Playbook this AM:

HERE’S AN AMAZING FACTOID almost 2 weeks into the Covid relief talks: The 2 sides have not resolved a single issue. Let us say this another way: @SpeakerPelosi and @SenSchumer have not come to complete agreement on anything with @MarkMeadows & @stevenmnuchin1

THERE’S AN AXIOM in legislative politics that we oftentimes chuckle about: Nothing’s agreed to until everything is agreed to. That’s fair.

IN THIS CASE, nothing is agreed to because many of the main power centers have been unbending in these talks, and are particularly convinced of the wisdom of their arguments and positions:

-- DEMOCRATS are the only ones who have passed a bill, and they haven’t really moved an inch from there. In truth, they seem to be waiting for Republicans to fold.

Ds involved in the process believe that the pressure of the flex -- where vulnerable R sens are nervous about getting creamed -- will get to Rs. They may not be wrong. @JohnCornyn, who is up comfortably in his race, suggested Monday the Senate should cancel the August recess.

-- MEADOWS is tired with these negotiations, & seems to be ready for progress, or an escape hatch. HE IS GIVING THESE TALKS ANOTHER 24 HOURS, & then will try for a series of exec actions to solve some of the problems on the table -- &, politically, claim unitary credit for TRUMP

-- MNUCHIN, though, wants a deal, and is staunchly against executive actions -- putting him in conflict with MEADOWS. He has cut two deals with Democrats, so he has some experience in these formats, and wants to keep talking.

IN THE MTG MONDAY, SCHUMER ribbed the GOP pair. SCHUMER turned to MNUCHIN & said: You’re supposed to be a good influence on MEADOWS, he’s not supposed to be a bad influence on you. In other words, the MNUCHIN that cut deals with Democrats is being tempered by the conservative COS