Congress remains in recess this week.Welcome to Post Politics Now , a new live experience from The Washington Post that puts the day’s political headlines into context.Each weekday, we’ll guide you through the news with assists from some of the best political reporters in the business providing insights and analysis.
Got a question about politics? Submit it here .At 3 p.m.
weekdays, return to this space and we’ll address what’s on the mind of readers.10:37 AM: Noted: Return of White House Easter Egg Roll offers a bit of normalcy Thousands of families streamed onto the White House lawn Monday morning, braving a little light rain, for the return of the annual Easter Egg Roll after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.The event felt almost like normal times for Biden, providing a respite from the fallout of the war in Ukraine, persistent inflation and the remnants of the pandemic.“We weren’t able to host this Easter Egg Roll last year because of the pandemic,” Biden said in brief remarks.“But this year, this year, we’re finally getting together again.And it’s so special.” “EGGucation” is the theme of this year’s event, which was also expected to draw Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
The South Lawn was set up to look like a school community, “full of fun educational activities for children to enjoy in addition to the traditional rolling and hunting eggs,” according to a White House advisory.On Friday, a limited schedule of White House tours for the public also resumed.10:19 AM: On our radar: Senate campaign committee also seeking to highlight Scott tax plan It’s not just the White House that is trying to make hay on Tax Day of a plan by Sen.Rick Scott (R-Fla.) that would raise the federal income taxes of about half of Americans.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Monday that it has bought billboard space in Florida and Wisconsin to promote the claim that Senate Republicans plan to raise taxes.In truth, most of Scott’s GOP colleagues immediately sought to distance themselves from the plan he released in February that said everyone should have some “skin in the game” when it comes to federal income taxes.As Scott’s plan noted, about half of Americans do not pay federal income taxes because they do not earn enough to have income tax liability and because many receive tax credits.The DSCC said its billboards are near the Florida offices of Scott and Sen.Marco Rubio (R).
Another billboard has been purchased in Wisconsin near the office of Sen.Ron Johnson (R), the DSCC said.9:51 AM: Analysis from Aaron Blake, Senior political reporter, writing for The Fix Cuomo would be in good company if he attempts comeback — Former New York governor Andrew M.
Cuomo (D) on Monday sent one of his strongest signals to date that he might run for the office he resigned in August amid sexual harassment allegations.And if he were to run, he would have some company among recent governors who resigned during controversies.Cuomo’s New York Daily News op-ed is titled “There’s a better way forward for New York State.” Though he doesn’t allude to his own plans, the headline pretty much says it all.Cuomo’s main point is that Democrats need to take “dramatic action” to halt “the New York City crime spree” — an issue Cuomo could surely make the centerpiece of a campaign.And if he were to run, it would make him the third former governor to resign amid controversy — out of the last five — to run for statewide office in 2022.Former Missouri governor Eric Greitens (R) is running for Senate just four years after resigning during a political and personal scandal, the latter of which involved alleged unwanted sexual contact with his hairdresser.Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin (R) announced this month that she would run for the state’s at-large House seat .
She resigned in 2009 for reasons that weren’t entirely clear, but she faced a number of ethics investigations.
Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer (D), who resigned amid a prostitution scandal in 2008, tried to run for New York City comptroller in 2013 but lost a primary.Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford (R) did not resign in 2009 amid his admitted sex scandal, serving out his term.He was later elected to the House.9:23 AM: Take a look: Ads from candidates who wanted Trump’s endorsement but didn’t get it A formula has emerged for statewide candidates backed by Donald Trump: Wrap yourself in the former president’s endorsement and heavily feature him in your television ads.
Exhibit A was Georgia gubernatorial candidate David Perdue, who let Trump do all the talking in his first spot.But what to do if you angled for Trump’s endorsement and didn’t get it? Recently released ads — one in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania — provide some test cases.
In Ohio, Republican Senate hopeful Josh Mandel instead features a testimonial from his biggest backer, Sen.Ted Cruz.The senator from Texas touts Mandel’s economic stewardship while treasurer of his state.
Trump has endorsed “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D.Vance in Ohio’s crowded GOP primary.In Pennsylvania, Senate hopeful Dave McCormick, a former hedge fund executive, can’t tap Trump, but some of Trump’s campaign flags are prominently featured near the end of his ad.
Trump sided with the celebrity retired physician Mehmet Oz in that race.9:00 AM: Analysis from Tyler Pager, White House reporter The week ahead at the White House — President Biden will head to the West Coast later this week for only the second time during his presidency, as he continues an accelerated pace of domestic travel.The president will begin his week by participating in the annual Easter Egg Roll, during which thousands of children are expected to descend on the South Lawn.The event comes as the White House is starting to reopen its grounds to the general public after visitors have largely been prohibited from the president’s home for more than two years because of the coronavirus pandemic.On Tuesday, the president will travel to Portsmouth, N.H., to tout the bipartisan infrastructure law.His trip will take him to the district of Rep.
Chris Pappas (N.H.), one of the most vulnerable House Democrats, and to the state of Sen.
Maggie Hassan (D), who is up for reelection in what is expected to be a tightly contested race.Biden will meet with U.S.military leaders, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, at the White House on Wednesday and then host the leaders and their spouses for dinner.On Thursday, Biden will fly to Portland, Ore., for another infrastructure-related event.He will then head to Seattle to celebrate Earth Day and discuss his administration’s work to combat climate change.
