memeorandum: Democrats Being Democrats — On Friday, House Democrats shocked … (Paul Krugman/New York Times)

9:20 AM ET, June 15, 2015

Top Items:

Jeb Bush's smooth money machine — He's rarely taken more than a day or two off from the money chase. — Jeb Bush's laser focus on fundraising has sent him crisscrossing the country over the past six months to headline roughly 70 money events as he tries to smash existing presidential campaign records.

Discussion: Bloomberg Business and Political Wire

Margaret Talev / Bloomberg Business:

For Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, It's Time to Get Serious — With Republican Jeb Bush's official campaign kickoff from Miami, two days after Democrat Hillary Clinton's first major stump speech from New York, the two marquee legacy names of the 2016 presidential race are in it now, for real.

Discussion: Politico

Eli Stokols / Politico:

In crowded field, Bush runs as the grown-up candidate — While his brand of conservatism has fallen out of favor, Bush's maturity and policy savvy have not. — MIAMI — Jeb Bush isn't a fresh face. The conservative base isn't enamored of him. And his family name isn't necessarily an asset.

New York Times:

Jeb Bush to Declare Presidential Run, Playing Down His Surname — MIAMI — Nearly 27 years after his father was elected president, molding a political dynasty that would propel one son into a governor's office and another into the White House, Jeb Bush plans to declare his own bid for the presidency here on Monday.

Discussion: Reuters, The Week, Washington Post and Fox News

Karen Tumulty / Washington Post:
How a devastating loss in Florida taught Jeb Bush what it takes to win

Discussion: Politico, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Balloon Juice, New York Times and Bloomberg Business

Paul Krugman / New York Times:

Democrats Being Democrats — On Friday, House Democrats shocked almost everyone by rejecting key provisions needed to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement the White House wants but much of the party doesn't. On Saturday Hillary Clinton formally began her campaign for president …

Discussion: Reuters, Washington Post, Vox, Democratic Strategist and Bloomberg Business

Peter Baker / New York Times:

The Trans-Pacific Partnership and a President's Legacy — WASHINGTON — For more than six years, the short walk from the Oval Office downstairs to the Situation Room has all too often meant bad news or grim choices. Whether it was war in the Middle East, Russian aggression in Ukraine …

Discussion: Wall Street Journal, Politico, Washington Post and Political Wire

Eleanor Clift / The Daily Beast:

Bernie Sanders Is Building an Army to Take D.C. — It'll take an army to change Washington, says the insurgent senator—and with the crowds he's been drawing, he just might be building one. — Bernie Sanders is mad as hell and he's not going to take it anymore. That's why he's running for president.

Reid Wilson / Morning Consult:
Clinton Leads in Early States, But Sanders Popular in New Hampshire

Discussion: Mediaite and Weekly Standard

Mark Hensch / The Hill:
Sanders: ‘The good side won’ on trade

Discussion: Washington Monthly

Rachael Bade / Politico:

Clinton confidant set for private Benghazi grilling — House GOP Benghazi investigators will face off with a combative confidant of Hillary Clinton this week in a closed-door interrogation session — one of the biggest moments for a Benghazi probe that continues to dog the Democratic presidential front-runner.

Discussion: Political Wire

Cory Bennett / The Hill:
Clinton: I never saw Hillary ‘study a list of my contributors’

Discussion: Political Wire, Bloomberg Business and Yahoo Politics

Byron York / Washington Examiner:
Hillary Clinton, the fightingest fighter in the fight

Discussion: National Review, Betsy's Page, Moe Lane and Hot Air

Dylan StablefordSenior / Yahoo Politics:
Hillary Clinton's rivals dig in day after campaign kickoff

Discussion: ABC News, Bloomberg Business, The Moderate Voice, Vox, BREITBART.COM and Politico

Olivia Nuzzi / The Daily Beast: Welcome to Hillary Island, a Pleasant Little Police State

Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis:

Statement from Archbishop Nienstedt Regarding the Future of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis — From Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis — In order to give the Archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we face …

Discussion: USA Today, Washington Post, KARE-TV, Guardian, New York Times, The American Conservative, Towleroad News #gay and The Week

Michael Goodwin / New York Post:

Obama, Cuomo and de Blasio: The 3 stooges of the apocalypse — In conversations about politics and the world, I often find myself saying, “I wish there was more good news to write about.” I mean it. — While there are many joyous personal moments to savor, society outside the front door is coming apart.

James Hibberd / EW.com:

GAME OF THRONES STAR ON THAT SHOCKING DEATH: 'I'M NOT COMING BACK' — Warning: This story contains a major spoiler about the Game of Thrones season 5 finale. — Et tu, Ollly? The story of Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell, came to a heartbreaking and apparent conclusion on Sunday night's Game of Thrones fifth season finale.

Discussion: The Huffington Post, The Week, Slantpoint, Mashable, Deadline and Just Jared

Manu Raju / Politico:

Can Schumer and McConnell just get along? — There's been bad blood in the past, but they're both deal-makers at heart. This much is certain: The next president has a lot riding on their relationship. — Getty — Mitch McConnell remembers Chuck Schumer's role during his contentious 2008 campaign like it was yesterday.