Biden eyes GOP candidates for Cabinet slots

[brooklynite]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by applegrove (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Politico

Joe Biden’s transition team is vetting a handful of Republicans for potential Cabinet positions — despite doubts it will win him new support from the right and the risk it will enrage the left.

Reaching across the aisle to pick senior members of his administration could shore up Biden's credentials as a unity candidate, a message he's made a cornerstone of his campaign. Past presidents including George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have all done the same. But that tradition died with President Donald Trump, and liberal Democrats are already warning that a Republican pick, even a moderate one, could sow distrust within the party before Biden even takes office.

...snip...

That person and another official familiar with the transition deliberations confirmed to POLITICO that Biden staffers are analyzing some Republicans’ backgrounds and resumes as they compile shortlists of candidates for high-profile Cabinet positions. The goal is to have some GOP options among the finalists that Biden would choose from after the election.

Among the names being floated for possible Biden Cabinet posts are Meg Whitman, the CEO of Quibi and former CEO of eBay, and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, both of whom spoke at August’s Democratic National Convention. Massachusetts GOP Gov. Charlie Baker and former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) have also been mentioned, as has former Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.), who resigned from Congress in 2018 and became a lobbyist.



Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/20/biden-transition-republican-cabinet-429972

[no_hypocrisy]

1. That's gonna burn Republicans.

[ArizonaLib]

40. Governor Whitmer for Attorney General or Homeland Security

Republicans heads will be exploding until mid terms. They will be more embarrassed than when Obama was elected and they resorted to calling themselves independents and tea baggers.

Remember how it was only months after Obama was inaugurated that those idiots were shown on cable news camping across the Potomac with their triangle hats and AR-15's? Those idiots are about too stupid to vote.

[COL Mustard]

112. George Conway for Press Secretary???

[DownriverDem]

103. Except for Dent

the others are hated by the current repubs. So there's that.

[Sherman A1]

2. I understand the move towards unity

but, I would think we would have plenty of qualified Democrats.

[thesquanderer]

90. We had a primary, which included bridge-builders and idealogues. A bridge-builder won.

So you have to expect some attempts at bridge building.

[elleng]

99. Thanks

[Dopers_Greed]

3. Horrible idea

This will infuriate the leftwing of the party, and ensure that any power Dems have will be wiped out in 2022.

After working in the Obama admin, Biden should know what happens when you kowtow to Republicans.

[LakeArenal]

28. Are you that infuriated?

That easy to push you away?
That left wing has been a bit of a sore loser. Already threatening? Is this going to happen every time Joe makes a move the left wing doesn’t approve.

Still fighting the establishment Democrats?

Or is this just your opinion?

So don’t kowtow to one group and kowtow to the other?

[Lucky Luciano]

46. No, but we should be going scorched earth against republicans. Not making friends.

[LakeArenal]

51. Then you don't agree with Joe'd agenda which has always been bi-partisan.

[Lucky Luciano]

56. Bipartisanship was nuked long ago.

Biden is the candidate vastly superior to fuckface, but I definitely don’t support him shooting himself, and us, in the foot so he can play nice with scorpions.

[LakeArenal]

59. So you Do disagree with Joe's consistent bipartisan agenda.

[Lucky Luciano]

61. I disagree with being bipartisan with republicans. Absolutely.

Being bipartisan pre-Gingrich? Fine. Now? Not fine.

Obama tried to be reasonable with republicans. That turned out to be a bad idea because they are utterly unscrupulous and do ALL THINGS in bad faith. Reject Garland, and ram through Barrett? GTFOH.

[LakeArenal]

68. You're in for a lot of disappointment as Joe will reach across the aisle.

I know Joe’s intent was to unite. Not keep up old grievances. Especially if we retake the Senate as well.

[Lucky Luciano]

82. Sure. That's why I preferred Bernie or Warren, but Biden is better than fuckface.

[LakeArenal]

84. Yeah. They did lose didn't they.

[ancianita]

92. I absolutely agree. If Democrats haven't noticed, it's been past time for them

to see what Obama refused to see or admit after Senate Republicans became the majority.

At this point, being realistic in order to get on with using our party's power of two branches in no way makes any Democrat an "anti-establishment" Democrat.

