Bloody hands

Presented by American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes : The power players, latest policy developments, and intriguing whispers percolating inside the West Wing.

Oct 31, 2023 View in browser   By Sam Stein, Adam Cancryn, Lauren Egan, Myah Ward and Lawrence Ukenye Presented by Welcome to POLITICO’s West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration. With help from Ben Johansen and producer Raymond Rapada. Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Eli | Email Lauren The White House recognizes the significant backlash it’s encountered from portions of the base over the president’s support for Israel in its response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. But that doesn’t mean that they haven’t been unsettled by it. Inside the administration, the majority of aides believe they’ve struck the right approach: recognizing the atrocities in Israel, supporting a regional and historical ally, but using the leverage it has to push for the protection of innocent civilians and as much humanitarian aid as possible. White House officials insist the administration’s stance has evolved, too. Biden and his top advisers have repeatedly drawn a distinction between Hamas and the broader Palestinian people, and have denounced violence against civilians in Israel and Gaza in the same breath. In private, officials are even more forceful — pushing Israel to develop a longer-term strategy for the war and scale up the amount of assistance reaching Gaza’s civilians. “We stand by our policy. We stand by both of the things we have done, which is number one to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. ... And two, our intense and ongoing work to get humanitarian assistance into innocent civilians in Gaza,” State Department spokesperson MATTHEW MILLER said during today’s briefing. The sentiment that they’ve hit the right note, as we reported in yesterday’s West Wing Playbook, is not universally shared. But aides do believe that the backlash is, in part, willfully ignoring the extremely difficult diplomatic work put in to date. In particular, there was some shock at a defining image from this morning. Secretary of State ANTONY BLINKEN alongside Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee to a largely warm reception among lawmakers. But behind Blinken, a group of Pro-Palestine activists sat in the gallery, their hands stained in fake blood, accusing America’s chief diplomat of perpetuating violence against Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies while, in the background, a group of protesters hold up their hands calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on national security spending on Capitol Hill Oct. 31, 2023. | Francis Chung/POLITICO Blinken is Jewish. His stepfather was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. He spoke in vivid detail about this after his confirmation, a moving episode that referenced the darkest chapter in Jewish history. But in the immediate wake of the worst tragedy for the Jewish people since that chapter, the episode seemed remarkably distant, if not entirely lost. Blinken didn’t seem phased by the protesters when he left the hearing. He made his way to newly installed Speaker MIKE JOHNSON’s office to discuss, among other things, aid for Israel and Ukraine. Elsewhere, he had other pressures being placed upon him. On Tuesday, Michigan Gov. GRETCHEN WHITMER sent Blinken a letter, obtained by our HOLLY OTTERBEIN, that pressed him about the U.S. citizens stuck in Gaza. “With a worsening crisis occurring in the Gaza Strip, there are Michiganders in Gaza who are unable to leave, and their families are terrified,” wrote Whitmer, whose state has a large Arab American population. “I’m writing today with utmost urgency to call on you to help bring them home safely.” National Security Council spokesperson ADRIENNE WATSON said the administration is doing "everything possible to support U.S. citizens who are in Gaza wishing to depart, and we are actively working to make it happen." Protests against a sitting administration for its handling of a war is nothing new. And Blinken isn’t even the first top Biden official to be confronted by them. Protesters accusing Israel of committing “genocide” interrupted the confirmation hearing of ambassador to Israel JACK LEW two weeks ago, giving officials a preview of what Blinken and Austin might confront during their own testimony. What was not entirely anticipated was just how quickly anger over Hamas’ attacks and kidnappings would be replaced by visceral opposition to the U.S. government’s support for Israel’s response. As the scenes of Gazans fleeing Israel’s counteroffensive continue to percolate, the pressure is likely to only intensify. “It’s going to get harder for them,” MAX BERGMANN, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, predicted to West Wing Playbook just days after the Oct. 7 attack. “As the focus shifts from the horrible scenes of what’s happening in Israel to the horrible scenes of what’s happening in Gaza, it’s going to put the administration in more difficult spots.” MESSAGE US — Are you TONY BLINKEN? 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 American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Powering the nation's supply chain, the U.S. business of chemistry drives innovation in semiconductors, energy, healthcare, and more. But urgent action is needed! Already the most heavily regulated sector, America’s chemical industry faces growing regulatory overload. The Biden Administration and Congress must correct course and do a better job understanding the negative impact of additional, unduly restrictive regulations on a fragile supply chain and economy before it’s too late. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes   POTUS PUZZLER Thanks to the White House Historical Association for this question! Under which presidency was the White House decorated for Halloween for the first time? (Answer at bottom.) The Oval FIRST IN WEST WING PLAYBOOK: Vice President KAMALA HARRIS is headlining a fundraiser on Nov. 16 in Piedmont, Calif., hosted by QUINN DELANEY and WAYNE JORDAN, who started the racial justice-focused foundation the Akonadi Foundation, our DANIEL LIPPMAN has learned. Tickets run from $1,000 as a “friend” to a maximum of $50,000 to be a host. DIALING UP THE PRESSURE: Former aides to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign are collecting signatures urging the vice president to support a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, our CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO and Sam Stein report. A draft of the letter also encourages Harris to support investigations of human rights violations in Gaza. “The letter’s existence, even in draft form, illustrates the degree to which the conflict in Gaza has become a political tinderbox, pitting traditional Democratic constituencies against facets of the party’s elected leadership,” the pair write. “It’s a dynamic that could impact future plans Harris has as she, as part of the Biden reelect, tries to reach disaffected younger voters.” The tension around the conflict also forced Harris’ office to develop a contingency plan earlier this month during her weekslong college campus blitz in case her visits were disrupted by protesters, according to her staff. