Let's not be fooled (Re: Diane Feinstein)

[FBaggins]

Too many here are being played – and the behavior is unseemly. Some facts to consider:

1 – A seat in the US Senate is one of the most powerful positions in the world
2 – A Democratic Senate seat in California is effectively a lifetime role (as Feinstein herself demonstrates)
3 – If she leaves now, she effectively ends the Democratic primary to replace her and substitutes the governor’s selection
4 – The person that the governor will select is probably not the same person who would win through the democratic process.
5 – That person has all the incentive in the world to throw her under the bus. I don’t know who that is, but I’d bet that we could figure it out by which congressional allies are calling for her to resign now

Want to end the squabbling, ageism, and anti-democratic rants? It’s simple – call for Newsom to pledge a seat-warming replacement who will not run for the seat in 2024.

Democrats should support the democratic process. They should also treat a lifelong ally with more dignity and respect.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Democrats have a right to discuss their options.

As you point out, this is a serious situation, and we have the right to debate what happens.
Accusing sinister motives to our politicians is not helpful.

Diane Feinstein understands American politics more than most.
She knows this is not personal.

Let's give her credit to understand how things unfold in US politics.

[3Hotdogs]

10. It's the basis of your 4th sentence that is the problem: Who knows what she knows?

Is she experiencing dementia? If so, how badly is she doing? How much more deterioration of her cognitive ability will she lose by the next election?

Who was it, Strom Thurmond who was so far gone that he didn't know the day of the week, let alone why he was in a room with a lot of people every day? Strom's aides did everything for him to keep his seat. But they weren't elected.

[Demsrule86]

53. She knows judges are not being appointed. She also knows we could lose the Senate in 24 leaving

a huge amount of vacancies...some things are more important here.

[NotVeryImportant]

71. Vehemently disagree

She should have stepped down years ago.

Let's not repeat the RBG debacle.

Learn from our mistakes.

She needs to go.

[ripcord]

117. So you are fine with having the same discussion about President Biden?

[ZonkerHarris]

123. Biden is healthy and there doing his job, but thanks for the false equivalence I usually only get

from Republicans

[dem4decades]

2. I'm not fooled and I'm not played. The Senate confirming judges is the most important thing.

She should resign ASAP.

[brewens]

34. Yup. That "lifelong ally" should treat the Senate with more respect. n/t

[brush]

3. Who's being fooled? No one I know of. The governor appointing someone...

if Sen. Feinstein resigns/retirers is codified as part of our democratic process. Governor Newsom is a Democrat in good standing and I trust he will make a good decision as to who to appoint to the seat in case it becomes vacant.

IMO we should be happy that the governor is a Democrat and will appoint an able Democrat so that the US Senate can get on with installing Joe Biden's judicial appointments.

It's time to get past the delays.

[SpamWyzer]

23. Thank you.

As if democratic process is only by ballot. We have a govt of laws and rules. Gov. Newsom can appoint, by law. The laws of a democratic republic. Purity in morality is useless in politics. Pragmatism is a better attitude to have.

[jeffreyi]

46. This whole scenario is probably not unexpected.

At least one hopes so. The replacement has doubtless been waiting in the wings for awhile. Who knows, maybe Diane hand-picked him/her/them in a lucid moment.

[brush]

62. Agreed. A question pls. You used pronouns him/her/them.

This is new to me. Is the "them" the preferred pronoun for transgender people and others who don't go by him or her?

[jeffreyi]

105. I *think* so.

I just learned about recent useage of pronouns, so if this is incorrect, please enlighten me.

[brush]

108. I'm trying to learn myself. I'll post an OP and get info from DU.

[jeffreyi]

116. Good idea.

Thanks.

[JT45242]

4. You assume only the appointee can win...

There are several good choices as an outsider to California...

But her lack of presence hurts appointing judges. It also means that a manchin defection is a loss, not a tie to go the VP.

Sorry, but she has to step down or we will be stuck with not enough judges to undo McConnell's gambit from 2014-2020.

[CottonBear]

25. Sen. Warnock (D-GA) beat an GOP appointee (Loeffler-R) ) in GA in 2016/2017.

I know the California election will come down to Democrat versus Democrat in the primary, but my point is that an appointee is not guaranteed to go on to win the next regular election for their seat.

[ZonkerHarris]

124. The dude who was appointed to Kamala's seat won the next election

[Sibelius Fan]

5. Any of the announced candidates for her Senate seat - Schiff, Lee or Porter -

would make a fine appointment replacement AND a fine elected Senator.

