Biden's cabinet reflects the modern (D) party, out of touch cultural elites.

Anonymous wrote:How involved in the picks is Obama? It would make sense that Joe would be in touch with him, and that Obama would use Joe to cement his own legacy. I think Obama is more involved behind the scenes than we are told.

Obama doesn't need to be involved. Joe worked with all of these people for 8 years and knows them well. With a focus on rebuilding he's focusing on no-drama relationships and agency experience. Not that complicated.

How involved in the picks is Obama? It would make sense that Joe would be in touch with him, and that Obama would use Joe to cement his own legacy. I think Obama is more involved behind the scenes than we are told.

To the extent that Biden is considering and interviewing people he does not know already, it is probably very difficult for these candidates to connect during a Zoom interview. Biden seems to be defaulting to people who give him a comfort level. At least this is a group of mostly experienced and diverse candidates.

As far as financial conflicts, isn't it better to know who cabinet officials may be trying to please before they are approved as opposed to afterwards? We will not need to wait until after these folks leave government.

Biden is also 78 years old and has not had a full time job in almost 4 years. He did not really need to campaign much. It is unlikely he is going to be putting in the same number of hours as Obama, or even come close to the time Trump spends doing whatever he does all day. So, it helps to have a team that can hit the ground running and make things easier on the president.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

Can you explain Fudge’s experience in agriculture?

12 years on the Agriculture Committee.

Got it, thanks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

Can you explain Fudge’s experience in agriculture?

12 years on the Agriculture Committee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

Can you explain Fudge’s experience in agriculture?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

+1 HUD has become so cliche.

Maybe Fudge can finally close it down and merge it into DHS.

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

Well the US picked an old man who served 47 years. These jobs are like no show union jobs. Someone younger and smarter does all the work. Surprised that you are posting on a DC blog and don’t understand how government works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

+1 HUD has become so cliche.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Yeah, the best example was Marsha Fudge and Tom Vilsack. Biden clearly wanted Vilsack to be at USDA, likely because they worked together for years. But Clyburn and the CBC is pushing hard for Fudge at Agriculture. So he gives Vilsack the slot at USDA, then realizes he needs to make Clyburn happy so he puts Fudge at HUD. Fudge has years of experience in agriculture, but none is housing. The funniest thing is that Fudge is on the record saying that Presidents use HUD as a token black position. And then Biden does just that. No strategy at all.

Anonymous wrote:Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I don't understand some of Biden's choices so far.

If he didn't want to pander to far left activists, fine. But some of the choices he's made seem foolish...i.e. he could have had a moderate, pro-business crowd around him and still made better selections.

Vilsack has a poor record and has made millions working for Big Ag since serving in the Obama administration. A ton of civil rights organizations and advocacy groups are coming out against the pick.

On top of that, Biden said that he is the "bridge to the new generation of leaders." How is picking an old man who served in the job for eight years doing that? I understand the point about having experience and repairing the damage of Trump. But there has to have been at least one other person who could have done a great job, but brings a fresh perspective.

I feel like Biden is just choosing people he has worked closely with, regardless of the repercussions or their records. Just like the Susan Rice as head of domestic policy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/09/black-farmers-tom-vilsack-agriculture-usda-biden-cabinet-444077

I feel like we need a separate thread for non-cabinet appointments, but it's probably too niche. so i will ask here.

anyone know if the following will possibly get a high level admin job (if they're even interested):

- Lisa Monaco
- Chris Lu
- Julie Smith
- Cecilia Munoz

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Susan Rice will lead the Domestic Policy Council. Prominent but does not require Senate confirmation. Interesting shift, though I believe she led DC's covid task force.

Great pick. Maybe she can help get to the bottom of the question of why Netflix does not pay any taxes.

it's not exactly a mystery. They have huge carryover losses. Just like someone else we all know. The only difference is that they didnt claim them twice.

$845 million in U.S. profit in 2018 but no tax paid. Incredible.