POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing

On Thursday, reports surfaced that North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson used a pseudonym on internet forums to express support for antisemitic ideals, as well as to comment on pornographic material. Natalie Allison of POLITICO reported that Robinson had an account on the website Ashely Madison, which is designed for married people looking for extramarital affairs. POLITICO's Natalie Allison talks with Playbook deputy editor Zack Stanton about the discoveries and whether his faltering poll numbers in North Carolina could impact Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial attempt to avoid a government shutdown has been quashed. Yesterday, Johnson put a spending bill on the floor, and it died in a 202-220 vote, with some Republicans joining with Democrats to down the proposal. So … where does Johnson go from here? Playbook editor (and former congress reporter) Mike DeBonis joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to walk through next moves. Plus, the Teamsters put out a non-endorsement in the presidential race, while Donald Trump made some outlandish predictions about New York’s vote during a rally on Long Island. All of that, plus the rest of the news you need to know today.

On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with three journalists—including Playbook’s own Eugene Daniels—to chat about some of the election’s most pressing issues. Eugene and Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza discuss what we've learned about the Democratic presidential nominee's stance on the war in Gaza, restoring Roe v. Wade, and how she perceives the task of winning Black voters.

Democrats have been using the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, as fodder for support on the campaign trail, but some are more worried about the transition of power should Kamala Harris win the White House in November. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade digs deep on what both Democrats and Republicans are saying. Plus, the latest updates on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Sunday and all the rest of the news you need to know today.

For the second time in just over three months, Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. Around 1:30 p.m. EST on Sunday, Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman who was located in the brush outside of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. Trump, who was on the golf course, was unharmed. But this story is just beginning; Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through what we know about the incident and the alleged gunman’s puzzling political views.

Legalized sports gambling is everywhere. Could betting on elections be next? Americans will soon be able to legally gamble on the presidential election. After a judge rejected the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s attempt to block it, financial exchange company Kashi launched the country’s first fully regulated election-betting markets on Thursday. Capital markets reporter Declan Harty walks Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels through what this means for the election, and why some officials are ringing alarm bells.

It’s mid-September, which means it’s that time of year again: Sweater weather is upon us, leaves are starting to change colors and the threat of yet another government shutdown looms over Capitol Hill. As Congress braces for a spending fight, Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to avert a potential government shutdown has, so far, failed. With a slim majority in the House, internal GOP divisions and little vocal support from former President Donald Trump, Johnson is finding it difficult to push a spending bill through ahead of Election Day. Playbook co-author Eugene Daniels breaks down Johnson’s dilemma with Congress reporter Sarah Ferris.

In a debate that circled around abortion, immigration, foreign policy and, yes, eating pets, Vice President Kamala Harris effectively dominated Tuesday night's debate against former president Donald Trump by provoking him into outbursts and steering him away from political weak spots. Playbook co-authors Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade, and Eugene Daniels analyze the highs, lows, and whoas of the debate, and each campaign’s missed opportunities.

For the first time as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris will step on the debate stage to face off against former President Donald Trump. National political reporter Holly Otterbein joins Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza to analyze what each candidate needs to achieve for a successful debate night.

Congress returns to session today after its August recess and it already has a spending fight on its hands. At the center of the fight between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is a law aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from voting by requiring proof of citizenship to register. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks through the situation.

Just over a year ago, Playbook welcomed readers to the “courtroom campaign” — previewing an election year shaped largely by the legal woes of Donald Trump and Hunter Biden. So much for that. Just consider the news that broke yesterday in California and Washington — and that’s set to happen later today in New York City. Playbook co-author Rachael Bade walks us through what you need to know about what’s coming and how it’s likely to reverberate politically.

Today, Hunter Biden goes to trial in Los Angeles, the culmination of a six-year federal investigation that resulted in criminal charges over alleged tax evasion. Though the trial is expected to last for about two weeks, its ramifications could have real staying power: The charges are more serious than Biden’s Delaware case, and the issues at hand — including foreign business dealings — have been central to Republican attacks on the president. What are the actual potential repercussions — both for Hunter Biden and for the White House? National correspondent Betsy Woodruff Swan guides Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza through the situation.

Here’s something that elected Republicans won’t tell you on the record: Some of them don’t want Donald Trump to win in November. And, what’s more, they’re already plotting about what happens to the GOP if he falls short. That reality check comes from politics bureau chief Jonathan Martin, who writes that some GOP lawmakers privately believe that losing the White House to Kamala Harris will save the party in the long run. Just how widespread is this outlook? And what would a post-Trump GOP look like? JMart joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss.

There are just 62 days left until the 2024 presidential election, and both candidates are gearing up for the stretch run. VP Kamala Harris is dropping a new ad this morning that tackles middle-class concerns like lowering housing costs and fighting price gouging. Meanwhile, the GOP is trying to keep pace with the Harris campaign’s lofty fundraising totals. Plus, a glimpse into what we know so far about the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Playbook co-author Ryan Lizza breaks down all of the important news you need to know today.

And that's a wrap from the Democratic National Convention! Playbook's Ryan Lizza, Rachael Bade and Eugene Daniels look back on Kamala Harris' closing speech, the potential landmines her campaign faces in the weeks ahead and whether or not TMZ can ever be trusted again after publishing a rumor that Beyoncé would appear at the convention.