions, will be disproportionately borne by people of color. Law enforcement resources and justice systems are already at a breaking point and the ban will only add to the strain. As an organization dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice, we know the menthol bad is simply bad policy. Consumer education and health care are key to reducing smoking rates - not criminalization. We urge you to join us in telling the Biden Administration to stop the menthol ban. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |
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