Friday Mailbag
PLUS: A Substack Live chat with Van Jones today!
Happy Friday.
We made it.
Eleven shopping days until Christmas. Which means you have 11 more days to buy me what I really want: The complete set of Almanacs of American Politics — 1972-2024.
Since I am not just a taker but a giver too, I have a few presents for you before I get to this week’s Mailbag.
First, I am doing a Substack Live conversation with the one and only today at 3 pm eastern. Van and I know one another from my CNN days and I have always admired his honest and intelligent analysis.
This should be a really good conversation. We are going to talk about the furor caused by the murder of the United Healthcare CEO and the latest out of the Trump transition. But, if I know myself and Van, we will range pretty widely.
This discussion is open to ANY subscriber to
or Van’s Substack. But it’s ONLY on the Substack app. If you don’t have it on your phone yet, download it here:
Second, I am doing a livestream at 1 pm eastern today over at my YouTube channel. I usually spend about an hour answering questions and, uh, riffing. It’s super fun! So come and hang out — and if you aren’t a subscriber to my channel yet, become one today!
Ok, now to the business at hand — your questions about the week in politics. This weekly post is for PAID subscribers. So everyone will be able to read the first few questions and answers but to check out the whole thing you need to become an investor in “So What.” Which is super easy! Just click this button:
Here. We. Go.
Q: Do you think there will be pushback/ rebellion/ mass resignations in the various agencies when Patel, Gabbard, RFK, etc (assuming confirmation) start issuing absurd and/or dangerous orders?
A: Anecdotally, I have heard that a lot of people who are lifelong government employees are headed for the exits — either by simply leaving for another gig or taking early retirement — in advance of the Trump administration sweeping into Washington.
That said, I also think that leaving a good paying job with health insurance on principle is not something lots of people are in a position to do.
Could some people who don’t leave before Trump takes over throw up their hands and walk away when one of his Cabinet appointees does something (or somethings) they don’t like? Sure. And it will happen!
But, my guess is that most people who stay in these departments will just put their heads down and try to do the work. And stay out of the political fray as much as possible.
Q: What is the over/under on the first Cabinet member confirmed to quit or much more likely to be fired by Trump and who will it be?
A: Well, that assumes that all of Trump’s current picks will get confirmed — which I am not at all sure about!
But, to entertain the hypothetical: I like RFK Jr. as the first Cabinet Secretary who quits or is fired Why? Because RFK Jr. has a WHOLE lot of opinions — and likes to share them. And lots of those views don’t comport with what Trump believes.
Plus, Trump likes to be the single bright shining star in his political universe. RFK Jr., by his last name and charisma alone, has the potential to take some shine away from Trump. And he is not going to like that.
Q: Which Democrats in the Senate do you think are most likely to break with their party and vote to confirm Trump’s Cabinet nominees?
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