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Secret Kremlin document outlines plan to 'weaken' Ukraine's allies

(Kyiv Independent/Washington Post) A secret Kremlin foreign policy document calls for Russia to leverage the war in Ukraine and exploit weaknesses in "unfriendly states" in order to forge a new global order in which the U.S. no longer plays a leading role, the Washington Post reported on April 17. According to the paper, the document is a classified addendum to a public document titled "Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation" and was obtained via a European intelligence service. The secret part of the document calls for an "offensive information campaign" covering multiple spheres, including "the military-political, economic and trade and informational psychological" against what the Kremlin perceives as a "coalition of unfriendly countries" led by the U.S.

Pelosi slams 'Putin caucus' within House GOP

How Biden's Campaign is Beating Trump

(Dan Pfeiffer/The Message Box) There is plentiful evidence that Trump is running a better campaign than his 2016 and 2020 efforts. He dispatched his primary opponents with relative ease, and there was an obvious level of strategic messaging that was absent before. In the past, Trump relied on a collection of grifters, media personalities, and those who couldn’t get hired anywhere else in Republican politics. Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles are competent, experienced political operatives. However, being better than Trump in 2016 is not the same as being better than Biden in 2024. With seven months to go, Joe Biden’s Campaign operation is well ahead of Trump’s.

Combatting cannibalism and jailing librarians: Idaho Democrats see opportunity in extreme GOP agenda

(Politico) Democrat Loree Peery knows she’s a long-shot candidate for the Idaho Legislature. But when her state House representative introduced a bill in February expanding an anti-cannibalism law — action prompted by a prank video — Peery decided she had to try to oust the far-right incumbent, Heather Scott. Peery, a retired nurse, is one of dozens of Idaho Democrats seeking an office in Boise for the first time. Under new leadership, the Idaho Democratic Party has deployed a grassroots recruitment strategy to put a record number of candidates on the ballot. In fact, there’s a Democrat running in every district for the first time in at least 30 years.

Thursday TOONs

Kennedy family to endorse Biden in show of force against RFK Jr.

(Axios) Members of the Kennedy family will appear en masse and in force to endorse President Biden at a campaign event in Philadelphia on Thursday. RFK Jr.'s sister, Kerry Kennedy, will invoke the legacy of her slain father, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, as well as that of her uncles: former President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). "I can only imagine how Donald Trump's outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father," she will say, according to prepared remarks shared with Axios. "President Biden has been a champion for all the rights and freedoms that my father and uncles stood for," she will say, joined by more than a dozen members of the Kennedy clan.

Arizona Republicans Gleefully Shoot Down Democrats' Attempts To Repeal 1864 Abortion Ban

(Talking Points Memo) Arizona Republicans celebrated Wednesday after swatting down Democrats’ fourth attempt in two weeks to repeal the state’s near-total abortion ban, which the state Supreme Court upheld last week. Rep. David Livingston (R-AZ) turned to the galleries, stuffed with a mix of pro- and anti-abortion rights protesters, and applauded his supporters, raising his fists in triumph. Majority Whip Teresa Martinez (R-AZ) mouthed “we got you” and did a thumbs up. Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci (R-AZ) grinned and accepted a handshake on his way out of the chamber.

Trump campaign asks for cut of downballot candidates' fundraising when they use his name and likeness

(Politico) Former President Donald Trump’s campaign has found a new way to press for badly needed cash. In a letter received by Republican digital vendors this week, the Trump campaign is asking for down-ballot candidates who use his name, image and likeness in fundraising appeals to give at least 5 percent of the proceeds to the campaign.

McCarthy-aligned group running ads against Republicans who triggered his speaker ouster

(Politico) A political group with ties to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is going on air against some of the Republicans who ousted him from leadership. The American Prosperity Alliance, a nonprofit which does not have to disclose its donors, is running an immigration-focused TV ad in several districts, including those held by Reps. Bob Good (R-Va.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), where members deposed McCarthy last year.