Sanders would like to see Biden tilt left with Cabinet

[George II]

Source: Politico

By DAVID COHEN

12/27/2020 10:00 AM EST

Updated: 12/27/2020 10:08 AM EST

Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday he'd like to see more progressives in President-elect Joe Biden's Cabinet.

Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Sanders said, "What I have said many, many times is the progressive movement itself probably is 35 or 40 percent of the Democratic Coalition. And I believe that the progressive movement deserves seats in the Cabinet; that has not yet happened."

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who ran in the Democratic primaries in 2016 and 2020, remains a leading voice for encouraging the Democratic Party to shift further to the left.


"I would like to see," Sanders added, "strong progressives in the administration who are going to stand up for the working families of this country, who believe that healthcare is a human right, who believe we’ve got to make sure that public colleges and universities are tuition free and that we have to be aggressive on issues like climate change, racial injustice, immigration reform."

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/27/sanders-biden-cabinet-picks-450796

[katmondoo]

8. I agree. You lost Bernie.

[grobertj]

2. Ya think!!! LOL!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Bernie, If you'd won the nomination and then (improbably) the general election

you could have picked your own cabinet. You didn't, so you can't.

[George II]

6. He seems to forget that Biden chose as his VP running mate THE most progressive Senator!

Plus his "35 or 40 percent" is more like 10 or 15 percent.

I wonder why he didn't offer up a few names as examples?

[cstanleytech]

23. Maybe I am misreading but it sounds like he is simply saying

what he would like and that is fine as we all have things we would like.
I would for example like to win a lottery for 10 million or more but it doesn’t mean I will nor am I demanding to either.

[pnwmom]

40. What he is saying that is laughably wrong is this:

"And I believe that the progressive movement deserves seats in the Cabinet; that has not yet happened."

It's false that the progressive movement isn't represented in the Cabinet. Deb Haaland isn't a progressive? Hogwash.

https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/bidens-cabinet-the-scorecard-so-far/

As Prospect readers know, we’ve worked since March to shed light on appointments to be avoided as well as good ones worth supporting. Progressives have done better than many of us feared . . .

SNIP

The Black, female, Latino/a, Asian American, and Native American officials whom he appointed are not just diverse but progressive. The centrists are the white guys.

SNIP

On the energy and climate front, which also connects to green investment, progressives won a clean sweep: Debra Haaland at Interior, Jennifer Granholm at Energy, Michael Regan at EPA. And for education secretary, Biden has named a terrific former schoolteacher and progressive state education chief, Miguel Cardona.

Financial appointments have been better than anticipated, with Janet Yellen running Treasury, and Bharat Ramamurti as deputy director of the National Economic Council in charge of financial regulation and consumer protection. Brian Deese, who heads the council, is the best of the ones who were seriously considered.

As U.S. trade rep, Katherine Tai rejects the corporate trade consensus. And the Council of Economic Advisers is a progressive clean sweep.

At OMB, Biden’s choice is Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress, a center-left figure close to Hillary Clinton. She may well not get confirmed because of personal animus on the part of key Republican senators, and the backup is likely to be Gene Sperling, among the most pro–public investment of the Biden team.

[sheshe2]

46. +1000

[betsuni]

52. +1000000

[Me.]

69. I'll Match Your Million

and raise you another...

[betsuni]

79. Done.

It's as if it's inconceivable that anything progressive can be associated with Biden so one doesn't even bother to check who he has chosen for his cabinet.

[AmericanCanuck]

74. +1,000,000

Bernie should stay down. It will be Biden's cabinet and Biden's agenda. He should just live with that.

[onetexan]

83. Well summarized. Apparently Bernie hasn't been keeping up with Biden's appointments

[cab67]

89. Depends on what he means by "progressive," I suppose.

He clearly doesn't mean "exponent of progressive ideals and policies," because some of the nominees already match that description.

Perhaps he means "supported me during the primaries?"

[pnwmom]

91. I think you nailed it. That's exactly what he thinks -- he wanted Bernie supporters in the group.

Otherwise, they must not be real progressives, in his mind.