Unity doesn't have to end once we win. We're not going to default to old school in-party labelling once we win. We've got too damn much work to do to re-establish good governance by passing key structural changes through Congress.

Biden knows that it takes two parties to make bipartisanship work. But since there hasn't been any -- not for lack of trying on the Democrats' part -- this time, no deal cutting with all its win-lose drama. Just honest work with or without Republican support. Republicans killed bipartisanship after 2018, and was on its ("Obama will be a one-term president" ) deathbed before that.

Bipartisanship shouldn't return until structural changes are made through a Democratic majority Senate. Republicans either have to reach across the aisle FIRST, and get in on our legislation, or they'll just have to have to watch how good governing is done, since they haven't done a lick of it.

But they won't watch. They'll fire up their scream machine.

[beachbumbob]

75. not all republicans are enemies, the gal running for Kansas Senator seat, Ms Bollier is a FORMER GOP

hotshot in Kansas who had enough. Placing litmus test for who can be on "our side" makes us NO FUCKING BETTER that the other side

[LakeArenal]

85. Yep. Many seem to be still fighting the primary.

[ancianita]

106. It's ironic that you say that, since you're the only one bringing it up.

Many here know that this isn't about fighting the primary. It's about hitting the ground running without dragging whining, spiteful, preachy, sneaky, racist, sexist Republicans along into the 21st Century.

[LakeArenal]

108. I didn't bring up Sanders and Warren.

But it seriously doesn’t matter what my opinion is. At all.

The bipartisanship was in Joe’s agenda from 2018 or before.

Yes Obama tried it and it did t work. But this is Joe Biden. He isn’t Obama and Joe is not inheriting the same Congressional make-up. Especially if this election fundamentally changes the Senate.

Joe won the primary because of this type of policy. Not in spite of it.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

136. You obviously havent seen any Lincoln Project ads - go watch a bunch of those and get back to us

FYI we are in alliance with SOME disaffected, trump hating, centrist Repubs.

You dont have to like someone or be friends to work in coalition with them.

At some point in life most people come to see things a little bit more in shades of gray rather than stark either-or dualities.

[Lucky Luciano]

138. Then get ready for more of this:

I thought it was perfectly clear what republicans are. If a republican renounces their party and becomes independent or Democratic, we can talk. Not after all this bullshit they put us through. Obama tried the shades of gray - how did that work out? They doubled and tripled down on their treachery.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

139. OH dont worry, we can go back to our regularly scheduled squabbling later, once the neofascists &

far RW militia wanna bes are driven back into the fringes where they belong.

Lets get through the election first shall we ?

This is not 12 yrs ago. Different time, different dynamic entirely Wake up!

[vsrazdem]

55. I have been a democrat my entire life and this pisses me off. I think we have more than

enough qualified democrats to fill his cabinet positions.

[LakeArenal]

69. I agree with you. Joe doesn't.

[ancianita]

94. Maybe he's just thinking about it to see who'll first step forward to work with him.

[LakeArenal]

98. That's it. We can only guess what he's going to do.

What ever it is I’m supporting Joe.
Not trying to out-republican Republicans.
Not still fighting the primary.

Always took his word that he would work both aisles.

[ancianita]

104. Okay, conditionally. But you have to think, though,

just supporting Joe leads you to challenge others who've joined this party as a unity party.

This is a youth-filled party that has to first, before anything else, use its power to restructure the two branches so that good governing by rule of law is not bogged down by the old Bush Republican playbook that drags us back to accepting their sudden "high road" double standards for us.

THIS time, after all they've done to destroy bipartisanship, we've got to challenge THEM to build bridges and reach across the aisle. Get their own heads clear.

We will get nowhere by setting ourselves up for the disappointments and betrayals of THEIR brand of "my way or the highway" bipartisanship.

Lake, we've got too damn much to have to unfuck to let Republicans make it all about THEM and their 3rd grade "because we can" politics.

Joe has to save his bridge building for later. Let them start the bridge building, not us.

[LakeArenal]

107. People like Kassich, Nicole Wallace, Steve Schmidt

are forming bridges already. There will be more that will mea culpa after this.

Joe’s going to give them chances. That’s just what it is. I don’t thinking flaming now is anywhere near what we should be doing.
Because Joe was nominated for these types of plans.

