Politico Playbook invented the political morning newsletter format when it launched in 2007 under Mike Allen (who later moved to Axios). It remains the essential read for anyone inside Washington - lobbyists, staffers, Hill members, and the journalists who cover them all cite it as the first thing they open each morning.
What to Expect
A dense, reporter-driven briefing that mixes breaking news with insider gossip, scheduled hearings, fundraising notes, and “spotted” items about who’s having breakfast with whom. The tone is knowledgeable but not partisan - it covers the mechanics of power rather than taking sides. Multiple regional and topic editions have spun out, including Playbook PM and state-specific versions.
Who It’s For
People who work in or around politics, policy, and government. It’s not a newsletter you casually pick up - it’s a professional tool that keeps you current on the people and manoeuvres driving Washington. Civilians who want to understand how the sausage gets made will find it genuinely illuminating.
Frequency: Daily (weekdays)