[msongs]

4. "progressives" vs democrats. seems sort of divisive to me nt

[sheshe2]

47. Yes it does. nt

[GemDigger]

5. If the majority wanted to go further left

then you would be president. Think about that Bernie.

[Squinch]

7. Sigh.

[samnsara]

9. im sure berns a nice enuff guy and all, but........

[Mike Nelson]

10. Hmm...

... "...not yet happened" means there are, presently, no Progressives proposed for Biden's cabinet? The recent Native American was noted as a favorite of Progressives. Kamala Harris keeps getting called more left than Bernie Sanders. There are others, too, that seem like Progressive/left-leaning, to me. But, none? No Progressives? I guess I will listen for the names again and start looking up their records... I thought Biden was picking good people...

[quakerboy]

55. I am curious who is calling Harris that?

I assume it originates from the RW trying to scare people about her?

[Mike Nelson]

58. I think so...

... I've heard her called "the most liberal member of the senate." Her voting record is noted. The right-wing networks and right-wing representatives on other news shows make mention of her as being very Liberal/Progressive.

The extremists are convinced she will quickly replace Biden and make the US "worse than Venezuela." She's referred to as a Communist/Socialist. But that's the deep sewer... the "mainstream" ones just call her Liberal.

I'm from California and am happy with her! I also recall how some originally painted her as too tough on crime, too Conservative... during the primary and leading up to the VP selection... and suddenly she was a radical Liberal...

[betsuni]

64. See comment #21. According to GovTrack, in 2019 she was the most progressive senator.

[JI7]

11. Biden is already to the left of Sanders with accomplishments

Sanders is just all talk.

[betsuni]

61. +1

[sheshe2]

12. Sorry Bernie, not your cabinet to pick.

You can pick your own when you win in 2024.

https://progressivepunch.org/scores.htm?house=senate

You are the 12th most progressive Senator.

1 Markey, Ed D
MA
97.64 94.65 98.67 97.53 Strong Dem +14.31 rank 5
2 Merkley, Jeff D
OR
97.08 98.51 97.98 98.16 Strong Dem +13.75 rank 5
3 Hirono, Mazie D
HI
97.02 97.99 97.18 97.72 Strong Dem +13.69 rank 5
4 Warren, Elizabeth D
MA
96.99 91.77 98.62 96.15 Strong Dem +13.66 rank 5
5 Gillibrand, Kirsten D
NY
96.69 97.33 98.21 98.58 Strong Dem +13.36 rank 5
6 Van Hollen, Chris D
MD
96.18 98.52 93.21 95.32 Strong Dem +12.85 rank 5
7 Brown, Sherrod D
OH
95.39 91.50 96.08 89.69 Leaning Rep +22.06 rank 5
8 Booker, Cory D
NJ
95.15 90.57 97.19 94.83 Strong Dem +11.82 rank 5
9 Baldwin, Tammy D
WI
94.54 95.57 93.62 91.43 Swing +17.87 rank 5
10 Durbin, Dick D
IL
94.40 88.00 94.20 82.72 Strong Dem +11.07 rank 5
11 Reed, Jack D
RI
94.23 86.21 94.80 83.91 Strong Dem +10.90 rank 5
12 Sanders, Bernie I
VT
94.05 79.70 96.42 89.58 Strong Dem +10.72

[George II]

21. If you sort by "Overall %" for this current session, the most revealing way to sort because....

....of it's recency and elimination of votes from years ago, he drops down to 22nd behind FOUR of his fellow candidates back in the spring (Gillibrand, Klobuchar, Warren, Booker)

And Govtrackinsider.com rates Kamala Harris as the most progressive Senator.

[sheshe2]

24. Like.

[NurseJackie]

51. 💥 BOOM 🤯

[NurseJackie]

13. This will not be a "Bernie-light" or a "Warren-light" administration. The voters chose Joe over all...

This will not be a "Bernie-light" or a "Warren-light" administration. The voters chose Joe over all other candidates. As the WINNER of the General Election and soon as the PRESIDENT, Joe Biden gets to make all the decisions.

