Bernie Sanders confirms interest in becoming Biden's Labor secretary

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Wednesday that, if asked, he would accept the position of Labor secretary in President-elect Joe Biden's administration.

"I want to do everything I can to protect the working families of this country who are under tremendous duress right now and whether that is in the Senate, whether that's in the Biden administration, who knows? Let's see how that unfolds," Sanders said during an interview with CNN when asked if he was eyeing a position in Biden's Cabinet.

"If I had a portfolio that allowed me to stand up and fight for working families, would I do it? Yes, I would," Sanders said when pressed if he would accept a job as Labor secretary.

Progressives are pushing for Biden to pick Sanders, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, for a Cabinet position as they try to get the incoming administration to embrace policies pushed by the party's left flank.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/525587-sanders-says-he-would-accept-labor-secretary-job-in-biden-cabinet

[riverwalker]

1. VT Governor is Republican

We would lose a Senate seat.

[Lithos]

2. Would be a nice capstone for him

But is not a safe pick... I spoke too soon

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. No, we can't afford to lose any senators.

The governor of VT is a GOPer and he'd appoint his replacement.

[relayerbob]

4. Nope. Thanks

Last edited Thu Nov 12, 2020, 01:26 AM - Edit history (1)

Find a progressive from the House or elsewhere. Gotta leave the Senate alone

[JoeOtterbein]

5. Jeeze...

...please do not, "Fine a proressive"!

Give us a break!

LOL!!!

[relayerbob]

27. Haha!!

Will edit. Thanks

[brush]

11. Yes, and someone who doesn't call themselves a socialist, please.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

20. You still hiding under your desk?

Maybe watched Red Dawn a few too many times?

[brush]

25. Another one who knows little about their own country.

I'm still at a lost why you and others don't get yet that the word "socialism" is still toxic tp many here and having two nationally prominent Dems calling themselves democratic socialists is not smart as it's so off-putting to millions of Americans. And I know, many will say repugs are going to call us socialist anyway, but it wasn't always that way. We have to be smarter than to give them such easy and effective messaging material. All they have to do is mention their Democratic opponent is aligned with radical socialists Bernie Sanders and AOC in their attack ads and it works, witness the several House seats we lost this cycle.

It works because three generations of voters, the Greatest generation, Boomers and GenXers were schooled on the toxicity of socialism all during their formative years—the iron curtain, failed communist collectives, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, the Cuban missile crisis, fallout shelters, etc. Many of those voters outgrew that knee jerk anti-socialism reaction (mostly us Dems) but millions of voters haven't and any candidate or anyone else who doesn't understand that has the depth of knowledge about their own country as that of a sidewalk puddle.

We've got to get smarter. We have to present a center left to center unified image to win—the absolute point or we're just wasting our time—and once we win, then we install our progressive policies.

It's not rocket science. Outsmart the MFers.

[Don1]

31. Oy Vey

No.

The Republican Party is about control of the masses by lying. Even when Bill Clinton was President they accused him of being a communist. And there weren't any socialists in the Democratic Party at the time. Newt Gingrich took the House from all the lies and propaganda.

Democrats need to stop being scared. Be yourself. The Reich wing will accuse you of being a commie Satanic pedophile anyway.

Let me put it this another way. Do you have friends who are gay? Do you try to tell them to be quiet about it because it's not politically smart? Do you try to dis-associate from them because it's not politically smart?

I hope not. The cost of hiding who our friends are and telling them to shut up overall keeps society backward. We make long term progress when we are truthful and open.

[brush]

34. That's naive. The object is to win. There won't be communist...

Last edited Thu Nov 12, 2020, 05:24 PM - Edit history (1)

or radical socialist elected in this country any time soon. Just as repugs figured out they can win elections by scaring people calling us commie or socialist, we have to figure out how to WIN elections.

And like I said, if we don't win we're wasting our time. And it's not about being gay of anything. Being gay is not stopping candidates from winning. But declaring your self a democratic socialist will.

If you don't win, you can't accomplish anything. Learn what the country is all about and figure out how to win, just like the Democratic Party did with Joe Biden. The democratic socialist didn't win our nomination. Everyone coalesced around the one who could, we rejected the socialist because of the reasons I laid out in my previous OP.

Don't be naive.

[Don1]

42. I am not naive

I have been around the block many times. What you are saying is like saying you can't put Pete Buttigieg in the Cabinet because he's gay. Republicans are going to call you a Satanic pedophile supporting a gay Muslim communist agenda anyway. You need to stop being scared. Be true to yourself. Like Biden.

[oldsoftie]

46. Equating being gay with the toxicity of being Socialist is insulting

You CHOOSE to be a Socialist.
And one of Trumps favorite members of his administration is also openly GAY

[brush]

61. Exactly.

[Don1]

73. Misrepresenting a point is not cool.

Being gay and being socialist are OBVIOUSLY not the same. Everyone knows that! Both are unpopular among Reich wing. So is being an atheist or agnostic. It doesn't matter the unpopularity among the Reich wing. Democrats should not be scared to associate with socialists, gays, atheists, or agnostics. Biden already isn't scared. You should stop being afraid, too. Republicans will call you a gay communist Satanist who is child trafficking using Wayfair furniture anyway. Stop being afraid of them. Be true to yourself. Like Biden.

