Biden: Cabinet picks from Obama era mean ‘bold new thinking’

— President-elect Joe Biden on Friday introduced a series of key picks for his new government that drew heavily from the Obama administration, saluting their “deep experience” while insisting he could rely on them for “bold new thinking.” Appearing with Biden were his choice for director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Susan Rice, who served as President Barack Obama’s national security adviser and U.N. ambassador; and Denis McDonough, Obama’s White House chief of staff, now nominated as veterans affairs secretary. Biden seemed to acknowledge that, saying she could “do many jobs beyond the one I’m asking her to do.” He was unapologetic in repeatedly noting how long he’d known many of the selections. Above all, they know how government should and can work for all Americans.” Relying too heavily on Obama administration veterans has already begun to draw some grumbling from members of Biden’s own party, however. If we are about a bunch of other, say, progressive ideals, we could be right back where we were.” Biden called Vilsack “the best secretary of agriculture I believe this country’s ever had,” and Vilsack, former governor of the farming state of Iowa, talked about bringing assistance to rural areas.