[ancianita]

118. Remember,

a) only ONE of them has become a Democrat, b) no one here is "flaming," c)no one here is an anti-establishment Dem.

If we hadn't been so clear in articulating Democratic Party values and democratic national values in general, the three people you mention wouldn't have had anywhere to go. Only one is a recent Democrat, and they're criticizing the worst person in the world.

They haven't done anything heroic. They just agree with us. It's not just Joe giving them chances, we all have. They know a willing audience, and we should let them know that we know they haven't done much to change other Republicans at all.

And that's all we should be -- a willing audience. We should ask them, "what can you do FOR the American people, that's not just for saving your party's credibility. What are you doing to get your fellow Republicans to reach across the aisle in the next election cycle?"

You and I know they haven't really offered much.

And I don't think Joe was voted for for the reasons you think he was.
He was voted for because he was trusted to change.
He sold critics because his plans are due to his own change as a Democrat to represent the new Democrats -- progressives whose agenda has become the party platform -- who want mistakes fixed part, and not just the building back better part.

[LakeArenal]

121. I think he was. So we can't go forward anymore with this.

Appreciate the discussion but I think we have hit the end.

I have know idea what you know or don’t know.

[ancianita]

125. Okay. I hear you. Joe's got a lot in his history, and change is part of it.

We're not disagreeing about much, anyway, except about how well he'll handle the Republican Party beyond Trump, and how they'll try to handle him. This is probably a Politico provocation, anyway.

[LiberalLovinLug]

71. "So don't kowtow to one group and kowtow to the other?"

Which you also are advocating. So lets see...

One "group" is a party who foments false narratives about the Democratic party, stoked the Tea Party into existence. Spread fake conspiracy theories about the Clintons and Obama for decades. Support the hypocrisy and duplicity of stealing SCOTUS seats. Comey is one example. Someone who felt too much party loyalty to not throw a last dagger into the last election, just to make sure he crossed all his tees as far as he could so as not to upset his fellow Rs. etc etc etc etc etc etc.

The other "group" makes up a large portion of the Democratic party. Its the group that wants things like a $15 minimum wage, a truly universal medicare system. The "group" that was at the front of the line fighting for things like LGBtQ rights, including marriage. Pot legalization. Social justice reform. Their big crime is wanting it sooner rather than later.

Hmmm. Which group should Biden "kowtow" to.
Yeah, might as well kowtow to the first one. Makes no difference right?

[LakeArenal]

79. You don't seem to understand. This has been Joe's plan all along

Not my decision or my agenda. It’s Joe’s.
It hasn’t been a secret. However I don’t mind that he is considering a Republicans.

[NurseJackie]

126. The unthinking kneejerk responses I've been seeing on the internet have been oh-so-predictable...

However I don’t mind that he is considering a Republicans.

I don't mind either. I trust Joe. He knows what he's doing. The unthinking kneejerk responses I've been seeing on the internet have been oh-so-predictable... and somewhat amusing in a few instances.

[Dopers_Greed]

115. No, I'm a "moderate" Dem

But it infuriates me that we're already planning to piss away our Congressional majorities like we did after 2008.

[murdock744]

4. Fantastic!!

THIS this is leadership, building bridges and healing our nation! I wonder if Condoleezza Rice might be up for another cabinet position?

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. Condoleeza is a war criminal...but you knew that. Nt

[murdock744]

12. Um..

"Look forward not backward." remember?

[Fiendish Thingy]

13. Enjoy your stay, however brief it may be...nt

[Aristus]

15. Looking forward and not back ended Reconstruction early.

And doomed African-Americans in the South to kidnapping, firebombing, torture, and murder for over a century.

Sometimes you have to look back to make sure that shit doesn't happen again...

[KPN]

38. +1000! Right

on!

[denbot]

44. +

[NorthOf270]

35. Has she ever been prosecuted?

Look, everyone knows she's not getting a job. But saying someone's a war criminal who was never charged is a bad look on US. And is why so many of us rhetorically see the problem that for whatever reason WE'RE the ones who never go for the throat and let these people off the hook and later sometimes reward them.

[LakeArenal]

70. Yep. It's what Joe said he would do.

[unblock]

5. Times have changed and I think there's nearly zero upside in this

This isn't going to do a damn thing to tone down republicans' hyper-partisan rhetoric and attacks. Biden doesn't need any gestures like this to shoe he's reasonable.

