Axios Sneak Peek

August 01, 2024
Welcome back to Sneak. Tonight's edition is 722 words, a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Scoop: Key Harris adviser

Vice President Kamala Harris' brother-in-law and former U.S. associate attorney general Tony West has become a powerful adviser in her new campaign, as Harris asserts control over an organization built to elect a different candidate.
Why it matters: With less than 100 days to go, Harris is delicately retooling the presidential campaign with people she trusts, Democrats familiar with the matter told Axios.
- But some Democratic advisers in close contact with the campaign worry West's prominent role could re-create the same family dynamics that at times caused unnecessary drama in her 2020 campaign.
Driving the news: In the first weeks since Harris became the likely nominee, West has frequently been at her side and is a point person in communicating with the campaign's leadership.
- Among the biggest changes so far is the emergence of West in the informal, but influential, role of helping Harris take control of the campaign.
- He is married to Harris' sister, Maya, who is not expected to take an operational campaign role like she did in 2020 but will remain a close confidante.
Zoom in: When Harris rallied the campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware, last month, she gave a vote of confidence to the existing campaign team.
- Harris did not select many of the campaign's key operatives and strategists and is beginning to place her own advisers in important roles for the final campaign sprint.
The bottom line: Many successful presidential candidates have had their family members serve as close advisers.
2. Shapiro's weekend

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is entering the weekend with extra buzz after canceling a fundraising swing in New York, as first reported by CNN.
Why it matters: The Harris vetting team has met with at least six candidates, two sources told NBC News.
- They are Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Govs. Tim Walz (Minnesota), JB Pritzker (Illinois) and Andy Beshear (Kentucky).
Zoom in: A campaign called "No Genocide Josh" to scuttle Shapiro as a VP prospect, largely over his support for Israel, is facing pushback from Jewish members of Congress across the political spectrum, Axios' Andrew Solender reports.
- "I think there is that sense that somehow we're not objective [on Israel] because we're Jewish, which is just not true or fair," Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) told Axios.
Between the lines: A story in The Atlantic yesterday noted Kelly and Walz are not facing such campaigns despite having similarly pro-Israel politics.
- Several high-profile Jewish lawmakers, including Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), have since called out what they say is an antisemitic double standard.
3. New Dem firm

A half-dozen former senior Biden administration officials are joining forces with Democratic Party veterans to launch a new one-stop communications and strategy advisory firm.
Why it matters: Lafayette Advisors will aim to help Fortune 100 companies, as well as labor unions and progressive groups, with knowledge and expertise into how some of President Biden's signature spending bills are designed to be implemented.
Driving the news: Partners will include Ryan Berni, who served on the infrastructure team in the Biden White House, and Zach Butterworth, who led private sector engagement for Biden.
- Both worked closely with Mitch Landrieu, Biden's former transportation czar, and former Rep. Cedric Richmond, who was Biden's first director of public engagement. Richmond will be a senior adviser to the new firm.
- They will be joined by Bradley Beychok, a co-founder of American Bridge 21st Century, Ankit Desai, a lobbyist at ABI Associates, Michael Halle, a former senior adviser to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Leah Israel, who currently serves as the chief development officer for the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- Jennifer Palmieri, who served as communications director for President Obama and Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, will also join the group as a senior adviser.
4. Coming home

Biden and Harris will greet the plane at 11:30 ET tonight after the biggest prisoner swap in years.
- Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were released.
Zoom in: U.S. officials said in a call with reporters that during negotiations it was clear Russia would not release Gershkovich or Whelan without the release of Vadim Krasikov, an FSB officer who was in German custody.
- Since the U.S. could not offer Krasikov, Germany was invited to participate in negotiations.
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