[brush]

59. Absolute nonsense. Look up the word pragmatic. The object is to win...

so as to install progressive policies.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

50. "radical socialist"

If you think that a European style social democrat is a "radical socialist" you're naive and need to get out more. Bernie would be center-left in most other countries.

[brush]

60. Bernie made a hugh mistake by calling himself a democratic socialist.

If he wanted to promote the nordic model, social democracies which are really robust capitalist systems with very strong social safety nets, he should've called himself a social democrat instead of a democratic socialist as there is an established Democratic Socialist Party of America—the state owns the means of production and all that. And they feature Sanders' name on their website. https://www.dsausa.org/

Do you not know this?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

67. Lol.

Do you really think the DSA is breaking news? I have worked with them when it comes to Union organization and the anti-war movement. Quit while you're ahead, you're not as smart as you think you are.

[brush]

70. I'm not trying to be smart but I know socialists don't get elected...

in this country. Apparently you don't.

Sanders calling himself a socialist, which he did on the Thom Hartman radio show for years, then switched it to democratic socialist when he wanted to run for president as a Democrat, was not smart.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

51. I live in Nebraska and grew up in Iowa.

Henry Wallace was from Iowa and he would be called a communist by you if he were around today.

[brush]

58. And what does that have to do with anything today?

[ForgoTheConsequence]

66. Everything.

I live in middle America. Your talking points are nonsense.

[LanternWaste]

68. One day, you'll support your allegations with objective evidence,

Alas and alack, today is not that day.

[oldsoftie]

63. And Kennedy would be a tax cutting Republican.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

65. Thats a Republican talking point.

He supported universal health care, labor unions, etc. Find me a modern Republican who wants European style universal health care.

[brush]

71. Ahhh...he/she was being sarcastic.

[oldsoftie]

76. Find me a Democrat who wants to FUND EU-style programs the way THEY do it.

No, they all push the feel-good "tax the rich" talking points that will never raise nearly enough to do it. NO ONE is ever honest about true costs & true funding. Sure, the rich should pay more. The SS cap should be raised or done away with completely. But its still not nearly enough.

[comradebillyboy]

6. Bernie has never been a team player.

Everyone would be better off if he stays in the Senate.

[Budi]

12. What's his Senate record.

There are some vying for this Labor Sec position who come with a solid lifetime track record of Labor intensive fights.

I have yet to see Sanders' legislative record that qualifies him over others on the list for the job of Labor Sec.

That position will require a long list of creds.
Not just talk, but actual credible years of duty.

What's his record. He's been in the Senate long enough to produce quite a list of creds requieed for the position of Labor Sec.

What's he accomplished thru the power of his Senate seat, in the name of Labor, over his many years.


I'd like to compare his qualifications with the others vying for the position.

These are a few of those being considered:
Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez also viewed as potential contenders.
CNN reported that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka is supportive of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

[onetexan]

17. Agree. Bernie does his own thing. Need a team player.

[LizBeth]

24. +1

[IsItJustMe]

64. Could not have said it better.

It is what it is and for better or worse, that is Bernie's disposition. You gotta love the guy though.

[lapucelle]

7. No. N/T

[awesomerwb1]

8. No effing way

[ancianita]

9. "If I had a portfolio that allowed me to stand up and fight for working families, would I do it?

Yes, I would" is proof that he needs to stay in the Senate and is not the one for the job. Good ideas don't qualify as good execution.

I love you, Bernie. Thanks for the good intentions.

[elleng]

10. Sounded like a standard 'Yes, I'll help, if asked,'

but I wonder how he'd be as head of a large cabinet agency; not the same as a legislator, but a 'chief bureaucrat.' ?

[George II]

16. One only need look at his record as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

[comradebillyboy]

29. Indeed...

[pamdb]

13. Bernie

Absolutely not. Same for Elizabeth Warren. I’m sorry but we need you in the Senate, Bidens got plenty of people to pick from.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. No. Not going to happen

There are resumes with more executive experience in labor movement and labor law.

[George II]

15. Operative term, "if asked". If asked, I'd accept the position myself.

[NNadir]

18. Doesn't work for me. n/t.

[yaesu]

19. Not a big fan of stripping talent from our Senate pool at this precarious time though Bernie has

the qualifications & would make a great LS.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

21. So we need him in the senate or he's not a team player...

Can't be both.

[comradebillyboy]

30. Why not both?

He's a reliably Democratic vote who does not play well with others.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

52. So he votes for everything them democrats want.

But he doesn't vote the way you want? LMAO, you people are too much.

[comradebillyboy]

57. I don't think he would be a good competent cabinet member.

I haven't seen anything from his career that tells me he's capable of running a large bureaucracy. I didn't criticize his voting record I criticized his ability to work as a member of a team.

[murielm99]

35. Socialist or progressive?

Can't be both.

He is polarizing, whether you like him or not. Biden is all about bringing us together. This would not help.

