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02/10/2017 08:00 AM EDT


By Heather Caygle (hcaygle@politico.com or @heatherscope)

With an assist from Daniel Lippman

ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS? House Democrats wrap up their three-day retreat in Baltimore this morning. And while there was no big drama moment from the confab, it's clear from talking to the rank-and-file that long-festering rifts about party strategy and messaging still exist. Some progressive members continue to push for all-out resistance to Trump and everything he stands for while others will likely never come around to that way of thinking.

"There are some voices in our party that say it worked for [Republicans], why not do the same?" said Rep. Jim Himes, chairman of the moderate New Democrat coalition. "And the answer to that question... is you know what, most of us didn't get sent to Washington to win for the Democrats. We got sent there to do good things for our constituents."

But, as Himes said, even centrist Democrats aren't blind to the outrage on the left: "I think there's a sense of that in the caucus, what will befall those who don't listen to the very loud yells that are coming up from our supporters?"

So where's the caucus right now? Confused is the easiest answer. Throughout the retreat, caucus leaders said the key to uniting the party's diverse factions over the long-term was to hammer home a proactive economic message to voters. But talk to members like Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge and they tell you that line of thinking obviously misses the point of Trump's victory. "I think this whole economic message thing is real overblown, and I don't think it's accurate," Fudge told reporters. "We have been losing blue-collar workers for years - 20 plus years - and our message has always been the right message."

Meanwhile, Democratic leaders continue to insist everything is fine. "Maybe it's more fun to think there's some deep division," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said. More from your Huddle host and Kyle: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84ecc9a797256dc1f54488fb91679c2025d27dafc35cf7f19bc035c7930d0170424cafa2e05d58fcf43

HOW TO HANDLE THE OUTRAGE - For weeks, congressional Republicans have been in a hunker-down mode as voters storm their district events back home (see the Jason Chaffetz event below), jeering President Trump and shouting down members. But as Rachael reports from Grand Rapids, Rep. Justin Amash showed there's a way to tame the rowdy crowd without running out the back door. "Most of my colleagues ...they want to stick to their comfort zones in many cases," he told Rachael after a town hall Thursday night. "I like to be here, hearing the different perspectives. I'm not afraid of my positions."

But that doesn't mean the event was easy breezy: "The most contentious exchanges surrounded the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the formal name of the Democratic health care law Amash appears to have adopted after being scolded by constituents during his last town hall for calling it 'Obamacare,'" Rachael reports. And "Indivisible - the exploding nationwide group trying to reverse-engineer the tea party movement for progressives - handed out packets instructing constituents what to ask Amash." More from Michigan: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84eb53a23efaba31fae252cae119ec9fcbb47367fdf2a663e130e8f878e1bb4744add6448e0f551abc2

Speaking of Indivisible, Rachael and Elana explore the group launched by former Democratic Hill aides after Trump's election. "The group isn't planning to limit itself to the town-hall resistance to repealing Obamacare that it's becoming known for," they report. "Indivisible has marshaled demonstrations against Trump's Cabinet nominees and his immigration order, and it's partnering with the organizers of the Jan. 21 Women's March for a new action next week." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84ef1348cfb2dc292c9b559b92becb2f41681799e41c4e163afb0fa9a549314ee1e64c6042a5c935273


ON THE FLIP SIDE - Rep. Jason Chaffetz was repeatedly booed and drowned out during a rowdy town hall Thursday. More than 2,500 Utahans showed up to question the Chaffetz during the 75-minute meeting but only about 1,000 people were allowed in the high school auditorium, reports the Salt Lake Tribune.

The House Oversight Committee chairman attempted to answer 13 questions - "three focused on public lands and four on investigating Trump. The other subjects jumped from Planned Parenthood to air quality to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos" - and told the audience he's "doing my job" in terms of holding the White House accountable. Courtney Tanner: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84ef128c33f90f77c9b66b2ac296fd3deb5b175dac4b7f7fa1775332894ab5091129aaa3b93a36de75f

A step too far: Chaffetz showed a little willingness to take on the White House Thursday, teaming up with House Oversight's top Democrat, Elijah Cummings, to send a letter scolding Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway for promoting Ivanka Trump's clothing line during a TV hit from the White House. Chaffetz called Conway's actions "clearly over the line" and the bipartisan letter requests a review of her comments by the Office of Government Ethics.

