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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDianne Feinstein digs in
Dianne Feinstein is once more displaying the stubborn approach thats powered her storied career as pressure mounts on her to return to Washington or resign.
Confidants and top allies to the 89-year-old Democratic senator are rebuffing calls for her to not just temporarily remove herself from the Senate Judiciary Committee but step down from her job entirely before her term is up in 2024.
They argue her request this week to be replaced on the committee while recuperating from shingles should satisfy critics at least for now. They view the calls for her to quit as laced with ageism, sexism, ideological disputes and unchecked political opportunism. And theres considerable anger being directed at her detractors for not exercising patience during a difficult time while showing her the respect they think shes earned.
Ro Khanna has no influence on her whatsoever, said one California Democrat granted anonymity to discuss the senators thinking, referring to the first sitting lawmaker who publicly called on her to resign. Feinstein is not going to respond to pressure.
The resolve bubbling up from Feinsteins orbit adds yet more fuel to the Democratic Partys combustible situation. The senator has been absent from Congress for nearly two months while dealing with her illness, which means the party cant move some of President Joe Bidens nominees through the Judiciary Committee. Aides say they still believe she will return when medically cleared to travel. But Feinstein so far has offered no timeline for when she will be back in Congress, prompting concern among fellow party members that she wont really return at all.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/14/dianne-feinstein-digs-in-00092171
msongs
(67,430 posts)onenote
(42,724 posts)Sky Jewels
(7,125 posts)vercetti2021
(10,156 posts)Let all of Biden's judiciary picks be put on hold like Obama's was? I get being a firebrand. But this is hurting the country if we don't get judges in that are not federalist whack jobs.
onenote
(42,724 posts)and its not Feinstein's absence that is keeping them from being voted on. Specifically, there are 13 District Court nominees and 5 appeals court nominees that have been approved by Committee (including at least one approved without Feinstein being available). Indeed, during Feinstein's absence another 13 District Court nominees and one appeals court nominee have been confirmed by the full Senate.
During McConnell's absence, it would only take 48 Democrats to confirm a judicial nominee.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Rebl2
(13,535 posts)could care less if President Bidens judiciary nominees are approved. Very sad.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)who's likely to care more about getting liberal judicial nominees through -- someone who's spent her life working for democratic government and fighting to get things done despite judges appointed to block and reverse her work -- or people who're spending their lives on social media?
Btw, saw a cartoon yesterday about last words no one ever says, "I wish I'd spent more time on social media."
Zeitghost
(3,865 posts)Delaying a few picks for a few weeks is not consequential. This Congress is set for another 20 months, she's been down for a few weeks. If this turns into a longer term situation, we have plenty of time to act.
This is quite honestly, disgusting, divisive, misogynistic bull shit. The anti-DiFi posters here are spreading right wing talking points and dragging down a prominent Democratic politician.
So many here were rightfully defensive of Senator Fetterman as he battled his health issues, let's give our longest serving female Senator the same respect.
dsc
(52,164 posts)so each week is over 1% of the total time. She has given no timeline at all as to when she is expected to return. Even she says she needs a temp replacement on the Judiciary Committee which the GOP won't let us have. She needs to resign or find a way to show up.
Zeitghost
(3,865 posts)Like I said it's disgusting behavior.
dsc
(52,164 posts)but we don't. It could be 1 week, 1 month, 1 year for all we know. Again, even she is saying she needs a temp for the Committee which leads me to believe we aren't talking a short absence. Assuming we nominate 100 judges in 2 years, that 1% is one judge, which district do you think deserves a Trump judge instead.
Zeitghost
(3,865 posts)It's not like they can only approve so many per day.
dsc
(52,164 posts)they do some group hearings of judges but they aren't without limit. And each hearing takes a defined amount of time (5 minutes per Senator times 21 senators is 105 minutes per round at a bare minimum).
Nixie
(16,964 posts)Supreme Court when it was on the line in a presidential election. Now they think they can use judges as cover to get control of a senate seat without voters, so their concern is off the charts.
Bernie's time away from the Senate wasn't questioned after his heart attack, either. And neither was his extensive time away questioned during his presidential campaigns. Feinstein has not had a heart attack, a stroke, or run for national office. It is very disgusting what is being done, and we all know it's to get control of her seat. Very sketchy.