Newsome can use his appointment to give any D an incumbent leg up on the R in the future election for the seat.

[FBaggins]

11. Of course they would

But the voters should decide.

[brush]

44. The codified procedure that the governor appoints a...

replacement is what will happen if the seat becomes vacant.

That's the way it works. Candidates will jockey for that appointment or run for the seat in the next election.

If you want that to change, go for it by gathering signatures on petitions and submiting them to the appropriate agencies. If you want things to change, that's how it's done.

[FBaggins]

70. I never asked to change the process

Indeed… I’m objecting to someone trying to do an end-around on the process for their own political advantage.

I continue to be shocked how many self-identified Democrats seem to object to the democratic process.

[brush]

72. By contending in your OP that a replacement for Sen. Feinstein's...

in case she steps down should be decided by the governor appointing a replacement for the duration of the term, that is the codified democratic process.

That's what's going to happen so what are you advocating if not that?

[FBaggins]

81. I made no such contention

The current debate has never been “if she decides to step down” - it has clearly been calls for her resignation.

The OP points out merely that the nonsense about “there’s a delay on a district judge!!!” is posturing (knowingly or not) on behalf of someone who doesn’t think (s)he can win the seat through the normal process.

[brush]

82. The senator asked to be temporarily replaced on the judicial...

committee so it's business can continue. Why would she ask for that if it was nonsense?

[FBaggins]

87. How does that make sense?

She obvious doesn’t think that it warrants resigning from the Senate and “temporary” clearly implies that she doesn’t agree that her health will keep her from ever returning.

If it can be arranged (there’s some indication that it could be blocked) it makes great sense to me.

The “nonsense” is that delays that we’ve faced for decades… that are indeed at historic lows given the number of judges approved even with tiny majorities… suddenly mean that she can’t take any more time to recover.

The real urgency is that the primary season heats up in just a few months and it’s someone’s last chance to score a lifetime gig that they couldn’t win through the democratic process.

[Sibelius Fan]

65. The voters get to decide after the governor gets to decide. That's the law in CA.

[FBaggins]

69. Nope

The law is that the person who is elected stays in the seat until she dies or decides to retire.

The governor (and voters outside of the normal election process) have no say at all unless and until that happens.

There’s obviously someone who thinks that their personal political career will be enhanced if they can bypass that process.

[Retrograde]

100. Then why does my California ballot

regularly have Senate races? Feinstein's been on the ballot every six years since she was first elected and has had opponents: she just got more votes than anybody else. Same for the other seat - there's an election every six years - plus a special election last year to elect someone to fill out the remainder of the term Harris vacated when she was elected VP.

[Sibelius Fan]

107. That's not the process. You're describing the situation.

The process is that when a CA Senator dies in office or resigns their office, the Governor gets to appoint a replacement. Most recently, this happened in CA when Kamala Harris resigned her office of Senator to become VP. She was replaced by Alex Padilla, who was appointed by Gov Newsom.

[FBaggins]

109. The process you're describing does not apply to the situation

Nobody has died or resigned. Therefore, the governor (and the voting public prior to the next election) has no role to play.

That's the law in CA.

[stopdiggin]

20. Yes. But the point being

that Newsom's 'appointment' might well not be someone we have a a similar regard for (as names mentioned). And then that person would be (potentially) very hard to dislodge in the next primary.

[agingdem]

6. this isn't an agism issue...it's a cognitive awareness issue..

Joe at 80 is still on his game..Diane Feinstein at 90 is not..her lack of presence on the Senate judiciary committee is doing us a disservice..(Barbara Boxer was savvy enough to get out of the game before she was rendered ineffective)...and it's time for a new generation of Democrats to get their chance to serve..look no further than our House leadership and members...Hakeem Jeffries/Dan Goldman/Jarod Moskowitz..Jamie Raskin, undergoing intense chemo, is physically present on the House floor, fighting the good fight...Maxwell Frost, the youngest member, has no problem taking it to the House MAGAts...

I'm 75 and I recognize the older I get the better I was..it's time for Dianne Feinstein to let go..

[NewHendoLib]

7. This.

[onenote]

12. she missed two judiciary sessions. she's agreed to step aside from the committee

She's missed fewer votes than Fetterman. Durbin recently had to miss a meeting because he tested positive for COVID. Blumenthal would have missed at least one meeting because of his broken leg but fortunately that occurred during the recess.

