Biden/Harris Presidency Discussion Thread

TomOnBoard

This is a thread about the Presidency of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

This thread is set to be moved to the Politics History forum on 20th January 2025, to join the Donald Trump Presidency thread there, and to be followed here by the Kamala Harris Presidency thread.

Here's to a peaceful and constructive transition, a Presidency for All Americans and a historic emergence of a great and fair society.

thebaz

Best of luck in what will be a terribly difficult job , the country is so divided , just hope some of the wounds heal in 2021, in a country I love a lot - America doesnt get much love here these days , but so many good people ther.

Brussels Sprout

Don't jinx it!

Itssoeasy

It’s not a done deal yet Tom. Yes, it’s looking good to very good as it stands but until it’s called it’s not over.

TomOnBoard

The work has already started.

The team spent the day in briefings on Covid. They're simply getting on with it now.

Infini

The Darkest Timeline is coming to an end it seems. Biden won't be able to undo all the damage this administration has caused over the last number of year's but he will be able to reverse a good deal of it. Could even luck out and see them take the senate if they can win the Georgia run off's but without that it will likely be damage control and bridge building at least until 2022 comes round and the mid terms happen.

Gatling

It's going to get worse before it gets better , unless there is huge changes across the board , trump will keep pouring petrol on everything until eventually it blows up ,

perrito caliente

Biden will start a war of aggression against another state (on false pretences) or foment a rebellion abroad. Probably he will do both.

TomOnBoard

Having spent yesterday being briefed on the uncontrolled wildfire that is Covid infection, the incoming Presidential Team need to focus on the next most dangerous threat to Americans and their country. Unlike Covid, this threat did not originate in China, but in the United States itself. It has been growing for years and has now finally metasticised into a poisonous tumour that needs immediate attention before it destroys the body it is feeding on.

As they begin their day's work today, they must deal with the dangerous fall-out from the tsunami of lies and exhortations to violence and chaos that are coming from the current ex-President and his dangerous cabal of surrogates. While the votes continue to be counted, let's not forget that the election process will continue for many weeks before it can be considered done and dusted. So, at some point, the Biden-Harris Presidency, already working, MUST clearly state that it has started the Transition process, in accordance with the Law. That point is now! Every day that the current ex-President is allowed to foment anger, sow chaos and defy the Will of the People is another day that further entrenches hatred and division; a day that can never be recovered. Meanwhile another 1,000+ people will die and 130,000+ cases will be infected as a policy of allowing uncontrolled disease to spread continues unchallenged across many parts of the country.

Call it, Mr President-Elect.! Call it Now!

Brian?

Anyone got any clues on the make up of Biden's cabinet?

If I were him I'd go full bore to troll the GOP:

Hilary as Sec of State again
Obama as AG
AOC as Sec of the treasury

But that's not going to happen.

I think Warren would make a great Sec of State. She's not tarnished by any history with the Iraq war.

I'd like to see Stacey Abrahams get HUD. For 2 years and run again for the Senate.

Mayor Pete for Agriculture.

What I really want is an atheist for Education Secretary.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Brian? wrote: »

Anyone got any clues on the make up of Biden's cabinet?

If I were him I'd go full bore to troll the GOP:

Hilary as Sec of State again
Obama as AG
AOC as Sec of the treasury

But that's not going to happen.

I think Warren would make a great Sec of State. She's not tarnished by any history with the Iraq war.

I'd like to see Stacey Abrahams get HUD. For 2 years and run again for the Senate.

Mayor Pete for Agriculture.

What I really want is an atheist for Education Secretary.

Captain Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt knowingly risked his career for the safety of his troops. His actions were heroic, and he was sacked for them. I'm sure there have been many people who have been wrongfully removed from office under Trump, this is just one of them, and I really hope he is rewarded for his bravery and commitment to his troops.

Dillonb3

Brian? wrote: »

Anyone got any clues on the make up of Biden's cabinet?

If I were him I'd go full bore to troll the GOP:

Hilary as Sec of State again
Obama as AG
AOC as Sec of the treasury

But that's not going to happen.

I think Warren would make a great Sec of State. She's not tarnished by any history with the Iraq war.

I'd like to see Stacey Abrahams get HUD. For 2 years and run again for the Senate.

Mayor Pete for Agriculture.

What I really want is an atheist for Education Secretary.

