# Let's name a Biden Cabinet **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 8, 2020, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040 "2020-11-08T05:34:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/121 "2020-11-24T06:37:59Z")
So invading countries and bombing countries that we aren’t involved in is maintaining our commitments? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/122 "2020-11-24T07:03:15Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Who should Biden choose as his Attorney General? I’ve seen Sally Yates’ name bandied about. She’d be good. > [@Procrustus](#): > > Bharara might also be seen as someone who wants to settle some scores. I think Garland or Bharara would be good, but I don’t expect either. I suggested Bharara long ago. Is there anyone Biden could name who _wouldn’t_ be accused of wanting to settle scores? I’d suggest Andrew Weissmann, but I suppose that would be a non-starter, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/123 "2020-11-24T14:16:41Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > While these picks are impressive their experience intelligence, i hope Biden doesn’t overlook some “next generation” political leaders as he fleshes out cabinet (Buttigieg, Booker, Duckworth, Garcetti, etc). My thought as well. I haven’t read the entire thread, but I suspect few folk predicted the names so far. I appreciate that he is going w/ experience and competence, but I’m eager for signs that he is also looking to aid the next generation of top leaders. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/124 "2020-11-24T14:24:25Z")
Maybe Mayor Pete could be the deputy UN ambassador, get some experience there and then be ready to step up when his boss moves on (somewhat rare for anyone in that post to stay the entire four years). ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/125 "2020-11-24T14:42:35Z")
I really thinks he wants a couple very smooth confirmation votes to start with. Those votes will signal the legitimacy of his administration. He needs them locked in place as a symbol of normalcy. Making hay out of a potentially controversial individual (however thin the pretext) would really be a proxy for making hay out of the fact of a Biden administration at all. This removes that. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/126 "2020-11-24T14:45:28Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > > > While these picks are impressive their experience intelligence, i hope Biden doesn’t overlook some “next generation” political leaders as he fleshes out cabinet (Buttigieg, Booker, Duckworth, Garcetti, etc). > > My thought as well. I haven’t read the entire thread, but I suspect few folk predicted the names so far. I appreciate that he is going w/ experience and competence, but I’m eager for signs that he is also looking to aid the next generation of top leaders. There are _hundreds_ of appointments that need to be made, so there are plenty of places for younger leaders. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/127 "2020-11-24T15:12:07Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > While these picks are impressive their experience intelligence, i hope Biden doesn’t overlook some “next generation” political leaders as he fleshes out cabinet (Buttigieg, Booker, Duckworth, Garcetti, etc). With the exception of Buttigieg, I wouldn’t characterize any of these names as “next generation” political leaders. These are our _current_ political leaders, already serving in powerful position in the government. I certainly wouldn’t oppose any of them being appointed to the Cabinet, but it’s not necessarily a step up for them. If their ambition is to run for President, I don’t see how a few years as VA Secretary would further buttress Duckworth’s already sterling credentials on veterans issues or how being Commerce Secretary would help Garcetti build a higher profile than being mayor of LA. But I think there are plenty of younger, lower-profile Democrats who could benefit from a Cabinet appointment. Buttigieg is an obvious one. Stacey Abrams has certainly earned a shot at a higher-profile role. Biden should go into some red-but-potentially-purple states like TX and FL and identify promising politicians he can help elevate for future statewide office runs. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There are _hundreds_ of appointments that need to be made, so there are plenty of places for younger leaders. At last count, there are over _4,000_ politically-appointed positions in the federal government. Agreed that there will be no shortage of positions to help develop young talent. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/128 "2020-11-24T15:15:59Z")
Of course some of the names listed aren’t going to take a job as assistant secretary of state for [whatever]. Booker and Duckworth are senators, and Eric Garcetti is mayor of the second largest city in America. They will want and are capable of higher positions. And the whole cabinet hasn’t been named. Perhaps Duckworth for Secretary of Defense? Buttigieg is only a small-city mayor, so really he might be expected to take a lesser role. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/129 "2020-11-24T15:20:37Z")
It may be too “small” for him, but Buttigieg would be ideal for Press Secretary, IMO. He’s such a talented communicator, both when prepared and off the cuff. And it’d get him tons of time on TV, which would only raise his profile. But it’s a famously brutal job, and I’m not sure if he’d take it. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/130 "2020-11-24T15:40:52Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There are _hundreds_ of appointments that need to be made, so there are plenty of places for younger leaders. Agreed. But there is a world of difference between naming someone as a cabinet Secretary, as opposed to the assistant deputy secretary for something that no one ever heard of an that will never get your name in the news. > [@flurb](#): > > With the exception of Buttigieg, … Yeah, thquoted post mainly identified sitting Senators. But there are any number of younger, diverse folk not currently in Congress, working at the state level, etc. Blinken might very well be the best man for the job. But tell me a single person who was thrilled by his naming, or who even thought of ANYTHING other than Winken, Blinken and Nod…" Folk like Buttigieg, Castro, Rice, Abrams have considerable bases of support, AND name recognition. I’ve long offered my opinion that Biden should approach this as 1 and done, while smoothing the way for a generation of successors. We have to focus on winning the Senate in 22, and retaining the presidency in 24. I highly doubt Yellin, Blinken, et al will be candidates for either election. That raises another issue - I’ve not yet looked into who would be the best Dem candidates in the Senate seats up for grabs in 22… I hope such people have been identified, and that the Biden admin would do what it could to increase their recognition. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/131 "2020-11-24T15:53:50Z")
