Walz announced, GOP pounced

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Aug 07, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Jeff Coltin and Nick Reisman Presented by  With help from Rich Mendez Tim Walz was an easy target for New York Republicans who were quick to label him "far left," and "wrong for New York." | Jamie Kelter Davis for POLITICO NEW YORK MINUTE: Reps. Pat Ryan and Andrew Garbarino may be reaching across the aisle as they help answer what’s next for Social Security at a POLITICO Live event this morning in lower Manhattan. RSVP to attend the event moderated by our own Emily Ngo. GOP ATTACK: New York House Republicans locked in tough reelection battles pounced Tuesday when Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate, yoking the Minnesota governor with progressive policies to their Democratic rivals in an ongoing effort to portray them as extreme. Some had an unintentional assist from outgoing hard-left Rep. Jamaal Bowman of Westchester County, who effusively cheered Walz as a smart pick for Democrats. “Walz’s selection was immediately praised by Mondaire Jones’ fellow buddies in the ‘Squad,’” Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of the Hudson Valley wrote, criticizing “the far left ticket of Harris, Walz, and Jones.” “Another one of Laura Gillen’s buddies. Wrong for Long Island. Wrong for New York. Wrong for America,” Long Island GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito posted on X of Bowman’s video. Nevermind that Walz has a stamp of approval from elected leaders of all shades of blue, including centrist Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Nevermind that Jones is on the outs with some progressives after he endorsed the more moderate, AIPAC-backed George Latimer over Bowman in the June primary that the Squad member ultimately lost. And nevermind that Gillen doesn’t know Bowman and could have only flipped a GOP stronghold to win her Hempstead Town supervisor’s race as a moderate Democrat. The same can be said about Syracuse-area challenger John Mannion in his state senator race. Still, GOP Rep. Brandon Williams charged, “John Mannion = mini-Walz #NY22.” Walz’s rural roots, Midwestern affability, National Guard service, penchant for hunting and policies to make school meals free, ban police chokeholds and legalize recreational marijuana should make him hard to box in. But Republicans are boxing him in any way as a liberal bogeyman. Lawler, D’Esposito and Williams are among the state’s most vulnerable Republicans, with both parties understanding that control of the House could be decided by New York battlegrounds. Republicans here, like their colleagues around the country, additionally attacked Harris’ decision not to choose Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as an antisemitic snub of Jewish Americans. Jones, running against Lawler, told Playbook that reporting reflects that Harris, whose husband is Jewish, chose Walz “on the merits as well as their personal chemistry.” Jones added, “Mike Lawler continues to cynically weaponize antisemitism as a political football.” Other Dems have pushed back that Shapiro’s views on Israel aren’t discernibly different from that of other short-listers, including Walz. And there was enthusiasm, not resentment, Tuesday from the passed-over Shapiro. “I’m going to be working my tail off to make sure we make Kamala Harris and Tim Walz the next leaders of the United States of America,” Shapiro said at the Harris-Walz rally in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Mannion lauded Walz “teacher to teacher,” commending his record on “creating manufacturing jobs, protecting women’s reproductive rights, and lowering costs for middle-class families” — priorities across party lines. — Emily Ngo IT'S WEDNESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.   A message from Equinor: Can offshore wind power America’s energy transition? Yes, and Equinor is playing a key role. Empire Wind 1 will be the first offshore wind project to connect directly into the NYC grid. It will help New York deliver its climate goals, create more than 1,000 union jobs, boost local economies, and decrease emissions. Equinor is proud to be a global leader in the innovation and advancement of offshore wind. Learn more.   WHERE’S KATHY? In New York City with no public schedule. WHERE’S ERIC? Appearing in a pre-taped interview on 94.7 The Block’s “Jonesy In The Morning," and then appearing on WABC’s “Eyewitness News at 5:00." Later he'll host a reception celebrating Dominican heritage, then deliver remarks at Councilmember Moya’s Ecuadorian Independence Day celebration. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “News to me.” — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s response on X to a conservative commenter’s charge that the Democratic Party doesn’t allow Jews to lead its party. Schumer, the highest-ranking Democrat on Capitol Hill, is Jewish. ABOVE THE FOLD The NYPD released a lengthy statement on X and claimed that a Daily News reporter writes "hit" pieces on the police force. | John Minchillo/AP COP ON THE SPOT: NYPD press officials are at war with the Daily News’ veteran police bureau chief after his routine story about unpaid moving violations by police vehicles sparked a confrontation with a top cop. The Daily News’ staff union has Rocco Parascandola’s back after NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry allegedly approached him last week to complain about his coverage, getting so aggressive in the process that two other officers had to intervene. The NYPD, meanwhile, has Daughtry’s back, responding to the union’s demand for an apology for the cop’s attempt to intimate Parascandola with a lengthy statement charging that the reporter “has been as dedicated to waging personal attacks on select NYPD executives as he has been committed to writing ‘hit’ pieces.” (Police representatives, by the way, had declined to answer questions for the story about the moving violations.) Mayor Eric Adams is effectively in Daughtry’s corner, too, saying Tuesday of his close confidant, “I’m sure he was under a lot of stress