Happy Black Friday.
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KELLYANNE CONWAY retweeted a POLITICO story about Donald Trump’s loyalists warning him not to choose Rudy Giuliani as secretary of state, and she commented: “Receiving deluge of social media & private comms re: Romney Some Trump loyalists warn against Romney as sec of state.” The story http://politi.co/2fZhFY6
Now, the Times adds more details of what’s going on behind the scenes in Trump Tower: a pitched battle between those skeptical of Romney -- who campaigned against Trump and called him a “con man” and a “fraud” -- and everyone else.
-- “Republicans Divided Between Romney and Giuliani for Secretary of State,” by Jeremy Peters and Maggie Haberman on A1 of the NYT: “The most publicly vocal faction has been the group opposed to Mr. Romney, which has questioned whether he would be loyal after his searing criticism of Mr. Trump during the campaign. But Mr. Trump himself has told aides that he believes Mr. Romney ‘looks the part’ and would make a fine secretary of state, a senior Trump official said on Thursday. Mr. Trump, who is always difficult to read and is capable of changing his mind at any minute, has also praised Mr. Giuliani in recent conversations with acquaintances. ...
“The split over the two men has opened the door for another candidate altogether. One potential pick Mr. Trump and his team have entertained is Gen. John F. Kelly of the Marines, a former head of the United States Southern Command. Others are David H. Petraeus, the retired general and former C.I.A. director, and Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, according to two people involved in the process.” http://nyti.ms/2fZcjfL
--@KellyannePolls: “Kissinger & Schultz as Secs of State flew around the world less, counseled POTUS close to home more. And were loyal. Good checklist.”
--@foxandfriends: “@edhenry’s sources say Gov Mitt Romney may issue an apology to the President-elect to secure the Secretary of State position. Will it work?”
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TRUMP’S AMERICA -- @realDonaldTrump: “I am working hard, even on Thanksgiving, trying to get Carrier A.C. Company to stay in the U.S. (Indiana). MAKING PROGRESS - Will know soon!” … @Carrier: “Carrier has had discussions with the incoming administration and we look forward to working together. Nothing to announce at this time.” … @justinamash (Republican Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, one of the staunchest libertarians in Congress): “Not the president(-elect)’s job. We live in a constitutional republic, not an autocracy. Business-specific meddling shouldn’t be normalized.”
--“Trump’s stock in oil pipeline company raises concern,” by AP’s Matthew Daly: “President-elect Donald Trump holds stock in the company building the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline, and pipeline opponents warn that Trump’s investments could affect any decision he makes on the $3.8 billion project as president … While Trump’s stake in the pipeline company is modest compared with his other assets, ethics experts say it’s among dozens of potential conflicts that could be resolved by placing his investments in a blind trust, a step Trump has resisted.” http://apne.ws/2gnzYDj
SWAMP STATUS: UNDRAINED -- “Trump’s team of gazillionaires: The self-styled champion of the working class assembles an administration that could be worth as much as $35 billion,” by Morning Money’s Ben White and Matt Nussbaum: “Donald Trump ... [is] stacking his administration with masters of the universe. Beyond Trump himself, who claims a net worth of more than $10 billion, the president-elect has tapped businesswoman Betsy DeVos, whose family is worth $5.1 billion, and is said to be considering oil mogul Harold Hamm ($15.3 billion), investor Wilbur Ross ($2.9 billion), private equity investor Mitt Romney ($250 million at last count), hedge fund magnate Steve Mnuchin (at least $46 million), and super-lawyer Rudy Giuliani (estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars) to round out his administration. And Trump’s likely choice for deputy commerce secretary, Todd Ricketts, comes from the billionaire family that owns the Chicago Cubs. ... White House adviser Steve Bannon has likely earned millions off his stake in the show ‘Seinfeld’ alone.” http://politi.co/2fdgOnO
FAKE NEWS UPDATE -- “Russian propaganda effort helped spread ‘fake news’ during election, experts say,” by WaPo’s Craig Timberg: “The flood of ‘fake news’ this election season got support from a sophisticated Russian propaganda campaign that created and spread misleading articles online with the goal of punishing Democrat Hillary Clinton, helping Republican Donald Trump and undermining faith in American democracy, say independent researchers who tracked the operation. Russia’s increasingly sophisticated propaganda machinery — including thousands of botnets, teams of paid human ‘trolls,’ and networks of websites and social-media accounts — echoed and amplified right-wing sites across the Internet as they portrayed Clinton as a criminal hiding potentially fatal health problems and preparing to hand control of the nation to a shadowy cabal of global financiers.” http://wapo.st/2gmQCDf