There should be zero current Democratic senators in the cabinet (except perhaps Doug Jones who is on his way out already). Democrats will need every ounce of incumbency advantage in 2022, and they especially don’t need any special elections, even for “safe” seats. Just ask Martha Coakley and Alexi Giannoulias how safe those are. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/132 "2020-11-24T16:19:33Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Of course some of the names listed aren’t going to take a job as assistant secretary of state for [whatever]. Booker and Duckworth are senators, and Eric Garcetti is mayor of the second largest city in America. They will want and are capable of higher positions. It’s really a question of what their larger ambitions are. If their ambition IS to be a Cabinet Secretary, then great. I think any one of them would be more than capable. But if any of them are eyeing a Presidential run, a cabinet post doesn’t particularly help them. The last president to have previously served as a Cabinet Secretary was Herbert Hoover. The Senate or Mayor of LA are much better launching pads (although even better might be for them to run for Governor first). I agree with @dinsdale that Biden should be reaching down into the next level of future Democratic leaders – state officials, U.S. Reps, other mayors, etc. – to elevate promising young talents who could genuinely use the boost. As I mentioned, this would be particularly useful in red states where a Democratic politician has limited opportunities to make a name for him or herself. It seems like 90% of Texas Democrats’ hope for the future revolves around waiting for one of the Castro brothers to decide they’re finally ready to run for Governor, might as well give them a higher-profile perch from which to dash those hopes. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/133 "2020-11-24T16:28:50Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > But tell me a single person who was thrilled by his naming Wasn’t this the entire point of a Biden Administration? Kind of what he ran on from the primaries onward. We’re going to put competent experienced people in positions of power. Sure Castro or Buttigieg can get a lower level slot commensurate with their level of experience (and Rice, btw, is not a young up and coming person - she’s 56, only two years younger than Tony Blinken). I hope Abrams gets the DNC Chair slot - if she wants it. Besides Castro already got a Cabinet Secretary boost under Obama… so not sure another position boosts him that much. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/134 "2020-11-24T16:42:19Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I hope Abrams gets the DNC Chair slot - if she wants it. Besides Castro already got a Cabinet Secretary boost under Obama… so not sure another position boosts him that much. I think she’s earned the right to call her shot. Whatever position she feels she is best in should be her’s. As far as I know, however, she hasn’t made her future plans public. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/135 "2020-11-24T17:05:40Z")
Booker won another six year term to serve in the Senate on Election Day. I doubt he’ll want to leave that job for a lower tier cabinet job. He likes the work of being a senator, the assignments, and representing his constituents. He could become the chairman of the judiciary committee or at least the ranking member with Feinstein stepping down. Which to me sounds more appealing than a desk job in the administration. Look at Biden’s senate career. Long stints on both the Judiciary Committee and Foreign Relations committee. Chaired them both. Presided over several SCOTUS nominations and involved in depth with foreign policy. Particularly in his younger years when the Cold War was ongoing. That’s a satisfying career even if he never became vice president and president. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/136 "2020-11-24T22:41:22Z")
Marco Rubio says he will oppose Biden’s security team. Not surprising. > **[Rubio calls Biden’s national security team ‘polite & orderly caretakers...](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/24/marco-rubio-biden-national-security-team-440285)** > > The Florida senator said he has “no interest in returning to the ‘normal’ that left us dependent on China.” ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/137 "2020-11-25T00:28:39Z")
Lil’ Marco doesn’t matter. Barring some unexpected revelation, I expect the people Biden has nominated so far to get about 54-55 ayes in a floor vote. Now, in any reasonable scenario, they would get _much_ more than that. But the Republican conference is so terrified of the Trumpers that I assume most of them will vote no on _any_ Biden nominee. So it’ll be all the Democrats, all or most of the Collins/Murkowski/Romney caucus, maybe Toomey and Burr (who’ve both announced they’re not running again) and maybe a couple old bulls like Shelby or Grassley who are probably in their last terms. The question is (assuming Rs win or split the Georgia seats) whether McConnell will allow them to come to a vote. I think he will, keeping his gunpowder dry for bigger fights over legislation and judicial nominees. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/138 "2020-11-25T05:13:41Z")
Lil Marco said that there are too many Ivy League grads in the Biden cabinet. Trump went to Wharton. Mike Pompeo went to Harvard. Steve Mnuchin went to Yale. Bill Barr went to Columbia. Wilbur Ross went to Yale and Harvard. Alex Azar went to Darmouth and Yale. Ben Carson went to Yale. Elaine Chao went to Harvard. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/139 "2020-11-25T05:21:28Z")
Blinken '24! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2020, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040/140 "2020-11-25T12:19:18Z")
Historic pick! Biden has the first former president to sit on the cabinet, having named a Blinken as SOS. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-name-a-biden-cabinet/925040.md?page=8)