Axios: Mitch McConnell Will Veto Biden's Liberal Cabinet Nominees

By Susie Madrak — November 5, 2020

More than ever, we need to win those runoffs in Georgia, just so we can dump Moscow Mitch.

Republicans' likely hold on the Senate is forcing Joe Biden's transition team to consider limiting its prospective Cabinet nominees to those who Mitch McConnell can live with, according to people familiar with the matter.

A source close to McConnell tells Axios a Republican Senate would work with Biden on centrist nominees but no "radical progressives" or ones who are controversial with conservatives.

Twitter response was swift:

... Kasie Hunt’s question is whether progressives will: “allow Biden to cut the deals with McConnell he might be willing to cut.”

Yes, b/c the problem is *progressives* not McConnell who is ALREADY THREATENING TO HOLD UP CABINET APPOINTMENTS!!!

— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) November 5, 2020

Another norm tossed aside: historically, presidents have been able to pick who they want without dictates from the senate. But McConnell only cares about norms when they help republicans.

— Joe Nocera (@opinion_joe) November 5, 2020

What a pity, then, that McConnell has spent the last 4 years making it clear he doesn't mind if there are long-term Acting Secretaries, even ones who are ridiculously unqualified.

Be less credulous, please, pool boy @JimVandeHei. pic.twitter.com/Pit6mth4BX

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) November 5, 2020

I mean HOLY HELL, Mitch was okay with Trump hand-picking the US Attorney who would preside over the city where Trump has committed numerous federal crimes.

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) November 5, 2020

One other thing if GOP plays hardball on Acting secretaries: That's a quick path to reverse the policies of Wolf (among others) as illegal, opening up lawsuits and the like.

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) November 5, 2020

If you're just reading the McConnell news in Axios, Greg predicted essentially this in our newsletter just yesterday. https://t.co/9k30BpyDm2

— Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) November 5, 2020

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