WHITE HOUSE ON FIFTH -- “Trump Tower security may take over 2 floors — and cost millions,” by Julia Marsh on the cover of the N.Y. Post: “The federal agency and the NYPD plan to run a 24/7 command post out of the space that would be housed at least 40 floors below Trump’s $90 million penthouse triplex, where wife Melania and their 10-year-old son Barron will continue to reside at least through the spring ... The first 26 floors of the glass-clad skyscraper are commercial tenants while the remaining levels are luxury apartments. But several commercial floors are currently vacant ... The Secret Service is eyeing two contiguous floors for over 250 agents and cops.” http://nyp.st/2fYGfZo … The cover http://nyp.st/2goI8z2
MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS -- “Kirsten Gillibrand reaching out to Hillary’s donors,” by Page Six Team: “Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is already reaching out to top Hillary Clinton donors about the 2020 presidential race. Sources tell us that the New York senator has been personally making calls to some of Clinton’s biggest backers to ‘talk about the direction of the country.’” http://pge.sx/2ffP69O
AMERICA’S WAR -- “One by One, ISIS Social Media Experts Are Killed as Result of F.B.I. Program,” by NYT’s Adam Goldman and Eric Schmitt: “One by one, American and allied forces have killed the most important of roughly a dozen members of the cell, which the F.B.I. calls ‘the Legion,’ as part of a secretive campaign that has largely silenced a powerful voice that led to a surge of counterterrorism activity across the United States in 2015 as young men and women came under the influence of its propaganda.” http://nyti.ms/2fv1eiF
-- “First U.S. service member killed in Syria fighting the Islamic State,” by WaPo’s Thomas Gibbons-Neff: “A U.S. service member was killed by an improvised explosive device … near Ain Issa, a town roughly 35 miles northwest of the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa. The death marks the first time a U.S. service member has been killed in the country since a contingent of Special Operations forces were deployed there in October 2015 to go after the extremist group.” http://wapo.st/2goCRI1
--“U.S., Western Allies Push Iran on New Measures to Bolster Nuclear Deal,” by WSJ’s Laurence Norman in Brussels: “The U.S. and its Western allies are pressing Iran to take steps to sharply cut the amount of radioactive material it holds in a bid to shore up last year’s nuclear deal and discourage the incoming Trump administration from abandoning it ... The discussions about reducing Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium started months ago, officials said, and are among a number of measures the Obama administration has been examining to fortify the accord in its final months in office.” http://on.wsj.com/2gFowrd
FOR YOUR RADAR -- “Russia’s border ‘doesn’t end anywhere,’ Vladimir Putin says” – BBC: “‘That was a joke,’ Mr Putin said amid applause and laughter from the audience at the glitzy ceremony [for student winners of geography awards]. He was asking a nine-year-old boy: ‘Where does Russia’s border end?’ The boy had said ‘at the Bering Strait’. Mr Putin then provided his own answer.” http://bbc.in/2gr9mCO
HACKED -- “Hackers attack European Commission,” by Florian Eder: “A staff email from the Commission’s IT services, which hit inboxes at around 6 p.m. and POLITICO has obtained, said: ‘This afternoon, the European Commission was subject to a cyberattack (denial of service) which resulted in the saturation of our Internet connection.’” http://politi.co/2fKBEH9
TRUMP INC. -- “In Scotland, Trump Built a Wall. Then He Sent Residents the Bill,” by NYT’s Katrin Bennhold in Balmedie, Scotland: “President-elect Donald J. Trump has already built a wall — not on the border with Mexico, but on the border of his exclusive golf course in northeastern Scotland, blocking the sea view of local residents who refused to sell their homes. And then he sent them the bill. David and Moira Milne had already been threatened with legal action by Mr. Trump’s lawyers, who claimed a corner of their garage belonged to him, when they came home from work one day to find his staff building a fence around their garden. Two rows of grown trees went up next, blocking the view. Their water and electricity lines were temporarily cut. And then a bill for about $3,500 arrived in the mail, which, Mr. Milne said, went straight into the trash.
