Xavier Becerra has spent nearly four decades in elected office. For others, they speak with deep knowledge and a deep foundation for policy. For others, it involves political maneuvering and long-term investment in a failed state.
Tired or tired?
It all depends on your perspective.
Becerra, a California native, came from the hotbed of Latino politics on Los Angeles’ Eastside. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1990, served 12 terms in Congress, was California’s attorney general and, for nearly four years, ran the Department of Health and Human Services under President Biden.
It’s that latter category that has been a particular focus in the final days of California’s long and winding gubernatorial primary.
As Becerra moved from wrongdoing to the front, opponents — led by Democratic rival Tom Steyer — seized on Becerra’s role in the Biden administration, suggesting that he was AWOL during the COVID-19 crisis and could not handle the unaccompanied, 85,000 children who were said to be “missing” Becerras.
Politics is about persuasion and emotions, not rocket telemetry, so it’s not hard to figure out what’s going on.
“You look at Xavier and he seems to be considered a thoughtful, honest, reliable decision. That’s what I hear when I talk to ordinary people who are not inside politics,” said Darry Sragow, a Democrat strategist who has spent decades running campaigns in California. So you see people who want to get him out are going after one of the words I just used here, which is ‘honesty’ and, to a certain extent, ‘believable.'”
A recent piece of Steyer’s mail — naturally, featuring a picture of Becerra’s grim face — accuses him of “mismanagement,” “disgrace” and “inefficiency,” and cites a 2024 quote from Susan Rice, a former Biden domestic policy adviser, describing the former Cabinet member as “an idiot.” (Apparently “bitch-a—,” another Rice epithet from the same Axios news report, was deemed inappropriate.)
The Post also quotes Xochitl Hinojosa, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department in the Biden administration, saying that Becerra “wasn’t successful in government,” although few people working in the White House can imagine at any time, for any reason, Hinojosa would have worked well with Becerra.
Weak sauce. But at least Hinojosa, who made his speech on one of CNN’s most talked-about shows, was willing to publicly align himself with the criticism.
Six former Biden administration officials were quoted by Politico as “reacting with a mixture of disbelief, derision and resignation” to Becerra’s sudden rise in the governor’s race. Critics also presented on NBC News and other outlets. All spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Therefore, it is impossible to see their motives. Are you jealous? Ego? An attempt to stay politically relevant?
Or maybe Becerra was, indeed, an unselfish, sleazy and awful Cabinet member, deserving of scorn and shame.
Ron Klain, who served as Biden’s chief of staff during the first two years of his presidency, doesn’t believe it.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job as HHS secretary and I think the record reflects that,” said Klain, citing, among other accomplishments, Becerra’s work helping to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and expanding health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
In COVID-19, Becerra “it was not confirmed until several months later by the Biden administration. Dr. [Anthony] Fauci had been on the job and was a well-known figure among Americans. So, he became the face of the COVID response. “
“In other countries,” Klain continued. “Xavier’s part was small and smart. He wasn’t the secretary of Homeland Security. He didn’t run the border. He ran an office called the Office of Refugee Resettlement” that was responsible for processing children who crossed the border alone. “I was in meetings where he was a passionate and powerful advocate for these children,” said Klain.
Still, there are legitimate questions, aside from Becerra’s deviation – Trump! MAGA! Trump! – about his treatment of migrant children, some of whom died, were horribly abused or were seriously injured, according to a New York Times report. It is worth noting, however, that Becerra inherited a plan to deal with unaccompanied minors that was drafted and put in place between Rice and his Domestic Policy Council.
There is an unhappy history between the two; apparently Becerra was not alone in drawing Rice’s anger. In 2022, an article in the American Prospect accused him of creating an “abusive and demeaning work environment,” where Rice routinely yelled at others, including the secretary of Health and Human Services.
On social media, Rice has made no secret of his continued disdain for Becerra, a show with no small ax to grind and scoring. He emphasized the refusal of Biden’s Homeland Security chief, Alejandro Mayorkas, to endorse Becerra in the governor’s race, though it would be surprising if Mayorkas, Biden, Kamala Harris or any top Democrat chose the favorite from that opposition party.
Becerra “had big things to do and he did them,” said Neera Tanden, who succeeded Rice as head of Biden’s Domestic Policy Council and has staunchly defended Becerra from attacks on social media.
“I am not in or associated with the Becerra campaign,” Tanden said. “I just know that this attack is ridiculous.”
If Becerra makes it past Tuesday’s first post until the end of November, his career should be scrutinized — not the years he spent in Biden’s Cabinet. Many voters still know Becerra, who could be the next governor of California. Anonymous quotes, leading comments and incendiary mailers can be common campaign currency. But voters deserve better.