I remember when DU criticized non-professionals who made armchair diagnoses of physical and mental conditions. But I guess that was then, and this is now.

[Indykatie]

17. Feinstein's Cognitive Issues Are No Secret. I See This as Being Selfish.

[agingdem]

28. selfish on Feinstein's part..yes..

Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2023, 02:05 PM - Edit history (1)

John Fetterman has cognitive issues but he is recovering...in 1988 Joe Biden recovered from two brain aneurysms.. a number of senators have suffered TIAs and recovered...I respect and admire Feinstein but the fact that Feinstein's ability to adequately serve is a question, should give her advisors pause..she's 90 years old.sorry, but there is no recovering from extreme old age..

[Demsrule86]

54. Fetterman is back in the Senate and he is doing fine. She is not. And we are getting no

judicial appointees. Unless we can get judges with votes from the GOP members of the Judiciary. She needs to go ASAP.

[agingdem]

60. that's right..playing nice is not an option..

we need those judicial appointees to counter Trump/McConnell's Federalist approved unqualified radical nobodies...

[Sky Jewels]

67. Agree. The charges of "ageism" are a pantload, IMO.

Some people want to pretend that people function physically and mentally as well at 90 as they do at 50. How utterly ridiculous.

[inthewind21]

83. Well, maybe not YOU

https://www.newsweek.com/how-94-year-old-genius-save-planet-john-goodenough-566476

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170828-the-amazing-fertility-of-the-older-mind

https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/meet-the-91-year-old-who-is-finally-living-her-dream-as-a/243621

https://www.happify.com/hd/90-year-old-woman-approaches-job-with-joy/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/13/northern-illinois-university-90-year-old-woman-graduates

https://www.forbes.com/profile/diane-hendricks/?list=self-made-women&sh=2c3ccb7b5c8a

What were you saying about "utterly ridiculous" again? Arrogant much?

[Sky Jewels]

84. So what? Just because there are some exceptions

doesn't mean every 90-year-old is fine to serve at a very high-pressure, high-stakes job that affects the lives of millions. And Sen. Feinstein definitely has health problems that are affecting her ability to perform her job. It's unfortunate, but that's the way life goes. No human escapes these factors. Health problems happen. Aging happens. I'm not going to pretend otherwise.

[agingdem]

113. we can recover from a stroke/heart attack/cancer..

Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2023, 07:15 PM - Edit history (1)

but we cannot recover from old age and all the physical and mental baggage that comes with growing old..

[demmiblue]

96. Yep. n/t

[AngryOldDem]

115. Exactly.

Ageism has nothing to do with this.

[mchill]

8. I'm for the seat warming replacement

Even as a Californian I can’t tell you the name of who Newsom gave the Kamala Harris seat to. I can tell you he was a close friend and political aid of Newsom, that is all. Thus far, not impressed, but given the history, he will have this seat for life.

[quaint]

18. Senator Alex Padilla earned his appointment, as confirmed by the voters.

Long history of excellent public service in elected government positions in California and has already proved his worth as a U.S. Senator, IMHO.
I have no knowledge of his being an aide to the governor nor have I any information they were close friends.

[Caliman73]

75. You don't know who Alex Padilla is?

Heavily involved in Los Angeles City and County politics, was a State Senator, Was the California Secretary of State.

The man has been a California institution.

[mchill]

97. Yes friends with Newsom & know little about SoCal politics

#5 As far as personal friendship with Newsom
https://calmatters.org/politics/2020/12/california-senator-padilla-harris-replacement/

Also, I live near the Oregon border and all my local news comes from Medford, OR. I subscribe to the NYTimes and WaPo. Padilla has little to no National presence. I saw him once on TV and while I can’t remember the topic, he did a poor job on the topic—I remember that much.

[Caliman73]

101. He doesn't need a national presence, at least for now. He needs a California presence, and has one.

He beat his opponent by over 19 points in the General Election.

While I don't agree with everything Gavin Newsom does, I agree with his political instinct. He chose well with Padilla and he will choose well with Feinstein's successor if she leaves before the election.

Also, I live on the Central Coast. Grew up in the Los Angles area. Like it or not, that region of the state is the most powerful and influential in CA politics.

