President Biden has nominated Neera Tanden, the President of the John Podesta-founded center-left think tank Center for American Progress (or CAP) to be his Director of the Office of Management and Budget. That nomination requires Senate confirmation and at the moment it appears that Tanden will be the first and perhaps only Biden nominee to be rejected by the US Senate. Her nomination is being opposed so far by Joe Manchin and every Republican willing to take a position. Why? They say it’s due to her toxic behavior online, claiming it’s a sign of larger character issues that would prevent her from working in a bipartisan way. Several Democratic politicians and voters are calling bullshit, but they’re wrong.

Neera Tanden’s nomination should be defeated and we can find a better nominee. Let me break down the arguments.

Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “The idea that the Republicans are going to complain over someone who has sharp elbows on Twitter is pretty outrageous”. She’s right on the merits there, Republicans not only ignored but often defended the unhinged tweeting of former President Donald Trump. Even though these tweets provoked international incidents as well as an insurrection this past January. Those tweets were clearly more prominent and harmful than anything Tanden could have tweeted because she was not President.

However, Warren’s criticism is probably the most blatantly hypocritical of any that we’ll discuss. Warren notably spent the final months of her imploding Presidential campaign complaining about critical tweets from alleged supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Warren made the case on the debate stage, on the campaign trail, and famously on Rachel Maddow. Warren used “online bullying” being “a particular problem with Sanders supporters” as justification for winning an abysmal third place in her home state of Massachusetts. The tweets would be the reason why she didn’t endorse the only candidate who was remotely close to her ideological worldview in a two-candidate race. These were tweets from self-proclaimed supporters, not even Bernie Sanders himself. Yet Warren believed these tweets were sufficient to disqualify Bernie Sanders from the Presidency. Therefore, it would stand to reason that tweets actually sent by an individual would be more damaging and surely would disqualify them from the cabinet of a President.

There are some who would argue that the true barrier to Tanden’s confirmation is that she is a woman and of Asian descent, implying her roadblock is an issue of prejudice. This ignores that Janet Yellen, Jennifer Granholm, and Avril Haines were nominated and confirmed for Biden’s cabinet without issue despite being women. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is black and a woman, received a bipartisan super majority vote. It is not as if racial prejudice or misogyny are strangers to the Senate, but clearly they are not deciding factors in the nominations we’ve seen in this Congress so far. Tanden is failing not because of what she looks like, but because of who she is.

Some have questioned how Manchin could support Kavanaugh and Fmr. Attorney General Barr but not Tanden. In a world where Democrats are held accountable for bad votes, I’d be sensitive to this argument. However, where was the outrage when 90+ progressives in the House opposed funding Trump’s border camps, while Democrats like Sharice Davids and Emmanuel Cleaver voted for it, giving necessary votes for passage? Where was the outrage at any Democrat who approved Trump’s bloated defense budget? It was non-existent because we’ve become just as partisan as the Republicans and we’re more reticent than ever to hold our politicians accountable…unless they betray the home team.

I’d like for a moment to gather some of the twitter discourse that has made many, including myself uncomfortable. Tanden chooses to regularly associate herself with people who are on record saying racist, Islamophobic, antisemitic, and otherwise depraved things.

Tanden said “Happy Birthday my friend” to “Dane Weeks” who on twitter has said “Bernie Sanders is a fake fucking Jew” and “Bernie Sanders heart needs to stop right about now”.

Tanden very regularly interacts with “@electricbrotha” saying to him “I’m definitely thankful for your cold fury. And all you’ve done for the Resistance”. On Twitter this person has said, and I apologize for the vulgarities, “go fuck yourself with crusty the clown Senator from Vermont’s dick” as well as similar attacks targeted towards female journalists he viewed as sympathetic to Sanders.

Then there are of course Tanden’s own tweets, of which she has deleted over a thousand that range from 3am fights with 18 year olds to criticisms of left wing politics to implying the continued existence of Clinton’s “vast right wing conspiracy”. There’s also an assortment of personal insults for many politicians and journalists, admittedly some funny but most fairly immature.

Matt Bruenig formerly of the New York Times and Washington Post said it best, ironically enough on twitter.

Bruenig writes “When people say Republican senators are acting in bad faith about the tweets, what are they saying their real position on tweets is? Are liberals who were mad at Trump’s tweets but not Neera’s also doing bad faith? And what is their non-bad-faith position on tweets? Is Neera herself operating in bad faith by saying tweets should not disqualify her even though she has previously acted in a contrary way? Does she have any views on tweeting per se? Neera’s partisans sent tons of abuse to a WaPo reporter who asked Murkowski about a Neera tweet. Lots of people, including Biden himself, have argued that similar events somehow reflected on Bernie. Does it also reflect on Neera? Was it bad faith before or now? If every story should mention the Republican flip-flop on tweeting when it comes to Neera, shouldn’t it also mention these Neera and Biden flip-flops? Or maybe we just realize it’s all bullshit all the way down?”

