TRUMP speaks after North Korea nuclear test: N.K. is ‘very hostile and dangerous' to the US -- OBAMA’s letter to TRUMP -- SPOTTED at David Zaslav’s Hamptons party -- KYLE PLOTKIN’s wedding Presented by

Driving the Day

Good Sunday morning. ON TRUMP’S PLATE: A rogue North Korea, which he cannot convince to stop testing deadly weapons. The dual threat of a government shutdown and debt ceiling default, which needs to be solved by the end of the month. America’s fourth-largest city trying to recover from a historic storm, and a Congress that needs to spend billions of dollars to clean it up. A Republican leadership he’s been warring with. A stalled agenda. The nation’s longest war.

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK -- TRUMP’S WEEK: TUESDAY: The president meets with the Big Six on tax reform. The Big Six are Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and NEC Director Gary Cohn. WEDNESDAY: Trump meets with House and Senate leadership, and travels to North Dakota for a tax reform event. THURSDAY: Trump hosts Amir Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait.

SPOTTED -- VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE and SECOND LADY KAREN PENCE at National Community Church on Barracks Row this morning.

PRESIDENT TRUMP also went to church this morning, per the White House pool. He attended St. John's, across from the White House.

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BULLETIN -- NORTH KOREA TESTS HYDROGEN BOMB. NYT’s CHOE SANG-HUN in Seoul: “North Korea carried out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in an extraordinary show of defiance against President Trump on Sunday, saying it had detonated a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile.

“The test, which the North called a ‘complete success,’ was the first to clearly surpass the destructive power of the bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.

“Mr. Trump threatened last month to bring ‘fire and fury’ to North Korea if it continued to threaten the United States with nuclear missiles, but the country and its leader, Kim Jong-un, has appeared unmoved, with the test on Sunday preceded by the launch last week of a ballistic missile over Japan into the north Pacific.” http://nyti.ms/2x2hncr

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP is tweeting this morning warning North Korea about their actions. @realDonaldTrump at 7:30 a.m.: “North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.....” … at 7:39 a.m.: “..North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.” … at 7:46 a.m.: “South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!”

-- WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT from Sarah Huckabee Sanders at 9:14 a.m., per pooler John Bennett of CQ Roll Call: “The National security team is monitoring this closely. The President and his national security team will have a meeting to discuss further later today. We will provide updates as necessary.”

-- Anna Fifield, WaPo Tokyo bureau chief (@annafifield): “The nuclear device that North Korea tested today was almost eight times the size of the American atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima”. … Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ): “Full statement from N. Korea on today’s nuclear test.” http://bit.ly/2wuxcai

MARTHA RADDATZ: speaks with SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TEXAS) on ABC’S “THIS WEEK”: RADDATZ: “We have shows of force. We have sanctions. Nothing seems to work. Do you to think it hurt or helped when President Trump talked about fire and fury? Just a very simple answer. Hurt or help?” CRUZ: “The president speaks in ways that I wouldn’t speak. But that is his prerogative. I do think it helps for North Korea and China to understand that we have a president who is strong. That is beneficial. I will say we're seeing some signs that China may be more helpful than they have in the past with North Korea. Now, I have very little trust that that will continue, but I think the only way we have a chance of it continuing is if it is coming from American strength and not a policy of weakness or appeasement.”

TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN on “FOX NEWS SUNDAY”: “I did speak with the president and it’s clear that this behavior is completely unacceptable. We have already started with sanctions against North Korea but I am going to draft a sanctions package to send to the President for his strong consideration that anybody who wants to do trade or business with them would be prevented from doing trade or business with us. We are going to work with our allies, we will work with China but people need to cut off North Korea economically. This is unacceptable behavior.”

DEPT. OF DIPLOMACY -- “Trump preparing withdrawal from South Korea trade deal, a move opposed by top aides,” by WaPo’s Damian Paletta: “President Trump has instructed advisers to prepare to withdraw the United States from a free-trade agreement with South Korea, several people close to the process said, a move that would stoke economic tensions with the U.S. ally as both countries confront a crisis over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

“Withdrawing from the trade deal would back up Trump’s promises to crack down on what he considers unfair trade competition from other countries, but his top national security and economic advisers are pushing him to abandon the plan, arguing it would hamper U.S. economic growth and strain ties with an important ally. Officials including national security adviser H.R. McMaster, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and National Economic Council director Gary Cohn oppose withdrawal, said people familiar with the process who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal White House deliberations.