And I believe that the progressive movement deserves seats in the Cabinet; that has not yet happened."

Oh my god! Did he say "deserve"?? Seriously? Actually, nobody "deserves" to be on his cabinet. But if we must use that word, the only ones who "deserve" to be on Joe Biden's cabinet are the ones he chooses and the ones who will make a good fit in promoting and advancing JOE BIDEN'S agenda.

"I would like to see,...."

Bernie, this isn't your call to make. Have a seat and let Joe and Kamala handle things. Trust in Joe and let-it-go! Just let it go, Bernie, let it go. Joe's got this. Don't worry.

[George II]

17. I didn't catch that "deserve" specifically. WTF? Reminiscent of the complaints about a certain....

....candidate a few years ago, bashing her supporters, incorrectly claiming they felt she "deserved" to run.

Funny how that's now turned around, eh?

[AmericanCanuck]

75. It is pathetic that some want to control Biden with a remote control.

[NurseJackie]

81. I've read comments from others on Twitter who are disappointed that...

I've read comments from others on Twitter who are disappointed that Bernie wasn't selected to be in Joe's cabinet (especially since "runner-up" Hillary was given SOS by Obama.) I wonder if this behavior has anything to do with that.

I guess all I'm trying to point out is that it's not a good look. It's inappropriate and unnecessary. It's out of bounds and divisive. It's insulting for anyone to tell Joe Biden that somehow "he's doing it wrong".

[AmericanCanuck]

88. He wants a legacy

Something more than naming two post offices.

He could achieve a legacy if he joins the Democratic party and directs his people to work with the Democrats and not against them. He will be remembered as someone who made the left flank amicable and a team player for the good of the Democratic party.

Unfortunately, the way it stands and the way he is going about it is not the appropriate way to rehabilitate his legacy.

[NurseJackie]

92. It's very alienating when a politician continually attacks, smears and insults the Democratic party...

It's very alienating when any politician continually attacks, smears and insults the Democratic party, and Democratic leadership. I think it's very odd that anyone would expect a different response after calling the Democratic party "Coastal Elites," along with many other smears and insults over the years.

He wants a legacy

Perhaps you're correct about that. All I'm saying is that if this is true, then this manner of going about accomplishing it one that does not make good sense to me. Politicians who want to succeed and create a lasting legacy need to be team players and not be hampered by disappointment. If they want to participate then they need to need to do things that promote trust, not suspicion... they need do their best to create an atmosphere of confidence, not resentment.

Those are all perfectly rational and reasonable things to do in order to achieve the desired outcome. There's nothing mysterious or controversial about that. It's just a common-sense approach that mature people can all agree on.



Happy Holidays, AmericanCanuck ... stay safe! I hope that you have a Happy New Year and that 2021 is a much better year for us all.

[bluedigger]

14. Everyone above is correct.

Bernie should shut up and show up with his vote when directed to do so, with no expectations of anything in return. He should tell his supporters to be satisfied with the current state of affairs, and that no further progress will be attempted. The Democrats don't want to bring them in, and don't care where they go, apparently. We got this!

[sheshe2]

22. What?

Bernie should shut up and show up with his vote when directed to do so, with no expectations of anything in return.

I have no clue what you are trying to say here. A Senators job, their job they are elected to do, is to show up and vote. No one directs them to do that, it is in their job description. They vote and sadly he has missed many due to campaigning and now COVID.

He should tell his supporters to be satisfied with the current state of affairs, and that no further progress will be attempted.

Oh boy. Your statement is unbelievable at best. So no Democrat is planning to correct the damage that trump has caused and no change will be made and bernie should tell everyone to suck it up because Democrats are going to fail you. Please do correct me is my interpretation is wrong.

The Democrats don't want to bring them in, and don't care where they go, apparently. We got this!

We have a big tent. We invite everyone. It is others that seem to want the tent to be their own with restricted access.

[Earthshine2]

26. It's because of attitudes like this, we have Jill Stein voters.

> Bernie should shut up and show up with his vote when directed to do so,

Left-wing fascism?