But, but but... As the Huffington Post's Matt Fuller points out, Chaffetz has been loathe to investigate the Trump administration at all even though he was jumping up and down to take on Hillary Clinton when he thought she would be president. "Even before we get to Day One, we've got two years' worth of material already lined up," he said of Clinton in October. But on Trump? "'Give it a few days, for goodness sake!' Chaffetz told The Huffington Post this week. 'All the flailing before he was even sworn in was a bit silly, if not purely immature.'" The Fuller deep dive: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e93781fa38d61477c599f51909a27c641ca6601e7dfac467a24f292a277847bad90c4da03dcd3c97e

CUMMINGS QUESTIONS FLYNN'S SECURITY CLEARANCE - Rep. Cummings said a Washington Post report that Michael Flynn discussed lifting sanctions against Russia with an envoy from the Kremlin before Trump took office "raises grave questions" about the controversial national security adviser. "If this new report is true, we need to ask not only whether General Flynn should be leading our national security efforts, but whether he should even hold a security clearance," Cummings said in a statement Thursday evening.

ANOTHER FRIDAY IN THE BOOKS. Welcome to Feb. 10, y'all! Thanks for reading POLITICO's Huddle, the play-by-play guide to all things Capitol Hill.

TODAY IN CONGRESS - The House is out as Democrats wrap up their retreat in Baltimore. The Senate convenes at 9:30 a.m. today to resume debate on Steve Mnuchin's nomination to lead the Treasury Department.

AROUND THE HILL - Sen. David Perdue meets with Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at 9:30 a.m. in Russell 383. Sen. Roger Wicker meets with Gorsuch at 10:30 a.m. in Dirksen 555. Sen. Roy Blunt meets with Gorsuch at 12 p.m. in Russell 260

OFF THE HILL - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will meet with President Trump at 10 a.m. in the Oval Office.

LET'S SEE SOME ACTION - The Senate voted early Friday (and by early, we mean around 2 a.m.) to confirm Tom Price as Health and Human Services secretary. Price's party-line confirmation means the battle over Obamacare can begin in earnest. "The Trump administration has hailed Price, a former orthopedic surgeon, as the quarterback of its plan to tear down Obamacare and construct a replacement package by year-end," Adam Cancryn reports. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84ee8292e6af90fdc512e5dd8331d067aff1e3f4049f6f1c41668761f1df47800c2bdf4302534956c16

DEMS SEIZE ON COURT VICTORY - "Congressional Democrats pounced on a Thursday court ruling that will keep President Donald Trump's controversial immigration executive order on ice - by renewing their demands that the president kill the ban altogether," Seung Min reports. Notably, Trump didn't personally attack the three federal judges who rejected his attempt to have the ban lifted like he did in a series of tweets last week targeting the judge who initially blocked the executive action. SMK with more on Hill reaction to the court's decision: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e72cbd62e499b8d7acc2e53b25819c475eb22591914bb960b03f959a57dfa356fb6af0fc08d974554

DANCE A LITTLE DANCE - Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch's remarks that he was "disheartened" and "demoralized" about Trump's attacks on the federal judge appear to be coordinated by the White House, despite Trump's public attacks on Sen. Richard Blumenthal for leaking the comments. "White House officials were told that Gorsuch would try to distance himself from Trump's comments, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions," SMK and Josh Dawsey report. "But if Gorsuch's admissions - however orchestrated - didn't outright help his confirmation prospects in the chamber, they were at least buying some goodwill with key Democratic senators." More:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e6cfecfa8db831227520c1270fb504458ee114b24c2c1c5e0508f68ccc74c44a7f4be8b65d2a7a1ad

SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON - Luther Strange, known as "Big Luther" to many because of his towering 6'9" frame, was sworn in Thursday as Alabama's next senator, replacing the seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Strange's tenure isn't without controversy. As Alabama attorney general, his office was reportedly investigating Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's alleged affair with a staffer. With Strange now on Capitol Hill, tapped by Bentley for the job, the governor gets to pick Strange's replacement for state AG.