having two cops being shot.” Adams said he wasn’t aware of the clash and did suggest Daughtry may need to be “communicated with.” The back-and-forth came on a day when the NYPD was under intense scrutiny on other fronts. Police arrested a videographer and charged that he accompanied pro-Palestinian protesters who vandalized the homes of Brooklyn Museum leaders earlier this summer. An attorney for Samuel Seligson said he was acting in his capacity as a credentialed member of the news media. And it came to light that the NYPD did not uncover contraband or make arrests in its raid Friday of the Randall’s Island shelter and leaving 3,000 migrants to wait outside for hours in the heat. The Legal Aid Society, regularly at odds with Adams and the NYPD, sought to summarize the saga involving Parascondola in a scathing statement. “The NYPD’s latest craven and deranged attack on a local journalist, if anything, reveals the NYPD brass’ delusional expectation that reporters should only heap praise on the NYPD,” the public defenders said, “and forgo reporting on the daily parade of scandals, misconduct, and other embarrassments from the Department.” — Emily Ngo CITY HALL: THE LATEST More from the city: — City Democrats are being urged by a liberal group to change their voter registration to their upstate vacation homes. (CNY Central) — A revised East Bronx rezoning plan includes thousands of apartments and $500 million in improvements. (POLITICO Pro)   A message from Equinor:   NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY After Gov. Kathy Hochul's child tax credit announcement, state Sen. Jake Ashby announced a three-bill package to supplement the tax credit by $1,000 for newborns. | Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul FAMILY TIES: With parenting becoming a political issue this election season, one Republican lawmaker in New York wants to make it less costly for people starting families. GOP Sen. Jake Ashby announced Tuesday a three-bill package that would expand the child tax credit in New York for newborns, a tax credit to defray the costs of IVF treatments and lower the financial burden for adoptions. “I want people all over the country to see New York as a destination where families can grow, where they can thrive and where they can pursue their dreams,” Ashby said. The bills were proposed after the GOP vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, was blasted for comments made in 2021 that criticized some Democratic leaders as “childless cat ladies” who don’t have a stake in the nation’s future. Vance’s comments gave an opening to Democrats and created tensions among some Republicans who believe former President Donald Trump should have made a better choice for his running mate. But it also ignited a broader conversation around the expense of starting and raising a family. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, last week announced checks would soon be hitting mailboxes for qualifying low-income families under an expansion of the child tax credit. Ashby wants to supplement the tax credit by $1,000 for newborns, cover up to $10,000 for out-of-pocket costs for IVF and cover up to $10,000 in costs associated with adoption. “Regardless of how you’re starting or growing your family, we want to reduce financial burdens facing New Yorkers and we want all parents and parents-to-be to feel supported,” Ashby said. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo can technically use his campaign war chest to run for mayor but it wouldn’t be easy. (City & State) — Hochul is being urged to approve a measure meant to protect wildlife crossings. (Spectrum News) — The April cyber attack on the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission allowed hackers to gain personal information on hundreds of people. (NYS Focus)   Breaking News Briefing: Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues — The Democratic ticket is set now that Vice President Kamala Harris has named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Join POLITICO Pro on Friday Aug. 9 for a detailed discussion with specialist reporters on what Walz's track record says about the policies he and Harris will embrace in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign. Register for the Briefing     NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Citing financial issues, the city’s Planned Parenthood chapter says within weeks it will no longer provide abortions at 20-plus weeks. (THE CITY) — The Lackawanna City School District implemented a cellphone ban. (WIVB 4) — The owner of a suburban New York property Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims as a residence said in court that he rents a room, though payments began only after a news article undercut his claim. (Associated Press)   A message from Equinor: The energy transition is the defining opportunity of our time. Our world needs reliable and accessible renewable power that reduces emissions and stabilizes the grid. Offshore wind is part of the solution, and Equinor is doing its part. Equinor has deep experience in this industry and is already powering more than a million homes worldwide with offshore wind. Now, we’re building Empire Wind 1 for New York. Homegrown energy and homegrown jobs. The project serves the people who live and work in the community. And we’re just getting started, from clean air and innovations to investments that make Equinor in New York a wind-win. Plug in at www.equinor.com/US.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Robert Mueller (8-0) … NYT’s Jonathan Swan … Axios’ Sara Fischer … Brian Steel … former NYC Council Member Helen Diane Foster … NYC Parks’ Sergey Kadinsky … The Atlantic’s Scott Stossel … Caitlin Legacki … Dan Merica … Matt Dornic … former Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor ... Hollie Tracz … Tyler Bradford … CC Leslie … (WAS TUESDAY): Alon Pinkas Missed Tuesday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.   During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more.       Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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