“‘You watch, Mexico won’t pay either,’ said Mr. Milne, a health and safety consultant and part-time novelist, referring to Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to build a ‘beautiful, impenetrable wall’ along the border and force the Mexicans to pay for it. The Milnes now fly a Mexican flag from their hilltop house, a former Coast Guard station that overlooks the clubhouse of Mr. Trump’s Trump International Golf Links, whenever he visits.” http://nyti.ms/2fMivoq
-- FLASHBACK: Ben Schreckinger in Doonbeg, Ireland on July 7, 2016: “When Donald Trump tried to build a wall: The Irish coast isn’t the Rio Grande, but they are connected by one man, his forceful nature, and the fierce opposition he engenders.” http://politi.co/2gozXmo
FAT CHANCE -- LARRY LESSIG in WaPo, “The Constitution lets the electoral college choose the winner. They should choose Clinton”: “Conventional wisdom tells us that the electoral college requires that the person who lost the popular vote this year must nonetheless become our president. That view is an insult to our framers. It is compelled by nothing in our Constitution. It should be rejected by anyone with any understanding of our democratic traditions — most important, the electors themselves.” http://wapo.st/2gmOE5R
TRUMP SKEPTIC MIKE LEE in National Review, “Conservatives Should Embrace Principled Populism”: “While congressional Republicans tend to identify as conservatives, President-elect Donald Trump is a populist. Many observers, including some Republicans, see this as an un-squareable circle. I disagree. For all the challenges a President Trump may present conservatives during his term, his populism need not be one of them. Far from contradictory, conservatism and populism complement each other in ways that can change history — as did the most successful populist in recent decades, Ronald Reagan.” http://bit.ly/2gr66Hr
THE FIRST FAMILY -- @sarahkendzior: “Never saw much reporting on Ivanka’s response to Trump saying he wanted to date her: ‘If he wasn’t my father, I would spray him with Mace.’” http://bit.ly/2ffNwF9
THE BIG PICTURE -- “Clinton’s loss is one more nail in the coffin of center-left politics in the West,” by WaPo’s James McAuley in Paris and Griff Witte in London: “Across the continent, parties of the center-left that have dominated politics for decades — and that have given Europe its reputation for generous social welfare systems — now find themselves beaten, divided and directionless. ... In Germany and Britain, once-mighty center-left parties have been badly diminished, locked out of their nations’ top jobs for the foreseeable future. In Spain and Greece, they have been usurped by newer, more radical alternatives. And in France and Italy, they’re still governing — but their days in power may be numbered. ... Overall, the total vote share for the continent’s traditional center-left parties is now at its lowest level since at least World War II.” http://wapo.st/2fxHZrP
REAL WORLD -- “Colombia government, rebels sign revised peace agreement,” by AP’s Joshua Goodman and Alba Tobella in Bogota: “Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos ... and Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, signed the 310-page accord at Bogota’s historic Colon Theater — nearly two months after the original deal was surprisingly rejected in a referendum. After signing with a pen crafted from the shell of an assault rifle bullet, they clasped hands to shouts of ‘Yes we could!’” http://apne.ws/2fWT3PO
PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION -- “Vaping in bars, cigarette sales to teens to become illegal in the District,” by WaPo’s Fenit Nirappil: “D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser plans to sign some of the nation’s toughest anti-tobacco laws that will increase the smoking age to 21 and regulate electronic cigarettes like traditional ones, adding the District to the scores of jurisdictions trying to protect a new generation from nicotine addiction. Bowser (D) signed legislation last week making it illegal to ‘vape’ electronic cigarettes inside public establishments where lighting up tobacco is already banned, including bars, restaurants and workplaces. Vaping and smoking at outdoor patios is still permitted. Her spokesman says she’ll also sign bills to increase the age to purchase all tobacco products from 18 to 21 and to ban the use of chewing tobacco at Nationals Park and other sporting events.” http://wapo.st/2fZdjQM
I was greeted by this heartwarming display on the corner of my street today. Thank you to all of you who did this. Happy Thanksgiving. -H pic.twitter.com/b69mW3Oqbf
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 24, 2016
THE OBAMAS’ Thanksgiving dinner menu: “Mini BLT’s ... Chicken Satay with Peanut Chili Dip ... Mini Crab Cakes ... Pizza Bites (!) ... Fresh Veggies and Hummus ... Pigs in the Blanket ... Thyme Roasted Turkey (Carving Station), Garlic Jus and Cranberry-Orange Relish ... Honey-Baked Ham, Apricot-Mustard Glaze ... Prime Rib and Creamed Horseradish, Shallot Marmalade ... Fried Chicken Wings ...
“Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo and Roasted Peppers ... Oyster Stuffing ... Braised Winter Greens (Collards, Kale, and Turnip Greens) ... Macaroni and Cheese ... Sweet Potato Gratin ... Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes ... Green Bean Casserole ... Fresh Greens and Kale Caesar Salad ... Dinner Rolls ... Banana Cream Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Cherry Pie.”
