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Hey there, Playbook listeners.

I'm Rugu Monovalin.

A DeSantis pack staffs up plus what to expect during tonight's State of the Union address.

Here's what we're watching on Tuesday, February 7th.

Two news stories offer further evidence that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is moving deliberately

toward a run for the Republican presidential nomination. Peter Hamby from Puck reports

that two well-regarded GOP consultants, Phil Cox, and Liesel Hickey, have been staffing up for what

appears to be a DeSantis-Blessed Superback,

and Politico's.

Gary find out reports from Tallahassee that GOP lawmakers are helping the governor tie up some loose ends,

taking steps to undercut or next legal challenges against some of DeSantis's signature programs and helping him resolve a year-long

feud with Disney.

Mel Zanona from CNN reports that the House Ethics Committee has begun questioning staffers

for Representative George Santos.

That's per a senior GOP source.

Zanona says that it's a sign that the committee is looking into some of the allegations

against Santos, though it doesn't necessarily mean a formal investigation has been launched

yet.

Tonight's address comes just weeks before Biden is expected to announce his re-election campaign.

Soffening inflation, persistent growth, and record low unemployment have given him a strong economic record to sell, even as he suddenly finds himself battling Republicans on a new front over his willingness to confront China.

But we're told not to expect a red meat campaign-style speech.

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