Scoop - Pollster Geoff Garin, Brian Fallon & Groundwork Action briefing Dems on one of first deep dives into “Abundance” this week, per memo. They argue economic populism > Abundance in campaigns. Previews econ messaging divisions ahead of 2026: politico.com/news/2025/09/0…

Wall Street Journal, Wa Po, NYT all reporting Florida is first state to end vaccine mandates... but am I crazy or did Idaho do it first this spring?

! GOP Sen. Barrasso, who is a doctor, says he's "grown deeply concerned" about RFK's tenure at HHS "I support vaccines. Vaccines save lives. If we're going to make America healthy again, we can't allow public health to be undermined."

Extending this, the Epstein discharge petition is on track to notch the needed signatures by the end of September even without any more Republicans. Currently at 215 signatures. Swalwell (out of DC for mother’s funeral) will make 216. As Ben notes, Dem win in VA-11 special on

Update: Whip Barrasso tells me judiciary nominees are now out of the mix. these changes to the rules would only apply to executive nominees and they will happen before the next recess — which is in two weeks

DC-area folks: We have a book signing date for Almanac Politics of American Politics! It'll be at Wonderland Books in Bethesda, Md., on Thursday Oct. 16 at 7 pm. I'll be appearing with Jessica Taylor & @ Cameron Joseph. wonderlandbooks.com/events/3572120…

NEW and BREAKING: The turbulence created by Republicans/Trump's war on higher ed continues .. The president of Northwestern Michael H. Schill will resign, according to people briefed on the matter. nytimes.com/2025/09/04/us/…

Gabriel Sterling, a leading defender of Georgia’s voting system who famously called for President Trump to condemn election threats in 2020, just entered the Republican race for secretary of state. #gapol ajc.com/politics/2025/…

Duffy, Chavez-DeRemer, Zeldin

Now, the question is whether Trump would just try to unilaterally declare another “emergency” and claim another 30 days of control over MPD. It would probably be challenged in court, but still, it could happen.

SCOOP: HHS is about to award a no-bid contract to HarrisX, the polling firm owned by Mark Penn's Stagwell, to do public opinion research on Americans' trust of vaccines. w/Laura V. Strickler From the NBC politics newsletter. First few grafs below. sign up here. link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/break…

Thune + NRSC Chair Tim Scott endorse Ashley Hinson for Iowa Senate today, continuing trend of trying to quickly consolidate around candidates Republicans think can win general elections

Mayor Eric Adams’ office just canceled his planned press conference this morning on Ending the Culture of Anything Goes.

NEW: Via NYT team, advisers to POTUS have discussed Saudi Arabia ambassadorship for Mayor Adams Dana Rubinstein William K. Rashbaum Nicholas Fandos nytimes.com/2025/09/05/nyr…

Read Emily Davies + Natalie Allison's behind the scenes look at how Miller operates within the WH -- in this case in managing the DC crackdown: washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/…

Maine Senate update from person familiar w Janet Mills's thinking She "doesn’t care what anyone in DC thinks or wants. She’s focused on ... who will be the most effective fighter and champion for them in the Senate, which is exactly why she’s very seriously considering running"

INBOX - Eric Adams says via campaign spox that he’s staying in the race but “will always listen if called to serve our country”

.⁦Ritchie Torres⁩ ! Mamdani is “far more complex than the apocalyptic caricature his critics paint, and I have fewer fears about him than others do,” Torres said. via ⁦David Weigel⁩ semafor.com/article/09/04/…

Trump breaks from RFK on vaccines: "Pure and simple, they work" trib.al/TML4z8c

"We ask all broadcasters to refrain from showcasing any disruptions or reactions in response to the President's attendance in any capacity." nytimes.com/athletic/66065…