Scoop: Biden may keep Warren, Sanders out of Cabinet

[brooklynite]

Axios

Joe Biden’s team is considering an informal ban on naming Democratic U.S. senators to the Cabinet if he wins — which would effectively block Elizabeth Warren for Treasury or Bernie Sanders for Labor — people familiar with the discussions tell Axios.

The big picture: Biden, if he wins, is bracing for bruising legislative battles on day one, starting with the next phase of coronavirus relief. Many advisers don’t think he can afford to lose a single vote in the Senate if Democrats hold a slim majority.

Biden himself hasn’t made a decision on a potential Senate ban, with his efforts focused on winning on Tuesday, the sources say.
The intrigue: An informal ban could also be an elegant way of tamping down campaigns to place progressive senators in top Cabinet roles by reminding the movement of the priority around enacting legislation.

Warren and Sanders both come from an unusual construct — blue states with Republican governors who'd be empowered to fill vacancies.

[malaise]

1. THIS

Many advisers don’t think he can afford to lose a single vote in the Senate if Democrats hold a slim majority.

[OnDoutside]

10. Certainly the narrower the margin, the less chance of it happening.

[Beakybird]

2. I would want Warren in there ...

But Massachusetts has a horrible history of electing Republicans into open seats.

[Iliyah]

3. Vermont & Massachusetts ......

republican governors.

[FM123]

4. Senators Warren and Sanders would have been great, but we have many many Dems in the House

that could fill these spots as well, and not have to worry about the math of senate majority.
I think CA Congresswoman Katie Porter would make a great Secretary of the Treasury.

[DonaldsRump]

5. Surely both Liz and Bernie understand this?

Regardless of how we do on Election Day, we CANNOT lose a single Senate seat. If all goes right, we might be a few seats ahead in the Senate and Kamala breaking the tie when required.

That Bernie and Liz come from states with R governors is case closed for them moving. Change those to D governors and have strong replacement D appointments, then fine.

AFAIK, this is a no-brainer. Sounds like Axios is just trying to stir the pot.

[drmeow]

19. This

Just because they are not in the cabinet doesn't mean they can advise!

Same should go for Democratic governors. I'm still pissed at Obama and Napolitano - really f**ked Arizona.

[pamdb]

6. Huh?

People, let’s not put the cart before the horse. First we have to make sure Joe gets elected. And the big orange turd 💩 leaves the WH. Then we can focus on who gets what position in the cabinet.

[NurseJackie]

7. Joe will choose individuals who will fully support his administration's agenda...

... it would be a mistake for him to choose a cabinet member who had ideas different than the ones Joe Biden has already shared with us. I trust him to make smart decisions and to choose individuals who are best suited and most qualified.

Joe's got this.

[beachbumbob]

8. democratic senators are way more needed in the Senate than being in the Cabinet

and only makes sense.

[samnsara]

9. i agree..they are way more valuable a Senators

[obamanut2012]

11. I agree with this

We have a very deep well of Dem talent, experience, and skillsets to choose from for Biden's Cabinet.

[dsc]

12. The GOP governors they have matter

elections matter. In NC, if we lose the Lt Gov race then Cooper can't be in the cabinet either (even assuming he wants to be). We need to have Senate control, it is vastly more important than any single, or frankly even all combined, cabinet positions.

[tman]

13. Let's win the damn election first.

JFC

[DeminPennswoods]

14. They are needed in the Senate

Both can certainly help craft and pass the legislation Biden will introduce. Maybe a couple bills could carry their name.

But if this is Biden's plan, the biggest loser would be Chris Coons. If, as expeced, Doug Jones loses his seat, he would make a fabulous Atty General.

[Bettie]

15. I LOVE Elizabeth Warren

but I think she should stay in the Senate. She can fight for all of us there.

BUT, I don't want to see a Wall Street guy as Treasury secretary either.

[Tom Rivers]

16. Be careful with Axios and Politico stories

They love to pit the left and center-left against each other. They're trying to depress the vote. They are clickbait outlets that love the controversy of the Trump Era and would love nothing more than for that to continue. I don't anticipate Sanders or Warren to be part of the Biden administration, not because of any vendetta or policy differences, but because we can't afford to lose any Democratic Senators at this time, especially in states with Republican Governors.

[SunsetDreams2]

17. Just in time for the election

I don’t trust any speculation about this. It’s too early, can we finish making sure Joe is elected first? It’s kind of odd that this article singles out Warren and Sanders.

The article clearly states
“ Biden himself hasn’t made a decision on a potential Senate ban, with his efforts focused on winning on Tuesday, the sources say.”

But let’s write up an entire article on Bernie and Elizabeth.

[Tom Rivers]

18. They want to pit the left and center-left against each other

They want to incite drama, for the persuadable Warren/Sanders supporters to stay home, and keep Trump in while American democracy burns. These are bad people running Axios, Politico, and some of the others. Clickbait and MSNBC-bait journalism.

[SunsetDreams2]

23. Yes this "article"

Definitely has an agenda.
Why else would this appear in the article?

“Be smart: Progressives are trying to build momentum for Warren and Sanders, to press a prospective Biden administration to embrace economic justice and eschew traditional special interests.

Some members of Biden’s inner circle are deeply skeptical about handing Treasury, which will play a key role in any economic recovery to Warren, who has expressed interest in the job.”

The agenda is to divide the left before an election.

[greenjar_01]

20. ...

[kwolf68]

21. As someone who likes Warren and Sanders

I am fine with this. We need the Senate seats and there are plenty of good young progressives that can be a part of a Biden cabinet. In the least I trust he will nominate QUALIFIED people.

[appalachiablue]

22. For now, but something has to happen to avoid the

dominance lock on the Senate by the GOP, a very tall order. Admitting DC and Puerto Rico soon is essential.