What should matter most ultimately is Tanden’s policy record, however. She is a vocal opponent of single payer healthcare. She advocated for cutting “entitlements” like social security in the pursuit of austerity politics. She punched a journalist in the chest because he disagreed with her take on Libya. What was her take on Libya? Well it was that Libyans were indebted to us for massively destabilizing their country and they should repay us with their oil if we’re ever going to convince Americans to support another conflict, yes literally. When it came to sexual misconduct, Tanden outed an employee who had survived an incident during an all staff meeting. When it came to ethical relationships, Tanden chose Netanyahu in his dust up with President Obama and solicited donations from human rights abusers like the UAE.

Neera has been more wrong more often than perhaps anyone else in Democratic politics. We shouldn’t reward her for that. Although she will of course be rewarded, if not with OMB then with undue influence somewhere else. However, if we’re lucky and any cosmic justice exists, we will not have to bear the burden of having Tanden in public life after this fiasco.

The post Neera Tanden’s Behavior Actually is That Bad appeared first on Occasional Planet.

Recently, Senator John McCain of Arizona was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of brain cancer. John McCain served his country first as a soldier, who was unbroken as a prisoner of war under the Vietcong for 7 long years. And now for the last 35 years, McCain has served his country as a member of the House, a United States Senator. Cancer is a horrible disease that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, I know McCain will face the challenges of this illness with courage as every afflicted person does, and I wish him the best.

But John McCain is a hypocrite, and how dare he pontificate about the lack of leadership and the rise of partisanship in Washington. McCain, perhaps more than any other Republican, is directly responsible for legitimizing the brand of politics that would eventually pave the way for the Tea Party & Donald Trump.

There was a time when the GOP could be separated into two camps. There were Republicans, whether they be conservative like Reagan or liberal like Rockefeller. It was accepted that these people had beliefs that were rooted in small government and the free market. Right or wrong on policy, almost always wrong, one knew that these people were rational actors who could govern. Then there was the crazy caucus, comprised of your right-wing reactionaries, your racists, your Christian fundamentalists, and assorted invalids. These were your Jesse Helms, Pat Buchanans, and Pat Roberts. These people might win a primary or two, win a senate race in a conservative state, or even find themselves in the cabinet. But these people had no credibility, the Republican party was not their party, and no matter how the base was changing, Republicans made an effort not to give those people platforms unless absolutely necessary (like 1992, when Bush Sr. allowed Pat Buchanan to speak at the RNC and he declared a “culture war”).

But in 2008, when John McCain won the Republican nomination and was tasked with picking a running mate, he unleashed Pandora’s box. I don’t buy that McCain was forced into making the decision that he did, or that there were no alternatives. If John McCain was determined to have a woman on the ticket, he could’ve picked Lisa Murkowski (also from Alaska) or Olympia Snowe. If he was determined to pick a woman with governing experience, he could’ve picked former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. But no, John McCain picked Sarah Palin.

Every time McCain talks about the need for responsible leadership, remember he thought Sarah Palin was the best qualified person to succeed him should he be unable to serve as President.

Every time the media plays that clip of McCain defending Obama against rumors that he was secretly a Muslim, remember Sarah Palin was the one saying “Obama was palling around with terrorists” and “he doesn’t see America like you and I see America”.

Every time McCain wants to bemoan the rising partisanship, remember it was his running mate who would call Obama a socialist and decry the impending collapse of America.

Every time McCain expresses concern about Trump, remember Sarah Palin rallied her base, the base that exists solely because of John McCain, behind Donald Trump during the GOP Primaries.

Because John McCain allowed Sarah Palin to be introduced to a general election audience, it made Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, and Herman Cain seem palatable four years later. These were people from the crazy caucus. Mitt Romney, an occasionally reasonable person (who turned out to be right about Russia) was even forced to adopt some of the more inflammatory rhetoric from the crazy caucus just to solidify his base.  Romney was even forced to whore himself out for the endorsement of a tiny-fingered vulgarian who also happened to be a failed steak salesman (more on him later). That was only necessary for Romney because for years that person had been the leading voice behind the racist lie that Obama wasn’t born in the United States.