Adam Schiff for Kamala's senate seat?

Rjd2

Brian? wrote: »

Anyone got any clues on the make up of Biden's cabinet?

If I were him I'd go full bore to troll the GOP:

Hilary as Sec of State again
Obama as AG
AOC as Sec of the treasury

But that's not going to happen.

I think Warren would make a great Sec of State. She's not tarnished by any history with the Iraq war.

I'd like to see Stacey Abrahams get HUD. For 2 years and run again for the Senate.

Mayor Pete for Agriculture.

What I really want is an atheist for Education Secretary.

The Iraq war doesn't matter an iota and the idea that anyone is tarnished by it is absurd. Joe Biden who supported it just got a record number of votes while various GOP abominations who supported it have been put on a pedestal and showered with money by online resistance@! people.

Hopefully they find a spot for Yang somewhere, but if the senate remains in Mitch's hand, I assume it will be neo liberal ghouls galore confirmed.

AbusesToilets

Brian? wrote: »

Anyone got any clues on the make up of Biden's cabinet?

If I were him I'd go full bore to troll the GOP:

Hilary as Sec of State again
Obama as AG
AOC as Sec of the treasury

But that's not going to happen.

I think Warren would make a great Sec of State. She's not tarnished by any history with the Iraq war.

I'd like to see Stacey Abrahams get HUD. For 2 years and run again for the Senate.

Mayor Pete for Agriculture.

What I really want is an atheist for Education Secretary.

I'm not sure I'd want to pull Senators to fill the cabinet, especially Warren. I think she could be a much stronger force in Congress

Brian?

Rjd2 wrote: »

The Iraq war doesn't matter an iota and the idea that anyone is tarnished by it is absurd. Joe Biden who supported it just got a record number of votes while various GOP abominations who supported it have been put on a pedestal and showered with money by online resistance@! people.

Hopefully they find a spot for Yang somewhere, but if the senate remains in Mitch's hand, I assume it will be neo liberal ghouls galore confirmed.

Iraq matters outside the US, not inside. Can you lay off the hyperbole, it’s not “absurd”.

Brian?

AbusesToilets wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd want to pull Senators to fill the cabinet, especially Warren. I think she could be a much stronger force in Congress

It’s ok to pull senators in some states. Each state decides how it replaces its Senators.

Rjd2

Brian? wrote: »

Iraq matters outside the US, not inside. Can you lay off the hyperbole, it’s not “absurd”.

Apologies for using the word absurd that was rude .


I think its fair to say though the Iraq war when it comes to 2020 politics just doesn't matter and those who supported it haven't been affected whatsoever in the political or real world so if Biden were to fill his cabinet with hawks who supported it then it won't affect him whatsoever.

Brian?

Rjd2 wrote: »

Apologies for using the word absurd that was rude .

Apology accepted.

I think its fair to say though the Iraq war when it comes to 2020 politics just doesn't matter and those who supported it haven't been affected whatsoever in the political or real world so if Biden were to fill his cabinet with hawks who supported it then it won't affect him whatsoever.

Absolutely it won't affect him in any way at home. My point was that Harris would be unburdened by Iraq and Afghanistan when negotiating with foreign leaders. Particularly in the middle East.

Brussels Sprout

Judging by his media appearances in support of Biden leading up to the election Pete Buttigieg will certainly be getting a big job. He also bowed out of the primary race at a very convenient time for Biden so I suspect a deal was made then. Same goes for Amy Klobuchar but not sure if she'd want to leave the Senate.

After the Trump administration I don't care who gets jobs so long as they are qualified to do them and aren't partisan hacks.

Dillonb3

Would Doug Jones be a shout for AG? former prosecutor and lost his senate seat so wouldn't need to be replaced and supposed to be moderate enough

Faugheen

What I’d love most would be for a SCOTUS vacancy to come up and Obama be nominated for it.

It would wind up the GOP no end.

AbusesToilets

Dillonb3 wrote: »

Would Doug Jones be a shout for AG? former prosecutor and lost his senate seat so wouldn't need to be replaced and supposed to be moderate enough

Moderation is not needed for the AG. Need someone who will aggressively pursue all the crooks who've profited over the last 4 years.

Dillonb3

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Moderation is not needed for the AG. Need someone who will aggressively pursue all the crooks who've profited over the last 4 years.

