Tara Palmeri
A former Playbook lead author and ABC News White House Correspondent, now reporting on the convergence of Capitol Hill, K Street, the West Wing, and the D.C. media companies who cover it all.
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THE LATEST ARTICLES
WASHINGTON
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July 5, 2022
Ro Khanna Psychoanalyzes His Own Party
In a wide-ranging and deeply revealing conversation, the progressive Silicon Valley congressman discusses Biden’s re-election odds, Kavanaugh’s politics, Kamala Harris’s future, and the politics within his own conference as the Pelosi retirement rumors swirl.
WASHINGTON
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June 30, 2022
WaPo Sweepstakes & The Cassidy Hutchinson Market
The plot thickens as antsy Post staffers wonder whom C.E.O. Fred Ryan will pick to succeed the beloved Fred Hiatt. Meanwhile, more news on Susan Rice’s ascent and Cassidy Hutchinson’s next moves.
WASHINGTON
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June 27, 2022
D.C. Insiders Grapple with the Politics of Roe
Since the ruling dropped on Friday, I’ve been working the phones to canvas political insiders about what they’re hearing and projecting. Here are the handful of themes that people are privately talking about right now.
WASHINGTON
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June 23, 2022
Trump’s Case of DeSantisitis
After a rocky primary season, Trump has DeSantis and his expanding $124 million war chest on the brain. Sources in Bedminster are saying that he’s likely to move up a ‘24 announcement in order to freeze out the next generation. Plus: updates on Klainworld and why all eyes inside the West Wing are focused on Jill Biden.
WASHINGTON
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June 20, 2022
Biden Time
Inside the White House, aides are marching forward, preparing to launch Biden’s bid for re-election. But the timing remains uncertain, as do an increasing number of questions surrounding when the Bidens will announce, and if the president wants to protect his family from the impending chaos.
WASHINGTON
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June 16, 2022
The Biden Bubble
Despite frustrations that the White House needs a shift in direction, Biden is sticking with Ron Klain, and won’t be influenced by the media, the Twitter left, or anyone else. But just because Biden is loyal to Klain doesn’t mean that staffers aren’t above figuring out to whom they might want to hitch their wagons moving forward. Plus, notes on Liz Cheney’s rising left-wing reputation and Kim Guilfoyle’s Jan. 6 payday.
WASHINGTON
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June 9, 2022
Trump’s Fatigue, Merrick’s Motives, & the Jan. 6 Mega Producer
News and notes on the Jan 6th committee, Biden’s donorville problems, a possible Pelosi third act, and Trump’s latest kingmaking concerns.
WASHINGTON
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June 2, 2022
Klain Drain and Trump’s Big Announcement
As Biden’s numbers sag, and Klain’s tactics wear thin, Anita Dunn is already making her impact felt with some optics tactics. Is it enough to create the much-needed vibe shift in Bidenworld? Also: news on Trump’s big announcement, House in-fighting, and French D.C. diplomacy.
WASHINGTON
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May 26, 2022
The Agony and Ecstasy of Mitch McConnell
The Republican’s 80-year-old lion of the Senate has dealt with it all—Trump, the insurrection, terrible candidates, countless unpopular votes—and still built a legacy as the court-stocking leader of the right. Now he’s in for the election season ride of his career: nutjob candidates, a controversial strategy, and the shadow of you-know-who.
WASHINGTON
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May 19, 2022
Roe-Trump ‘24?
While most of the media focuses on the race in Pennsylvania between McCormick and Oz, political insiders are obsessing about the overtures and political canoodling between Donald Trump and Jeff Roe, the McCormick advisor and G.O.P. political operative du jour, whose own 2024 plans could define the party’s course.