It was to be expected that after eight years of leadership by people like Allen West, Steve King, and Louie Gohmert, that the crazy caucus would become a dominating force in the GOP. Because of Palin, Ted Nugent, Kid Rock, and Alex Jones are relevant political figures. Let’s be clear, an environment where Donald Trump could become the nominee would not have existed had it not been for Sarah Palin paving the way for this new wave of idiocy. She laid the cornerstone, took the slings and arrows, and blew the dog whistle louder than George Wallace, so that one day someone of her ilk might be considered Presidential. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were once considered the reasonable Republicans in 2016….Ted Cruz actually believes that George Soros is conspiring with the UN to eliminate private property so he can build golf courses, and Marco Rubio calls the West Bank “Judea and Samaria” because he subscribes to Christian apocalypse theory. These were the reasonable people, and together with Trump they won 81% of GOP primary voters.

Sarah Palin emboldened the crazy caucus, and John McCain emboldened Sarah Palin. These people and their racism were dormant for decades, and McCain’s choices have brought them to the forefront of our politics with consequences that will be seen for a generation.

Even if you could excuse McCain for his choice of Sarah Palin, and the residual effects nearly a decade later, there’s still the matter of McCain’s voting record. John McCain is as Republican as any member of congress, he may talk a big game, but he’s voted with his party nearly 90% of the time since he’s been in the Senate.

Every time we talk about all the sacrifices John McCain made for this country, remember he’s been more than willing to sacrifice the lives of a lot of other people’s children by sending them to war.

Every time McCain talks about defeating ISIS and responsible foreign policy, remember he voted for the Iraq War, which directly resulted in the creation of ISIS, and his signing of the Iran letter in a desperate attempt to undercut the nuclear deal.

Every time McCain talks about compassion, remember he’s been trying to privatize Social Security and the social safety net for years.

Every time McCain talks about the struggles he’s had with his health, remember the vote he cast to proceed with debate on a bill that would deprive at least 22 million people of their healthcare. What even allowed him to even get his diagnosis in time was pre-screening, which is encouraged under Obamacare, which he wants to repeal.

Every time McCain talks about normalcy, remember the day he returned to the senate to be the deciding vote to proceed on debating a bill that nobody read or understands what they’re debating.

Every time McCain criticizes Trumps rhetoric about immigrants and walls, remember McCain ran ads saying “complete the danged fence!”

Every time there’s a new revelation about Russia and McCain feigns concern, remember McCain endorsed Trump for months and still endorses the Trump agenda even if he doesn’t approve of the man.

That speech he gave in front of the senate Tuesday, was worse than just political theater, it was delusion disguised as hypocrisy wrapped in a platitude. It was a man, who lived the life of Chamberlain and thinks he’ll be remembered as Churchill. McCain could use what might be his final months to redeem himself, actually be the man behind the words, and be the principled person we all want him to be. But he won’t, because that’s not John McCain, and it never will be.

He’s a hero because he pretends to be a maverick? I like people who are actually mavericks.

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It is amazing to see Trump voters complaining about peaceful protests. How many of them were silent when Trump spewed his hatred, and encouraged his followers to beat up people who were peacefully protesting at his rallies? How many of them spoke out when Trump silently watched his supporters kick the wheelchair of a young boy? Did any of them ask Trump to stop his racism, or misogyny, or xenophobia, or anti-Semitism, or his blatant hatred of Mexicans and Muslims? Did any of them get angry watching Trump smile as his supporters yelled “Lock her up” and he promised to have Clinton prosecuted?

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Republicans tend to believe that the bulwark of their strength comes from those people who are very conservative, which includes the millions of Evangelical Christians in the United States. In order to appeal to these groups, Republicans do, used to take on the mantle of what linguist George Lakoff has called “the stern father image.” No humor here, just strict conformance with what is right and proper.

Anyone who saw the Republican debate from Houston on February 25 would have to say that the candidates seemed to act more as if they were in a “clown car” than as upright, proper citizens. Why is it that the stern view from the pillars of the evangelical movement are not enough to curb the enthusiasm, or at least the behavior, of the Republican front-runners?

Perhaps it’s that Christian evangelicals are not as solid a bloc as they have been purported to be. Cracks in their façade are nothing new. Think of Jim and Tammy Baker, of Jimmy Swaggart, of Ted Haggard. One of the beauties of the evangelical movement is that forgiveness is always available, even after the most hypocritical behaviors. If you want a little insight to the “transgressions” in the evangelical community, just read the lyrics to the great Jeannie C. Riley song, “Harper Valley P.T.A.” about what’s behind the evangelical façade. If you prefer, you can watch the video below.

I wanna tell you all a story ’bout a Harper Valley widowed wife,
Who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High,
Well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn’t even stop to play,
And she said. “Mom I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA.”

Well the note said, “Mrs. Johnson, you’re wearing your dresses way too high.
It’s reported you’ve been drinkin’ and runnin’ round with men and goin’ wild.
And we don’t believe you oughta be a bringin’ up your little girl this way.”
And it was signed by the secretary, “Harper Valley PTA.”