TRUMP’s Thanksgiving dinner menu at Mar-a-Lago: “Large Florida Stone Crabs ... Oysters on the Half Shell ... Jumbo Shrimp ... Middle Neck Clams ... Mr. Trump’s Wedge Salad ... Farm Fresh Deviled Eggs ... Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous Salad ... Ahi Tuna Martini’s ... Main Lobster Bisque ... Local Vegetable Minestrone Soup ... Oven Roasted Turkey, Traditional Stuffing, Sweet Mashed Potatoes, House Made Gravy ... Herb Marinated Beef Tenderloin, Steamed Vegetables, Whipped Potatoes, Warm Popovers, Horseradish Cream ...
“Chef Carved Leg of Lamb, Grilled Pita and Tzatziki Sauce ... Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Currried [sic] Vegetables, Coconut Shellfish Broth ... Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Herb Roasted Potatoes, Natural Braising Jus ... Grilled Diver Scallops, Roasted Vegetable Ratatouille ... Three Layer Trump Chocolate Cake ... Pumpkin Pie ... Toasted Coconut Cake ... Chocolate Eclairs ... Pecan Pie ... Warm Cholcolate [sic] Brownie Pockets ... Creamy Key Lime ... Pie Hot Apple Crisp.” See the full menu http://politi.co/2g9MYx5
SPOTTED at yesterday’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Gov. John Kasich and Harry Smith – pic http://bit.ly/2gmCq0E
SUNDAY SO FAR – “Fox News Sunday”: Reince Priebus ... Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) ... Power Player: Sandy Lerner of Ayrshire Farm ... Panel: Gerald Seib, Julie Pace, Michael Needham, James Rosen
--NBC’s “Meet the Press”: panel: Matt Bai, Helene Cooper, Mark Murray, Danielle Pletka
--CNN’s “State of the Union,” guest-hosted by Dana Bash: Sen. Bernie Sanders ... Kellyanne Conway ... Panel: Bakari Sellers, Alice Stewart, Andre Bauer, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.)
--CNN’s “Inside Politics,” hosted by John King from D.C.: Ed O’Keefe, Lisa Lerer, Nia-Malika Henderson, Manu Raju
BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: David Almacy, an Edelman and Bush WH alum now a PR and digital strategist, celebrating with family and a possible trip to Williamsburg to check out the holiday decorations – read his Playbook Plus Q&A: http://politi.co/2gHcM7e
BIRTHDAYS: Barbara and Jenna Bush are 35 … Philippe Reines … Lee Dunn, senior counsel at Google ... Politico’s Jason Huffman and Brent Griffiths ... Abby D. Phillip, national political reporter for WaPo and a Politico and ABC News alum ... Bo Stern ... Lisa Borders, WNBA president and No Labels vice-chair (h/t Dennis Craig) ... ThinkProgress’ Kira Lerner ... Amanda Gross, account executive in financial services at Gartner and a Politico alum ... S. Yael Gordon ... Percy Sledge ... Joe Gibbs ... Jason Rae, longtime DNC member and Youth Council Chair, is 3-0 ... Steph Dodge, student at UT School of Law and alum of Hamilton Place Strategies ... Shilpa Phadke, senior director of CAP’s Women’s Initiative and an Obama WH and Glover Park Group alum … Robert Steurer, Sen. McConnell’s comms. director … Douglas Smith … Charly Norton, executive director at FloridaStrong and an Alison Grimes and OFA alum …
… former NH Gov. John Lynch is 64 ... Romney alum Alan Nguyen … Colin Crowell, VP at Twitter, leading Public Policy and Corporate Philanthropy efforts and an FCC and Ed Markey alum … Sarah Lynch, a white collar crime reporter for Reuters in DC ... Leah Regan ... Emilie Jackson ... Kendrick Lau, in private wealth management at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and a Hotchkiss grad ... Michelle Yi … Isaac Wright … Alexandra Givens ... Bucky Dent … Amy Grant … Jeff Ballabon … Times-Picayune’s Mark Schleifstein ... Sean Durns ... Jennifer Jacques ... Bush 43 alum Christine Isett … Donna Zaccaro ... Robin Brand ... Eric Oginsky ... Gillian Morris (h/ts Teresa Vilmain) ... Ben Stein is 72 … Christina Applegate is 45 … former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb is 4-0 (h/ts AP)