For Republicans, Festivus comes early this year. In fact, it starts
today at 4:30 p.m.

That’s when House Republicans kick off their candidate forum for
leadership positions next Congress — the first formal event in what is
expected to be a weeklong, party-wide Airing of Grievances following
Republicans’ abysmal Election Day performance. 

Plus Mitch McConnell, we hear, is confident of his own reelection as
leader — even as he faces mounting pushback from Trump allies in the
chamber. On Sunday night, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) became the latest
Republican to back a delay of Wednesday’s scheduled leadership elections
— citing the Dec. 6 Georgia runoff.

And Trump’s scheduled Tuesday campaign announcement is still moving full
steam ahead despite fellow Republicans begging him to hold off in light
of the pending Georgia contest.

GOP drama aside, Speaker Nancy Pelosi might actually be the pivotal
character of the week. With control of the House still in the balance,
House Democrats have been left twiddling their thumbs as they await a
long-anticipated retirement announcement — or news that she plans to
seek another term as leader.

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Raghu Manavalan is the Host of POLITICO's Playbook Daily Briefing.
Jenny Ament is the Executive Producer of POLITICO Audio.