Bernie Sanders makes a play for Biden Labor secretary

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

The Vermont senator is interested in joining Joe Biden's Cabinet, should his former primary rival defeat President Donald Trump.

By ALICE MIRANDA OLLSTEIN, MEGAN CASSELLA and HOLLY OTTERBEIN

10/22/2020 05:00 PM EDT

Sen. Bernie Sanders is hoping to be a part of Joe Biden’s potential administration and has expressed a particular interest in becoming Labor secretary, two people familiar with the conversations tell POLITICO.

“I can confirm he's trying to figure out how to land that role or something like it,” said one person close to the Vermont senator. “He, personally, does have an interest in it.”

Sanders on Wednesday declined to confirm or deny that he’s putting his name forward for the position.

“Right now I am focused on seeing that Biden is elected president,” he told POLITICO. “That’s what my main focus is.”

snip

more at link

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. He'd be a great candidate for the post. Nt

[still_one]

2. If Sanders really wants to help Biden win, he would stand back until after the election

[DrToast]

5. And that's exactly what he did

Sanders on Wednesday declined to confirm or deny that he’s putting his name forward for the position.

“Right now I am focused on seeing that Biden is elected president,” he told POLITICO. “That’s what my main focus is.”

[still_one]

9. My question is where did Politico come up with this story then?

[octoberlib]

11. He leaked it.

[still_one]

15. Somebody did

[Demsrule86]

33. Causing trouble as usual.

[TwilightZone]

14. The story didn't pop up out of thin air.

I suspect he or someone on his staff leaked it.

[George II]

41. This isn't "standing back until after the election"....

It was recorded just a day or two ago:

Link to tweet

[relayerbob]

16. Actually, he'd do actual campaigning and supporting Biden's platform

rather than his own

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. No, we can't spare any senators.

[DrToast]

6. What are the rules for his seat?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. Special election.

https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/17/053

[still_one]

17. Besides being premature in his aspirations, that point is the most important, thanks

[Demsrule86]

22. No can do...Vermont has a GOP governor.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. Vermont requires a special election; the governor doesn't appoint a new senator.

Even so, there would be a risk that a Dem might not win the special election.

[Demsrule86]

31. No guarantee a Democratic would win...can't take the risk.

There is a GOP governor. Great minds think alike?

[bullimiami]

4. Three thumbs up for me as well.

[Tribetime]

7. 😁 Sounds good to me

[tman]

8. If Biden were smart, he would embrace this.

[Cha]

12. Biden Is "Smart".. but that doesn't mean

he has to "embrace" this.

[Demsrule86]

23. Nope. We are trying for seats in red or purple states. Sen. Sanders can't help with that.

[qazplm135]

13. I doubt it

big drop off in his power to go from Senator in a Dem controlled Senate where he will be a chairperson to Labor Secretary.

[Laelth]

18. At this point, I would be giving "The Bern" whatever he wanted.

Secretary of Labor would be fine if that’s what he wants. He has proven to be a good team-player this year, and he deserves to be rewarded by the Biden Administration.

Both my daughters are voting for Biden while holding their noses. Both voted for Bernie in the primaries, as did I. The least the party can do is give him a prominent role in shaping our new, 2021, Democratic future if he wants it.

-Laelth

[Demsrule86]

25. Vermont has a GOP governor.

[Laelth]

30. That's an issue, I admit. n/t

-Laelth

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

32. Vermont requires a special election; the governor doesn't appoint a new senator.

[betsuni]

38. Voting for a Democrat while "holding their noses"? WTF.

[George II]

20. There as also this from Sanders today, in a video interview with Krystal Ball....

I'm curious as to how Joe Biden is going to take this.

Link to tweet

[lapucelle]

26. Another unifying message from the Outreach Chair as he campaigns for Biden N/T

[sheshe2]

36. Oh boy.

[JI7]

28. Isn't he a member of the Senate ? Why doesn't he work on legislation

and getting it passed so it can get on the president's desk ?

[BlueNProud]

21. That's one way to derail the inevitable Sanders 2024 train

[Demsrule86]

34. Sanders won't run in 2024.

[George II]

44. Sanders will be 83 years old in 2024.

[ismnotwasm]

27. No

We need Bernie exactly where he is

[Tarheel_Dem]

29. Dear Gawd, please NO! Just NO! n/t

[WhiskeyGrinder]

35. The guy whose campaigned garnered an ULP? Huh.

[ehrnst]

37. Then I certainly hope he's familiarizing himself with the rights of union workers.

Particularly their right to speak to the press about what's going on in the union.

"It does bother me that people are going outside of the process and going to the media," he said. "That is really not acceptable. It is really not what labor negotiations are about, and it's improper."

Sanders said, ahead of a weekend Iowa campaign swing: "We are disappointed that some individuals have decided to damage the integrity of these efforts. We are involved in negotiations. And some are individuals that have decided to damage the integrity of that process before they were concluded."

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/07/19/bernie-sanders-campaign-staff-wage-15-hour-union-elizabeth-warren-campaign-wages/1781159001/

“Employees have a statutory right to speak publically about their complaints or concerns with their terms and conditions of employment, including to the press, without employer authorization.”

https://www.wuft.org/news/2019/02/27/employees-right-to-speak-to-media-protected-by-first-amendment-and-national-labor-relations-act/

[GulfCoast66]

39. Hard no. Guys like him are needed and useful as a counterweight to our conservative nature

Which overall Americans are. I’m not talking just politics where we are Centrist, but Americans hate change.

Cabinet members have to be able to privately argue their POV but once a decision is made support it strongly in public. Does anyone here think Bernie can do that? Or even want to?

Plus, there is no guarantee the seat would remain with someone who votes Democratic.

[mcar]

40. ...

Link to tweet

?s=20

Bernie reveals plan for his own 100 day agenda to rival Biden's.

Also says he's prepared to back primary challenges against ANY Democrats who don't move to a progressive agenda.
"You're damn right I am."

[George II]

43. I read that yesterday afternoon and was dumbfounded! This less than two weeks before the election??

[George II]

42. Is this based on anything substantive or just from "one person close to the Vermont senator"?