Meant moderate as in he wouldn't be a controversial pick that would get voted no by the republicans in the senate. I think Jones voted for Barr when he was been confirmed

Brussels Sprout

Faugheen wrote: »

What I’d love most would be for a SCOTUS vacancy to come up and Obama be nominated for it.

It would wind up the GOP no end.

Need 50 seats in the Senate for anything like that. it's still possible but it's going to be very difficult to achieve. Losing Maine to Collins especially was probably the low point of the entire week for the Democrats.

Brian?

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

Judging by his media appearances in support of Biden leading up to the election Pete Buttigieg will certainly be getting a big job. He also bowed out of the primary race at a very convenient time for Biden so I suspect a deal was made then. Same goes for Amy Klobuchar but not sure if she'd want to leave the Senate.

After the Trump administration I don't care who gets jobs so long as they are qualified to do them and aren't partisan hacks.

Pete is rumoured to be getting the ambassador to UN role. I think that would be great.

It puts an openly gay man right in the middle of US foreign policy. That's a direct challenge to anti LGBT governments

CIARAN_BOYLE

I wonder if there's any republican senator from a state with a democratic governor will be offered a cabinet job in a bipartisan move.

Get the Democrats an extra senator.

Hawkeye9212

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I wonder if there's any republican senator from a state with a democratic governor will be offered a cabinet job in a bipartisan move.

Get the Democrats an extra senator.

No Republican is going to take a position in Biden's cabinet and give up their seat.

Fr Tod Umptious

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I wonder if there's any republican senator from a state with a democratic governor will be offered a cabinet job in a bipartisan move.

Get the Democrats an extra senator.

It's not the case in every state that the governor appoints a new senator if a senator leaves or dies or whatever.

Famously in the lead up to the 2004 election Ted Kennedy (D) in MA was behind a move to change the system in that state where the new senator would be elected by special election (by-election in our language) rather than being nominated by the governor.

The thinking was that John Kerry (D) would become president but Mitt Romney (R) would be able to nominate his successor.

So the MA legislature changed it to a special election.

Anyway nothing came of it because Kerry lost the election to Bush.

Fast forward a few years.
Kennedy himself dies, and instead of the then governor Deval Patrick (D) being able to nominate his successor it goes to a special election.
And Scott Brown (R) beats Martha Coakley (D) for the Senate seat.

As it turns out Brown subsequently lost to Warren (D) a few years later but it was ironic at the time.

Brussels Sprout

Just looking there. the Americans constantly refer to their Presidents by their numbers. Obama - 44; Trump 45. So Joe Biden will be 46. However he won't be the 46th man to become President. Grover Cleveland served non-consecutive terms so he got numbers 22 & 24. Seems a little bit odd. I'd have just left him as 22 since he is the same person after all but I guess that's not the convention. So if Trump comes back and wins in 2024 he'll be 45 & 47.

Headshot

Got to get Andrew Yang in there some where

AMKC

Delighted for Joe Biden. Third time lucky. At last America gets the President that they the people voted for. It's the President that America needs now someone to bring them altogether, to heal and unit as the United States of America.
I am also delighted for Kamala Harris. The first Female Vice President and also a women of colour too. Delighted for them both. The world will be a safer place with them in charge and not a glorified Clown.

Jimbob1977

President Biden has a big task on his hands:

Managing Covid-19
The economy (Covid related)
A dreadfully fractured country
Domestic terrorism
Gun violence
Foreign affairs

He will need to surround himself with strong and capable people.

Dillonb3

They should start campaigning in Georgia to try and get those senate seats.

Trump wont be bothered doing anything for the GOP now and the 2 GOP senators both were involved in that insider trading scandal at start of Covid outbreak

Brian?

Headshot wrote: »

Got to get Andrew Yang in there some where

Commerce secretary

VinLieger

Brian? wrote: »

Commerce secretary

Exactly what i was thinking, his Universal Basic Income plans make him the perfect choice

Harry Palmr

Of interest to us. from guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/07/joe-biden-most-urgent-economic-plans-key-elements

Raise the corporate tax rate to 28%, from 21%.
Impose a minimum tax on all foreign earnings of US companies located overseas in an attempt to stop the use of foreign tax havens.
Penalize corporations that ship jobs overseas.

Brussels Sprout

I saw somewhere that he may be eying up the NYC mayoral race.