> We got this!

No, you obviously don't.

You don't want the Democratic left flank in the Democratic party? Then we will never win any national elections.

[BainsBane]

54. He's being sarcastic. Nt

[Earthshine2]

72. Hard to tell. Yea, maybe. Thank's for that. nt

[JI7]

29. Isn't Sanders a member of the Senate ? Why doesn't he work on passing legislation there ?

Kamala Harris wrote the 2000 payments bill he signed on to and she is a part of the Biden administration.

She is more progressive than Sanders.

[George II]

33. Twice in the last few days Sanders has taken credit for the bill Harris wrote and introduced....

In fact, in one tweet he said that HE introduced it!!! I'll see if I can find that one and post it.

[JI7]

35. He gave more credit to Josh Hawley than to Harris.

[George II]

38. I found the tweet already (amazing luck!) Here it is:

"I first introduced a bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment with @SenKamalaHarris & @EdMarkey 7 months ago"

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

84. Oh bruhh-therr!

[treestar]

37. Given what just happened with Dumpt

don't you think it is time to repair, not time to try to do new things? There is a lot to fix. Why are you ignoring that?

And as for the constant threat of defection, that is shooting themselves in the foot. Politics does not work like that. Get in the boat and help row, don't stand there making demands.

[sheshe2]

50. This!

And as for the constant threat of defection, that is shooting themselves in the foot. Politics does not work like that. Get in the boat and help row, don't stand there making demands.

[Hekate]

15. 1) They are progressive 2) No one who isn't Bernie will ever be progressive in his eyes 3) They...

3) They are almost all “old hands” coming in to a federal government that has been hollowed out, vandalized, and robbed by Trump — and having old hands is a good thing, not a bad thing, unless what you actually want is to have Trump burn it all down so you can start over

And finally

4) Dear Senator Sanders: YOU LOST THIS ELECTION. JOE WON.

[Nitram]

16. I'm sure he would. But we're not starting a great progressive push. We're cleaning up the mess and

shoring up the good that remains. That may take 4 years...

[George II]

18. Right. And Biden will be doing so with the most progressive Senator by his side and, should he....

....decide not to run, we'll have a great chance of having that most progressive Senator, and VP, as our Presidential candidate in 2024.

[Nitram]

19. Yes. And I fear I may have overstated my case. A lot of the work to be done will include patching up

holes in the judicial system that allowed Trump to get away with murder. A lot of progressive improvements will be made. but that's just because Democrats are progressive, not cause the cabinet is going to be pushing for a left-wing agenda. Let's bind the wounds and get our country moving back to a democratic, humanistic system.

[Gore1FL]

20. A great cross-section of Biden voters agree.

I am one.

[Budi]

28. I'll trust Pres Biden's word on how he governs.

No one else's opinion really matters .

That's why Joe Biden swept the Primary & beat Trump like a drum in November.
Just like he said he would.

No one needs to tell Joe Biden how to govern as President.

His Cabinet is a lefties dream.

[Gothmog]

25. I trust Joe Biden

Link to tweet

[Budi]

27. This over-used & repetitive statement already IS Biden's Cabinet & the Democratic Party.

I have no idea who he's even talking about anymore.

He's describing the long held basic tenents of the Democratic Party. The Party he has in the past, claimed he will never be one of.
I'm not following where he's going with this.

His disdain for the Democratic Party as 'not left enough' is confusing, since Joe Biden & his new Cabinet is the epitome of Left & all these things he names, amplified a thousand times over.

This message may have worked to draw a line among voter demographics in his many campaigns, but C'mon. Put it to rest already.

HE JUST DESCRIBED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY & JOE BIDEN & HIS CABINET:

"..stand up for the working families of this country, who believe that healthcare is a human right, who believe we’ve got to make sure that public colleges and universities are tuition free and that we have to be aggressive on issues like climate change, racial injustice, immigration reform."

🙄

[still_one]

30. Joe is doing just fine. I sometimes wonder about people who give unsolicited advice

[treestar]

34. IKR

DU contain none of his actual advisors for a reason. Bernie's advice isn't that great - he has no experience and has never had to pick a cabinet.