“Although it is still possible Trump could decide to stay in the agreement to renegotiate its terms, the internal preparations for terminating the deal are far along, and the formal withdrawal process could begin as soon as this week, the people said.” http://wapo.st/2wvna98

-- “A quick guide to the South Korea free trade deal,” by WaPo’s Amanda Erickson: “Experts say that withdrawing completely would lead to big increases on the tariffs levied against products the United States imports from South Korea. That would mean that all kinds of everyday goods, from Samsung electronics to cellphones and automobiles, would get more expensive. South Korea would probably raise tariffs against U.S. products too, including agriculture products.” http://wapo.st/2gCZzh3

-- NICHOLAS BURNS, longtime diplomat (@RNicholasBurns): “This is no time to lecture South Korea or suspend free trade agreement. Best way to deter North Korea is to stand firmly with Seoul+Tokyo.”

THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM -- “China’s anger at West to overshadow tougher action on North Korea,” by Reuters’ Ben Blanchard and Philip Wen in Beijing: “North Korea’s latest nuclear test is likely to pile more pressure on China to take tough action against its neighbor, but Beijing already doubts economic sanctions will work and says it is not its sole responsibility to rein in Pyongyang. China has lambasted the West and its allies over recent weeks for promoting the ‘China responsibility theory’ for North Korea, and been upset by Seoul and Washington’s own military drills that Beijing says have done nothing to cool tensions.” http://reut.rs/2wymBti

JOHN MCCAIN is attending the Ambrosetti Forum in Lake Como, Italy this week. MCCAIN ON TRUMP, via Time Magazine: “‘I realize that I come to Italy at a time when many are questioning whether America is still committed to remaining engaged in the world, to upholding our traditional alliances, and standing up for the values we share,’ McCain, a Republican and frequent critic of the president, said, according to remarks shared by his staff: ‘I also realize -- and there is no point in avoiding a little straight talk here -- that this doubt has much to do with some of the actions and statements of our President.’” http://ti.me/2x2B2Jr

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THE LATEST ON HARVEY RECOVERY …

-- “In tale of two cities, parts of Houston survived untouched, while others begin flood cleanup,” by L.A. Times’ Matt Pearce, Hailey Branson-Potts in Houston and Anna M. Phillips in Los Angeles: “A week after Hurricane Harvey lashed Texas with record rainfall, President Trump returned to the Lone Star State, as storm survivors began to return to their neighborhoods and stark divisions between those who lost everything to the floodwaters and those who escaped relatively unscathed were on display.

“Parts of west Houston were still reeling on Saturday. In residential neighborhoods near the Addicks Reservoir, which overflowed during the storm, residents relied on boats including canoes and kayaks to run errands and commute to work. Some had power; some didn't. Some of the single- and two-story brick homes remained swamped with several feet of fetid water; others were dry.” http://lat.ms/2x15bZs

-- “AP EXCLUSIVE: Toxic waste sites flooded in Houston area,” by Jason Dearen: “The Associated Press surveyed seven Superfund sites in and around Houston during the flooding. All had been inundated with water, in some cases many feet deep. On Saturday, hours after the AP published its first report, the EPA said it had reviewed aerial imagery confirming that 13 of the 41 Superfund sites in Texas were flooded by Harvey and were ‘experiencing possible damage’ due to the storm.

“The statement confirmed the AP’s reporting that the EPA had not yet been able to physically visit the Houston-area sites, saying the sites had ‘not been accessible by response personnel.’ EPA staff had checked on two Superfund sites in Corpus Christi on Thursday and found no significant damage. AP journalists used a boat to document the condition of one flooded Houston-area Superfund site, but accessed others with a vehicle or on foot. The EPA did not respond to questions about why its personnel had not yet been able to do so.” http://bit.ly/2wy6ewR

SUNDAY BEST -- CHUCK TODD interviews HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER on NBC’S “MEET THE PRESS”: TODD: “I want to ask you about the President’s visit. Helpful?” TURNER: “The President’s visit on yesterday was very positive. The goal for this week for me, we’re going to take it one week at a time, and that’s housing, housing, housing. Checking on people, especially in these communities that don’t necessarily get all of the attention. But, you know, where senior citizens exist, people with disabilities, low income communities, we're checking on them. …

