Biden: No Bernie or Elizabeth Warren in his cabinet because he 'needs them in the Senate'

[Baclava]

Joe Biden said he will not tap progressives Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders for his administration, claiming he needs their presence in the U.S. Senate

'We already have significant representation among progressives in our administration,' Biden told NBC in his first interview since declaring victory

He said: 'Taking someone out of the Senate, taking someone out of the House, particularly for a person of consequence, is a really difficult decision'

'I have a very ambitious, very progressive agenda. and it's going to take really strong leaders in the House and Senate to get it done,' Biden continued in his first interview since he declared victory.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8986019/Biden-wont-Bernie-Sanders-Elizabeth-Warren-Cabinet-need-Senate.html

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well there ya go Bernie

[Dawson Leery]

1. Both states have GOP Governors (needs to be changed in 2022).

In the end, no Republican can be trusted.

[klook]

3. Correct. MA and VT governors would appoint "moderate" Republicans

giving Moscow Mitch a safe majority for at least the first two years of the Biden-Harris administration.

[Celerity]

15. Scott Says He Would Replace Sanders With Democrat-Affiliated Independent

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/10/23/scott-says-he-would-replace-sanders-with-democrat-affiliated-independent

I agree though, both Sanders and Warren need to stay in the Senate.

[Lysol2020]

24. Why yes

he would says he. I'm certain he'd never succumb to the pressure of the Republican Party. None of them would ever do something they said they wouldn't. I agree with you, we need to use common sense here and not take that bait.

[Rebl2]

48. That's what

my feeling is and would not trust a republican governor (VT) to replace him with a Democrat affiliated independent. I don’t trust any republican politicians.

[pnwmom]

52. Sure he would. How dumb would we have to be to believe that?

[whistler162]

54. Always worked for Charlie Brown when

Lucy Van Pelt promised not to take the football away so why shouldn't it work for Democrats when a Republican makes a promise!

[NurseJackie]

56. "Good grief."

[patphil]

61. What amazes me is how Scott got nearly 69% of the vote in Vermont, while Biden got 66%.

As Vizzini once said, "Inconceivable!"

[Caliman73]

2. I agree with Biden's decision. Both are needed in the Senate.

As another poster said, both are in states with a currently Republican Governor so that would likely mean to Republican Senators selected and we cannot afford that.

[Vivienne235729]

74. I agree too. We need every single person. All hands on deck.

[RussBLib]

4. well, how about putting a GOP Senator into his Admin, from a blue state....

...with a blue Governor, who could replace the GOP Senator with a Democratic one?

Yeah, yeah, it's a pipe dream.

[LiberalFighter]

8. I doubt he would want a communist in his Cabinet.

If Ron Johnson was a moderate then it would be worth considering.

[RussBLib]

14. Richard Burr is probably the most moderate on the list

I count 9 GOP Senators in blue-Governor states.

Burr - NC
Cassidy - LA
Collins - ME
Johnson - WI
Kennedy - LA
McConnell - KY
Paul - KY
Tillis - NC
Toomey - PA (Toomey has already announced he won't run in 2022)

[LisaL]

18. Lets offer McConnell a cabinet position.

[RussBLib]

19. bit of a long shot

[rickyhall]

47. He could be Secretary of Garbage & Sanitation if we had one.

[LiberalFighter]

65. He would probably want to be Secretary of China Affairs.

[George II]

50. I think some Democrats would like to offer McConnell a horizontal cabinet (that was rude, sorry!)

[RussBLib]

51. haha - I predict that I will hear that....

in a comedy bit soon.

[madinmaryland]

36. Susan Collins would be perfect for the Department of Concern.

[bluescribbler]

40. +1000

[Celerity]

58. I would say Toomey is, and Burr may be in trouble for insider trading

[BainsBane]

64. Yeah, Toomey would be good

only because he'll be replaced with a Dem Senator. Plus he's got nothing to lose since he's not running for re-election.

[brush]

20. Ron Johnson, the one still pushing hydroxychloroquine? Please no.

[Poiuyt]

34. Johnson would not qualify because he's TOO FUCKING STUPID!

[brush]

72. There ya go. You said it better than I did.

[Celerity]

59. who is a communist?

[LisaL]

13. And the potential candidates would be?

A republican senator from a blue state with a democratic governor?

[RussBLib]

16. see above n/t

[Mr.Bill]

37. He did.

Her name is Kamala Harris.

[RussBLib]

43. Really? You think she is conservative?

Perhaps, if you are hyper-progressive?

[Mr.Bill]

55. My mistake.

I didn't catch that you said GOP Senator. Busy hose today. Lots of distractions.

[RussBLib]

57. was going to say....

WTF happened to Mr Bill?!?!

[Rebl2]

49. Never happen

[soldierant]

62. You know, different states have different rules for tthis type of replacement.

In some states the governor chooses, but in some states it's the party of the departing Senator. I don't know which is which, but I'd bet good money that Joe and his team do know, in exquisite detail. Including whether or not there must also be a special election, and if so, when.

I'm a big fan of leaving Senators in the Senate - especially in a Senate as close as this one.

[Jakes Progress]

63. No pipe dream.

There are a lot of pointless appointees. We don't need a moderate. Get one of the bigger assholes out of the Senate. How about collins for ambassador to wherever? Get one into a job where they can't do anything without approval. Appoint two.

