House GOP discusses Obamacare replacement ideas — but doesn’t call them a plan; Trump says ‘I inherited a mess,’ blasts media and detractors at combative news conference; Trump downplays possibility of a New York billionaire reviewing U.S. spy agencies; ‘They friends of yours?’: Trump asks black reporter to set up meeting with Black Caucus; Mitch McConnell likes what President Trump is doing — but not what he’s tweeting; Trump pick for ambassador to Israel has contentious Senate audition; Ellison tells DNC members that DNC chair rival is trying to skew race; New progressive PACs warn Democrats to oppose Trump — or get primaried; Now you can track precisely how well President Trump is doing, in real time; Hiring freeze could add to government’s risk, GAO chief warns; Trump Supreme Court nominee’s confirmation hearings to begin March 20;   Politics happens fast. Catch up.   Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Cummings: ‘No idea why President Trump would make up a story about me like he did today’ The Democratic congressman from Baltimore emphatically denied he canceled a meeting with President Trump for political reasons. By Jenna Portnoy  •  Maryland Politics  •  Read more » House GOP discusses Obamacare replacement ideas — but doesn’t call them a plan A highly anticipated conference meeting lays out options, but tough decisions lie ahead for Republican leaders determined to replace the Affordable Care Act. By Mike DeBonis and Kelsey Snell  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Trump says ‘I inherited a mess,’ blasts media and detractors at combative news conference For one hour and 17 minutes, the president offered the verbal equivalent of the brash and impetuous early morning tweets that have become the alarm clock for much of Washington. By Ashley Parker  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   Trump downplays possibility of a New York billionaire reviewing U.S. spy agencies Stephen Feinberg has been a major donor to Republican candidates and has served on Trump’s economic advisory council. His prospective mission: Find the leakers. By John Wagner and Renae Merle  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   ‘They friends of yours?’: Trump asks black reporter to set up meeting with Black Caucus The president also told a Jewish reporter to listen to Netanyahu when asked about anti-Semitic attacks. By Philip Bump  •  Read more »   Mitch McConnell likes what President Trump is doing — but not what he’s tweeting The Senate majority leader’s job right now is to hold the GOP together. In an interview, he said he retains hope that Trump’s public proclamations will not sideline the party’s policy priorities. By Sean Sullivan and Paul Kane  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Trump pick for ambassador to Israel has contentious Senate audition David Friedman sought to assure skeptical senators that he can be fair-minded despite previous public statements doubting a Palestinian state and supporting Jewish home building in the West Bank. By Anne Gearan and Karoun Demirjian  •  Post Politics  •  Read more »   Ellison tells DNC members that DNC chair rival is trying to skew race "You received a voicemail, email and a text message trying to make the race sound like it is over,” Ellison said in a letter. By David Weigel  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   New progressive PACs warn Democrats to oppose Trump — or get primaried The progressive PACs want Democrats to fight the president everywhere they can. By David Weigel  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Now you can track precisely how well President Trump is doing, in real time If Trump wants to tie his job performance to the Dow, so be it. By Philip Bump  •  Read more »   Hiring freeze could add to government’s risk, GAO chief warns Hiring freeze could worsen "skills gaps" already hampering some federal government operations, House hearing told. By Eric Yoder  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Trump Supreme Court nominee’s confirmation hearings to begin March 20 Judge Neil Gorsuch will appear before lawmakers in a critical series of appearances. By Sean Sullivan  •  PowerPost  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   Fact Checker Count the pinocchios. A weekly review of what's true, false or in-between. Sign Up »         Share Politics P.M.:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you are signed up for Politics. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2017 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071