[Retrograde]

102. And here I thought it was my doing

After Harris was elected to the vice-presidency I emailed Newsom to suggest Padilla as her replacement, since I was impressed with the transparency he brought to the Secretary of State's office, especially the election information on the SoS's website, building on and expanding the work done by his predecessor, Debra Bowen. Even living so close to the Oregon border, you would have seen his name on the voters' guides sent to every registered voter, and even on the ballot itself on some occasions. His national presence or lack thereof isn't an issue - he's done a lot for the state before he was appointed - and then elected in his own right - to the US Senate.

As for national presence - Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, Rand Paul, and Tommy Tuberville all have "national presence". And I'm glad they don't represent me

[jaxexpat]

9. It is unfortunate how as our brightest pols grow infirm, they lose the ability to pick their....

politically optimum retirement dates. Are they deluding themselves that they are indispensable? Are their supporters, aides and staff so entrenched that they chide their boss to remain even unto the detriment of our nation?

It's especially important for lifetime appointments and safe-win elected officials to keep their eyes and ears sharp for the correct retirement opportunities. It is on them to provide their replacements the best scenario, to continue their momentum as seamlessly as possible and to secure their legacy. This will provide prosperity to our collective Democratic efforts. To leave their replacements to fate and time is an irresponsible waste of political capital as well as a risky avenue. We must all strive to keep the long view and live in harmonious comprehension of the big picture. Even more so must the highly placed.

How much different would our contemporary situation look if the USSC had 2 additional progressives instead of Trump's 2 hell bandits? Obama was quite able to successfully appoint USSC members in 2009. A phenomenon we could call "the Obama court" would be a pretty welcome thing right about now.

D. Feinstein is but an example. Hopefully we get through this without incident.

[FBaggins]

27. This isn't a SCOTUS seat

We’ll retain this seat regardless. She doesn’t need to time her withdrawal to ensure that we hold it.

[Demsrule86]

31. We are not getting judges...the judiciary committee is tied...judge are so so important. A

Democrat will take the seat right now we need judges.

[FBaggins]

38. Nonsense

We’re “getting judges” at a record pace. There’s a tiny delay for a handful of judges while she’s out sick (after a years of delays on scores of judges).

Senators don’t need to retire just to avoid a month or two of delay.

[jaxexpat]

39. Read it again, carefully this time, please.

[Demsrule86]

55. You don't see the big picture here...we are in danger of losing the Senate in 24. We have a very

tough map. Also, we will possibly have a contested election...we need all of our Senators to be able to be at the Senate.

[inthewind21]

85. The time to see

the BIG picture was BEFORE someone like Trump was elected and got the opportunity to stack the SC and pack the federal courts.

[stopdiggin]

13. excellent point!

and I admit I had taken the 'appointment/elected' angle into consideration. That's quite valid.

[Tarc]

14. Then she needs to give up her committee assignments

Respect only goes so far, when it is effectively holding up judicial appointments.

If one of the GOP'ers on the committee had an ounce of dignity, they'd cast a symbolic flip vote, knowing full well that if Feinstein was present, these nominations would be advancing 11-10 anyways. But we know that's a foreign word to them.

[Nixie]

15. Agreed. Senator Feinstein has earned her position with voters.

We should keep it that way.

She beat the last onslaught of so-called Democrats trying to throw her under the bus and she did that with votes. It looks like the same group trying to splash her again. You are right in those observations.

[Demsrule86]

32. No, no and no...we are not getting judges and given the issues now that is way more important

trying to show appreciation to Feinstein...she needs to retire...at the very least, she needs to give up her committee assignments.

[Nixie]

64. Sorry, but I want to vote for my senator here in California, not

be subjected to double standards about attendance expectations of Senators and/or their whereabouts. It looks like she stepped aside from the Judiciary Committee, said stepping aside being more than others have done.

[inthewind21]

86. Again

We are getting judges at a record pace. And California will decide who their Senators are.

[dlk]

16. There's dignity & respect, & then there's the very real and critical issue of judicial appointments

Given the radical, right-wing extremism of the Republican Party, it’s no overstatement to say Biden’s judicial appointments are a matter of life and death. We need a Democratic Senator in Feinstein’s position on the Judiciary Committee, whoever it is, however it’s done. Too much time has been wasted already.

[inthewind21]

88. Actually

judicial appointments were a matter of life and death BEFORE Trump was elected to appoint them. "We need a Democratic Senator in Feinstein’s position on the Judiciary Committee" Do you think there's a risk that the people in her district will suddenly vote for a republican or the Democratic Governor of the state of California will appoint one?

