Democratic House leaders are reportedly boosting a new candidate for the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) behind closed doors as Neera Tanden, President Joe Biden’s pick for the slot, grapples with an increasing unlikely path to confirmation.
Axios reports that the leaders are privately proposing that a congressional aide named Shalanda Young become the new nominee as Tanden comes under fire from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and GOP senators for her past antagonistic tweets about Republican lawmakers.
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) described Young as a “proven budget expert” who is “well qualified for the job” in an interview with Axios.
Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) told Axios that that the aide “is widely respected by members on both sides of the aisle for her expertise.”
“While I am hopeful for Ms. Tanden’s nomination, I cannot say enough good things about Ms. Young,” he said.
With Manchin plus GOP Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) stating that they would vote against Tanden on the basis of her tweets, the nominee’s chances of confirmation have been steadily shrinking.
The Biden administration has not given up on Tanden, however.
“We remain committed to moving that process forward to a confirmation,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters during a press briefing on Monday after Collins announced her opposition to Tanden’s confirmation.
It sounds like it is time for Tanden to bow out. Biden can find a place for her that does not require Senate confirmation.
Collins: I’m super concerned she hasn’t learned her lesson.
Mittens: I would have preferred the President nominate a corporation.
Manchin: Manchin, Manchin. Oh, and Manchin Manchin Manchin. I’m important!
It’s interesting and scary at the same time watching the democrats lose the 2022 midterms in real time. If ever there was a party that simply does NOT know or understand even the slightest how to wield power it is the D’s.
Mean Tweets? Really?
What a fucking joke.
If you don’t have the votes, you don’t have the votes. Simple as that.
Nominate someone else, and Move On.
I know that Tanden is qualified and is clearly the darling of folks on the Biden team, but she can’t be the sharpest knife in the drawer. She should have known that she couldn’t mean tweet. Only Republicans can do that. Time to move on.
The tweets were an unforced error in a 50-50 senate.
Maybe it is time to look for someone who will garner more than 49 votes. It is also time to figure a way to bring Manchin in line.