[still_one]

36. yup

[treestar]

31. A lot of that requires a bill from Congress and

can't be done from the cabinet.

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight - that he shall not be a mere passenger." Theodore Roosevelt

Bernie will never quit being a passenger, not contributing, but demanding. That's not how things work in politics.

[JI7]

32. Progressive like Tim Canova ? No fucking thanks

we already have progressives like Harris and Deb Haaland.

[iluvtennis]

39. I actually like and am very proud of the cabinet Biden has selected. He did an excellent job.nt

[George II]

42. That's the way I feel, too. It's the most representative cabinet and administration I've ever seen..

For his White House staff, he has 21 total:

8 men
13 women
4 Black
2 Hispanic
1 Asian

For his cabinet and others he has 23 total:

13 men
10 women
7 Black
3 Hispanic
2 Asian
1 Native American

Not to mention he has the first woman/Black/Asian VP, the first Native American cabinet appointee, and the first gay cabinet appointee.

How can ANYONE complain about this????????

[iluvtennis]

59. YAASSS Indeed. Thanks for the breakdown! nt

[FreeState]

80. It's a great start

Last edited Tue Dec 29, 2020, 12:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Now we need to get the Hispanic and LGBT percentages up so they matches at a minimum the percentage of population in the US they represent.

By the way LGBTs should not be listed as an aside when taking about diversity - we desire the same standing as all other minorities.

[Gothmog]

41. Here are the historic firsts in Joe Biden's administration

Link to tweet

[George II]

44. Yes SIR! Plus the first gay cabinet secretary AND the first woman/Black/Asian Vice President.....

I just did a summary of all of his appointees so far in post #42.

An amazing group of Americans to help Joe Biden get this country back on track.

[NurseJackie]

99. There is much to be proud of.

An amazing group of Americans to help Joe Biden get this country back on track.

What I find to be amazing is how many people are trying to sabotage Biden with divisive and bitter rhetoric (and endless whining and complaining and nitpicking) even BEFORE he's taken the oath of office.

I just did a summary of all of his appointees so far in post #42.

Apparently, none of that matters. Sadly, some people only see what they want to see.

All I'm trying to say is that Joe Biden is well on his way to getting our country back on track, and setting a new example, resetting the norms, and changing the tone and attitude. He's the only one who can do it. We're lucky to have him.

[Tarc]

43. If we do not take GA next week, no "tilts left" nominee will make it past McConnell

[Karma13612]

71. Precisely! Eom

[betsuni]

45. Again, I need the definition of exactly what a "progressive" is.

Is the core problem that no legislation is perfect, pure, and therefore if anyone has been involved with legislation that isn't perfect, they can't be real progressives, that only people who support Bernie's ideas, which are things that may happen in the future and theoretically perfect, can be progressive?

At least in this interview when asked if it was a mistake for Democrats not to take the earlier 1.8 trillion deal (that didn't really exist) he didn't take the bait like last time when he answered yes. That was wrong. This time he was blamed Trump.

[George II]

48. I've been asking for years, never got it. I suspect it's a moving target....

....to fit the narrative o' the day.

[betsuni]

49. At least we don't have to hear the word "establishment" every five minutes.

[dansolo]

87. No the definition of progressive for Sanders is very simple

You must support Bernie Sanders and everything he stands for. Sanders is the ultimate gatekeeper of what a progressive is supposed to believe.

[LiberalFighter]

53. Stephanopoulos and others need to stop having him on as a guest.

[NurseJackie]

85. Yes, please.

And, thank you.

[murielm99]

96. I agree.

We Tivo'ed "This Week" and watched it later in the day. We fast-forwarded through the Bernie portion. He has nothing new to say.

[McKim]

56. Tired of the Sanders Bashing

Sanders brought many votes to the Biden campaign and helped him get elected. I would like some respect please. I voted for Biden and supported the party. The young people I know are wanting a more left cabinet. We have a right to our opinions and deserve respect.

