The Transition of Power – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - January 19, 2025
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
The Transition of Power – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - January 19, 2025
“Biden’s High Note” – I thought it was classy when President Joe Biden acknowledged the help of President-elect Donald Trump’s aides in securing a ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. “For the past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” Biden said, noting the involvement in the talks with Trump’s incoming Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBiden said, “My administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play,” adding, “America is once again leading.” I thought he came across as firm and confident, much like he did in his eulogy to President Jimmy Carter.
"Biden’s Low Note” – Just hours after Biden announced the ceasefire deal, he addressed the nation with his farewell speech from the Oval Office. At best, I would describe the speech as uneven. He slurred his words in places, and repeatedly had trouble pronouncing the word “millions.” Some of his gestures also seemed forced and out of sync. While his descriptions of what American democracy has accomplished in 249 years were spot on, I also think he wandered into what critics often refer to as conspiracy theories. It was a weird left turn, considering his own ties to the wealthy and politically influential.
“Biden’s Jab” – The outgoing president said, “I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern. And this is a dangerous concern. And that’s the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people.” Biden added, “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.” Here I think Biden should mention names. Among them, I believe we would hear some of the same internet, and high-tech leaders and billionaires, critics say the Biden White House pressured into suppressing, if not censoring opposing speech. I don’t know if you can have it both ways. Among those close to Biden, and who have contributed to his campaigns and wielded influence, are billionaires George Soros, Apple-heir Laurene Jobs, and famed clothing designer Ralph Lauren.
“Trump Day One” – Look for the week of January 20, 2025, to be busy, with Trump promising upwards of 100 executive actions. Everything from closing the U.S. Mexican border to pardoning hundreds of January 6, 2021, capitol rioters is on the table. “Look, I can undo almost everything Biden did, he through executive order. And on day one, much of that will be undone,” Trump said in a November interview with Time Magazine.
“What Ingredients are in the Cabinet?” – A couple of nominees should be slam dunks. Sen. Marco Rubio (R) Florida will easily be confirmed as Secretary of State. And former Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) Florida will be the next U.S. Attorney General. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may still have a bumpy road ahead, after a tense confirmation hearing. Hegseth was asked about allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct, which he denied and called a “coordinated smear campaign.” When asked about an alleged sexual assault of a woman in California in 2017, he said, “I was falsely accused in October of 2017, it was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared.” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D) Hawaii said, “I don’t think ‘completely cleared’ is accurate.” Hirono noted Hegseth’s lawyer has said he entered into a non-disclosure agreement with his accuser as part of a settlement. So, it may be a “he said, she said” case, but I doubt this alone will derail Hegseth.
“Hegseth’s Heel” -- His Achilles Heel may be his previous remarks about women in the military serving in combat. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) New York accused Hegseth of denigrating active-duty service members, pointing to his past comments, with Hegseth saying, “We need moms, but not in the military, especially in combat units.” Sen. Gillibrand added, “If you are saying that women shouldn’t be serving in the military — and I’m going to read you your quotes because the quotes themselves are terrible — you will have to change how you see women to do this job well.” But Hegseth appeared to make headwinds with other female senators, by saying of women in the military, “their contributions are indispensable.” Sen. Joni Ernst (R) Iowa, herself a combat veteran, was satisfied and said she would vote yes to confirm Hegseth. That may put him over the top, even if Sens. Susan Collins (R) Maine and Lisa Murkowski (R) Alaska vote no. As the parent of a military daughter, I hope he keeps to his word.
“Will Bass Get a Pass?” – The winner of “Worst Political Image of the Week” goes to Mayor Karen Bass (D) Los Angeles. This is the most tone-deaf political photo op I have ever seen. While her city burned, she was attending a cocktail party at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, as that nation was celebrating its new president. I know she went at the invitation of the White House, but this should have been a hard no. And then, she’s in all of these photos and videos smiling and appearing to have a good time. Her staff suggests the trip and photos are being taken out of context. "The presidential delegation was hosted by the United States ambassador to Ghana on the way to the plane," Bass spokesperson Zach Seidl told the LA Times. "For the majority of the time, the mayor was in a different room on calls from LA." This may be the biggest gaffe during a natural disaster since President George W. Bush flew over hurricane-ravaged New Orleans in 2005 on his way to a California fundraiser. Politically, I don’t see how Bass survives this.
“Can She ‘Carrie’ an Inaugural Tune?” – I think the weirdest political story of the week involved people attacking singer Carrie Underwood, who is scheduled to sing, “America the Beautiful” at Trump’s second inauguration. “The View” co-host Joy Behar said, said she would "not normalize" Trump by singing at his inauguration. Interestingly, Behar’s co-host Whoopi Goldberg came to Underwood’s defense. "I stand behind her," Goldberg said. "If I believe I have the right to make up my mind to go perform someplace, I believe they have the same right.” Goldberg added, “So, I have to support (her). It doesn't mean I'm particularly interested in watching. I won't be watching. But that's me." On the other side of the aisle, Trump has asked actors Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight, and Mel Gibson, to help conservatives with Hollywood. And to both sides, I say, “Who cares?” Average voters are not swayed by celebrity endorsements. Besides free speech cuts both ways. If Bruce Springsteen wants to sing at Kamala Harris’s rallies, then it’s okay for Underwood to sing at Trump’s event, too!