The easiest way for Neera Tanden to win confirmation as Joe Biden’s budget director is for Democrats to take the Senate in January. Otherwise, she faces a perilous path to winning a majority vote in the chamber. @caitlinzemma@theodoricmeyer
“I really am a little surprised, particularly on the OMB nominee that there hadn't been at least some consultation. I mean some of these problems can be avoided. And people, you know, saved from the embarrassment.”
Tanden deleted attacks on some GOP senators, some of whom she will need to support her
“She's been pretty partisan in some of her previous positions. And in many cases, with respect to Republican senators who would have to vote on her potential nomination,” said Sen. Thune
The good news for her is Romney, Collins and Murkowski are trying to stay open minded, though they are aware of Tanden’s attack mode.
“If we don’t take back the Senate that might be a challenge,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). “But let’s see what happens.”
Would Republicans give her a floor vote? Or a hearing? Potential Budget chairman Lindsey Graham: “She had a lot to say. It will be a long hearing. Uphill.”
Side note: Mick Mulvaney, a Freedom Caucus bomb-thrower, and Russ Vought, a Heritage Action alum, were confirmed by Senate Republicans
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Durbin didn't become Dem leader. But he's poised to become key player in Biden presidency as whip while leading the Dems on Judiciary. Some think it's too much for one member to do, and liberals pushing for Whitehouse instead
@marianne_levine .@fshakir, former Bernie campaign manager says: “Nothing personal against Durbin, but with Feinstein stepping down, I think there’s a need for some new blood and new style and approaches. Sen. Whitehouse could breathe some new energy into the committee,”
@marianne_levine@fshakir .@AdamGreen of PCCC said "Sheldon Whitehouse is one of the most strategic and savvy fighters in the Democratic Caucus. Dick Durbin has a big job as Senate Whip, and we assume he would be thrilled for someone as good as Senator Whitehouse to play a leading role in Judiciary"
@marianne_levine Durbin is next in line: No comment from his world right now.
After that is Whitehouse.
Will be hugely important job regardless of who is in majority. Either moving Biden's nominees as chairman, or trying to persuade Chuck Grassley to move them as ranking member
Sen. Ben Sasse statement: "President Trump lost Michigan by more than 100,000 votes, and the campaign and its allies have lost in or withdrawn from all five lawsuits in Michigan for being unable to produce any evidence...
...wild press conferences erode public trust. So no, obviously Rudy and his buddies should not pressure electors to ignore their certification obligations under the statute. We are a nation of laws, not tweets.”
Pretty lengthy statement. He also said: “When Trump campaign lawyers have stood before courts under oath, they have repeatedly refused to actually allege grand fraud — because there are legal consequences for lying to judges,” politico.com/news/2020/11/1…
Cornyn: "it just adds to the confusion and chaos ... I’m sure I’m not the only one that would like some return to a little bit more of a — I don’t even know what’s normal anymore.”
@AndrewDesiderio Krebs’ firing comes amid a purge of senior officials viewed as insufficiently loyal to the president Esper was the first to go, then Krebs. Wray and Haspel next?
“If it looks like there’s just a flurry of them, it will raise more questions,” Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) acknowledged
Cotton will nominate McConnell as GOP leader today: “A few weeks ago, someone called him the Apex Predator of American politics, which may be the best yet. I nominate as our leader, the Apex Predator of the United States Senate.”