“The other thing this week which is a high priority is debris removal. And every community, every part of this city, was touched by this storm. And so people now are already putting that debris out. And what I said to the president, ‘We need to get that debris removed like yesterday, otherwise we'll have a public safety hazard.’ And so the city’s crews started on Thursday removing the debris. We're working every day. But we need advanced funding. …

“The president was certainly amenable to that. And in fact, he issued a statement that it would be 90% reimbursable in that category. So housing, housing, housing for this week, debris removal this week. And then saying to our businesses and others, ‘Let’s get going. We're in the recovery phase. And so let’s move forward. Open up the businesses. Provide the necessary employment. But let’s get going.’”

-- DANA BASH speaks with TEXAS GOV. GREG ABBOTT on CNN’S “STATE OF THE UNION”: BASH: “You’re saying you believe that the federal government will need to give north of $100 billion?” ABBOTT: “In the overall equation, the cost of this, if I understand it correctly, to rebuild Katrina was over $120 billion. And when you consider the magnitude of the size of this storm, it’s far larger than Katrina, both geographically and population wise. And when you look at the number of homes that have been mowed down and destroyed and damaged this is going to be a huge catastrophe that people need to come to grips with, it’s going to take years for us to overcome this challenge

CLICKER -- “A View Inside the Houston Homes Hit by Hurricane Harvey” – photos by Mike Osborne on NewYorker.com -- 15 pix http://bit.ly/2et8RrE … @WardDPatrick: “As he puts on plastic gloves to serve food at NRG Stadium...President Trump turns to press and says: ‘My hands are too big!’” http://bit.ly/2wvhNqx

NOTHING TO SEE HERE -- “Justice Department: No evidence Obama wiretapped Trump Tower,” by Matt Nussbaum: “There is no evidence to support President Donald Trump's claim that Barack Obama ordered the wiretapping of Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential campaign, the Justice Department said in a new court filing. The DOJ made the statement in a motion for summary judgment filed Friday in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit by the watchdog group American Oversight. ‘Both FBI and NSD confirm that they have no records related to wiretaps as described by the March 4, 2017 tweets,’ the government said, referring to the Justice Department’s National Security Division.” http://politi.co/2gtkMGw

WHAT AMERICA IS READING -- SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: “Spotlight increases on ‘antifa’: Violent protests boot pressure on fluid group” http://bit.ly/2evthAq … NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE: “How could New Orleans handle a storm like Harvey: Scientists are searching for a better way to predict flooding” http://bit.ly/2wxOKkk … CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: “Wall Street players have bought thousands of Charlotte homes” http://bit.ly/2gCxfeE … HOUSTON CHRONICLE: “Trump lifts spirits in Houston” http://bit.ly/2wyLYLO

BUSINESS INSIDER’S NATASHA BERTRAND (@NatashaBertrand): “In which the president’s lawyer [Ty Cobb] writes me at 1:30 a.m. on a Saturday and asks me if I’m on drugs.” http://bit.ly/2ezCgnL

SCOOP -- CNN’s KEVIN LIPTAK got BARACK OBAMA’s inauguration letter to Trump, who “has shown the letter to visitors in the Oval Office or his private White House residence,” according to CNN. “Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure. ... This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we’ve both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It’s up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. … Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. ... And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches. Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.” http://cnn.it/2ezThOO

SPORTS BLINK -- “Howard pulls biggest point-spread upset in college football history,” by ESPN’s David Purdum: “By point-spread standards, Howard pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in modern college football history Saturday night. The Bison, an FCS team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, entered as 45-point road underdogs against UNLV and stunned the Rebels 43-40 in Las Vegas. UNLV paid Howard $600,000 for the appearance. Las Vegas sportsbooks were not offering a money line on the game, but the Bison could be found as 600-1 long shots and even higher at some offshore books.” http://es.pn/2eQOAgdn



Playbook Reads

PHOTO DU JUOR: President Donald Trump lifts up a young girl at a relief center in Houston and gives her a kiss as the first lady Melania Trump smiles. | Susan Walsh/AP Photo

KNOWING REP. JOE KENNEDY -- “The next Kennedy weighs his next move,” by Heather Caygle: “Democrats are in search of new leaders to take on Donald Trump, and Rep. Joe Kennedy could fit the bill. But it's not clear he wants the job. In short order, Kennedy has garnered a loyal grassroots following with a series of viral speeches challenging Trump on everything from health care to hate speech, leading some Democrats to believe he could help fill the party’s leadership vacuum.

