The way way too early thread predicting Biden's 2021 cabinet

[Seasider]

Yeah I know it's not quite July yet and a lot can happen between now and November. Hypothetically, if Biden ends up winning, his 1st order of business will be putting his transition team in motion and picking his cabinet members. Here a few names off the top of my head I could see in the job. I'd love to see what other names are out there.


Transaction Director: Rahm Emmanuel

Chief of Staff: Ron Klain

Attorney General: Sally Yates

Secretary of State: Susan Rice

Secretary of Defense: Tammy Duckworth

Secretary of Treasury: Andrew Yang (kind of darkhorse pick). Elizabeth Warren is another possibility.

EPA Secretary: Jay Inslee

Interior Secretary: Bill Richardson (if he can overcome the previous corruption allegations)

Commerce Secretary: Pete Buttigieg (to be honest though I'd rather see him run for Governor or Senator in Indiana and build his Presidential profile).

Secretary of Agriculture: Amy Klobuchar (I think her organizational skills and midwest roots could translate well into this post).

Secretary of Education: Jill Biden would be a great pick but unfortunately that would be huge nepotism. This one is a tough one cause Biden says he wants a public school teacher in that role.

[wryter2000]

1. Don't take anyone out of the Senate

unless we know 100% for sure that person will be replaced by a Democrat. We may end up with 50 or 51 seats. We cannot lose any seats in the Senate. Really.

[leftieNanner]

5. ABSOLUTELY!

I love all of those Senators that were mentioned, but we need them to stay right where they are!

[SCantiGOP]

7. Agreed

Take Richardson and the two Senators off the list.

[Seasider]

9. I don't know. I mean I get the concerns about losing ground in the Senate

But at the end of the day, it's all about finding the best qualified people for these jobs period no matter what their current job is. I think it's safe to say that if elected, Biden is going to inherit a country in disarray with a horrendous mess left behind by the previous administration.

Maybe it's just me but I don't think it would be fair to eliminate a Senator or Congress person from consideration especially they're actually interested in the job and want to advance their career. What are we going to say to them? "You're the best person for the job and I know how much you want it but we can't risk losing a seat to the Republicans so you need to just fall in line and stay where you're at."

[leftieNanner]

13. If we have a margin in the Senate in January

Then he can choose anyone he wants. We must have the Senate, the House, and the White House.

We must put Moscow Mitch out to pasture.

I agree that Joe should choose the most qualified individuals to help us dig out of this hideous mess.

[wryter2000]

22. If they're in a safe state, fine

In fact, I want Kamala Harris to be his VP. Her seat is safe. So is Elizabeth Warren's. But if we might lose a seat, no, no, no.

There are all kinds of qualified people. Had you ever heard of Susan Rice before Obama appointed her? I hadn't.

With the situation as drastic as it is, we must have the White House and both Houses of Congress. And we may have to get rid of the filibuster, too, if we're to avoid a depression.

[Ohiogal]

2. Secretary of Labor

Tim Ryan

[Demovictory9]

3. his son Hunter

and repubs couldn't say shit about it

[former9thward]

10. Well not only Republicans would say something.

It is against the law. 5 U.S. Code § 3110.Employment of relatives; restrictions.

[meow2u3]

12. Trump exploited this loophole when he brought on Javanka

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110

(b) A public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control any individual who is a relative of the public official. An individual may not be appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in or to a civilian position in an agency if such appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement has been advocated by a public official, serving in or exercising jurisdiction or control over the agency, who is a relative of the individual.
(c) An individual appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced in violation of this section is not entitled to pay, and money may not be paid from the Treasury as pay to an individual so appointed, employed, promoted, or advanced.

The loophole in the law, as emphasized in bold, needs to be closed yesterday. It should read, "no relative may be appointed period, even if unpaid."

[former9thward]

16. Ivanka did not have a cabinet position.

As the posters suggested for Biden's relatives.

[book_worm]

4. I also agree it's way too early for cabinet picks

and also agree that nobody should be taken out of the Senate--even in states which have Dem governors.

[elleng]

6. Lots of fun with this!

HAPPY to see Sally Yates as AG!

[elleng]

8. P.S. I like Pete B @ Sec Def.

[former9thward]

11. Can't appoint Jill Biden to the Cabinet.

Against the law. 5 U.S. Code § 3110.Employment of relatives; restrictions. LBJ had this law passed because he hated Robert Kennedy and wanted to get back at him.

[mentalsolstice]

14. SOS...Michelle Obama

One can dream? She’s very popular with our former allies, and with the proper staff she could steady the ship overseas. Otherwise, appoint her to UN ambassador. Barack Obama has to be appointed to SCOTUS.

[JI7]

15. everything listed after Susan Rice is unlikely

[Seasider]

17. Perhaps. At this stage, they're sort of fantasy picks.

[mvd]

18. I don't want Rahm anywhere near the cabinet

Otherwise your choices aren’t bad. Klain has experience with pandemics. Definitely want to see Warren in there. I like the Inslee pick a lot. Think we can do better at Interior.

Perhaps:

Vanita Gupta for Attorney General
Ro Khanna for Labor Secretary
Michelle Lujan Grisham for Interior
John Kerry for Secretary of State
Tony Evers for Education Secretary (I do worry about taking him out of Wisconsin)
Stacey Abrams for Sec. of Housing and Urban Development

[Seasider]

19. Kerry might actually be a good Sec of Defense pick.

[tritsofme]

20. It wouldn't be worth Warren or Klobuchar giving up Senate seats

for a couple years stint in a relatively minor cabinet post.

[DFW]

21. My wish list would include

State: Kerry comes back

Commerce: Russ Feingold

Interior: Jay Inslee

Heath and Human Services: Howard Dean

Housing and Urban Development: Veronica Biggins or Pete Buttigieg

UN Ambassador: Pete Buttigieg or bring back Susan Rice

Labor: Al Franken

Education: Either Cecile Richards or Michelle Obama (probably neither would want the post)

Agriculture: Rob Sand (currently Iowa State Auditor, knows a LOT about agriculture!)

Attorney General: Stacy Abrams (I'm assuming Hillary is not interested)

Transportation: Beto O'Rourke

Veterans Affairs: Tammy Duckworth, although I am in principle against taking experienced Senators out of the Senate

Intelligence director: Valerie Plame

Chief of Staff: David Simas or David Axelrod, or someone really good from his campaign who isn't yet well known.

Defense: If he would be interested, Wes Clark. Or Kerry if he doesn't want to do State again, but would join the administration.