The Senate Democrats are Making Mistakes

Elizabeth Warren voted for Ben Carson. Bernie Sanders has backed two of Trump's cabinet picks. Senator Gillibrand became the last Democrat to succumb and vote for one of his nominees, when she backed Nikki Haley to go to the UN. Tim Kaine voted for at least one. Indeed, all 48 Democratic and independent Senators have supported at least one Trump nominee.

They're doing this all wrong.

In their zest to "not be like them," Senate Democrats are adhering to a pointless brand of moderate politics that has no value- Donald Trump is seeking to hurt lots of people, and they aren't obstructing him because they think they can't do it "all the time." This political miscalculation, just days after millions of Americans took to the streets against this regime, is stunning. Self-described progressive champions are suddenly in a hurry to "seek common ground" with a man who is literally seeking to build walls around our nation and ban Muslim refugees. I can't fathom what makes them think agreement on any specific issue makes them think it's worth it.

I guess I'm beginning to fear that the mistake was in our leadership. I have no doubt that Chuck Schumer is one of the smartest members in the U.S. Senate. He's been a valuable part of the leadership team under Harry Reid for years, but his time as Minority Leader is not off to a fast start. Not one of Trump's cabinet members, even ethically challenged ones like Tom Price, or unqualified ones like Haley or Carson, were voted down so far. Democrats have broken away from the party on every vote, and actually given some level of consent to a madman in the White House. This is what Senator Schumer's job is- not to make sure that both Bernie Sanders and Joe Manchin have places in his leadership, or to negotiate legislation in a government we lead zero percent of. Senator Schumer is there to lead an opposition government, to create a clear contrast, and to, where possible, stop the GOP from approving the destructive behavior of the man-child in the White House.

So far, the mistakes are plentiful.

Not a Single Nominee Should Be Confirmed

Republicans on Twitter are up in arms that Democrats might slow-walk Senate confirmation for Donald Trump's cabinet. In normal times, I actually might agree with them. Presidents should usually get the cabinet members they pick, unless there is a major problem with those cabinet picks. This is even true for Donald Trump's cabinet picks, who mostly should be approved, short of a major problem with them that makes it impossible to see them fairly or legally carrying out their job. Elections must have consequences.

Of course, you have to be able to know if a nominee is actually qualified and capable, which is not something Senators can currently know. FBI background checks, ethics paperwork, and other critical information on these nominees has not been made available yet, information that Senators have to see on nominees like Rex Tillerson and Steven Mnuchin who have major questions. Still other nominees, like Jeff Sessions, are having major questions raised in the process of looking into their past. This group can't be viewed as much more than an overall disaster, a group of people who would never have been picked by even previous Republican Presidents.

In the end, I'd like to see them confirmed, because again, I think elections have to have consequences. I don't think you can have election results where the effects are not felt on the public, because you won't allow the new President to have a cabinet. In order for Donald Trump to have a cabinet though, he still must adhere to some basic norms, like submitting candidates for his administration to vetting. This isn't optional, and if he fails to do so, Democrats should have 48 "no" votes against every one of his picks.