[Demsrule86]

70. Toomey has a great interest in Cancer which Biden shares...Cancer Czar?

He does not plan to run again. Don't like him much but he was one of the first GOP's to say Biden won. And PA has a Democratic governor.

[Glorfindel]

5. Yes! President-elect Biden knows what he's doing

Legislators can be much, much more effective than cabinet secretaries, who are mostly there for ceremonial purposes (the Secretary of State and Attorney General excepted).

[SharonClark]

44. That's not true. Cabinet Secretaries are very important.

[bullwinkle428]

6. As much as I love both, the risk-reward proposition just wasn't worth it, given that

both states are run by Repuke governors.

[yellowdogintexas]

39. not to mention the seniority they hold,

especially Bernie

[AkFemDem]

7. Totally agree with this call- any hints

Of a place for Pete?

[Dream Girl]

9. Why the Wuotation marks?

It’s just a fact.

[Baclava]

27. Wuotation marks are sexy

[sprinkleeninow]

33. Your reply is 'revealing'. 💋

[Celerity]

68. it's a cut and paste from the article

[awesomerwb1]

10. Good. We can't risk losing any Senate seats nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Good

[LiberalFighter]

12. No point shooting yourself in the foot and making it more difficult for your administration.

[brush]

17. That's just common sense. I will never get why the so-called leftists were pushing that.

We can't afford to give away Senate seats, as repug governors sure won't appoint Democrats to replace them.

[LiberalFighter]

66. It is usually because those pushing it don't have an understanding.

[Hortensis]

21. In 2015 Biden wanted Warren for his helpmate VP if he ran then, and

they met to discuss it while he considered. So whatever reasons go into this decision, they in no way reflect badly on her. I'm wondering if he might eventually have a special assignment for her.

One look at the kind of extremely qualified, extremely experienced, and very highly respected people Biden is appointing makes it clear there would not be a cabinet position for Sanders. Though he's no leader at all in the senate, self-sidelined for 30 years, that is the best place for him to serve.

[LiberalFighter]

67. I don't consider him a go getter either. At first glance it appears he is.

[Beringia]

22. Plausible denial

[shanti]

23. And he's so right

They're better off and necessary right where they are.

[CousinIT]

25. Fully understand this. No disagreement from me. n/t

[DeminPennswoods]

26. Biden's agenda is actually pretty

progressive, so his argument about the senate is a good one.

[warmfeet]

28. Joe is quite correct.

We need every Democrat we can get, or keep, in the senate. Not much will happen without the senate. Best not to shoot ourselves in the foot.

[James48]

29. After 2022 election.

I’d love to see four or five seats flip to blue in 2022, and then Bernie can serve as Labor Secretary.

[berni_mccoy]

30. As a Sanders 2016 and then Warren 2020 primary supporter I agree with Joe

They need to remain in the Senate a d do what they’ve been doing.

[DFW]

31. Perfect way to phrase it

Stroke their egos, and effectively say "no way" without having to say it with negative overtones.

Joe gets it right--again.

[orleans]

32. AGREE! n/t

[sprinkleeninow]

35. Pack/stack the Senate with Dems.

[treestar]

38. If you care about the country

you don't demand this. It's like they care more about Bernie and Elizabeth's ascent. Even Bernie and Elizabeth don't make these demands.

[TygrBright]

41. Smart. And doesn't keep them from being tapped in a future reorganization.

I suspect he won't want to do a lot of reorganizing as providing a stable, secure, reliable cabinet is important to start with, but after the midterms some reorganization is normal.

thoughtfully,
Bright

[Hulk]

42. I agree with that decision 100%

Why take a risk at pulling their voices out of the Senate when we are so close to the Tipping Point.

Warren is a pillar of information. She is not going to be silent nor is Bernie. I trust that President Biden will select competent people to fill his administration.

[crickets]

45. Agreed.

We need every single Dem seat we have to stay filled as they are, with hope for more at the midterms.

[marble falls]

46. And I agree. The Senate is where the fight will be taking place ...

Losing Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth from the Senate was one of my biggest worries during Primaries. I was equally worried about losing Cory Booker as well.

[NurseJackie]

53. "We already have significant representation among progressives in our administration..."

'We already have significant representation among progressives in our administration,'

And so let's have an end to all the speculation and whining. Biden knows what he's doing. He knows what he wants. He won't be bullied or intimidated and he won't give in to arm-twisting or threats.

This will not be a "Bernie-light" or a "Warren-light" administration. It's the Biden administration. Joe's in charge. Joe makes the decisions. The voters chose Joe over all others during the primary for a reason. Sadly, I see the people are still grieving and still denying reality but they'll just have to do their very best to let it go and trust in Joe. We've had our primaries, our convention, the general election... and that's plenty of time to realize and understand and accept what the people want. Folks need to stop trying to undermine and kneecap Joe Biden (even before he's taken the oath of office).


Joe/Kamala or Biden/Harris 2020!!
They're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Biden Bandwagon & let's take back America!!

[Basement Beat]

60. I agree with him about needing them both in the senate...

But I sure as hell haven't seen any "significant representation" yet. Which means it's not gonna get much progressive at all if that's the view.

Welp, not the most encouraging news but certainly light years beyond what we've seen in comparison to the unsightly growth currently in the white house.

[Gore1FL]

69. They both need to be in the Senate to keep it at 50, assuming GA goes blue the rest of the way.

There are plenty of qualified liberals to choose from, however, and he needs to include several.

[Raine]

71. Didn't see that one coming. 🙄 nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

73. YEAH!!!!!