>> Progressive organizations like the Sunrise Movement and Justice Democrats, are making
it clear that they demand the Biden cabinet be filled with like minded individuals.
Progressive lawmakers, progressive public figures who would help to carry out the progressive
policies, that these organizations have been fighting for.
So naturally the names Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren did come up.
The groups are pressing Biden to appoint Warren as Treasury Secretary and Sanders as Labor
Secretary, a position he has expressed some interest in.
Both standard bearers of the progressive movement whose policies are viewed by some Democrats,
as too extreme.
>> Mm-hm.
>> So corporate Democrats certainly view them as too extreme.
Sanders and Warren come from states led by, Republican governors, and that is notable,
and it's not clear who would fill their seats if they became vacant.
Governor Phil Scott of Vermont said last month that have Sanders were appointed to the cabinet,
he would choose an independent who would caucus with the Democrats as a replacement.
And progressives have argued that the Democratic controlled legislature in Massachusetts, would
try to change state law to ensure a Democrat would temporarily replace, Warren.
>> Yeah.
>> But there are some downsides to progressives like Bernie Sanders for instance, leaving
the Senate to serve on Biden's cabinet or in Biden's cabinet.
For instance, there are several Senate committees that Bernie currently serves on, and they're
important committees, including environmental and public works or environment and public
works.
Energy and natural resources, health, education, labor and pensions, budget, and Veterans Affairs.
There are other committees that he could be the chair of if, Democrats take control of
the Senate and remember there are still two Senate races that will be decided in January.
These are runoff races in Georgia, and so we have some details on that.
But before we do, I wanted to get your thoughts, on this.
>> Yeah.
First of all, I get that I guess part of the way Republicans are acting and how we have
to respond to fight, dirty too.
But changing the state law for this particular situation where it would advantage you, we
don't like that when the Republicans do it.
So I don't love the idea, I going into it, when I was originally hearing that one or
both of them.
And it seems more like Warren or interested in joining the cabinet, I didn't necessarily
understand why you would wanna do that.
I get it, especially if the Senate doesn't have a 50/50 split.
Then it makes more sense for them to be in the cabinet where they can get some stuff
done just in terms of the function of government, influence on executive orders things like
that.
But if the Senate is going to be 50/50, then we should definitely want like obviously a
lot of people have problems with Warren.
Still a lot better than many of those senators, let alone Bernie.
Without them, I mean, what do you have in the Senate?
Let's remember that while the Progressives had quite successful over the past two election
cycles in getting people into the House, so far in the Senate not so much.
Like without them, I mean, even based on the scores Kamala Harris was towards that end,
what do we really have in the Senate at that point?
>> Now?
>> Especially Chuck and Joe.
>> I think you make a great point, I mean we have a system of checks and balances for
reason, and I think Congress is lacking in their ability to check the executive branch
lately.
So I think it would be far more effective to keep Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren
in the Senate.
And, I had a debate about this with my co-host Nando Villa on weekends to show that we host
for Jacobin.
And we had a legendary economist Richard Wolff on to discuss it with us, and I think that
the perspective of Richard Wolff is important to add to this conversation.
So I have a quick clip from that episode, and please excuse some of the Professor Wollf
having some technical issues.
I'll just put it that way, but with that said, let's take a quick look at his thoughts on
this matter.
There's a little bit of a debate happening right now as to where Senator Sanders would
be more effective.
As Labor Secretary in a Biden administration, or if he remains in the Senate where if Democrats
take control of the Senate, he could share two important subcommittees.
Including the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Subcommittee on Health.
>> If I were Bernie, if he asked my advice, don't do this.
Stay out of the senate but go after those committee positions if they are even possible
or available.
Given what I know about Mr. Schumer, I wouldn't be too hopeful there either, but nonetheless
if he can good or whether or not he can, he is a formidable.
A formidable foe outside, and if he uses that position, if he mobilizes, if he works he
can have at least as much influence on what finally happens, as he could by being a closer
to the seat of power.
>> So John I mean, I agree with his take.
I think that makes a lot of sense, and that's not to say that other, people listed by the
Sunrise Movement and Justice Democrats wouldn't be a fantastic idea in Biden's administration.
I'll get to that in just a minute, but any response to Professor Wolf?
>> Yeah, I mean it's an interesting point.
It really just is there's pros and cons.
And like I said, it's not just one set of pros and cons that is very much pros and cons
based on what the future of the Senate is going to look like.
At this point, we honestly just don't know.
I mean, I would feel a lot more comfortable if I knew that not only would they be replaced
by Democrats, but they'd be replaced by Democrats that we, at least somewhat comfortable ideologically
with.
But I don't necessarily assume that, the idea that the Senate would be unbalanced more conservative
afterward that I don't like that idea.
>> Right, I totally agree.
Now there were other suggestions.
Other potential appointments that I think would be great.
I mean, to be honest, I think it's a long shot, just like I think it's a long shot with
Warren and Sanders.
But let me give you some of these names, the economist Joseph Stiglitz for director of
the National Economic Council.
I think that's a fine pick, I love that suggestion.
Representative Pramilla Jayapal of Washington as Co Chair of the Congressional Progressive
Caucus, for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
>> I think that makes a ton of sense.
>> Yeah, that totally makes sense.
She's a huge supporter of Medicare for all.
>> Of course, so that's why they probability picked her.
But I like the idea that is who I would put up for the position.
>> Yeah, for sure, Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, one of the four congresswoman
known as the squad for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
I think that would also be fantastic.
>> I think that would be good, I think also Ilhan Omar was involved in a really good housing
bill that I think could have been good too.
And I just, I mean look, it would happen for both.
But if it was Representative Omar, rightly exploding amazing.
>> Let's keep it real.
I think moderate Democrats heads would explode too.
>> Yeah that's probably.
>> And again, these organizations are serious about pressuring Biden, to pick these progressive
lawmakers for these incredibly important positions.
I don't think he's gonna go in that direction, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't pressure
him.
Keith Ellison, the attorney General of Minnesota for attorney general.
>> That's a good idea.
>> And Representative Barbara Lee of California for, and I like this one, Secretary of State.
Remember, she was the only lawmaker who was willing to vote against invading Iraq.
>> Yeah, that's why I don't necessarily like setting up a precedent where when you like
sort of demonstrate amazing judgment.
It gets rewarded down the line, that's just seems like a radical change to US government.
I think we should stick with what it is right now, which is where you can fail and fail
and fail and be wrong for decades and you will always find work, inside or outside of
government.
>> I mean failing upward as American is apple pie.