SCOTUS identity politics
Justice Steven Breyer announced his retirement from the Supreme Court, amid a bit of controversy. It seems Justice Breyer was not ready to announce his retirement. My guess was he was asked to leave so President Biden can get a justice on the court before the mid-term elections.
Biden said during the primary campaign that he would nominate a woman of color to the bench. To me that is sexist and racist, but identity politics is what what the Democrat party is all about. I don't really care what race or sex he nominee is as long as they are qualified and competent to do he job. There have been 5 or 6 names mentioned in the media, but less than a handful have mentioned that the pick could be Vice President Kamala Harris.
She certainly fits Biden’s criteria, a woman of color. She is so unpopular that she won't win a national election. (She dropped out of the presidential primary before it even began.) She will breeze through a senate confirmation, as long as it's before the midterm elections. From her stand point she will have a lifetime position and never have to run for office again or worry about her popularity.
That then paves the way for Biden to play the identity politics card for a new VP. My guess would be the Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. That move would make the first gay person the Vice President. Also Buttigieg is young, so it won't be a concern for him to take Biden’s place when he can't finish his term due to his age and mental deficiency. Then we get the first gay person as president. Again, I don't really care that he is gay as long as he is qualified and competent to do the job.
I'm not really much of a betting man, so no skin off my nose if this scenario didn't play out. It would make things really interesting if it did.