[dlk]

99. Yes, federal judicial appointments have been critical prior to Trump

My point is that we need a Democrat who is able to physically attend Judiciary Committee meetings, in order to vote for Biden’s judicial nominees, however that is accomplished. It has nothing to do with how California appoints/elects senators.

[inthewind21]

104. So

So you think Fetterman should resign as well? After all he did have a major stoke, has cognitive issues and had to check himself into the hospital for 6 weeks for depression before he got 60 days in as a Senator?

[dlk]

111. I'm not lobbying for Feinstein to resign from the Senate

I am supporting another Democratic Senator replacing her on the Judiciary Committee, either temporarily or permanently, the goal being judicial confirmations. I mean no disrespect for Senator Feinstein and her long, illustrious career.

I don’t believe Senator Fetterman is on the Judiciary Committee and this is about judicial confirmations.

[edhopper]

19. She has asked for

a replacement on Judiciary.

https://abc7.com/dianne-feinstein-calls-to-resign-senator-feinsteins-health-ro-khanna/13120186/

[Demsrule86]

33. Good and if she can be replaced excellent but if the GOP can tie it up some way than she

needs to retire.

[Demsrule86]

56. Some here are saying a replacement would need GOP votes from the committee...if

so Sen. Feinstein should know that too...and she definitely needs to retire now if that is the case.

[inthewind21]

90. Some here

are saying. Where have I heard that phrase before? Oh and FYI, you can google how the senate works. Hint, republicans don't control the senate. Don't we regularly chastise republican followers for listening to and blindly believing what "some people say" and not getting the facts?

[wryter2000]

22. The current holder of the order CA Senate seat

Prove 4 and 5 are not accurate.

[FBaggins]

29. How so?

[wryter2000]

42. The "placeholder " was easily elected

I may have missed what you meant by number 5.

[FBaggins]

63. I think you did indeed miss what I was saying

Of course the selected now-incumbent has an easy reelection. That was the point.

But that wasn’t who would have won in an open primary.

[wryter2000]

66. So what?

We still have a Dem.

[Retrograde]

103. There was an open primary in 2022

Two of them, in fact, on the June ballot: one to fill out the remainder of the term, and one for the new term. There were several people on the ballot in these races. California has a jungle primary so everyone runs together regardless of party. To even out the playing field, the order of candidates' names is different for each district, so no one person has a state-wide advantage by having their name on the first line. So, yes, it was as fair and as open as it could be. And Padilla still won.

If you want all the details, the Secretary of State's office has a complete summary here

[FBaggins]

106. 2022 isn't a counterexample - it proves my point

There were several people on the ballot in these races

Oh please. There wasn't a single credible democratic opponent. As the OP implies - once he was the incumbent, he was a lock.

[mopinko]

24. he can appoint someone who promises not to run.

it would be wise to pick someone not already running, so as not to put his thumb on the scale.

[FakeNoose]

26. I don't live in CA so I have no dog in this hunt

But if this were happening in PA, I would trust my Democratic Governor to know the politics and the system well enough. I would rather the ailing Senator (who's not going to run again) to step down early enough for things to happen on a regular timetable. By not doing that, it could be a major problem if/when an emergency arises later and Sen. Feinstein has no choice in the matter.

As things are right now, she does have a choice. She does have a Governor she can trust and defer to.

[wryter2000]

43. Exactly n/t

[Demsrule86]

30. No, we must have someone replace her she is holding up judge nominees...

People can still run for her seat.

[FBaggins]

35. We only need someone to replace her on the committee

She doesn’t have to facilitate someone else’s career aspirations to do that

[Demsrule86]

51. Other posters have said we need 9 GOP votes to put someone else on the committee if she

leaves the judiciary. We won't get them. She needs to resign. We may lose the Senate in 24 because it is a very tough map for us. We simply must put getting judicial nominees ahead of anything else. I think she needs to resign.

[Sympthsical]

36. I have a strong suspicion of what's going on.

Wouldn’t be popular here to say so.

But I think a campaign is doing some media whispering. And one of them has a history, let’s just say.

I think the primary is going to be a whole thing.

On the plus side, we’re going to see a lot of stripes suddenly change. It’s going to be fascinating.

[dsc]

37. He could pick a place holder, that is often done

the fact is we can't approve judicial nominations and while she has offered to have a temp replace her that would require 9 GOP votes which we won't be getting.