Well it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoon.
And they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room.
And as she walked up to the black board, I still recall the words she had to say.
She said I’d like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA.

Well, there’s Bobby Taylor sittin’ there, and seven times he’s asked me for a date.
And Mrs. Taylor seems to use a lotta ice, whenever he’s away.
And Mr. Baker can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
And shouldn’t widow Jones be told to keep her window shades a pulled completely down.

Well Mr. Harper couldn’t be here cause he stayed too long at Kelly’s Bar again.
And if you smell Shirley Thompson’s breath you’ll find she’s had a little nip of gin.
And then you have the nerve to tell me, you think that as a mother I’m not fit.
Well this is just a little Peyton Place, and you’re all Harper Valley hypocrites.

No, I wouldn’t put you on because, it really did happen just this way.
The day my momma socked it to, the Harper Valley PTA.
The day my momma socked it to, the Harper Valley PTA

Donald Trump has been able to drive further cracks into the “evangelical industrial complex.” Who’d have thunk that he would have been able to carry the evangelical vote in the Bible-thumping state of South Carolina? He did not gain the support of the flock because he is “so Christian” (the lame reason he gave for why the IRS keeps auditing him). There has to be something more tantalizing about Trump.

Maybe it’s that he’s angry and he harnesses the anger of Evangelicals who “love and hate” sinners. Maybe it’s because Evangelicals are not promised seventy-two virgins that Islamic suicide bombers are promised, but Trump makes them feel that they too can become rich in the “here and now.” Maybe it’s because he casts away political correctness; something that many Evangelicals certainly do when it comes to issues of women’s rights or accepting diversity. Whatever it is, he has tapped in the American evangelical population in ways previously thought to be impossible.

While I find most of Trump’s ideas to be dangerous and simplistic, there is a certain whimsicalness about them, and the way in which he presents them. This, among other things, separates him from his Republican competitors, with the possible exception of Ben Carson. Perhaps in the minds of many evangelicals, Trump flies like an eagle, above the fray, and unencumbered by earthly restraints. If I was an evangelical and I wanted to know which Republican candidate would be most supportive of me when I took my teenage daughter with an unplanned pregnancy to the abortion clinic, it would be Trump.

Trump gives hope in ways that Cruz and Rubio never could. That resonates. The trick now is for more evangelicals, and more Americans overall, to recognize that real hope comes in the form of a Clinton or a Sanders. Who knows, as many conservatives suspect, maybe The Donald will eventually convince his present supporters that the Democratic path is the road to take. He “loves everybody.”

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First we heard James Carville, one of President Clinton’s closest political advisors, who said, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Now, with a clearer vision of what Richard Nixon did during Watergate, we can say, “It’s always the cover up.” That’s what happened to Nixon in Watergate, to Clinton with Monica Lewinski, to General David Patraeus, to countless other public figures throughout the nation’s history. The initial act or even “crime” may be bad, but that malfeasance is always compounded by the effort to cover it up.

If Richard Nixon had admitted to commissioning “the White House plumbers” to instigate a host of pranks against Democrats, he might have survived. After all, he had a tremendous electoral lead over his opponent, Sen. George McGovern (D-SD). Similarly, Christie had a tremendous lead over his 2013 Democratic opponent for governor, State Senator Barbara Buono.

Nixon held the country in suspense for over two years by not taking responsibility for his transgressions. Rather, he was firing attorneys-general, special prosecutors, or top White House aides, all the while trying to shift the blame. Without Watergate, he might now be viewed as a decent president who actually continued or strengthened numerous Great Society programs and also opened the door to China. His greatest mistake would have been his failure to get America out of Vietnam in a timely fashion. This certainly would have hurt his reputation, but not as much as mishandling Vietnam and then compounded by Watergate.

Who knows what lies ahead for Chris Christie? In all likelihood he will either be caught lying (did he possibly have a tape-recording system in his office)? If it’s not lying, then either his judgment of the character of his top aides was terrible or he was simply a careless manager of his staff. He has already been mimicking Nixon by firing aides, in his case with the crassness to not even meet with them face-to-face.

At this point, his best strategy might be to (1) admit what really happened, (2) resign, and (3) join a host of former politicians who wrote the book The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step to Survive Crisis. He could give his honest assessment of what happened and then write a book about it, including advice to other politicians suggesting ways in which they can limit the damage when the do something wrong. It’s not the best place to be, but it’s about as good as it gets after the initial demise. I seriously doubt that he will take this approach, but when he likely resigns in full disgrace, he may have wished that he took this route.

Considering Christie’s hubris, I doubt that he will relent on the fight. Perhaps what we as citizens can do is to continue to be skeptical of politicians who are in the middle of bizarre incidents and plead for us to believe them and extend special forgiveness. It doesn’t pass the giggle test.

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