[George II]

57. Joe Biden, the soon to be President, has a right to his cabinet choices and deserves respect.

[betsuni]

60. The point people are making is that the cabinet IS very progressive and diverse.

[NurseJackie]

62. Nobody is bashing Bernie.

[sheshe2]

68. Please give us a list of those you deem worthy.

Consideration should be given that we CANNOT take a sitting Senator. We need the Senate and we need Georgia to give us two more seats to tie 50/50 with Kamala the tie breaker, we win. We can do nothing without the Senate.

Please note, respect is not a given, it is earned. That is true for each and every one of us.

[George II]

73. Who bashed Sanders? This is a report on an interview of Sanders on ABC News this morning. Period....

...it's basically a report on his own words, without any editorial comment whatsoever.

Anyone thinking it's "bashing" Sanders is reading more into it than was said.

[AmericanCanuck]

76. Disagreeing with someone's stance is not bashing

I wish the victim mentality is not used to divide

[AmericanCanuck]

77. Why are the media giving prominence to a back bencher

who has lost repeatedly?

[BainsBane]

78. That means he get to pick the cabinet?

If he wants to pick a cabinet, he needs to win, which is obvious he can't do.

Sanders gets the respect he gives.

[pnwmom]

94. I'm tired of Bernie bashing Biden for not being "progressive" enough. It's flatly false

to say that Biden hasn't appointed any progressives to the Cabinet.

He literally said there weren't any. Maybe you need to inform yourself more as to the nominees that you and Bernie are bashing. You can start with Deb Haaland. When you figure out why she isn't progressive enough, please let us know.

And don't forget to explain how the nominees you think are progressive enough will manage to get confirmed by the Senate.



https://prospect.org/blogs/tap/bidens-cabinet-the-scorecard-so-far/

As Prospect readers know, we’ve worked since March to shed light on appointments to be avoided as well as good ones worth supporting. Progressives have done better than many of us feared . . .

SNIP

On the energy and climate front, which also connects to green investment, progressives won a clean sweep: Debra Haaland at Interior, Jennifer Granholm at Energy, Michael Regan at EPA. And for education secretary, Biden has named a terrific former schoolteacher and progressive state education chief, Miguel Cardona.

Financial appointments have been better than anticipated, with Janet Yellen running Treasury, and Bharat Ramamurti as deputy director of the National Economic Council in charge of financial regulation and consumer protection. Brian Deese, who heads the council, is the best of the ones who were seriously considered.

As U.S. trade rep, Katherine Tai rejects the corporate trade consensus. And the Council of Economic Advisers is a progressive clean sweep.

At OMB, Biden’s choice is Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress, a center-left figure close to Hillary Clinton. She may well not get confirmed because of personal animus on the part of key Republican senators, and the backup is likely to be Gene Sperling, among the most pro–public investment of the Biden team.

[Omaha Steve]

63. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

NOT important news of national interest only.

Statement of Purpose
Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread.

[Omaha Steve]

65. Unlocking

For further review.

[Omaha Steve]

66. Unlocking

For further review.

[Skittles]

67. who?

oh...yeah, OK

[Karma13612]

70. Unless we win the 2 GA

Senate seats, McConnell will be deciding how far left Biden can go.

Bernie knows this and it’s really a shame he is laying this at Biden’s feet as if he has complete control.

Extremely frustrating to even read these articles.

[Skeptical Thomas]

82. BUH-bye, Bernie

Time for you to go back to Vermont. And stay there, at least in the political sense.

[Cary]

86. What does that even mean?

Sour grapes that he wasn't consulted?

[cab67]

90. I think by "progressive"...

...Sanders means "supported me in the primaries."

[NurseJackie]

93. Bazinga!

[Cary]

98. Ah yes. I see that too.

[apnu]

95. 'Tilt left'?! Biden already has the most diverse cabinet in American history.

His policies, over time, have drifted left more than anyone else in modern Congressional history.

Sorry Bernie, Biden is already solidly left.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

97. Anyone Biden appoints is progressive.

At least compared to Trump's cabinet.