The Biden Administration

[Puget]

I'm thinking of things like the fact that Trump increased his share of Republican support from 88% to 94%;

This is not at all diagnostic, because a lot of former Republicans who didn't support Trump in 2016 are now independents, so the remaining Republicans are more Trump-y. This has been well documented and reported over the last 4 years. It also misses the fact that a large portion of the American electorate is not registered with either party-- these are the swing voters, not members of the parties.

Look, I'd love a progressive agenda too, but that's simply not in the cards with the probability of the Senate remaining in Republican hands. Politics is the art of the possible. I'd much rather have an administration working with anyone willing to help get us out of the giant hole we're in and re-establish normal functioning of the federal government than one that doesn't do anything in the name of idealism and refusal to compromise.

[Parasaurolophus]

This is not at all diagnostic, because a lot of former Republicans who didn't support Trump in 2016 are now independents, so the remaining Republicans are more Trump-y. This has been well documented and reported over the last 4 years. It also misses the fact that a large portion of the American electorate is not registered with either party-- these are the swing voters, not members of the parties.

I don't disagree that it isn't diagnostic, but when we also consider the rest of it (including the local organizing, which in many states--like Michigan!--happened independently of the campaign's total inaction), I think it's pretty clear that Biden owes his victory to people to his left.

Look, I'd love a progressive agenda too, but that's simply not in the cards with the probability of the Senate remaining in Republican hands. Politics is the art of the possible. I'd much rather have an administration working with anyone willing to help get us out of the giant hole we're in and re-establish normal functioning of the federal government than one that doesn't do anything in the name of idealism and refusal to compromise.

I agree that we're not getting it, but I think we should ask for it (slash demand it). It's because we don't that the centre keeps moving right, and Democrats incrementally enact the Republican agenda rather than one of their own. I'm deeply pessimistic that the 'hole' can be filled in by the same old Democratic tactics.

[kaysixteen]

'Socialism' is but one of the buzz words that is nigh onto meaningless in most American political discourse.   And this is perhaps the problem, namely that ignorance of basic facts, refusal to read serious stuff, learn, jump outside of one's bubble, etc., has led to people not understanding what is in their best interests.   Add the tribal identity politics to this, and this produces a ceiling beyond which the Democrats will have a hard time climbing.

[Parasaurolophus]

Looks like Cedric Richmond will be in charge of liaising between business interests and "climate change activists". Too bad he's shilled for oil and gas his whole congressional career and has voted with Republicans on climate at every opportunity. And rumour has it Ernest Moniz is being tapped for a climate-related cabinet spot. For people who "believe the science", Democrats sure don't act like it.

Nice work, team.

[Hibush]

Looks like Cedric Richmond will be in charge of liaising between business interests and "climate change activists". Too bad he's shilled for oil and gas his whole congressional career and has voted with Republicans on climate at every opportunity. And rumour has it Ernest Moniz is being tapped for a climate-related cabinet spot. For people who "believe the science", Democrats sure don't act like it.

Nice work, team.

Say more about Moniz. I appreciate that he can carry off the look of a 19th century painter while being a physics professor at MIT. Substitantively, I know him mainly for his good work in nuclear disarmament, an area where vigorous diplomacy is needed right now.

[Parasaurolophus]

Looks like Cedric Richmond will be in charge of liaising between business interests and "climate change activists". Too bad he's shilled for oil and gas his whole congressional career and has voted with Republicans on climate at every opportunity. And rumour has it Ernest Moniz is being tapped for a climate-related cabinet spot. For people who "believe the science", Democrats sure don't act like it.

Nice work, team.

Say more about Moniz. I appreciate that he can carry off the look of a 19th century painter while being a physics professor at MIT. Substitantively, I know him mainly for his good work in nuclear disarmament, an area where vigorous diplomacy is needed right now.

He was Obama's secretary of energy, and under his watch US oil and gas production increased exponentially (mainly due to fracking). In fact, he's been a huge cheerleader for fracking, going so far as to say, repeatedly, that it's been good for the environment. He's also been an advisor to BP, GE, and some Saudi oil thing.

To my mind, those ties and that record should disqualify him, especially when there are plenty of other candidates who don't have the same problems with their candidacies. It's hard enough taking Biden (and Democrats) seriously on climate even without all the oil shills.

[Parasaurolophus]

I just saw that Cecilia Muñoz is the immigration advisor on his transition team. That seems like exacty the same sort of move as on climate, since her role in the Obama administration was to defend the family separation policy (among other things). Her Obama-era record is... not good, I'm afraid.

[apl68]

Say more about Moniz. I appreciate that he can carry off the look of a 19th century painter while being a physics professor at MIT.

The name helps.  He sounds like an Impressionist.

[Cheerful]

Possibly Mayor Pete for Ambassador to China?  What do people think?

[Hibush]

Possibly Mayor Pete for Ambassador to China?  What do people think?

It looks like Mayor Pete was not the first choice for Defense, though civilian-control concerns mean that nominee Gen. Austin is not a lock.

We just heard that Marcia Fudge is nominated for HUD, which is more obvious than Agriculture, though many non-farmers were pushing that post for her. Biden went with Vilsack, which is about as traditional as you can get: Iowa, big ag, already served in the post for a long time.

[Parasaurolophus]

Possibly Mayor Pete for Ambassador to China?  What do people think?

I think that there's a new cold war gearing up with China. I think it's entirely unjustifiable, but I think the Biden administration is gunning for it almost as much as Trump & co. were. I think that the role of ambassador to China is a very important one. And I think that, in those circumstances, you need someone with the right language skills, experience, and diplomatic skills to be your ambassador. Buttigieg ticks none of those boxes.

[writingprof]

I know that Biden has to give Buttigieg something.  The guy did drop out and endorse him, and he certainly won't be winning statewide office in Indiana.  It's either a place in the Biden administration or back to the salt mines at McKinsey.  It would be foolish to end the political career of a potential star.  Et cetera. 

Nevertheless, I kind of hope Biden screws him.  Credential Man may not be the worst Democrat, but he's among the most annoying.

[Parasaurolophus]

I know that Biden has to give Buttigieg something.  The guy did drop out and endorse him, and he certainly won't be winning statewide office in Indiana.  It's either a place in the Biden administration or back to the salt mines at McKinsey.  It would be foolish to end the political career of a potential star.  Et cetera. 

Nevertheless, I kind of hope Biden screws him.  Credential Man may not be the worst Democrat, but he's among the most annoying.

Every once in a while, I find we're in agreement. It's disconcerting! :)

[mamselle]

It's being said that Biden is depopulating the House of its Democrats when it still needs that majority to get things done....

    https://thehill.com/homenews/house/529487-biden-picks-leave-democrats-with-slimmest-house-majority-in-modern-history

M.

[Hibush]

Possibly Mayor Pete for Ambassador to China?  What do people think?

I think that there's a new cold war gearing up with China. I think it's entirely unjustifiable, but I think the Biden administration is gunning for it almost as much as Trump & co. were. I think that the role of ambassador to China is a very important one. And I think that, in those circumstances, you need someone with the right language skills, experience, and diplomatic skills to be your ambassador. Buttigieg ticks none of those boxes.

The USTR will have to deal with the trade war with China, which is a substantial part of the relationship mending that needs attention. The nominee, Katherine Tai, appears to have the traits you list. WSJ says "A fluent Mandarin speaker, she was a top lawyer with the U.S. Trade Representative's office on China issues between 2007 and 2014, litigating Washington's disputes against China at the World Trade Organization. She has said China needs to be confronted strongly and strategically.