Sen Duckworth's stance is already having an effect: President Biden's nomination of Colin Kahl to

[soothsayer]

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Yamiche Alcindor
@Yamiche
Sen Duckworth's stance is already having an effect:

President Biden's nomination of Colin Kahl to be the Pentagon's top policy adviser ran into a new roadblock on Tuesday when Sen Duckworth said she would not back him until more Asian-Americans were selected for top positions.

[Budi]

1. Biden should nominate Duckworth. She's got the creds for the Pentagon job.

That's exactly what he should do.

[JohnSJ]

2. There goes our majority

[ColinC]

4. Illinois has a Democratic governor and I don't see them electing a republican

Any time in the very near future.

[JohnSJ]

6. losing it even temporarily would be very bad in today's environment

[ColinC]

9. And of course there is no guarantee they would replace her with a democrat

However unlikely it may be.

[mucifer]

10. Governor Pritzker would replace her with a democrat BUT the next election could go red

[ColinC]

13. Yeah that's what I mean

[Budi]

8. Right. Then perhaps she has some names of noms she'd prefer over Biden's choice

She has to have a couple that would answer not only her issue, but would also be quite capable of the position.

Take it up with Biden & stop talking to reporters, as tho he hasn't considered diversity in his choices.

Don't let it get itchy in the press. Be your genuine proactive self Sen & go straight to the guy you call your President, cuz you know he'll listen to you.

[Rebl2]

3. Bad idea

We would lose majority.

[ColinC]

5. Democratic governor

Our majority would stay in place

[dutch777]

7. Yeah, she at DOD or VA would make a lot of sense. I am all for diversity but not sure that how one

...arrives at the "perfect balance". Certainly in Trump's time it was wildly unbalanced but I worry we could waste a lot of time seeking the perfect over the good when we need to be moving fast on policy and legislative improvements. 2022 election season will be here all too soon and we need more major accomplishments to improve our congressional majorities.

[BGBD]

18. No

Colin Kahl is on the nations foremost experts on foreign policy.

[Indykatie]

11. What's The Point of Duckworth Taking this Stand Against Biden Right Now?

The guy assembles the most diverse administration and history and we have a Dem saying it's not good enough. He tried to place Neera in the OMB spot but couldn't get her confirmed. I've seen Asian Americans placed in high positions in the administration. Have we looked at how that number compares to the % of Asian Americans in the country or party?

[Budi]

12. I checked her twitter & there's nothing about this issue on it.

The media seems to be running this one as a gotcha drama moment. Cuz Biden's not diverse enough!

This doesn't sound exactly like something Duckworth would shove to the press.
So far the report came from 2 reporters who were in a room with Biden staffers where the ref to Kamala as VP wss made.
Apparantly this was insulting to Duckworth.
Why would selecting Harris be insulting?

I'm not buying that this convo went down as the reporter told it, & has now passed it on to another reporter.

I don't know where they got Duckworth or Hirona's statement from nor the context it where was stated.

Sorry but I'm a little tainted by the press & media to believe this is all there is to it.

[mahina]

16. Right me too

I replied to the OP I didn’t say anything about Mazie, rightly

[Withywindle]

19. I'm also skeptical

This doesn't sound like Duckworth's style to me at all. Unless there's some 4D chess going on here. She is very good at making her positions known without grandstanding this crassly.

[Eid Ma Clack Shaw]

14. Oh well, he'll just have to nominate people more Republicans support

That’s the most reasonable solution. Giving in to a ridiculous, blanket no-vote like this is, even when the cause is a good one, would not give the impression of a particularly strong administration. So remaining nominations shouldn’t be anyone who can’t get a few GOP votes.

[mahina]

15. Duckworth did, Mazie did not

Yamiche did not say that Mazie did

I know you didn’t either

There’s nothing on Mazies feed

There’s this in ABC article from 45 minutes ago
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, also said she has expressed frustration to the Biden administration about a lack of representation, but stopped short of threatening to block nominees.

[mahina]

17. Mazie posted an hour ago. Good talk w the White House.

I welcome the appointment of a senior level White House liaison to the AAPI community to further strengthen our voice.

I had a productive conversation with the White House today to make clear my perspective about the importance of diversity in the President’s cabinet.

Based on the private conversation we had, I will continue voting to confirm the historic and highly qualified nominees President Biden has appointed to serve in his administration.