The Stakes 2020: Texts with Eric Swalwell and the real start of the Iowa primary

THE LEDE

This weekend marks the moment when the Democratic primary campaign traditionally gets real: the Liberty and Justice dinner in Iowa (formerly known as the Jefferson–Jackson dinner), the event at which Barack Obama in 2008 began the surge that made him president. Will the dinner, and the traditional Iowa campaign, make the same difference in this strange, Trumpy year?

The Political Stakes: That’s what Ruby Cramer and I were texting about over the weekend. She’s covering the Democrats for us from, increasingly, Iowa, and I was surprised to find what they're not talking about:

The candidates, Ruby reports, are barely mentioning impeachment, and it's just “not part of the conversation out here.” Maybe that means we’ll see unexpected developments from a totally separate local campaign — like the old days! Or maybe it means the campaign isn't relevant right now, and voters will tune back in come January.

But I’m not in Iowa and am obsessed with the huge story that is impeachment. If you want to keep a handle on it without losing your mind, subscribe to our short, smart, and funny new podcast, Impeachment Today (subscribe on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.)

The Policy Stakes: Twitter announced yesterday it’s not taking political ads, a move whose main immediate consequence is raising the pressure on Facebook to do the same. And keep in mind, these decisions probably won't affect both parties equally: Facebook is where Trump’s mass communications operation lives, and a ban would be a huge blow to him — as well, perhaps, it would be a good test of whether Facebook ads really were that important to his 2016 victory.

READ RECEIPTS

Texting with Eric Swalwell

I texted yesterday with Eric Swalwell, a Bay Area lawmaker and former prosecutor. He’s also a short-lived presidential candidate who serves on the House Intelligence Committee now leading the impeachment inquiry. Swalwell texted with me between long periods in the secure meeting room (SCIF) where the inquiry is being held. (One of the texts arrived just as his face popped up on CNN.)

ON THE TRAIL WITH BUZZFEED NEWS

Kamala Harris told Molly that Rep. Katie Hill was a victim of “cyber exploitation.”

Darren reported from the funeral of Rep. Elijah Cummings, where Trump was never mentioned but his fights with the late lawmaker loomed large over the event.

Darren got the scoop on a slate of endorsements from Rep. Ayanna Pressley in Massachusetts.

Trump allies attacked a decorated war veteran who had flagged Trump’s call with Ukraine, but that was a bridge too far for even House Republicans, Addy writes.

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