[Johonny]

40. Senator Jerry Brown?

[Tumbulu]

121. That is the best idea so far!

[haele]

41. Actually, If (big if) Feinstein were to step down, Newsom should appoint Boxer.

Boxer would be a good emeritus placeholder, she's still sharp, has been on many of the same committees as Feinstein, and she has no political ambition to keep the seat permanently.
Let the others fight it out for the special election. Boxer can hold down the fort in the Senate until a replacement can step in.

Just my two cents as a Californian.

Haele

[Sympthsical]

47. I'd be pleased with Boxer or Brown

Someone for a year who has no interest in running.

If one of the declared candidates was appointed now, it would stink to high heaven.

I've long advocated Feinstein should retire due to declining health - I strongly feel she shouldn't have run again last time. However, we are where we are. Any appointment of a candidate is going to appear like a thumb on the scale of the primary and make for a lot uglier intraparty slapfight than it needs to be.

If she cannot do the job for the next two years - and I strongly suspect this is the case - a Boxer or Brown would suit this Californian just fine. Assuming they would even do it. But anyone along those lines would be fine.

Just not one of the candidates.

[Tumbulu]

122. another good idea!

I like the idea of Jerry Brown, too.

[Upthevibe]

45. FBaggins...............

"Want to end the squabbling, ageism, and anti-democratic rants? It’s simple – call for Newsom to pledge a seat-warming replacement who will not run for the seat in 2024." This is what I've been saying.

If our Governor were to put my choice, Adam Schiff, into the seat now I don't think it'd be appropriate for the other candidates, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. An incumbent would have the advantage. I've been saying to put in a place holder/seat warmer in the seat until the 2024 election cycle with the place holder not running.

[Demsrule86]

49. I don't care about that...we should do what's best for the country and that is getting judges

approved. I also don't like being down a Senator in 2024 in case the election is contested.

[Demsrule86]

48. I think she should resign.

[inthewind21]

91. You

made that quite clear in the 50 other posts.

[Novara]

50. She has missed at least 58 votes

She is holding up Dem progress, especially in the judiciary. We've all see how one unqualified ideologue can hobble all of America's women with a completely legally unsound ruling. We NEED to get qualified and fair people into these positions and she is holding the process up.

IMO, this is an emergency.

She's like Willie Mays, who kept playing way past his prime. She needs to step down now while she has a shred of dignity left. She's earned her retirement. For the good of the country, she needs to step down.

If Newsom appoints her replacement, they would only serve until the next election anyway. Her current terms ends in January 2025. But at least the Dems can get shit done.

[Autumn]

52. She has said she's not running in 2024. That's a good thing. Let her retire and have the Democratic

primary and the voters will decide which Democrat replaces her, no appointment needed. She should give up her committee seat ASAP

[Demsrule86]

57. Autumn, we are in serious danger of losing the Senate in 24...I am hoping the dreadful

behavior of the GOP will help us with that, but the map is very very tough. We can't leave judicial seats unfilled. Other posters have said it takes nine members of the committee to replace Feignstien temporarily. I don't think that is true. I do think the Senate must approve it. And will Sinema or Manchin vote for it...I don't know. Also, we may have a contested election...we need every Senator we have to be there.

[Autumn]

58. I'm sure the right Democrats will win the primary when she retires. She has missed 60 votes in 2023,

that's a real problem when it comes to those judicial seats.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

59. Maya Angelou was correct.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

[inthewind21]

93. Yes

Yes indeed she was.

[GuppyGal]

61. What is so upsetting that the loudest voices I've heard calling for her resignation are

'Democrats'...I'M SICK OF IT

[Just A Box Of Rain]

68. You are not alone. Trust me, you are not alone.

[NotVeryImportant]

73. Think about that...

Really think about what it means for her to stay there in the condition she's in.

It's amazing Republicans aren't celebrating in the streets.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

74. No, I suspect the Republicans are taking delight in seeing one of the most effective

Democrats being taken down in a similar fashion to what happened with HRC.

[NotVeryImportant]

76. Is she effective now?

If not, when last was she effective?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

77. Yes. Biden has set a 40+ year record for getting judges approved with Dianne Feinstein on the

Judiciary Committee.

Quite an accomplishment. Feinstein is also widely reputed to have the best staff on the Hill.

A very effective Senator IMO.

[NotVeryImportant]

79. Some people never learn

The RBG debacle has taught you nothing.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

80. The attacks on Ruth Bader Ginsburg have taught me quite a lot, in point of fact.

[FBaggins]

89. I was one of the people calling for RBG to retire and took heat for it

The situations are not even close to parallel.

