Good morning. While the vaccine is probably at the forefront of everyone's mind this week, we're waiting for more new information. So, instead of beating a dead horse (apologies to our equestrian readers), let's look at Biden's Presidential cabinet so far. They'll help to accomplish his four top priorities: COVID-19 relief, an economic recovery, racial equality, and climate change.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Katherine Chuang

President-elect Joe Biden has been slowly announcing his intended Cabinet picks as the GSA has authorized the transition process to begin. While Biden has placed a heavy emphasis on a racial and gender diversity, some Democratic lawmakers say there’s still more work to be done in terms of achieving that goal. Beyond race or gender, Biden faces the challenge of appealing to Democratic moderates, progressives, and Republicans. 

To be clear, nobody on the following list has been officially confirmed by the Senate yet. Even if the Democrats win both of the Georgia Senate runoffs in January, their majority will be a narrow one. The timeline for Biden’s confirmation may be a long one; Trump had only two Cabinet picks confirmed on Inauguration Day, even with a Republican Senate majority.

Let's meet Biden's Cabinet nominations so far.

The Cabinet

• Chief of Staff. Ron Klain was the Ebola Czar (i.e. appointed official) under Obama and Chief of Staff for VP Biden. Klain was also an integral part of the Recovery Act in 2009. (NPR)

• Sec. of State. Antony Blinken was Deputy Sec. of State and Deputy National Security Advisor under Obama. His nomination is indicative of an American government that may place a higher emphasis on globalization. (NPR)

• Sec. of Treasury. Janet Yellen is a former Federal Reserve Chair and would be the first woman to lead the Treasury Department. Throughout the pandemic, she’s called for more Congressional spending to alleviate Americans’ suffering. (NPR)

• Sec. of Homeland Security. Alejandro Mayorkas was a Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) under Obama. He’d be the first Latino immigrant to lead the DHS. (NPR)

• Office of Management & Budget Director. Neera Tanden is an Obama and 2008 Clinton alum. She’s the most controversial nominee so far among Progressives and Republicans, two groups which usually aren’t in agreement at all. (NPR)

• National Intelligence Director. Avril Haines who served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Deputy CIA Director under Obama, would be the first woman to ever lead national intelligence. (NPR)

• UN Ambassador. Linda Thomas-Greenfield is a 35-year veteran of the foreign service and oversaw the Bureau of African Affairs (and much of the Ebola response) during the Obama administration. (NPR)

• National Security Advisor. Jake Sullivan was VP Biden’s National Security advisor, where he helped open a back channel with Iran (which could come in handy). At 44, he’d be the youngest to serve in that role in decades. (NPR)

• Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. John Kerry is a former Senator, Secretary of State, and Presidential candidate. He played a large part in negotiating the Paris Climate Accord. (NPR)

• Communications Director. Kate Bedingfield was Communications Director for VP Biden and his Presidential campaign. (NPR)

• Press Secretary. Jen Psaki was Communications Director under Obama and currently oversees the confirmation efforts for Biden’s nominees. (NPR)

• Chair of Council of Economic Advisors. Cecilia Rouse was the Dean of Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs. She would be the first black woman to serve as Chair. (NPR)

NARRATIVES

Katherine Chuang

Here are the narratives from both sides, along with supporting headlines and article snippets. These are not necessarily factual, but instead illustrate the news coverage that solidifies each narrative. The bias ratings refer to news outlets as a whole, not a specific article. Read more about them at the end of this email.

If you're reading on mobile, the Right's narrative will appear above the Left's. Next week, we'll switch it up.

Sometimes, the news gets it right. Here are two instances of biased outlets that reported with civility by conceding a point to the other side's narrative.

BOTTOM LINE

What Does It All Mean?

Biden is putting together a team of career politicians for his Cabinet to try and calm the seas. That’s not to say that the first 100 days of a Biden administration will be relaxed. His immediate priorities are daunting: COVID-19, an economic recovery, climate change, and racial inequality. (NPR)

• If your news outlets lean left, you’re excited to see what a Biden Presidency will look like now that he’s beaten Trump.You’re relieved, albeit slightly skeptical about Biden’s current nominations. He has chosen one of the most diverse Cabinets our country has ever seen, but their policies are what will ultimately matter most. You are optimistic that Trump’s mistakes can be undone, but the proof will be in the pudding.
  

• If your news outlets lean right, you may feel Biden’s picks are out of touch with what America really needs; politicians who haven’t been in Washington so long that they’ve forgotten who they represent.You’ll see Biden’s appointments of ex-Obama and Clinton operatives as simply refilling the swamp that Trump spent four years draining. You also might be angry that the Left is so readily glossing over potential conflicts of interest after Trump endured years of criticism for the same thing.

In the near term, Biden’s Cabinet is gearing up to attack his —and the majority of Americans— most pressing goals: COVID-19 and the economy.

In a time of economic turmoil, Biden’s Cabinet picks have their work cut out for them. Treasury nominee Janet Yellen has a history of defending large stimulus injections into the economy, as she did in 2013. As head of the Federal Reserve, she was noted for significant job and wage growth while maintaining low interest rates. Nominee for the Council of Economic Advisors Chair (a mouthful, we know) Cecilia Rouse primarily focused on the economic studies of labor forces and education during her time working for Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. 

As for his COVID-19 response, Biden has yet to pick a Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. However, his nomination for Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, has extensive experience in the handling of the Ebola outbreak. Regardless of who Biden’s HHS Secretary is, his COVID-19 plan could certainly lead to some combination of lockdowns, curfews and mask-mandates. It’ll be a delicate balancing act: minimizing cost to the economy and maximizing health to the American people. 

Joe Biden’s first day in the White House will be a busy one. He’s prioritized many of the pressing issues facing our country, but how well he’ll execute those solutions remains to be seen. One of the more moderate candidates throughout the Democratic Primary, his ability to truly reach across the aisle is about to be put to the ultimate test.

Now that you understand more about Biden's potential cabinet, you're ready to take the next step.

Weekly Civility Challenge

Last Week's Winner

Want to Learn More About Civil?

Until next Wednesday, that's all from us. Thank you!