The hectic schedule follows last week’s trips to Iowa and North Carolina, which came after Biden went nearly a month without any domestic travel outside of weekend trips to Delaware.8:30 AM: Noted: Bucking trend, Fetterman makes a show of visiting Pa.’s red counties As rural counties grow redder and redder, some Democrats have focused on winning over suburban swing voters turned off by former president Donald Trump and trying to maximize turnout in Democrat-heavy cities.The Post’s Paul Schwartzman takes a look at one Democrat not ready to give up on less populated areas: John Fetterman, who is the apparent Democratic front-runner for the U.S.Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen.Patrick J.Toomey in Pennsylvania.
Paul writes: You can read Paul’s full dispatch from Gettysburg, Pa., here .7:44 AM: Analysis: Senate’s four most vulnerable Democrats have sizable campaign accounts The prospect of Republicans taking over the House is getting far more attention, but there are some vulnerable Democrats in the evenly divided Senate as well whose races are being closely watched.Writing in The Early 202, The Post’s Theodoric Meyer and Jacqueline Alemany note that the four Democratic senators facing the toughest reelection races this year — two of whom have been in the Senate for barely a year — have all built up massive campaign accounts.They write: You can read the full analysis here , which also includes insights on other recently filed campaign reports, including that of the super PAC Make America Great Again, Again.
7:01 AM: On our radar: Rick Scott’s tax plan draws notice from the White House It was clear from the moment Sen.Rick Scott (R-Fla.) released a plan in February that included a tax increase on roughly half of Americans that it would be a big fat target for Democrats during a midterm election year.
The latest to take aim: the White House.In an early morning “fact sheet,” the White House uses the plan released by Scott, who runs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, to argue that Biden is seeking to cut taxes for the middle class while Republicans want to raise them.“Republicans complain that middle-class Americans don’t have ‘skin in the game’ and don’t pay enough in taxes,” the White House says.“But the truth is that middle-class Americans are the back bone of our economy, pay plenty in federal, state, and local taxes, and in many cases pay a higher rate than the super-wealthy.” The “fact sheet” makes no mention of the fact that Scott’s Senate colleagues, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), immediately distanced themselves from Scott’s plan.
Scott has argued that Democrats are mischaracterizing it, but the plan clearly states: “All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount.Currently over half of Americans pay no income tax.” It’s true that roughly 50 percent of Americans do not pay federal income taxes because they do not earn enough to have income tax liability and because many receive tax credits.Scott’s tenure as NRSC chairman, meanwhile, is examined in a new story by The Post’s Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey in which Scott argues that he owes his detractors nothing: You can read the full story here .6:58 AM: Take a look: Zelensky says he thinks Biden will come to Ukraine Dave Matthews performs new song in support of refugees Macron, Le Pen face off again in French presidential election North Korea carries out its 12th missile launch of the year North Korea claims it tested new type of missile Missiles Hit Ukraine’s Lviv; Russian Freight Trucks Form Long Lines at Poland’s Border Drone shows dozens of new graves in Ukraine’s Irpin Ukrainian lawyer runs farm as husband defends country How workers can navigate resignation regret during COVID pandemic At least seven killed after Russian missiles target Lviv Multiple killed in airstrikes in Kharkiv, Lviv as Russia’s attacks continue on Ukraine Video Shows Aftermath Of Deadly Russian Strikes On Lviv, Ukraine Ukrainian student studying in U.S.
worries for family at home in Kyiv Sheinelle Jones spent part of Easter in a tow truck This is how one CNN employee saved another colleague’s life Neighbors step in after fire destroys WWII hero’s home From parties to malls, another violent weekend in America The Sunday news talk shows featured interviews with several top Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said he thinks Biden should come to the war zone to witness firsthand the destruction caused by Russia.“I think he will,” Zelensky said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Take a look at the highlights pulled together by The Post’s JM Rieger .6:57 AM: Analysis: If not Biden, who carries the torch for the Democrats? As soon as this year’s midterms wrap, attention will rapidly pivot to the 2024 presidential contests for both parties.The Post’s Aaron Blake assesses the landscape on the Democratic side, noting the possibility that even if President Biden seeks a second term, he might not have the field to himself.
Aaron writes: Aaron ranks the 10 most likely Democratic nominees, with some familiar names and some less so.
Spoiler alert: Both Vice President Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are in the mix.You can read Aaron’s full assessment here .6:55 AM: Noted: Highest-profile Democratic challenger to Grassley back on Iowa ballot Democrat Abby Finkenauer, the highest-profile Democrat seeking to topple Sen.Charles E.Grassley (R), is back on the ballot in Iowa, thanks to a state Supreme Court ruling.
If Finkenauer, a former congresswoman, wins the June 7 Democratic primary, she’ll face off in November with Grassley, who at 88 is the oldest member of the Senate.The decision, issued Friday, overturns a county judge’s ruling that Finkenauer had failed to meet a state law that requires candidates to submit at least 100 signatures from at least 19 counties to qualify for the ballot.The Post’s Felicia Sonmez has details: You can read Felicia’s full story here ..