Playbook Deep Dive

Strange but true: Bernie's pragmatic turn

Bernie Sanders is behaving a lot like a pragmatist (just don’t say it to
his face). As the Senate Budget chair and a member of Sen. Chuck
Schumer’s leadership team, the 79-year-old progressive is one of the
most powerful people in Washington and finally has the opportunity he’s
been waiting for his whole career: to pass a reconciliation bill with
sweeping social reforms. If successful, the $3.5 trillion bill would be
the biggest ever passed by Congress. The trick: Can he get it past the
members of his own party?

Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Laura Barrón-López is a White House correspondent for POLITICO.
Faiz Shakir is an advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders.
Adrienne Hurst is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.

Read more:  Strange but true: Bernie takes a 'very pragmatic' turn

Welcome to Playbook Deep Dive, the stories behind the power. From Congress and the White House to bar stools and back rooms, POLITICO Playbook’s Ryan Lizza brings you interviews with the most compelling and important figures who explain what’s really going on in Washington.