“It’s a shift for someone who, despite his famous last name and wavy red mane, has kept a low profile on the national scene since being elected to the House in 2012. Loath to be seen as a political celebrity, the 36-year-old from the outskirts of Boston has put in the work of a relative back-bencher and focused on delivering for his district. … Kennedy has already proven he has the ability to harness his star power, after gaining national prominence for blasting GOP efforts to dismantle Obamacare earlier this year.

“But the key question for Democrats, including the more than two dozen interviewed for this story, is what’s next for the young lawmaker they say is much more than a notable last name? It’s one — to the quiet frustration of several in the party — that Kennedy seems in no hurry to answer.” http://politi.co/2iSJEfb

SNEAK PEEK -- More than 300 pastors and church leaders are sending individualized letters today to Trump urging him to not get rid of DACA and work with Congress to pass legislation for Dreamers. The effort, organized by the Evangelical Immigration Table, comes after hundreds of religious leaders signed onto a letter to Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

VALLEY TALK – “In Silicon Valley, Working 9 to 5 Is for Losers,” by Dan Lyons in the NYT: “Silicon Valley prides itself on ‘thinking different.’ So maybe it makes sense that just as a lot of industries have begun paying more attention to work-life balance, Silicon Valley is taking the opposite approach — and branding workaholism as a desirable lifestyle choice. An entire cottage industry has sprung up there, selling an internet-centric prosperity gospel that says that there is no higher calling than to start your own company, and that to succeed you must be willing to give up everything.

“‘Hustle’ is the word that tech people use to describe this nerd-commando lifestyle. You hear it everywhere. You can buy hustle-themed T-shirts and coffee mugs, with slogans like ‘Dream, hustle, profit, repeat’ and ‘Outgrind, outhustle, outwork everyone.’ You can go to an eight-week ‘start-up hustle’ boot camp. ... You can also attend Hustle Con, a one-day conference where successful ‘hustlers’ share their secrets. Tickets cost around $300 — or you can pay $2,000 to be a ‘V.I.P. hustler.’ This year’s conference, in June, drew 2,800 people, including two dozen who ponied up for V.I.P. passes.” http://nyti.ms/2vVrgUr

BONUS GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman:

– “Desperate Rohingya Flee Myanmar on Trail of Suffering. ‘It Is All Gone,’” by NYT’s Hannah Beech in Rezu Amtali, Bangladesh: “They are tens of thousands of Rohingya, who arrive bearing accounts of massacre at the hands of the Myanmar security forces and allied mobs that started on Aug. 25, after Rohingya militants staged attacks against government forces. The retaliation that followed was carried out in methodical assaults on villages, with helicopters raining down fire on civilians and front-line troops cutting off families’ escape.” http://nyti.ms/2guON91

-- “Sally Quinn’s Next Act,” by Michelle Cottle in Washingtonian: “Three years after Ben Bradlee’s death, she has a memoir about embracing the supernatural. (She’s given up the dark arts, though.)” http://bit.ly/2iNmwyG

-- “The Graduate,” by Nora Ephron in Elle in Nov. 10, 2010: “It was gritty (the deadlines and dollar poker) and glamorous (movie stars and politicos for subjects) and everything I’d been longing for—to begin my life in New York as a journalist.” http://bit.ly/1T41jqa (h/t Longform.org)

-- “Reflections of an Accidental Florist,” by Althea Fann in Longreads: “When a painter stumbles into a floral career, she sees the ugly truth behind a colorful, fragrant industry.” http://bit.ly/2eLSxCM

-- “A Beating in Berkeley,” by The Weekly Standard’s Matt Labash: “Antifa mayhem and malice in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park.” http://tws.io/2eOtW0j

