NewsWire: 1/5/21
- President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet picks so far skew older, with only a handful under age 50. Biden is clearly prioritizing experience and credentials over new faces: Most of his picks worked in or with the Obama administration or the Clinton team-in-waiting. (The New York Times)
- NH: During his campaign, President-elect Joe Biden promised to be a “transition candidate” who would serve as a “bridge” to the next generation of Democrats. But so far, when it comes to his administration, he’s leaning on the old guard. Most of his picks served in the Obama administration, some even in the same position.
- During Obama’s first term, Biden was the oldest member of his cabinet at 66 years old. More than a decade later, five of Biden’s own picks are even older. His most senior pick, Janet Yellen for secretary of treasury, is 74. Only four of his 20-odd selections so far are under age 50.
- Before introducing Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for secretary for transportation, Biden stated that his cabinet would be one of “barrier breakers” and a “cabinet of firsts.” He is right in that his cabinet is shaping up to be the most diverse in American history: Along with Buttigieg, who would be the first openly gay Senate-approved cabinet official, there will be at least 10 women and 11 people of color if his picks are confirmed.
- But when it comes to ideology, Biden’s picks are solidly if diffusely mainstream. They’re Democratic Party veterans, many of whom he has known for decades, and who are much like himself: centrist and pragmatic. There are no “rivals” akin to Obama’s selection of Hillary Clinton for secretary of state. And there is no quasi-Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren championing policies like free college, Medicare for All, or the Green New Deal.
- Progressives are not happy. In a recent ABC interview, Sanders noted the lack of “strong progressive” voices in Biden’s cabinet and urged him to include fresh blood. Last month, Biden’s selection of Neera Tanden for the director for the Office of Management and Budget also drew fire from progressives for her ties to Wall Street and wealthy donors.
- These early criticisms are a preview of what Biden is facing as he tries to unify a divided party. He still hasn’t named several key positions, so it’s possible that the Sanders wing will get a cabinet position or two. But so far, all signs point to an administration that is history-making in its diversity, but a return to the status quo in its policy.
- I've written often about how Biden so well exemplifies the personality of his generation, always gravitating toward process, flowcharts, credentials, and nice manners. (See "Last Hurrah for the Silent Generation?" and "The Silent Generation Finds a Spokesman in Joe Biden.") Like so many other members of this generation, Biden dislikes open conflict--even, in his case, open disagreement within his own executive team.
- The Silent regard themselves as a "transition" generation because they've always felt like the middle child in a rambunctious family. Big things seem to happen to America just before they came of age (when the G.I.s conquered the world) or just after they came of age (when Boomers defied the Establishment). Biden's problem is that the Gen-Xers next in line don't know how to handle his risk-averse Mr. Rogers persona. (See "Reality Bites When it Comes to Gen X Support of Biden" and "Why Gen X Favors Trump.")
- My prediction? Most Americans will be happy, maybe even relieved, with President Biden's tight ship of technocrats so long as the economy improves and he can gain a few easy legislative victories. Unfortunately, "complex" world views only work when things are going well. The big question, therefore, is whether Biden can forge a single and compelling thematic message for his administration and his party before the next crisis hits. Sooner or later, he'll need one. If he keeps talking about his diverse "cabinet of firsts" when the chips are down, Americans may starting thinking fondly again of populist and radical outsiders with stronger egos--and a more substantive agenda.