Fact-based people know he is, and republicans will deny reality and they'll completely dismiss the inclusion of a republican or two in the cabinet.

[More_Cowbell]

45. I agree. nt

[Maven]

64. +1

But this is likely just shit-stirring by Politico.

[demmiblue]

87. Yep. n/t

[2naSalit]

6. They are vetting candidates...

I think that ultimately there will not be any in the Cabinet when January comes around. Could be a favorable move pre-election day.

[sharp_stick]

7. It's not going to happen n/t

[ancianita]

8. THIS sends the wrong message about his future treatment of the GOP. This is not learning.

The party absolutely cannot afford to seem to not know or care about the straight line of anti-bipartisanship it has suffered from the days of Paul Weyrich -- Mr. ""I don't want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of the people. They never have been .... our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down" -- all the way up to Trump.


The party isn't purist, and yet the party must establish itself as unified in partisan purpose, with no wiggle room for Republicans who report back to their party. No.

Floating names is one thing. Letting that get out is not cool.

[bamagal62]

9. Noooooo.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Terrible idea - why fight to gain power only to squander it on "optics"? Nt

[not_the_one]

14. Does Sodom and Gomorrah come to mind?

Ye may look, but ye may not find...

Biden should make the effort. Show a willingness. Then slam the door, 'cause there ain't none.

Sodom and Gomorrah was actually a metaphor about welcoming and accepting strangers. Sadly, it got twisted beyond recognition. Because of a sick, warped "agenda".

[mysteryowl]

16. Well, if he wanted to push away progressives, this would be it.

He will lose votes with this.

[JohnnyRingo]

58. Lose votes to whom?

Kanye?

Joe Biden should not lose one vote for promising to reunite the country. If someone rips up their yard sign because Joe Biden moves to work with both sides, they won't be happy with any democrat. That includes the independent from Vermont.

[mysteryowl]

113. I understand.

I just happen to know progressives that will vote 3rd party and actions like this from Biden, help affirm their 3rd party vote. We have a few 3rd party options in my state, and unfortunately, Kanye is one of them. I think Kanye is on the ballot to pull votes away from Biden, we could lose our state to trump because of it.

I know DUers are mostly conservative democrats, and the progressives don't get to have a voice here. Unfortunately. I have invited progressive friends to DU and after they came for awhile, they stopped because it is too conservative for them. The conservatives on the site will jump on this comment and tear it apart, just watch.

[NewJeffCT]

17. I would grudgingly accept Baker or Hogan

because they're popular GOP governors in blue states

[elleng]

109. Hogan may be not THAT popular,

and I wonder what attributes he would provide. (He's MY governor now, and I endorse Joe B's search for a cabinet among repugs and/or independents, but I don't see what hogan gets us in the cabinet.)

[lark]

18. Don't do it.

Don't let the rich repugs being considered stop the full throttle change we need to survive, they are not our friends and will hurt us in the long run if employed by Biden.

[ancianita]

97. +1 They need at least another election cycle to prove THEY can "build bridges" across the aisle.

[McKim]

19. Really really bad news!

This is really really bad news. I know a lot of young people who are ready to hold their noses and vote for Biden and when they see this they will go ballistic! This is just plain stupid. Reaching across the aisle? How did that work out for us last time?

[AnnaLee]

20. Gimme a break.

As an ex-federal employee, I would be very upset if he put anyone other than supportive, union friendly, diversity sensitive heads to any of the agencies. These agencies need fixing and some fixes are hard. (How do you reverse a transfer of a DC based unit to the Midwest? How do you manage around political hires in previously high skilled positions? etc.)

[bucolic_frolic]

21. Ideologues not welcome, but there are a few centrists remaining /nt

[eissa]

22. It would depend on the cabinet position

Transportation? Agriculture? Homeland Security? Fine, depending on who it would be. But Treasury, Health, SOS - no way.

[onetexan]

80. Not transportation or Homeland Security (ICE is under HS & needs to be abolished.

Agriculture wld be OK. I get the feeling Kasich & Whitman did public support stumps for Biden & its now a quid pro quo. BUT in the least they are decent Republicans. If it helps Biden maintain the bipartisan image and they won't hurt him it's all good.

