Biden's Government: Experienced, Qualified, and Looks Like America

by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist 

Joe Biden has begun announcing his picks for national security posts and a few cabinet positions, and it is seriously looking like real human beings are about to retake control of the government.  Two outstanding Biden choices, IMHO, are former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry who will assume a new position as "Climate Envoy for National Security," and Antony Blinken who will be the next US Secretary of State.

John Kerry, who was the Democratic candidate for President in 2004, helped to establish the Paris Climate Accord while serving as Secretary of State in 2015.   Donald Trump, in one of his many fits of pique, pulled us out of that worldwide climate agreement, but Biden and Kerry will quickly correct Trump's folly. The new position is being described as a "cabinet-level" job that will also have a seat on the National Security Council, both strong indicators that concern regarding climate change will be a driving force in the Biden administration.

Antony Blinken, the in-coming Secretary of State, has a long history of working in the upper echelons of government as well as plenty of experience working with Joe Biden.  During the latter years of the Obama administration Blinken served as a Deputy US Secretary of State and was central enough in the Obama presidency to have made it into the famous photo of the group in the White House hovered around the television watching the SEALs take out Bin Laden.  Blinken's spouse, Evan Ryan, was also a State Department employee who served as an aid to Hillary Clinton.

In addition to having government and diplomatic chops, Antony Blinken also exudes some star power.  In 2016 he starred in a public service television spot with Grover the Muppet where they talked about refugees and the importance of children accepting these strangers into their schools and their lives.  And Blinken may become best known for being the first US Secretary of State to ever front his own rock band. Blinken is the guitar-playing lead singer of a band that he formed - and apparently named -  called "ABlinken."   (Say it out loud for the full effect!)   Critics have described the band - some of whose music is available on "Spotify" - as a cross between Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.   Blinken, who plays a Martin guitar,  refers to his group as a "wonk rock" band.

(Mike Pompeo's security detail had to deal with things like taking the family dog to the groomers and picking up dry-cleaning.  Hopefully Blinken's won't be bothered with having to clean up trashed hotel rooms!)

Other Biden announcements show the President-Elect's interest in forming a diversified government.  Biden has selected Alejandro Mayorkas, whose Jewish parents emigrated from Cuba when Alejandro was only one-year-old, to be the next Director of Homeland Security, the first Hispanic American and the first immigrant to ever hold that position.  Biden has chosen Avril Haines, a former deputy director of the CIA to be the first female Director of National Intelligence, and Linda Thomas Greenfield, a black woman who was a former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, to be the US Ambassador to the United Nations.  And Biden's most recent announcement is that former Fed Chair Janet Yellen will become the first female US Secretary of the Treasury, a position that has been held exclusively by males for its entire 230-plus-year history!

And, of course, President Joseph R. Biden will be ably assisted by Vice-President Kamala Harris, the first female - and black person - and Asian American to ever hold that position!

Joe Biden is piecing together an American government that is experienced, well qualified, and looks like America.  Better days are definitely ahead!

Rock on, Joe!  You are off to a terrific start!