Morning Must Reads: September 29

Jeb Bush is releasing his energy plan Tuesday, calling for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline as well as new drilling off the coast of Alaska—or wherever local and tribal authorities would like. Bush’s plan would also lift export restrictions on crude oil and natural gas and reduce regulations on controversial practices like hydraulic fracturing. Bush continues to roll out policy plans weekly, but his focus on substance hasn’t been rewarded with voters, who continue to be drawn in polls to more enthusiastic and outsider campaigns.

The Clintons are together resurrecting their decades-long protestations of a “vast right-wing conspiracy” to take them down, as the former president prepares to take on a larger role in his wife’s presidential campaign. The warnings are a call to arms to Clinton’s most die-hard supporters to join the fight—a reflection of her weakened position within her own party— but recall the drama of the 1990s for many of the independent voters they will need to win next November.

Ted Cruz is dealt a blow by his own party. Bobby Jindal still has the crucial Duck Dynasty vote. And what one member of Congress owes for stealing the Pope’s water glass.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama Debate Syria’s Fate At United Nations
TIME’s Mark Thompson reports on their showdown at the UN

Clinton Endorsement Divides Teachers Union
State officials and rank-and-file members plan to protest upcoming vote to endorse Hillary Clinton [Politico]

Bill Clinton Revives an Old Conspiracy Tale as He Prepares to Hit the Trail
The Clintons reawaken the ‘vast right-wing conspiracy’ claims [Washington Post]

Poll Shows Risks for GOP; Clinton Support Wanes
Troubles for both parties in new NBC/Wall Street Journal survey [Wall Street Journal]

Cruz Sternly Rebuked by GOP
Denied routine procedural courtesy by frustrated members of his own party [Politico]

Sound Off

“That kind of rhetoric is deeply insulting, whether it comes from Jeb Bush or Mitt Romney or Donald Trump.” — Hillary Clinton on Jeb Bush’s comments last week about black voters and “free stuff.”

“Willie obviously admires Trump’s business acumen. But he’s for Bobby for president.” — Bobby Jindal’s spokesman Kyle Plotkin rejecting rumors that the Duck Dynasty clan was abandoning its endorsement for Donald Trump

Bits and Bites

Michelle Obama Tells Stephen Colbert What She Most Wants to Do When She Leaves the White House [TIME]

Hillary Clinton Says President Obama’s Syria Policy ‘Hasn’t Worked’ [TIME]

Donald Trump Announces Tax Reform Plan [TIME]

Liberal Feminists Ponder Friends, Foes and Carly Fiorina [New York Times]

Trump Plan Is Tax Cut for the Rich, Even Hedge Fund Managers [The Upshot]

Where Did Jeb Bush Lose Support? Everywhere – WSJ/NBC Poll [Wall Street Journal]

Mitch McConnell’s New Challenge [Wall Street Journal]

Donald Trump Will Appear on Fox Again After All [New York Times]

Four Pinocchios for Trump Claim Tax plan Would Cost Him [Washington Post]

Congressman Owes $3.94 for Swiping Pope Francis’ Water Glass [Washington Post]