-- “Ken Burns’s American Canon,” by The New Yorker’s Ian Parker: “Even in a fractious era, the filmmaker still believes that his documentaries can bring every viewer in.” http://bit.ly/2gzdUuW

-- “Jenji Kohan’s Hot Provocations,” by The New Yorker’s Emily Nussbaum: “The creator of ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Weeds’ wants her shows to break viewers out of their bubbles.” http://bit.ly/2wtumm9

-- “Fairouz in Exile,” by Matthew McNaught in n+1 magazine: “How hellish could it be after the horrors of Syria? Until Ahmad got to Germany, he could never fathom the warnings from these lucky Syrians in Europe.” http://bit.ly/2vxYMVr (h/t Longform.org)

-- “Reality TV’s Wildest Disaster,” by Sam Knight in The New Yorker: “‘Eden’ aspired to remake society altogether. What could go wrong?” http://bit.ly/2esWtrC

-- “Writer’s Seat,” by The Weekly Standard’s Andrew Ferguson: “A walk through the home that inspired E. B. White’s essays and stories.” http://tws.io/2ePFtwb

-- “This Tiny Country Feeds the World,” by Frank Viviano in the September NatGeo: “The Netherlands has become an agricultural giant by showing what the future of farming could look like.” http://on.natgeo.com/2iOWivE

-- “Where gridlock kills,” by Mindy Belz in World magazine: “Victims of ISIS face a fast-closing window of opportunity in Iraq, their prospects dimmed by politicking and paralysis gripping Republican leaders in Washington.” http://bit.ly/2gACnjA

-- “Off With Her Head,” by Yashar Ali in NY Mag: “Kathy Griffin lost jobs, money, and friends after releasing a provocative image of President Trump. But the comedian refuses to bend the knee.” http://bit.ly/2wYdd5g

-- “What’s Really Behind the Civil War to End Harvard’s Fraternities?” by John Sedgwick in September’s Vanity Fair: “Breaking with centuries-old tradition, Harvard is moving to eliminate its all-male final clubs, charging that the Porcellian, A.D., Fox, Fly, and other high-end frats are bastions of patriarchal privilege, fomenters of sexual misconduct, and antithetical to its values. Is any of that true? An alumnus considers the legal, moral, and logical flaws in the college’s crusade.” http://bit.ly/2gpHWgX

Playbookers

SPOTTED: David Petraeus at the Lee Barber Shop in Arlington Saturday. “‘Did anybody ever tell you that you look like General Petraeus?’ [a starstruck young army major] asks the guy with lather on his sideburns and neck. ‘I get that a lot,’ the retired four-star replies, smiling, as the truth dawns on the younger man. Seeming to gather his nerve, the major asks if he could get a photo with the former military headliner (and CIA director). ‘I’d be honored,’ Petraeus replies, posing as soon as he’s cleaned up.” ...

... Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.) at ESPN College Gameday last night in Atlanta for Alabama’s game against Florida State ... Carl Cameron at Daily Grill on Wisconsin Avenue on Saturday morning ... Jonathan Capehart walking on M Street with several shopping bags mid-day Saturday as it lightly rained

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE HAMPTONS – Pool report: “A meticulously sculpted sand castle, made of real sand and about 8 feet tall and also a rival to King’s Landing, was one of the standout memorables of Discovery Communications CEO David and Pam Zaslav’s big East Hampton gathering with a surprise, everyone on his or her feet performance by the legendary Diana Ross. Yes, she gave a spectacular encore. And yes, there was a massive ‘shark cake’ at the entrance to commemorate Discovery’s ‘Shark Week.’ … There was a huge oyster bar and designer tequilas.” Pics -- Ross http://bit.ly/2vW1EH3 … The shark cake http://bit.ly/2x2CATQ … The sand castle http://bit.ly/2gBm31T

SPOTTED: Jeff Zucker, Alec Baldwin, Don Lemon, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Iris Weinshall, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee, Andy Lack, Steve Clemons, Chris Licht, Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, Kyle MacLachlan, Lloyd Blankfein, Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue, Dan Loeb, Arianna Huffington, Nancy and Paul Pelosi, Alexandra Pelosi, Margaret Carlson, Liz Robbins, Leslie Moonves, Katie Couric and John Molner, Marcy Simon, Rita Braver, George Stephanopoulos, Savannah Guthrie and Mike Feldman, Mark Hoffman, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Gayle King, Joe Kernan, Lorne Michaels, Jonathan Wald, Mark and Sally Ein, Ken Auletta, Baruch Shemtov, Robert Zimmerman, Ken Lehrer and Carl Bernstein.

