US election 2020: President-elect Joe Biden’s cabinet to transform politics in post-Trump era

President-elect Joe Biden has started choosing the team that will change the face of Washington politics in the post-Trump era.

President-elect Joe Biden may be wary of giving senior roles to members of the liberal wing of his party such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

The new president-elect Joe Biden has started choosing the team that will transform the face of Washington politics in the post-Trump era.

For Australia, it is likely to include diplomatic and military appointments who have a strong understanding of Australia and of the importance of the ANZUS Alliance.

Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Arthur Sinodinos, told The Australian that Biden was a good friend of Australia who was an enthusiastic supporter of the US-Australia alliance.

“Joe Biden is well known as a friend of Australia, I met him some years ago in Australia. He is enthusiastic about the relationship and I believe the relationship will continue to grow and prosper,’ Mr Sinodinos said.

“We have a long and enduring relationship with the United States built on common values and the capacity to stand together and defend those values and a change of administration is an opportunity to continue that work,’ he said.

“We thank the Trump administration for their co-operation in pursuing important matters of mutual interest, reflecting the great continuity in this, our most important relationship.’

The Biden team has already been working quietly on its shortlists for appointment to cabinet and to key positions in the White House.

The list will include more women and minorities than Trump’s team and far fewer volatile characters such as a Steve Bannon, a Michael Flynn or an Anthony Scaramucci.

The Biden team will be a more traditional blend of Washington career insiders rather than outrider ideologues. He is expected to appoint some Republicans to senior posts to help smooth his relationship with what looks likely to be a Republican controlled Senate.

“I think one thing Joe Biden has always liked is a variety of viewpoints,” former Senator Mark Pryor, who served alongside Biden in the Senate told Politico.

Biden needs to negotiate with a Republican controlled Senate and so he may be wary of giving senior roles to members of the liberal wing of his party such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

There were reports before the election that Sanders could be Labour Secretary and Warren the Treasury Secretary but that is less likely now that Republicans appear to have won the Senate.

Contenders for the most high profile appointment, Secretary of State, are said to include Barack Obama’s National Security adviser Susan Rice, who was short-listed as a Biden’s possible vice president running mate.

Former National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Picture: AFP

Rice, who has a strong understanding of and support for the US-Australia alliance, is highly experienced and has a good relationship with Biden. But she may struggle to get confirmed by a Republican Senate because of lingering controversy over her handling of the crisis in Benghazi, Libya in 2012 when a US Ambassador was killed.

Another strong contender for this job is Democrat Senator Chris Coons, a close Biden confidant who appears certain to win a senior position of some sort in a Biden cabinet. Former deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy have also been mentioned as possible candidates.

The most talked about contender for Defense Secretary is Michele Flournoy, a former undersecretary of defence under Obama. Flournoy, who recently spoke on a call with senior Australian government officials, would be the first woman to be appointed to the job. She also has a keen understanding of US-Australia relations. Another contender for Defense Secretary is former Army veteran Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Contenders for Treasury Secretary include Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lael Brainard, Elizabeth Warren and former Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors Roger Ferguson.

Biden is likely to find a cabinet spot for defeated Alabama Democrat Senator Doug Jones, who is favourite to become Justice Secretary.

Former assistant Attorney-General under Obama, Sally Yates, is being considered for Attorney-General.

Other strong contenders for a cabinet position include former Democrat presidential candidates Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garrett and Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms are also said to be high on Biden’s list of potential cabinet posts.

Biden may look to reward former Georgian minority leader

Stacey Abrams for her help in flipping the traditionally Republican state of Georgia from Trump to Biden in this election.

Inside the White House, Mr Biden’s former chief of staff as vice president, Ron Klein, is considered the favourite to become White House chief of staff.

Another close Biden ally, Congressman Cedric Richmond of Louisiana is also expected to get a senior role in the White House.

“Men, women, gay, straight, centre, across the board, Black, white, Asian,” Mr Biden said this year when talking about his prospective cabinet. “It really matters that you look like the country, because everyone brings a slightly different perspective.”

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia