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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#343576: Dec 15th 2020 at 10:34:58 AM

Indeed. The suggestions above Spartan's post still fall into the defining what your against issue rather than who you are and how you fight for each other issue that Shenker-Osorio talked about.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#343577: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:05:35 AM

Sorry for the double post, but Mayor Pete will be Biden's nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

RainingMetal (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#343578: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:06:08 AM

But I thought he was appointed as ambassador to China?

ASAB: All Sponsors Are Bad.
Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#343579: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:11:22 AM

Why the heck would you appoint a former mayor of a small town in Indiana as ambassador to China? That’s the kind of job that should go either to a qualified foreign service or a politician with experience in international relations.

Transport sounds more plausible.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#343580: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:19:10 AM

Sorry for the double post, but Mayor Pete will be Biden's nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

Truly a qualified choice -_-

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#343581: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:19:37 AM

Come on now Joe, don't start ruining this thing.

Certified: 48.0% West Asian, 6.5% South Asian, 15.8% North/West European, 15.7% English, 7.4% Balkan, 6.6% Scandinavian
jjjj2 from Arrakis Since: Jul, 2015
#343582: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:21:38 AM

Well at least it wasn't Rahm Emanuel, not that that's saying much...

You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the mid
ScubaWolf from South Carolina Since: Feb, 2020
#343583: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:24:03 AM

Did Pete do logistics in the military? I'm trying to figure out what makes him qualified enough for this position.

"In a move surprising absolutely no one"
Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#343584: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:24:09 AM

is Buttigieg particlarly bad at transport or is it just a matter of him not being qualified for it by virtue of not having studied aything related?

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#343585: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:25:24 AM

Transportation tends to be viewed as a low value and prestige appointment given to someone the President owes, but doesn't want to be in a more sensitive role. So this seems pretty par for the course.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#343586: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:26:07 AM

I think it's more Pete being a bad presidential candidate and an even worse mayor. Neither of those bode well for whatever's he's gonna do as SoT.

i'm tired, my friend
KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#343587: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:29:27 AM

I'm curious why Pete in particular. Did he get it because he was one of the candidates with a lot of pull (and is not currently in the Senate)?

Oh God! Natural light!
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#343588: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:30:01 AM

Wolf: He was an intelligence officer.

Galadriel Since: Feb, 2015
#343589: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:31:23 AM

He’s ideologically closer to Biden than Warren or Sanders is (and Biden couldn’t appoint them to cabinet anyway because they’re needed in the Senate), and it’s customary to give some of your primary-competitors a place in cabinet.

Edited by Galadriel on Dec 15th 2020 at 2:31:55 PM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#343590: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:32:44 AM

I'm curious why Pete in particular. Did he get it because he was one of the candidates with a lot of pull (and is not currently in the Senate)?

He dropped out in the primary thus benefiting Biden, I would bet money that his appointment is a reward for that.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
RainingMetal (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#343591: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:32:49 AM

Why the heck would you appoint a former mayor of a small town in Indiana as ambassador to China? That’s the kind of job that should go either to a qualified foreign service or a politician with experience in international relations.

Transport sounds more plausible.

Granted, the source I had was from a Late Show that passed on the rumors of Biden's cabinet picks. Emphasis on rumors.

ASAB: All Sponsors Are Bad.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#343592: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:34:16 AM

Why the heck would you appoint a former mayor of a small town in Indiana as ambassador to China? That’s the kind of job that should go either to a qualified foreign service or a politician with experience in international relations.

Transport sounds more plausible.

Someone was taking the opening scenes of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom too seriously.

So the consensus is that Buttegeig would be a bad choice for Transport?

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#343593: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:34:40 AM

And, certain progressive and Black critics and groups aside, he's pretty popular with the rest of the Democratic coalition. And he's been murdering Fox News on their own channel, that's been fun to watch.