TRANSITIONS -- Jordan Vaughn has been named as the senior director of regional philanthropy at the Future Project. He was the finance director for the DNC’s African American Leadership Council.

WEEKEND WEDDINGS -- Purple Strategies’ Kyle Plotkin, former chief of staff for then-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, on Saturday married Sara Cambon, who works for Charlie Spies at Clark Hill. The ceremony was at Christ Church in Alexandria, and the reception was held at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington. Pool report: “Kyle met Sara working in the governor’s office in Baton Rouge. Sara is the daughter of Paul and Susan Cambon, Paul is of the Livingston Group and Jones Walker. A large Louisiana contingent was present. A second line parade brought guests from cocktail hour to the reception. Father of the Bride Paul Cambon took to all fours on the dance floor in New Orleans tradition and danced as a bulldog. Guests were pleased the LSU Tigers won their opening night college football game as the night was wrapping up.” Pic http://bit.ly/2euXKPb

SPOTTED: Former Gov. Bobby Jindal and his wife Supriya Jolly Jindal, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), Bob Livingston, Rory Cooper, Shannon Dirmann, Taylor Teepell, Bradley Engle, Curt Anderson, Stephen Moret, Calder Lynch, Stafford Palmieri, Mike Reed, and Sally Canfield.

OBAMA ALUMNI -- Josh Brown, president of political consulting firm DP Strategies Group and an Obama 2008, Brad Schneider and Jack Evans alum, on Saturday married Alexa Wertman, federal human capital consultant at Deloitte and an at large elected Democratic Committeewoman in DC. The ceremony and reception were at the Mayflower Hotel. The couple met at GW. Pics by Brooke Tyson Photography http://bit.ly/2euXvDL ... http://bit.ly/2ev3W9A

SPOTTED: Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), who signed their ketubah. He was later seen on the dance floor. Also spotted: Geoff Middleberg, Jeremy Iloulian and Sarah Schanz, Nicole Mann, Jaime Alonso, Thomas Bowman.

BIRTHDAYS: CNN’s Brian Stelter (hat tip: Oliver Darcy) ... Rick Perlstein ... Shawn Sachs, CEO of Sunshine Sachs … John Mercurio, managing director of Purple Strategies … Politico’s Carly Sandstrom and Todd Lindeman … Kim Rubey, head of global comms and strategic engagement at Airbnb ... John Zogby ... Time’s Edward Felsenthal ... CBS News’ Erica Brown ... Sarah Curran ... Lucia Alonzo, director at Podesta Group ... WSJ’s Kristina Peterson ... Mari Manoogian, who’s a Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Reps. (h/t sister Alis) ... Jonathan Silver, clean energy investor and managing director at Tax Equity Advisors and former Obama staffer ... Rita Hite, EVP at the American Forest Foundation (h/ts Jon Haber) ... Dominic K. Hawkins, associate at SKDKnickerbocker ... Gary Zaetz ... Graeme Crews, comms associate at the Southern Poverty Law Center … NBC News’ Adam Reiss ... Tiffany Waddell ... John C. Cleveland ...

... Alex McConnell ... Samuel Lea ... Hillary Allen ... John McDonald ... Mara Stark-Alcala ... former Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.), now a senior policy adviser at Holland & Knight ... former Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.) ... Thomas Caballero ... Joshua Gross ... Flin Hyre ... Kathi Wise ... Jon Corley ... Bob Simmons ... Caroline Lehman ... Niki Grant ... former Rep. Michael Huffington (R-Calif.) ... Jayne Visser ... Lois Kimmel ... Jim Gilio ... Melinda Warner ... Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call columnist ... Liz Hitchcock ... AFSCME’s Tiffany Ricci ... Mohammad Naeem Sidhu ... Scott Horwitz … Mary Moffitt … Joshua Morin … Sophie Pink … Adam Ezring … Doug Herman (h/ts Teresa Vilmain)

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Follow us on Twitter Anna Palmer @apalmerdc



Jake Sherman @JakeSherman