[bluedigger]

23. And I was enraged, until I saw the source of this offal.

Keep shoveling that shit, Politico.

[OAITW r.2.0]

24. A little pre-election politics?

If this story moves a few Republicans over to Biden before the election, sure, why not? Eyeing =/= nominating.

[SKKY]

34. I think there are Republicans who would absolutely have a place in his Administration...

...but yea, this is a deft political move.

[awesomerwb1]

25. Politico..../facepalm

[greenjar_01]

32. Politico seeking a consolation prize

They really are a pack of wet, ripped trashbags.

[IronLionZion]

26. Appoint Moscow Mitch as ambassador somewhere

so Andy Beshear can appoint Amy McGrath to that senate seat.

Same with any other GOP Senators in states with Dem governors.

[melman]

27. Oof

[My Pet Orangutan]

29. Oh.Hell.No.

Nutmeg Whitman who drove HP into the ditch?

[luvtheGWN]

36. I believe that was Carly Fiorina

who drove HP into the ditch.

[Brother Buzz]

91. Carly Fiorina initially drove HP into the ditch, but Meg Whitman

hammered the nails into HP's coffin. Some elements of the once vaulted HP is still sorta, kinda operating today

[JohnnyRingo]

52. Meg Whitman was on The Dating Game.

And governor of somewhere. I think that's all she's known for.
hahaha

[Mr.Bill]

76. Meg Whitman was never a Governor.

She ran for Governor in California against Jerry Brown, which was a suicide mission.

[elleng]

111. Christine Todd Whitman. 1994 - 2001. NJ.

[LakeArenal]

30. Not sure if it's a good idea or not.

But I trust Joe. Maybe it’s optics the week before an election.

But I don’t want to be a prisoner of the right or left. If far left threatens Joe everytime he makes a big decision then we
Fight about the Democratic Establishment and that war was fought already.

[Blue_playwright]

31. If a Puke is literally the top of their field...

... I’m good with that. If Fauci is a Republican, I really don’t care as long as he’s THE expert.

Doing it for political peacekeeping? Won’t work and is pointless.

[FoxNewsSucks]

66. In that limited case yes,

but the people mentioned above are not acceptable, even if they endorsed Biden.

If I wanted republicons in an administration, I'd be voting for a republicon. This idea needs to be squashed. Promptly.

[RobertDevereaux]

33. NEVER!

[Dr. Jack]

37. I say give them 1 cabinet post but nothing more

Kasich is reportedly the front runner for some kind of cabinet position. Fine, whatever, he's tolerable. Throw the conservatives who backed Biden a bone. I think they have earned a reward for their good behaviour but keep it to a minimum

[LakeArenal]

60. Plus Joe has always said he would cross the lines. Always.

I don’t understand why this is so shocking to anyone.

[Griefbird]

124. It's not shocking. It's just a bad idea.

It reminds me of all the times Democrats tried to reach across the aisle by watering down their proposals before they even brought them to the floor for discussion. By negotiating with ourselves to a middle position first, we lost the fight before it began. "Moderate" Republicans only look moderate because bomb throwing right wing extremists now pass for right of center. In fact, today's moderate Democrats are to the right of the last reasonable Republican president, who left office in 1961. This is not to disparage them; it just illustrates how far to the right the overton window has moved since then. Joe's first job is to keep the Democratic Party united.

[LakeArenal]

130. But then was then and this is now. It's not the same.

Whether it’s wrong in anyone’s opinion or not, this has always been this candidate’s plan.

It the package. I think it would be fine to protest his choices once made. But this, a week before the election, is jumping the gun and plays into Republican hands.

[George II]

39. Rumor and uncorroborated speculation isn't "news".

[NurseJackie]

127. It's not even "anticipatory".

[George II]

133. ..

[lostnfound]

41. Not news and probably not true. Story intended to depress young progressive vote. Nt

[George II]

77. Another Politico hit piece. They live to bash Democrats over at Politico.

[SamKnause]

42. If true, fuck that shit.

[Marthe48]

43. not kasich

please look past what he says and LOOK at what he does!

I live in Ohio: look at his record on public education, unions, pro-life laws. He is not someone who would help unite the country. He is a snake. Honestly.

