Republicans quietly plot to sink Biden nominees

[RandySF]

Republicans are making plans to torpedo some of President-elect Biden's prospective Cabinet, agency and judicial nominees if the GOP keeps its majority, aides involved in the discussions tell me.

What we're hearing: Top targets include political names and civil servants who spoke out loudest against President Trump, forced out his appointees or became stars in the impeachment hearings — like Sally Yates and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman — as well as longtime targets of conservative media, like Susan Rice.

Targets also include more obscure potential nominees for federal judgeships, solicitor general and the Supreme Court. Republicans worry these nominees could blunt conservative moves on deregulation or social policy.

Driving the news: With Biden planning to announce his first slate of Cabinet picks this week, Senate GOP staffers are closely following reports of floated names, gathering opposition research and even planning potential hearing questions, staffers familiar with the processes in two separate Senate committees tell me.

Some leaked names are labeled "really objectionable," and Republican staffers have begun circulating research to members to try to preempt their nomination altogether.

These preparations are very preliminary, given that Trump hasn't conceded, his GSA administration has blocked the transition from the beginning and Republicans haven't begun meeting with Biden's team.



https://www.axios.com/biden-trump-cabinet-nominees-republicans-70531e77-89b2-4a67-ae9f-213aac6e1d70.html

[still_one]

1. If we win the runoff, fuck em. If we don't, I hope Romney, Collins, and a couple of others vote

with the Democrats

[BainsBane]

6. Don't count on it

They are cowards.

[AnnaLee]

2. Didn't everyone expect this?

Lots of temps ahead.

[Hekate]

3. A 4-year precedent has been set. Biden needs to appoint the best he can & not bother ...

...with the McConnell Senate.

[Chainfire]

5. Exactly

His team can all be "acting."

Meanwhile, obstructionists Republicans should get nothing, not even paper in their men's room.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

10. Correct -- trumPutin and Moscow Mitch normalized "ACTING" instead of "CONFIRMED".

[SheltieLover]

4. What qbout this option?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214587836

[BainsBane]

7. Looks unsatisfying

and wouldn't give the Dems enough power. Better to win the Senate seats in GA and then give Pat Toomey a cabinet position so the Dem governor will replace him with a Democratic Senator.

[SheltieLover]

8. I agree but good alternate plan

[Crunchy Frog]

9. They're not exactly being quiet about it,

or at least it's no secret to anyone who's been paying attention. Also, duh. Why wouldn't this be the expectation, given their behavior over the last 12 years?

I really hope that Biden has contingency plans.