A new “Axios on HBO” column by Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen offers a peak behind the curtain of what a Joe Biden administration might look like, and it’s sure to provide additional motivation to those on the right to ensure that President Donald Trump is reelected.
On the other hand, some may suggest that this is part of an ongoing effort to project Biden as the winner of the Democratic primary, in hopes of avoiding socialist Bernie Sanders being the party’s nominee.
According to VandeHei and Allen, who cite the prerequisite top anonymous sources, Biden confidants are privately discussing potential leaders and Cabinet members for his White House.
Heading up that list is reportedly “the need to name a woman or African American — perhaps both — as vice president.” A requirement that may quietly say all that needs to be said about the inroads Trump has made in the black community.
With some critics suggest senility may be slowly overtaking 77-year-old Biden, who he selects as vie president is all the more crucial — and with names such as failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams being bandied about, it’s enough to make Americans shudder.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., is also named as a possibility here — given her recent sucking up to Biden, Harris maybe the favorite here. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is another name mentioned.
The column suggested that Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., whose support was critical to Biden winning South Carolina, may have the final say on who the VP nominee is
On the other hand, there’s some who think Hillary Clinton may be that person.
In light of the concerns about Biden’s state of mind, conservative actor James Woods tweeted he will select Clinton to be his vice-president, only to “gracefully resign as his dementia worsens and… Voila! #MadamePresident at last!”
But that’s just the beginning of what a Biden administration is expected to look like.
VandeHei and Allen write that Biden’s advisers described a “Return to Normal plan” that will counter Trump’s “unorthodox, improvisational style,” saying Biden plans to surround himself with known, trusted people — trusted on the left, of course.
And there are more than a few names from the Obama years.
There is mention of John Kerry possibly returning as secretary of state, if he doesn’t take a new Cabinet position devoted to climate change, but Susan Rice is also named as a potential candidate for secretary of state — after all, she did a real convincing job lying about a video prompting the Benghazi attack.
If that’s not enough to keep you up at night, how about Sally Yates, the fired deputy attorney general under Obama being a leading contender for attorney general?
Yates was fired by President Trump after she refused to enforce the administration’s travel ban, and she had an active role in the discredited FISA warrants used to spy on Trump’s campaign.
Harris is also a possibility for attorney general, if she’s not tapped as VP.
Warren is listed as a Treasury secretary option, with the suggestion that she “could help unite the party.” While the secretary of the interior job may be a more naturally fit for obvious reasons, it doesn’t come up as an option.
And Mike Bloomberg was given the nod for a leading candidate to head the World Bank.
Former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg could be Biden’s U.N. ambassador, according to VandeHei and Allen.
Interestingly, the pair do not mention the one individual Biden has already assured would have a role in his administration — Beto O’Rourke.
On the eve of Super Tuesday, Biden said he will put O’Rourke in charge of gun control in his administration.
“You’re going to take care of the gun problem with me,” he told O’Rouke. “You’re going to be the one to lead this effort. I’m counting on you. I’m counting on you, we need you badly.”
O’Rourke infamously declared during a Sept. 2019 primary debate, “Hell yes we are going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” and his proposed mandatory buyback program may include a “visit” by police officers to manually confiscate unlawful weapons from non-compliant gun owners.
Proving that Democrats may be the real party of Wall Street, several names from the nation’s top financial institutions were mentioned for various roles, to include Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Anne Finucane, vice chairman of Bank of America and Morgan Stanley executive Tom Nides