“Yes, we did.”
* The 21st century is going to be an American century.”–President-elect Joe Biden.
* For the Democratic record: 2008-B. Obama, 70 million votes; 2012-B. Obama, 66 million votes; 2016-H. Clinton, 66 million votes; 2020-J. Biden, 80 million votes.
* For what it’s worth ($3 million), after the (two-county) Wisconsin recount, Biden’s lead grew by 87 votes. Under Wisconsin law, Trump was required to pay for the recount.
* “It’s a team that reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it.” President-elect Biden, during the introduction of his national security team.
* Amid all the attention given the experience and diversity of key Biden appointees, one resonates with an expedient priority especially welcomed. That’s former Secretary of State John Kerry, who will be America’s special envoy for climate. Kerry, who negotiated the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, understands geopolitics—as well as the ultimate existential threat. “America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is,” underscored Kerry.
* “We will make clear that America will never again check its principles at the door just to buy oil or sell weapons.” That was Joe Biden last year, in addressing the Council on Foreign Relations—as well as the leadership of Saudi Arabia.
* Good luck, Antony Blinken, Biden’s choice for secretary of state. He inherits a deeply demoralized and depleted career workforce at the State Department. He also inherits a world grown increasingly skeptical about trusting the international priorities of the U.S. It’s also a fraught transition where Trump can help facilitate, for example, a foreign-policy-impacting assassination, as he orchestrates his departure.
* “We’re at a crossroads where we’ve got to get the message out that Florida is (still) in play.”—Former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, known to be interested in becoming the Florida Democratic Party’s chairman. The incumbent is Terrie Rizzo.