I'm not crazy about any r's to be honest. In this current climate, it is going to be hard to find any r that doesn't have crimes to hide or apologize for. Where were r's when kids were taken from their families, put in cages, or adopted or who knows, because there are no records? Where are the r's on gun control, so American citizens aren't gunned down whenever a gun maniac had a mad? Where were the r's when Covid-19 hit? Where were the r's when impeached traitor destroyed our security, our economy and our reputation? These are not only far left concerns. The glaring omissions of human decency and responsible governing are things that should concern all of us.

When reagan reapproached russia in the 90's, and after a lifetime of despising and fearing russians, the American public was supposed to forgive and forget, I found that really hard to do. It is the same for r's in general, and in some cases r's in particular. When Clinton, bush and Obama included the r's, it was different, because the r party members was still pulling the wool over our eyes.

[NonPC]

74. Jeff Flake?

I can't believe that anyone would consider Flake for anything. He was a do nothing Senator who's only attribute was a 1000 watt smile -- nothing more. He'd be hard pressed to get re-elected in Arizona for dog catcher.

[Marthe48]

110. I can't think of any r I'd pick

However, whatever is the best for our country. Just keep an eye the the cash register and anything you hold dear.

Whoever is slected, I hope has to take a test on what the U.S. Constitution represents.

Welcome to D.U.

[DeminPennswoods]

131. Kasich is a complete reactionary

I don't care how many speeches he contributes to Dem conventions. His actions show he opposes every single thing Biden says he stands for.

[Marthe48]

135. Thank you!

n/t

[Indykatie]

48. I Fully Expect a Republican to Be in Biden's Cabinet and I Approve of It

Joe has said he is the POTUS for all Americans. No doubt it will piss off the "left" but it will probably piss off the "right' even more. It is what it is.

[LakeArenal]

81. Yes. I agree. This is no surprise from Biden.

He said he’d be bipartisan from day one.

Not my policy, not your policy. Joe’s.

Definitely never a “scorched earth” agenda.

[JohnnyRingo]

49. Smart. Say right up front he'll work with both sides.

He can further his campaign promise to reunite the country. Doesn't mean he has to find a job for Trump bootlickers, climate change deniers, or right wing whack-a-doos.

I, for one, would be grateful.

[TheFarseer]

50. I'm not totally against this but

People like Jeff Flake and Ben Sasse are NOT on our side. They stand for very little I want us to be fighting for policy wise.

[andym]

53. FDR chose Republican Harold L. Ickes for his cabinet

to appeal to the Right. He was his longest-serving cabinet member (Interior) and made major contributions to the New Deal.

[chowder66]

54. Hey look at this way, He will have people he can fire for misbehavior to show what it should look

like...that is if they flout the rules or break norms.

[abakan]

57. Oh for gods sake!!

Don't embrace them, the republicans are vipers that will disrupt and destroy. They are not to be trusted with anything.
This idea is just a road back to the hell we are trying to get out of. Assign the repubs and their party to the trash heap where
they belong and never embrace them.
This has been my main objection to Biden, not enough to keep me from voting for him but a fear he will legitimize them and instead
of being pariahs they will once again be allowed to influence policy.

[mjvpi]

62. Biden saw first hand how well that worked for Obama. Remember...

....the Caucus Room Conspiracy. Ol Mitch just picked up that olive branch and.....

[Maven]

65. Shit-stirring by the gossip outlet known as Politico.

Ignore.

[NotHardly]

67. F*CK that idea ... F**K it twice ... I want the Republican party to die off, period, full stop.

[roamer65]

72. FUCK NO.

[Mr.Bill]

73. Anyone who voted in the Senate to not convict Trump

after the impeachment should not be given the time of day. History needs to show that that vote was political suicide for them, and we need to say it.

[Retrograde]

78. Flake? Whitman? No, just no.

When he was in the Senate Flake tried hard to live up to his name. Whitman spent two years and who knows how much $$$$ running for governor: people were sick of her constant commercials. She was handily trounced by Jerry Brown. Then she went on to further drive the ruins of H-P into the ground. Just no way should she be let near the federal government.

[asiliveandbreathe]

83. My take on this story ...once again...That person???..another official?? POLITICO

That person and another official familiar with the transition deliberations confirmed to POLITICO

NUFF said...

