I'm surprised it's not Bernie who came out against her at first. While I often agree with Tanden on the issues, some of her tweets against both Bernie and some Republicans are problematic. Perhaps Uncle Joe should not have nominated her since she's just too controversial. Let's see what happens, maybe some Republicans save her with their votes, but it would be hilarious if it's Collins and Romney, whom she attacked as well.
Bernie isn't going to pick that fight and is more concerned about getting someone who's strong on policy in there. He'd rather spend his political capital, say, fighting for a public option rather than getting back at someone for talking crap on Twitter.
It's a cuck move, but I get it.
I don’t think it’s a cuck move so much as a pragmatic one. Non-Berniecrats should treat it as a reminder that as bad as the #RoseTwitter crowd can be, they’re not Bernie and people should stop acting as though they are. Bernie made the mistake of surrounding himself with these folks in 2020 and it hurt him badly in the primaries, but he hasn’t done that as Budget Committee Chairman. Bernie would be punching down - way down - if he threw a tantrum b/c of Tanden’s tweets. Instead, he’s biting the bullet and trying to give as many progressives a seat at the table as possible in Biden’s administration.
OTOH, Manchin doesn’t give a crap about Tanden, but he’s just flexing ahead of reconciliation. I do worry about Manchin potentially voting against Haaland btw; she won’t get any Republican support and is probably gonna require a cloture vote as it is
Anyway, how long do we think until Tanden withdraws from consideration?
If Manchin tries to kill Haaland's nomination, even I'd advocate for Schumer to expel him.
Why? Nominees are far less consequential than laws, because there are usually many capable people who subscribe to any given nominee's school of thought.
Haaland is seen as an important pick for multiple reasons. It would give Native American's actual representation in the United States government. After all the horrors the Native American community has endured from The US government, a Native American woman leading The Department of the Interior would be incredibly symbolic.
And ignoring everything else, record turnout among Native American's helped flip Arizona and the Midwest.
Point taken (and I like Haaland much more than the median Biden nominee), but:
1. My point about her being replaceable still stands to an extent as she's almost certainly not the only Native American ready for the job
2. I feel a bit sorry for Charles Curtis, who is often overlooked in posts like this as the first Native American VP
As to point number two, my sympathies only go so far given all that he did for straight up assimilation. He still makes for a great trivia question though.