Republicans privately brace for House defeat

Vivek Ramaswamy’s new attack ad on Democratic opponent Amy Acton has ignited a firestorm in Ohio. The backlash points to a much bigger problem for Republicans: finding a closing message that connects with voters. Then the other stories animating Washington: President Donald Trump sidesteps questions about endorsing Vice President JD Vance for 2028 and Trump reportedly considers replacing the Brady Press Briefing Room with a swimming pool.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Elon Musk isn’t on the ballot, but he’s once again becoming a central figure in the midterms. Democrats hoping to reclaim the House majority are already signaling that he’ll be a major target of congressional oversight if they win. Then the other stories animating Washington: Sen. Thom Tillis has a countdown clock ticking toward “whoop-ass,” the palace intrigue surrounding Susie Wiles shows no signs of letting up, and an Indiana Democrat admits to a three-beer warmup before her now-infamous interview.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Ohio could be a bellwether for the future of a GOP-controlled Senate. In the final weeks toward the midterm, can Republicans shore up their red walls in states like Ohio and Iowa before they crumble? Then the other stories animating Washington: Abdul El-Sayed hits back at ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ questions and Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet for James Talarico. Plus, what Playbook is looking out for in the week ahead.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Democratic socialists Melat Kiros and Darializa Avila Chevalier each defeated a longtime Democratic incumbent to win their deep-blue primaries. They’re among a handful of Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates who scored surprise victories this election season. Now they’re poised to enter Congress, where they say they want to use their power to push for a bolder agenda and hold the Trump administration accountable. Kiros and Avila Chevalier joined “The Conversation with Dasha Burns” to discuss whether they’ll support Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, what they’ve learned from the Squad and criticism of their rhetoric about the Israel-Gaza war. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

In the final weeks toward the midterms, can Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed earn favor from some Black and Jewish voters who have felt skeptical of his campaign? Then the other stories animating Washington: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries faces a potential revolt from new progressive candidates preparing for Washington, a new poll reveals the top concern of voters (hint: it's not the economy), and Katie Zacharia has some explaining to do about her legal credentials.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

President Trump is privately calling allies, soliciting their opinions about his once untouchable chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Playbook has exclusive reporting on sharks circling around Wiles – and the names Trump is floating to possibly take her place. Then the other stories animating Washington: Trump’s deal with Putin has Zelenskyy feeling betrayed, Bernie Sanders and AOC are hitting the campaign trail, and the Epstein files have become a campaign flashpoint in Iowa.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Top Republicans are quietly preparing for a midterm wipeout, shifting resources to save the Senate. Then the other stories animating Washington: new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia has a shaky start, more Republicans are breaking with Trump ahead of the midterms, and Keke Palmer asks Kamala Harris: are you running in 2028?   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Three weeks out from the midterms and Democrats in some of the most competitive races are walking tall towards Election Day. Purple state candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Chris Pappas are touting what they see as easy wins, but how far will their confidence take them? Then the other stories animating Washington: Democratic donors lament Kamala Harris' “wasted year,” U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has found herself in a tragedy of her own making, and Katie Zacharia is appointed White House press secretary. For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Dasha sits down with Rep. Byron Donalds, the Florida Republican nominee for governor, for a special midterms edition of the show.  As Republicans face headwinds over affordability and rising costs tied to the war with Iran, Donalds explains how he can support President Trump while still disagreeing with him. He says Trump doesn’t want “yes men” and that he’s “allowed to have my own viewpoint” on how to govern Florida. Donalds also discusses immigration enforcement, state regulation of AI, his past comments on race and voting rights, and the future of the Republican Party. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Rep. Byron Donalds is making a play for Black voters in a new ad shared exclusively with POLITICO. What does his campaign tell us about the battle for Black voters this midterm election — and what are Democrats doing to win this voting bloc back? Then the other stories animating Washington: James Talarico has been sidelined by the flu and a South Carolina Democrat responds to anti-transgender attacks head on. Plus, Playbook shares a 200-second interview with GOP strategist Luke Thompson.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook