THE LEDE

We just finished the first day of public impeachment hearings on Capitol Hill, and while this newsletter is supposed to be focused on the 2020 election, that’s the center of the political universe and of my attention. So I roped one of the key Democrats on the Intel committee into texting with me, below.

But even as all eyes look toward Washington, the plates are shifting in Iowa and other places the Democrats’ future is being decided. Here are two things to watch:

The Biden Line: The Iowa caucuses in early February are where we really learn who is in the race for president, and one of the wisest observers of Democratic primary politics made the following prediction to me this week: That the only candidates who survive Iowa will be the ones who beat Joe Biden, who is slowly sliding in the polls and who seems on track to make it his Waterloo. According to this prediction, the candidates above the Biden Line will advance to New Hampshire with a chance at victory. (Biden himself, in his theory, is right below the line.)

Mike’s Money: As Mike Bloomberg contemplates running for president, there are two key things to understand about his money. The first is that it’s effectively unlimited. He’s the new kind of rich — not Upper East Side society rich, not even wildly successful Tom Steyer rich. He could drop triple the amount of Steyer’s net worth into a political campaign without feeling it.

The second is that Bloomberg won’t just (or even primarily) buy TV ads. Mike has always bought people too. An old colleague of mine in New York’s City Hall once told me that Bloomberg “reversed the flow of corruption.” In his New York, the mayor bribed you. If he runs, expect a wild array of progressive people and groups — the ones he’s funded for years, and the ones he just hired to do...not that much — to intensely, inexplicably, really, really like the guy.

READ RECEIPTS

TEXTING WITH JIM HIMES

Jim Himes is a six-term member of Congress from Connecticut’s prosperous southern coast, and a senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. He went a bit viral last week with an appearance on Meet The Press, where he yelled about Rand Paul and false equivalency and urged Democrats to keep it simple — just call it “corruption,” not a quid pro quo. On Wednesday during the hearing, he focused on that message: that Trump was engaged in “corruption.” We texted just after the hearing concluded.

BEN SMITH: Congressman - Ben Smith from BuzzFeed here. Thanks for doing this text interview on a busy day. And when you’re ready, can you send me a selfies and tell me where you are right now? JIM HIMES: Finished soon. Ready. BEN SMITH: Ok to begin - can you send over a selfie and tell me where you are right now?

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Selfie of Jim Himes JIM HIMES: Back in office. BEN SMITH: You spent today in the hearing room. What do you think people who watched on TV might have missed. JIM HIMES: There was a lot of tension behind the dais on both sides. We had an idea what the witnesses would say, but there are always surprises. We also didn’t know what to expect from the Republicans. Would we hear Matt Gantz or Mike Conaway?

BEN SMITH: What did you think was the most significant moment? JIM HIMES:The revelation of Ambassador Sondland’s overheard call with the President was news to all of us. And then to hear both witnesses, who exude credibility and patriotism, say that the President’s whole effort to get the Ukrainians to investigate Biden was deeply damaging to Ukrainians and to our national interest was sobering. BEN SMITH: Do you worry -- as this guy does -- that the witnesses care too much about Ukraine?

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Tweet from @BH_Friedman reading, “I wish Ambassador Taylor didn’t frame his problem with trading aid to Ukraine for dirt on Biden largely as a betrayal of our sacred duty to defend Ukraine. You can be against giving lethal aid to Ukraine and against extorting it for campaign help.”

JIM HIMES: You have to care about Ukraine. They are being attacked as we speak. Ukrainians are dying at the hands of the Russians as we speak. But these guys are patriots. Yes they care about Ukraine, but they really care about advancing American interests and values: openness, clean government, stability for an ally. Everything Trump and Giuliani did works against those things. But yes, there’s a perfectly fair debate about HOW we help Ukraine. BEN SMITH: Do you think Republicans are right in saying people should be skeeved our by Hunter Biden’s board seat?

JIM HIMES: I think there’s an important discussion to be had about the kids of powerful people getting involved in these sorts of things. I’d like to talk more about that. And of course, invite Don Jr, Eric, Ivanka and Jared to that discussion. BEN SMITH: Has Lev Parnas turned over any documents yet, or made plans to be interviewed? JIM HIMES: I’m unaware of what Parnas has Produced. There are some challenges since he’s being charged with crimes. BEN SMITH: And finally: True or false:

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Tweet by @MiriamElder reading, “This congressman has absolutely practiced taking his glasses off dramatically in front of a mirror.”

JIM HIMES: Ha! I actually got harshly criticized by my beekeeping mentor for poor glasses management. I need to sic Miriam on him. BEN SMITH: Your beekeeping mentor?? Is that typo?

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Exchange between Congressman Himes and Beekeeping Mentor reading: Beekeeping Mentor: Brilliant. Voice of reason. We need to talk about the glasses. Jim Himes: Thank you. You don’t like the glasses??? Or my chewing on them??? Beekeeping Mentor: Glasses good. On off, on off not so good. Make the point when you take them off. Make another point when you have to put them back on. Comes across great!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Picture of oodles of jars of honey. JIM HIMES: MY 2019 honey production. BEN SMITH: What lessons from beekeeping are you taking to the impeachment process?

JIM HIMES: Take it seriously, be cool and be true, or they will sting your ass. BEN SMITH: Thanks for doing this congressman. JIM HIMES: Thanks you. Bee well. *bee emoji*

ON THE TRAIL WITH BUZZFEED NEWS

Deval Patrick is jumping into the 2020 race, Darren reports. A bit late!

Nidhi went to Florida to talk about the shady characters who have found themselves in the center of the impeachment story — and found that everyone in Florida politics assumes you’re wearing a wire for the feds.

From Zahra: Elizabeth Warren wants to punish companies like Exxon for lying to federal agencies.

Kadia interviewed Rep. Pete King a few days after he announced his retirement, who says he’s voted against impeachment once and he’s planning on doing so again.