Feinstein will be replaced by a progressive Democrat no matter when she retires. RBG could only be replaced with a progressive if her vacancy occurred when we controlled both the White House and the Senate.

The only question here is which progressive Democrat replaces her. Most Democrats think that should be decided by the voters… a few want to game the system.

[NotVeryImportant]

92. Sure, the details are different

However, the principle remains the same.

You were proven right on your RBG position. Did you get any apologies?

[inthewind21]

95. How quaint

You blame RBG for the voting publics inability to keep DJT out of the WH and far from any judicial appointments. I guess your next most logical scapegoat would indeed be yet another DEM. Because that worked so well before right?

[Hekate]

126. That's rude

[GuppyGal]

110. She won her last election I call that effective. nt

[inthewind21]

94. DING DING DING

You win! .

[Hekate]

125. Not at all. Southern Republicans showed us how to do it with Strom Thurmond et al.

Keep the staff doing their jobs and they can guide the frail Senator thru his days, making sure he is there for every vote, voting the right way.

[FBaggins]

129. The same could be said for Fetterman

Republicans celebrating hardship on our side is hardly a surprise… and also not relevant to the discussion.

[themaguffin]

78. I'm not fooled. It's reckless & selfish that she's still on that committee.

[W_HAMILTON]

98. What about Barbara Boxer?

I never understood why she left in the first the Senate in the first place, since she always seemed to bright and engaged.

Your idea of having someone to just fill the seat but chooses not to run for election sounds intriguing and I think Boxer would be able to hit the ground running since she should already be familiar with how everything in the Senate works.

But I'm still not sure why she decided not to seek reelection in the first place, so whatever that reason was, maybe it's still there and she wouldn't be interested in such a role...

[AngryOldDem]

114. She can't effectively serve.

She needs to either resign, or step aside until she can.

NPR interviewed Ro Khanna, who said his office has been trying to contact her staff. They haven’t been returning calls. Interesting, and not exactly helping the “democratic process.”

Judicial appointments are more critical than ever right now.

[progressoid]

119. How does her leaving effectively end the Democratic primary?

[FBaggins]

128. By creating an incumbent

The party doesn’t primary incumbent Democrats who haven’t betrayed the party in some way.

You need look no farther than the most recent such appointment in this very state. The same Democrats running for senate now were around last year and would have run if it were an open seat… yet the apointee-turned-incumbent effectively ran unopposed

[progressoid]

131. The party may not primary but individuals do.

Three are already running for the seat. None of whom seem like the type to easily throw in the towel.

Of course that assumes that whomever Newsom appoints runs for re-election. It's possible that person may choose to not run for re-election like Mcowan did when he filled Kerry's seat. Or Kirk who filled Ted Kennedy's seat.

[FBaggins]

132. Sure... and they lose

Note that there were multiple democrats who ran in the open primary against Padilla.

They each received 3-4% of the vote. He may not have been the most electable Democrat in the state, but once he was in, he's there for as long as it pleases him to remain.

It's possible that person may choose to not run for re-election

Did you by any chance read the OP? That's the very point. The current squabble could be entirely avoided if the governor announces that his planned selection has agreed not to run for reelection.

But that isn't going to happen... because there's someone who can't win a senate seat on their own and wants it badly - but can only do so if they are appointed to the seat first. And that person is willing to get other Democrats to throw a lifelong loyal Democrat under the bus (along with the voters who would have chosen someone else) to get it.

[ARandomPerson]

120. Two years ago Gavin Newson pledged to appoint a black woman if Feinstein resigned.

That ties his hands (because he's an idiot).

He can't pick Boxer or Brown as a caretaker. He can't pick Barbara Lee because she's running and an appt now would put a big thumb on the scale.

[FBaggins]

127. All true

And that’s why Feinstein hasn’t retired.

Though in principle I can’t see why race/gender would keep someone from pledging to be a caretaker appointee who would not run for reelection.

[Vinca]

130. I think the woman should graciously retire because of her ill health. It's not just the shingles,

it's been obvious for quite some time she's a getting a bit senile. It's not sexism or ageism or any other ism, it's time. She's had a brilliant career and should be lauded for that, but it's time. The Democratic Party will survive. It's survived her absence all these weeks. It survived John Fetterman's absence for many weeks. It's just time for her to bow out.