Joe Biden Filling Cabinet, Oddsmakers Offer Lines on Sens. Warren, Klobuchar Grabbing Spots

Posted on: November 24, 2020, 10:32h. 

Last updated on: December 15, 2020, 01:25h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Joe Biden is beginning to reveal his nominations for his cabinet. Political bettors are placing their wagers as to who they think will be announced next.

Joe Biden Cabinet political odds Trump
Joe Biden, seen here, is beginning to fill his incoming Cabinet. Betters have predictions. (Image: Getty)

There are 21 cabinet positions, plus presumptive Vice President Kamala Harris. Other than Harris, all will need to obtain Senate confirmation before taking on their roles.

On the betting watchlist for cabinet picks are Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota). Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) is also attracting wagers for a position.

Warren, Klobuchar, and Buttigieg were all 2020 Democratic presidential challengers to Biden.

Bettors on the political exchange PredictIt aren’t confident that Warren or Klobuchar will be joining the Biden administration. Warren’s odds of being in a Cabinet position by March 1 are trading at six cents. Klobuchar’s shares are at just five cents.

There’s a bit more enthusiasm for Buttigieg. “Will Pete Buttigieg be confirmed to a Cabinet position by March 1?” has “yes” shares trading at 36 cents.

Cabinet Odds

This week, Biden named several key members of his proposed foreign policy and national security team. They include:

  • Anthony Blinken — Secretary of State
  • Janet Yellen — Secretary of Treasury
  • Alejandro Mayorkas — Secretary of Homeland Security
  • Avril Haines — Director of National Intelligence
  • Linda Thomas-Greenfield — US Ambassador to the United Nations
  • Jake Sullivan — National Security Advisor

Former Secretary John Kerry was also named as a candidate for Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, though this is not a Cabinet position.

The most important Cabinet positions for a president are typically Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Attorney General.

As for Secretary of Defense, Michèle Flournoy, who served as Under Secretary of Defense of Policy during the Obama administration, is the heavy betting favorite for the Cabinet position. If nominated and confirmed, she would be the country’s first female Defense Secretary.

Sen. Doug Jones (D-Alabama) is the front-runner for Attorney General. His shares of being AG on March 1 are trading at 36 cents. Former Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco (D) is next at 20 cents.

Trump No Concession

President Donald Trump seemed to move closer to admitting defeat this week by allowing the General Services Administration (GSA) to officially begin the presidential transition process. Many took that as the president’s first hint at conceding to Biden. But Trump quickly assured his supporters his dispute of election fraud is not over.

Biden quickly countered.

The election is over. It’s time to put aside the partisanship and the rhetoric designed to demonize one another. We have to come together,” Biden declared.

PredictIt’s market asking who will win the 2020 presidential election has Biden’s shares at 92 cents, and Trump’s at nine cents. If the 45th president is indeed a one-term president, Trump would be eligible to run in 2024.

“Will Donald Trump file to run for president before the end of 2021?” has “yes” shares at 44 cents.