Aszur A nice butterfly from Pagliacci's Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: Don't hug me; I'm scared
A nice butterfly
#343594: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:37:08 AM

That is actually the impression in general I have of Buttigieg: he is popular with the moderate Democratic base. I would also dare say he is more popular than Joe Biden, but just that his popularity isdifferent than "presidential material"...he is rather young, after all and there is a distinct bias for older candidates.

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#343595: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:49:09 AM

Transport, from what I gather, is one of those departments which sounds like it is really important but since most of the day to day responsibilities regarding transportation is actually down to the states then there isn't much to do in the department. Basically, as long as you don't drop the ball on safety issues (looking at you FAA over the Boeing Max scandal) then it's a pretty quiet gig where you can learn the ropes around federal administration, if say your only political experience to date is that of a small town mayor somewhere.

It could become an important department if Transportation became a serious focus - but you'd have to get the budget to do that first which means getting something through Congress, so the real battles over Transportation will happen there, not at the department.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#343596: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:56:10 AM

Since the question had been raised earlier:

Twitter confirms Trump can be banned from inauguration day onwards – Donald Trump is the second most-followed politician on Twitter after Barack Obama

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election-2020/trump-twitter-ban-inauguration-biden-b1774105.html


Trump antagonizes Republicans with Georgia fundraising ploy – Emails and texts raising cash for Trump's PAC have rankled Republicans, who want cash to flow directly to Georgia's endangered GOP senators.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/14/trump-republicans-georgia-fundraising-445207


Newsmax says it will refer to Biden as president-elect – Startup conservative network Newsmax confirmed Tuesday its reporters and anchors will refer to Joe Biden as president-elect during news coverage going forward.

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/530272-newsmax-says-it-will-refer-to-biden-as-president-elect

Edited by sgamer82 on Dec 15th 2020 at 12:00:35 PM

Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#343597: Dec 15th 2020 at 11:59:46 AM

Ouch, and funny that Obama still beats him even when he isn't the man in the spotlight anymore.

Wake me up at your own risk.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#343598: Dec 15th 2020 at 12:02:02 PM

Probably worth noting that with Biden's bigger focus on climate change, the Transportation Department might see a bigger role to play in domestic policy.

Blueeyedrat Since: Oct, 2010
#343599: Dec 15th 2020 at 12:09:11 PM

Re: Buttigieg, transportation, climate:

Now is an exceptional time to revisit @sarahsholder's exclusive sitdown with @PeteButtigieg in which he tells her all about his vision for...the future of transportation!
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-04/inside-pete-buttigieg-s-2-trillion-climate-plan


Many cities and states are trying to push people into a less car-centric lifestyle. That's a challenge for cities with inadequate public transportation systems, or whose built environments are very sprawling and car-centric. How would you encourage people to turn away from personal vehicles and to build more connected and more green cities?

Well, you know, design in cities, especially through the 20th century, really revolved around the car. I'm trying to make sure that design for the future revolves around the human being. Sometimes that means car transportation and sometimes that means walking, biking, or public transit.

We can't expect people to move beyond personally owned vehicles if there's not a good alternative. So we've got to make sure that between ride-sharing, public transportation, and just good old fashioned walking and biking, we've got an array of options right now. The United States subsidizes driving a tremendous amount. We're more reluctant to support transit or things like trains. When I'm president, I envision making that a greater balance and supporting cities that are trying to do that, too, because if we get it right, it's also more sustainable, more healthy, and more economically friendly.

For example, when we transformed the heart of [South Bend], including calming down our traffic instead of just getting cars through it as quickly as possible, it led to growth in small business, because we have a more vibrant core in our downtown. When we change our mentality, it's amazing what possibilities can be unlocked.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#343600: Dec 15th 2020 at 12:12:55 PM

[up]Ok, that's pretty neat. That definitely makes me happier with his selection, as much as I detest Buttigieg if he does a good job as Transportation Secretary it would be worth it.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang

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