AND we do need him in the Senate.

[pnwmom]

22. Uh-huh. So would the Republican governor replace him with a Democrat?

Unlikely.

[LizBeth]

23. No

[Polybius]

26. As long as David Zuckerman is the next Senator

Replace a progressive with a progressive.

[janterry]

36. Who else in state is there?

I don't think he'd put Zuckerman in (I'm down in Bratt and he got tons of support here - but of course, not much statewide).

He said an independent who would caucus w/democrats. I don't know enough about the other likely contenders

[cstanleytech]

28. We need him to badly in the Senate so I hope Biden kindly declines.

[Don1]

32. Bernie would be great but...

Bernie is super awesome. He is a team player.

Some people are complaining that he's a socialist and it makes Biden look bad. I think Biden is strong enough to say Biden's not a socialist. He said so during the election and won by a wide margin. Republicans always claim Democrats are communists because the Republican Party is about fooling the little guy into voting against his interests. Biden can be true to himself which he is and people will follow which they do.

Now others are complaining the governor of VT would get to appoint a replacement. This is half true. There would be a special election to fill the vacancy. The governor can fill the vacancy in the interim but it can only be maximum 6 months until the election happens. The Republican governor is no fan of Trump and was for the impeachment inquiry. Still that is risk in terms of logistics.

That possible maximum 6 month window is just too critical. We need to focus on transitioning from fascism to normalcy and having one more Republican in the Senate during that initial transition could be very dangerous.

[janterry]

37. every time I say the governor is not a risk

people jump in to tell me he is. He isn't. No one in this state would say he'd appoint a republican when he said he wouldn't. That's just not our Gov.

He said he'd appoint an independent minded person who would caucus with the democrats - someone similar to Sanders. And then there would be an election.

I hope Bernie gets in (personally)

[Don1]

41. I did not know he said that

Can you provide a link? That would be interesting for other people to read here, too.

[janterry]

44. Absolutely

but no one will believe it anyway. I think it's just that they don't know Vermont or our Governor. He'll do what he says.

Anyway, here is a quote:

"I want this to be fair," he said, noting that he has filled past vacancies in the state legislature with appointees of the same party as outgoing members. "So in this case, again, Sen. Sanders has caucused with the Democrats. I would anticipate I would look at ... a more left-leaning type of independent that would obviously caucus with the Democrats."

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/10/23/scott-says-he-would-replace-sanders-with-democrat-affiliated-independent

[James48]

33. I think Bernie would be GREAT as Labor Secretary!

As a Union member for 20 +years, I cannot think of anyone in DC today who would make a better Labor Secretary than Bernie. He could really boost the plight of the working man, and would be if great benefit to work to reverse the brutality committed against organized labor ever since Ronald Reagan attacked us in the 1980’s.

[George II]

38. Does he have any experience with Labor or Labor Unions?

[James48]

53. Of course.

Bernie has been fighting for labor rights his entire life. He was working with labor unions since the days of Richard Nixon.

I think he would be perfect. That’s my opinion.

[George II]

54. Specifics?

[James48]

55. Here.

Bernie has been fighting since the 1060’s for workers rights, and the right to organize. Here is his page on labor:

https://berniesanders.com/issues/workplace-democracy/

[George II]

62. That's his campaign website and a list of things, if nominated/elected he WILL do.

[Lonestarblue]

39. Several Senators have been mentioned for jobs in the administration.

Even if we win the two Georgia seats, we can’t afford to take a Democratic Senator out of the Senate. Perhaps in 2022 if we can pick up a couple of seats.

We need a good analysis of why we did not pick up as many Senate seats as expected this election. The polls were obviously wrong, but was the message wrong too? I think Susan Collins was the biggest surprise.

[ecstatic]

40. I don't like that idea.

Bernie's track record isn't that great and he's quite divisive. I would like Biden to have a productive year with no drama or incompetence.

[Cha]

74. Boom.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

43. The sound of all fascist heads exploding at once

would deafen most of the life on the planet, maybe cause multiple major earthquakes and tsunamis.

[Paladin]

45. No. (nt)

[LakeArenal]

47. No, please.

[jmowreader]

48. Whether he would be great at the job...

I do not think for a second that Mitch McConnell would allow Bernie to stand for a confirmation hearing.

There’s also the fact Bernie hasn’t actually worked in organized labor. He’s been a carpenter, a “professional leftist” and a politician.

Look at Tefere Gebre. This man walked, by himself, out of war-torn Ethiopia when he was 14. He emigrated to the US by himself when he was 15, and through a LOT of hard work rose to the position of Executive Vice President of AFL-CIO. This man is the American Dream. He’s who you want as labor secretary.

[NurseJackie]

49. The group "En Vogue" said it best...

[Blasphemer]

56. lol... nt

[LanternWaste]

69. I go on record confirming my own interest in the position as well.

But that and five bucks will get both Sanders and myself nothing more than two cups of coffee at a low-end java joint.

[TexasBushwhacker]

72. No senators from states with Republican governors

Absolutely not!

[Captain Zero]

75. Howard Dean could run for the Senate Seat.

Just saying.