THE PUZDER PUSH - Senate Republicans are mounting an aggressive effort to get Labor secretary nominee Andrew Puzder confirmed after a series of embarrassing revelations about the fast-food executive. "In private meetings with GOP senators, McConnell has told his colleagues that he thinks Puzder is more prepared than any nominee in history to be labor secretary," CNN's Manu Raju reports. Note: McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao, served as labor secretary for eight years under George W. Bush. Raju goes behind the scenes of the Puzder fight: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84ed050d2b076dc66abbe4b9694930d2d7e2968ae7efd47e13e311fa7f12f941736f9e27048edd34d1f

FOR YOUR RADAR - Moderate Senate Democrats left a meeting with Trump Thursday saying the president said he was open to work on immigration reform - specifically the "Gang of Eight" bill - and promised to revive the Ex-Im Bank. The White House immediately pushed back "on the characterization of the immigration discussion, saying Trump merely signaled openness to a legislative plan should Congress put one together." SMK and Matt Nussbaum with the deets: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e5572b95cf0d8acabfa1e101a38e3f946d63e8040f833c095fda6463e4466b4d6de47a61cf37d7c60

DEBT CEILING DRAMA DELAYED - House Budget Committee ranking member John Yarmuth thinks Congress may not have to take action on the debt ceiling until the fall. The current suspension expires in May but lawmakers were already anticipating being able to delay action until the summer. "We hear that actually the drop dead date on the debt ceiling is probably in August now, or September, not earlier," Yarmuth said at the House Democratic retreat Thursday.

What it all means: "With an August deadline, Republicans could still separate that debt ceiling fight from the looming appropriations battles later in the fall," Sarah Ferris and Jen Scholtes report for Pro Budget. "But if it inches closer to September, Democrats may have more leverage than the GOP hoped to extract policy victories in a year where they'll have almost no legislative power." More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e9a0df1f1a5f7dfa73eff5531341898086dec91f4a38653545eae5af194f83f607ac5c10de586d5ab

HOTLINE BLING - House Speaker Paul Ryan is known for his early morning grind-it-out sessions at the members-only gym. But there's one person he'll interrupt his P90X session for: President Trump. "The president, who says he's sleeping four or five hours a night, is dialing up associates late at night and early in the morning, before he returns to the West Wing. He recently reached House Speaker Paul Ryan while the Wisconsin Republican was in the middle of an early morning workout," the AP's Julie Pace and Jonathan Lemire report. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e11663d1acfcd3bddcfffcf0d08db50ee8d2fb6f6752a1bf4550e3fc2482c90bc419bde604a6367af

TRUMP PICK GOES DOWN IN KANSAS - "Treasurer Ron Estes has won the GOP Party convention's nomination to replace Rep. Mike Pompeo in Kansas' 4th District, beating back Alan Cobb, a Trump adviser," Elena Schneider reports. More for Pros: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e2a51e0ec45b6f7f8896f9e8259c5949e552f1a04f462e03575347a53a68d270862e1792445d563b8

BROWN 'BLINDSIDED' BY PLEA DEAL - Former Florida Rep. Corrine Brown was "blindsided" by her former chief of staff's decision to take a plea deal, Brown's lawyer said in court Thursday. Brown and former chief of staff Ronnie Simmons were co-defendants, both facing federal corruption charges. "I don't do sign language. What is the sign language to show that you have a broken heart?" Brown said Thursday about Simmons, Lynnsey Gardner and Eric Wallace report. Brown has until March 16 to decide whether or not to accept a plea deal. More: http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=a57942e036ffa84e13a157bfce1ed7b0dd34d3fd34fd62eac38c3b7093e34e750e37aa3010b63ebc274af009602a6733

NICKNAME NO MORE - New Dem Chairman Jim Himes said he's given up on asking his staff to call him "Easy D," a play on a Trump tweet this week that confused many with its social media shorthand. Himes jumped on Trump's remark Wednesday, tweeting shortly after that he was asking his staff to call him "Easy D" for the rest of the week. But by Thursday, that was out. "You have no idea what that means do you?" Himes said his staff told him after his tweet posted.

SPOTTED - Rep. Luis Gutierrez on a 9 a.m. American flight Thursday from IND to CLT. He was wearing a gold key on a red ribbon around his neck and sitting in coach. ...Heather Podesta having breakfast at the Four Seasons at the table beside Barbara Comstock.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES - Joan O'Hara has been tapped as deputy national security adviser for Vice President Mike Pence. O'Hara is leaving her job as general counsel for Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee.

Luke Bolar, chief of staff to former Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), has a new gig on Edelman's energy team as senior vice president where he also works on financial communications. Bolar has also worked for Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.).

THURSDAY'S TRIVIA WINNER - Natalie Mamerow was the first to guess that Gerald Ford was the only president to also work as a park ranger. Ford worked at Yellowstone National Park.

TODAY'S TRIVIA - Sen. Orrin Hatch was celebrated on Thursday for becoming the longest serving Republican senator. How many senators have served longer than Hatch and who are they? The first person to correctly answer gets a shout out in Monday's Huddle. And don't forget, send suggestions for trivia questions my way: hcaygle@politico.com

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