Brian?

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

I saw somewhere that he may be eying up the NYC mayoral race.

Yang?

Brussels Sprout

Brian? wrote: »

Yang?

Yes

https://twitter.com/postlive/status/1324780135694872576

extra gravy

This thread title is so comforting!

Dempo1

Thank god, but I fear we've not heard the last of Trump. Just shocking he got over 70 million votes. Massive celebrations on the streets of cities across America, its daylight and I have an uneasy feeling of uglyness tonight.

I see Trump out playing golf while all this is going on, just extraordinary.

A great result but America remains deeply devided and I hope I'm wrong but the transition is not going to be pretty, particularly if those right wing thugs Trump actively encouraged let loose.

Limpy

We'll see how Joe handles his BLM fan boys sooner rather then later.

extra gravy

Dempo1 wrote: »

Massive celebrations on the streets of cities across America, its daylight and I have an uneasy feeling of uglyness tonight.

Yeah I'm a bit terrified that some gun toting Trumpist nutjobs will come out and attack one of those crowds. Hopefully they'll surprise us and stay the fuuck away.

Brussels Sprout

Watching the NBC news coverage there for the past half hour. They're no fans of the progressive wing of the Democratic party. Saying they don't want to see Bernie Sanders get any job in the administration and talking about how AOC had cost them votes.

TomOnBoard

There will be many on here and elsewhere who argue: Who cares? Why should Biden/Harris Presidency matter to us?

Here's a small slice of why it matters:

https://youtu.be/c2ScxGsB-ks

listermint

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

Watching the NBC news coverage there for the past half hour. They're no fans of the progressive wing of the Democratic party. Saying they don't want to see Bernie Sanders get any job in the administration and talking about how AOC had cost them votes.

Well they'd be wrong. The need to look closer at what they were against a lying mammoth machine. The only reason trump got the level of votes he did was fear spreading and lies. Full on blatant made up waffle. So if the Dems are going to eat themselves apart trying to understand why some lost senator races. They have to look outside the party.

Progressives had a massive part to play in biden over the line. It has to be awknowledged. Even if some don't like it.

Joe_ Public

Brussels Sprout wrote: »

Watching the NBC news coverage there for the past half hour. They're no fans of the progressive wing of the Democratic party. Saying they don't want to see Bernie Sanders get any job in the administration and talking about how AOC had cost them votes.

Do they have any evidence or voting trends that show people like AOC or other progressives lost them votes? The progressive candidates did pretty well overall so wouldn't they have suffered too if that was the case? Been hearing these complaints since as soon as the counts started but as yet no clear insight into how much substance lies behind them.

kowloon

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

President Biden has a big task on his hands:

Managing Covid-19
The economy (Covid related)
A dreadfully fractured country
Domestic terrorism
Gun violence
Foreign affairs

He will need to surround himself with strong and capable people.

And plenty of Secret Service officers.

extra gravy

listermint wrote: »

Progressives had a massive part to play in biden over the line. It has to be awknowledged. Even if some don't like it.

This. It was mentioned on CNN earlier that for example, Ilhan Omar was out knocking on doors to get people to vote even though her own seat was safe.

Fr Tod Umptious

Biden did for the Democrats what was needed.
To win back that narrow demographic of voters that Clinton alienated back in 2016.
And he did more too, like likely flipping GA and AZ.
I don't think any other candidate would have been able to do the former, never-mind the latter.

I think this election had a lot of a "single issue" feel about it.
The single issue was to get Trump out and I think you had a lot of younger and first time voters out to do that and that's what they did.
Even saying that Trump, the man that everyone is supposed to hate, got the second highest vote of any presidential candidate ever. So there are a hell of a lot of people out there that still support Trump.

And then the GOP did much better at the house and senate races than people expected.
There was no blue wave, the GOP vote held up in spite of Trump.
And I think it was that GOP support was a rejection of the Democrats and their support/lack of action on the likes of Antifa and BLM.

bertiebomber

Limpy wrote: »

We'll see how Joe handles his BLM fan boys sooner rather then later.

All the funding that the democrats gave to BLM will be pulled and the media will be told to cease & no longer write about them. So they will seem to disappear and Joe will be lauded as a man of peace.



Eventually the penny will drop that they were used to win the election and they will be fairly pissed off !! Watch the space......