Neera Tanden, Biden's expected pick for budget chief, draws fire from left and right
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to name Neera Tanden as director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to multiple media reports, drawing angry reactions from progressives and conservatives alike.
In response to a New York Times article about Tanden's expected nomination, the communications director for Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Tanden, who heads the left-leaning Center for American Progress, "stands zero chance of being confirmed."
Drew Brandewie tweeted that Tanden "has an endless stream of disparaging comments about the Republican Senators whose vote she'll need."
Tanden's reported selection also sparked angry reactions from the left, such as Brianna Joy Gray, the former press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, who called Tanden "a woman who is openly disdainful of Bernie Sanders and his coalition, but who is friendly with extreme bigots online." Gray was particularly critical of Tanden's views on Social Security
"Everything toxic about the corporate Democratic Party is embodied in Neera Tanden," Gray tweeted.
Many of those opposed to Tanden's appointment, including Brandewie and Gray, cited past tweets from Tanden who has been a prolific presence on the social media platform, posting more than 87,000 tweets – including numerous caustic criticisms or replies to criticisms – since joining Twitter in March 2010. By comparison, President Donald Trump has posted nearly 59,000 tweets since joining Twitter a year before Tanden.
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