Closing the cabinet door
Gov, being eyed for post under Biden, says he likes his job
Move over, Elizabeth Warren and Marty Walsh. Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s transition team is reportedly eyeing Republican Gov. Charlie Baker for a potential Cabinet post.
The GOP governor, a longtime critic of President Trump who made clear last week he won’t vote for the Republican incumbent, is among several Republicans being considered for potential Cabinet positions should Biden win the White House, according to a Politico report on Tuesday.
Baker said Tuesday he’s “flattered” to be considered but batted away the prospect of heading to Washington.
“First of all, both the lieutenant governor and I said when we ran for re-election two years ago — it seems like 100 years ago — that we were going to serve our terms. And I intend to do that,” Baker said during an unrelated press conference in Revere, adding, “I’m flattered to be considered, but I like the job I have.”
The two-term governor also left the door open for seeking a third term in the corner office, saying, “You’re going to be stuck with me for at least the next two years, anyway.”
Republican strategist Patrick Griffin said he’s been “hearing more and more in recent weeks (that Baker is) looking hard at a third term.”
But Griffin also said it’s “not surprising” Baker would be considered for a Cabinet post — Griffin floated secretary of commerce as a good fit — given the governor’s “competence” and longstanding bipartisan support.
Democratic strategist Scott Ferson said Baker, a former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care CEO, could fill a health care role.
But Dan Payne, another Democratic strategist, said if Baker “has even mild interest” in a third term as governor, “he has to say he likes the job he has, or he’ll lameduck himself.”
A spokesperson for the Biden transition team told Politico no personnel decisions are being made before the Nov. 3 election, but said “diversity of ideology and background is a core value of the transition.” The news outlet’s report did not say what positions Baker might be considered for.
Biden wouldn’t be the first president to reach across the aisle to fill senior administration roles. But the olive branch could anger liberals who seek to push the moderate Democrat further to the left.