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS YOU TO READ: This Washington Post op-ed by Secretary Blinken arguing that cutting funding for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza — as some members of Congress have called for — would be a “grave mistake.” Blinken writes that not only would innocent Palestinian civilians suffer, but it would also undercut Israel’s security. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO READ: This piece by our JASPER GOODMAN about how “Biden’s clean energy plan is facing an unexpected threat: banking regulators.” Goodman reports that impending rules to make large banks less risky would also make it significantly more expensive for them to invest in clean energy projects, like solar and wind power. “The proposed bank rules are setting up a collision between the effort to transition away from fossil fuels and the push to ensure banks don’t tank the global financial system. The renewables industry is warning the change could undo gains made by the president’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act,” Goodman writes. WHO DID IT BEST? Staff at the White House came to work in the Halloween spirit. First lady JILL BIDEN dressed up (might be an overstatement) as the White House cat WILLOW during the official White House Halloween event last night, while press secretary KARINE JEAN-PIERRE gave it her best with a pair of angel wings and a halo. That said, the most impressive costumes have to go to the Office of Digital Strategy. White House Digital Rapid Response Coordinator SAM SCHMIR shared the team’s SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS blow-up costumes on X, which just really hit the mark. Secretary of State Blinken’s son also dressed up as VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY and his daughter wore Ukrainian flag colors. Quite the diplomatic chops those two have.   PLAYBOOK IS GOING GLOBAL! We’re excited to introduce Global Playbook, POLITICO’s premier newsletter that brings you inside the most important conversations at the most influential events in the world. From the buzzy echoes emanating from the snowy peaks at the WEF in Davos to the discussions and personalities at Milken Global in Beverly Hills, to the heart of diplomacy at UNGA in New York City – author Suzanne Lynch brings it all to your fingertips. Experience the elite. Witness the influential. And never miss a global beat. BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. SUBSCRIBE NOW.     THE BUREAUCRATS SECRETARY TURNED AMBASSADOR: The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to become the next U.S. ambassador to Israel, despite significant resistance from Senate Republicans. Both Sens. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) and RAND PAUL (R-Ky.) joined all Democrats in voting to confirm.   A message from American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes:   Agenda Setting AN ONGOING CHALLENGE: Prominent Jewish organizations on Monday met with Education Secretary MIGUEL CARDONA, second gentleman DOUG EMHOFF, Deputy Education Secretary CINDY MARTEN and Ambassador DEBORAH LIPSTADT, the special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, to discuss the rise in antisemitism on college campuses, our BIANCA QUILANTAN reports. The groups recommended the Education Department investigate student groups supporting the Hamas attack, according to an attendee. They also suggested the administration issue a “Dear Colleague” letter in support of Jewish students. UPDATE FROM ACROSS THE POND: London and Washington are expected to announce a “close collaboration” on AI safety as early as Wednesday, officials from the U.K and U.S. confirmed to our VINCENT MANANCOURT, EUGENE DANIELS and ANNABELLE DICKSON. The joint effort aims to build on the AI executive order Biden signed on Monday as well as existing work by the United Kingdom’s “Frontier AI Taskforce.” THE WAR AGAINST JUNK FEES, CONTINUED: The Labor Department announced a proposal Tuesday to further attack junk fees, this time aimed at cracking down on financial players giving retirement advice, Wall Street Journal’s ANNE TERGESEN reports. Officials argue that these advisers have too often been giving financial advice to sell products that give them the most lucrative commission, as opposed to the best deal for the client. Biden touted the new rule at a White House event on Tuesday with acting Labor Secretary JULIE SU.   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.     What We're Reading Gina Raimondo is the secret MVP of Biden’s sweeping new executive order (WaPo’s Josh Tyrangiel) Biden’s Gaza Stance Spurs Stunning Drop in Arab American Support (TIME’s Yasmeen Serhan) 3 Expert Shoemakers Say Ron DeSantis Is Probably Wearing Height Boosters (Derek Guy for POLITICO) POTUS PUZZLER ANSWER On Oct. 30, 1958, during the DWIGHT EISENHOWER presidency, first lady MAMIE EISENHOWER decorated the White House for Halloween for the first time. She hosted a lunch for the wives of staff members in the State Dining Room which was decorated with jack-o'-lanterns, dried corn, black cats, and more, according to the White House Historical Association. 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 American Chemistry Council – Chemistry Creates America Competes: Our nation’s supply chain runs on the U.S. business of chemistry. When chemistry creates, America competes. Semiconductors, automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, and energy all rely on chemistry. From EV’s to smartphones, America’s chemical manufacturers power innovations we can't live without. Unfortunately, regulatory overload and lack of coordination between the White House and its agencies is handicapping American chemistry’s ability to create products that support national priorities, jeopardizing the economy and America’s ability to compete with countries like China. This tidal wave of unduly restrictive regulations could disrupt the supply chain for crucial technologies and everyday products. President Biden and his administration need to understand how vital chemistry is to the supply chain when it comes to making the things America and the world can’t live without. The Biden Administration and Congress must support policies that empower chemistry, promote American innovation, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Learn more – Chemistry Creates, America Competes.     Follow us on Twitter Lauren Egan @Lauren_V_Egan Myah Ward @MyahWard Lawrence Ukenye @Lawrence_Ukenye   Follow us

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