Biden Errs

Biden has been doing almost everything right in the face of Trump’s criminal obstructionism, but he erred in picking recently retired General LLoyd Austin for secretary of defense. Austin is a good man, but clearly not the best choice. Confirming him will require a permissible, but awkward, waiver of the statute that discourages appointment of a secretary of defense who has not been a civilian for at least seven years. I suspect that Biden’s desire to install an African American in one of the most important cabinet posts swayed his judgment. Appointing Austin was asking for trouble, and Biden has more than enough trouble already, with a lot more to coming down the road. Let’s hope his pick for the critically important post of attorney general is perfect.