[stillcool]

89. doesn't take much...

If we get past the near future, the only politics in my orbit will be local/state...where people are more accepted as people.

[Fiendish Thingy]

86. This better just be a head fake...nt

[wcast]

88. Ridiculous!!

So we want to pretend that the same Republicans who shafted us during Obama’s two terms are in our corner now? According to some responses to this OP pushing progressives away is also a good thing. We are Democrats and need to promote Democratic solutions. We will never get Republican support, just continue a push to the right that will lose us support.

[Jose Garcia]

93. Fools! Clinton and Obama both did this and lost their reelection bids.

[matt819]

95. If it's for optics, that's fine

If it's for real, that's not fine.

[MineralMan]

96. Anonymous Source "familiar with the matter" says shit...

Politico reports said shit.

Never fucking mind...

[ancianita]

119. Sometimes Politico's shit sources get traction.

Their headlines... ugh, I can't stand them.

[CR4200]

100. Clean House

I remember when Bill Clinton was elected. He went in and CLEANED HOUSE. He replaced everyone and the republicans were shocked. Bill got a lot done without having to deal with Republicans who did not really support him.

Obama made the mistake of not cleaning house, by trying to unite everyone. I was shocked when all he did was rearrange the chairs on the deck, so to speak. This is one reason Obama had problems with getting anything done.

I tell people all the time, that I think Obama made a pretty good moderate Republican. Just my thoughts....




















i

[mcar]

101. Knew this was Politico before I even opened it

[NurseJackie]

128. Another weasel-y (so to speak) article...

... I also knew it was probably Politico. I guessed wrong about the byline, however. (I had a 50/50 chance.)

[Mickju]

102. I don't think this is a good idea.

[theaocp]

105. Why throw Republicans an anchor when you can throw them a lifeline? n/t

[cp]

114. No.

Fuck no.

[smb]

116. OK, Start With A List Of GOP Senators In Dem-Governed States With No "Must Pick Same Party" Rule nt

[EndlessWire]

117. No.

I want the traitorous GOP to disappear from the face of the earth. If there were any trustworthy GOP politicians, they would have quit supporting Trump and become Democrats.

Remember that impeachment effort we had? Are all of the new "unity" participants from the House, or do we have them to thank for all the pain and misery we have suffered because of their party loyalty? Notice I didn't say "country" loyalty. They didn't even publish a platform. Their "platform" was whatever Trump said. An effing dictator.

We have more than enough smart, trustworthy Dems to pick from without putting any Repubs in positions. Not just for "unity." Why put them there? On the Cabinet? For G-d's sake, just NO.

There will be strife and unhappiness if we see a traitorous GOP face on the Cabinet. What will they have done to deserve that? I'm traumatized enough after 4 years of asshole McConnell, Graham, Nunes, etc. etc. etc. and The Orange Turd himself.

Ask yourself why they supported Trump, and why should they get a pass on that?? They show a decided lack of judgement, and as such they are not smart enough for our new Joe government.

[JudyM]

120. Lock

Speculative back-room scuttlebut isn’t INONI.

[Politicub]

122. I don't understand the logic. Unity does not mean placing republicans

in positions of power.

I have been under the impression that unity meant representing the democratic/liberal coalition.

If we sweep both houses of Congress and the presidency, the people will have spoken and they are looking for democratic leadership. Elevating republicans satisfies no one.

[tormadjax]

123. I advise winning the election first. The transition period is the time for this kind of thing n/t

[tman]

129. So we're going to reward Jeff Flake for enabling Donald Trump?

Disgusting betrayal if true.

Dispiriting for sure.

[Yeehah]

132. If true, I don't know why Joe is pretending republicans want to co-exist

Republicans have done every scheming, rotten thing they could do to obtain greater power and undermine Democrats. Republicans do not want to share power in a democratic system. They have shown they seek total power and will not work in cooperation with Democrats. I hope this is just happy talk electioneering.

[GoneOffShore]

134. Feint and counter feint - eyes on the prize folks. Eyes on the prize.

[helpisontheway]

137. No..no..no...I don't trust any of them!! Nt

[applegrove]

140. After discussion with hosts ... LOCKING

Alert: speculation

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