Any guesses on the cabinet?
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08
The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.
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Why would I celebrate? There isn't going to be a Biden cabinet.
Not that I'm a democrat, obviously.
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@George-K said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
@Mik said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
Seems problematic.
If the GOP holds the senate, what do you think his approval odds are?
If it’s literally true they’re zero. Even in a dem senate it would be a problem.
I doubt it’s true though.
DON’T let them eat cake.
- RFK Jr -
@jon-nyc said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
If it’s literally true they’re zero. Even in a dem senate it would be a problem.
I doubt it’s true though.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Mayorkas
In 2015, a Department of Homeland Security inspector general (DHS IG) report criticized Mayorkas' oversight of the EB-5 investor visa program, which offered lawful permanent resident status (green cards) to foreign investors who invested a half-million dollars into businesses that created jobs in the U.S. The program's popularity greatly increased under Mayorkas's tenure. The DHS IG report, which was the culmination of an investigation beginning in 2013, focused on allegations that politically connected businesses were given special treatment under the program, focusing specifically on the Sahara casino and hotel in Las Vegas, backed by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and an electric car company led by Terry McAuliffe and involving Anthony Rodham. The report concluded that "The juxtaposition of Mr. Mayorkas' communication with external stakeholders on specific matters outside the normal procedures, coupled with favorable action that deviated from the regulatory scheme designed to ensure fairness and evenhandedness in adjudicating benefits, created an appearance of favoritism and special access." The "fast-tracking" of approvals for individuals involved in the casino program was controversial because it was made over the objections of USCIS analysts "who were suspicious about the source of the funds."
The inspector general's report found that Mayorkas's acts did not violate the law, but did create an appearance of favoritism. In House Homeland Security Committee testimony in May 2015, Mayorkas expressed regret that his intervention created an impression of favoritism, but said his involvement was motivated by a desire to ensure that the applications were handled in accordance with the law: "I did not let errors go unchecked, but instead helped ensure that those cases were decided correctly, nothing more and nothing less.
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@LuFins-Dad said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/fullpage/500000-green-card-eb-visa-program-28662457
"Mayorkas declined requests for an interview for this report, and when ABC News caught up with him, he ignored the cameras and questions altogether."
BUT TRUMP WALKED OFF THE PODIUM WITHOUT ANSWERING QUESTIONS!!!!
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@jon-nyc said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
But he still may have trouble. It gives the GOP something to latch onto other than DACA.
Yes. In politics there doesn't need to be much smoke for there to be fire. What is worrisome is that the fire will be fueled by a revenge factor, which of course has no place in politics, particularly national politics. "They did it to our guy, so now we're gonna do it to their guy!"
That's polarization for you. There is no more pulling together, no more working for the good of the whole. It's us versus those bastards!
Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka
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A little late to cry " it's us against those bastards". We had someone who was fighting the peoples' fight against the political class but apparently he got voted out and we've handed it all back to the corrupt ruling class again because he hurt some people's widdle feewings.....
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@Larry said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
A little late to cry " it's us against those bastards". We had someone who was fighting the peoples' fight against the political class but apparently he got voted out and we've handed it all back to the corrupt ruling class again because he hurt some people's widdle feewings.....
That's about right
He's not unique, plenty of others will pick up the cause
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@George-K said in Any guesses on the cabinet?:
John Kerry as "energy czar." Thank God!
Thank God he is being kept a few steps away at least from Foreign Policy. I don't think Kerry or Biden have ever been right on Foreign Policy matters yet.
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New York Times: A Recently Retired General Should Not Be Secretary of Defense.
General Austin is a capable and respected former commander of Central Command, but a civilian — not a recently retired general — should lead the Pentagon.
As it is, Mr. Biden will need a Congressional waiver; the National Security Act of 1947 requires a prospective secretary to wait seven years after ending active duty as a commissioned officer and General Austin retired only in 2016. It would be only the third time a president has requested a waiver — President Harry Truman for George Marshall in 1950, and President Trump for James Mattis.
The legislators who negotiated the original security act believed only unique circumstances might dictate that a newly retired general or admiral should lead the Defense Department.
The Pentagon now needs to re-establish traditional national security processes and return to a sense of normalcy. President-elect Biden no doubt will want to streamline civilian oversight of war plans, increase transparency surrounding military operations and chart a new and perhaps very different vision for the defense budget.
But appointing another retired general to lead the Pentagon will not help return things to normal. Even if a retired general like Mr. Mattis was the right person for the Trump era, that era is over. A legislative exception granted at an exceptional moment should not become the new rule.
After four years of relative, if erratic, autonomy under Mr. Trump, military leaders may chafe when civilian national security leaders ask to check their homework. To some extent, that is healthy. Too much friction can also stop or slow progress, true, but a certain level is necessary for proper governance.
The need for experienced leadership in the Pentagon to manage this friction is vital. As even George Marshall realized, Mr. Biden would be wise to select a strong civilian who is up to the task.
President-elect Biden should not put Lloyd Austin, nor any other recently retired general or admiral, in the same position. General Austin is a fine public servant, and he may well continue his service to the nation out of uniform. But the Pentagon would be the wrong place for him to do it.
At least three Senators, including VietNam war vet Blumenthal are opposed.
Gonna be a tough hill to climb.