Sky Jewels
(7,125 posts)Neither is Fetterman. It is crucial we get as many confirmations as possible while we hold the Senate. Thats why people are angry and frustrated with this situation.
onenote
(42,724 posts)People are angry and frustrated by this situation because they don't actually understand the situation.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Senator Feinstein's not too demented to understand that the agenda of his small faction in congress is different from hers, and more, that the Justice Democrat agenda is fundamentally extremely different from, and inimical to, that of the liberal Democratic faction, which includes a large majority of the progressive caucus.
Khanna and others are Democrats, of course.
But most Justice Democrats and those who ally with them are not Democrats. Most are openly anti- Democratic Party and have openly promised to destroy or take it over. There's a big divide among those over whether to work from within or without.
Vaulting ambition in radicals always doomed to fail to achieve the progress they claim to be committed to, but that's ALSO what these hostile, illiberal-leftists are.
The Senate will be back in session Monday. Saw a video of McConnell returning, looked frail and a friend was walking close for support; he's supposed to be there.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)fail at the ballot box trying another way to seize power. They are the same groups that were unconcerned about the Supreme Court when it mattered during a presidential election, and look how that has equated to an entire generation of young women with the abortion issue. The RW has been positioning for decades for these opportunities, and in a few short years these groups just hand them all this power.
Khanna has even recently stated that he can hold a fundraiser with billionaire Republicans since he's a Bernie Sanders supporter and that means he supports higher taxes. That's not fooling anyone.
Agreed that Feinstein knows these groups and their agendas and that could very well be her reason for hanging on. She's not too out of it to see who is attacking her and what their motives are. Not to mention, can you imagine working for decades with a colleague like a senator from Vermont who then comes all the way across the country to campaign against you. That would be enough to make anyone dig their heels in. She beat them at the ballot box, so the seat is hers. She is not too out of it to see who is attacking her and she's not having it.
Great post, Hortensis.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Political scientists categorize these LW groups as anti-democracy for that and other reasons.
Most are also illiberal in both ideology and temperament. I'm lifelong, hardwired liberal. I can practically smell those who pose as liberal/progressive while despising me and the liberal Democratic Party for it.
Sure they have a right to life, liberty to self radicalize and deceive as much as they want, and pursuit of spoiling and/or stealing Democratic elections. And free societies have to include all kinds. I'm liberal after all, and what on earth would be the alternative?
But belief in liberal representative democracy is about as close as I get to a religion. And I question the judgement and character of anyone who hangs with those who threaten it.
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)Senator doesn't worry about the judges.They are so important. She is a great Senator but should retire for the good of the party and the Republic. Judges are just too important. And we have a tough Senate map and may lose it in 24. This would be a disaster.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)The president just announced his pick to replace him a few days ago.
Did I miss your frequent posts criticizing the president for leaving the seat open for so long? Aren't judges "too important" not to?
Nixie
(16,964 posts)and I don't blame her for digging in. This article reinforces my impression of the situation and possibly why she ran for reelection when she might have retired. "They view the calls for her to quit as laced with ageism, sexism, ideological disputes and unchecked political opportunism." Amen, that's exactly what they are.
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)the damn GOP more judges who will destroy our party and our Republic. Seriously folks need to consider what is important here. I have great respect for Senator Feinstein but she needs to resign.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)You were very vocal about your choice of Fetterman, and that is what other voters want, as well -- a chance to vote.
I can't imagine what would have happened had Connor Lamb come back and said Fetterman should resign after his stroke and Connor Lamb will choose his replacement.
dsc
(52,164 posts)if Fetterman were to resign Josh Shapiro would replace him per the laws of PA. Had he quit as a nominee the party as a whole would decide and that likely would have been Lamb. But Fetterman has given us a timeline, he will be back on Monday.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)campaign to oust Feinstein from her seat, but he's doing it anyway. That was the point. Newsom, the California governor would apoint Feinstein's replacement, and he's on record as saying he would replace her with a black woman. Enter Khanna pushing Barbara Lee.
This is also based on Pelosi's observation of the political agenda against Feinstein. I agree with Pelosi.
dsc
(52,164 posts)and name Boxer instead as a place holder. He can justify it by saying he didn't want to give any one candidate a head up. But unless Feinstein can start voting in committee soon, she needs to step down. We don't have time to waste here.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)I still agree with Pelosi about the political agenda at play.
Anyway, time to finish our Netflix binge. Have a great rest of the evening.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)though, even if Boxer were willing to hold the seat temporarily. Breaking his promise would cost him (us) politically and also lose us the "incumbent" electoral boost for his appointee.
A lot of nothing to be gained by that move except campaign exposure for Porter, but she'd still be out of a job.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)competition is poor, though, even if Boxer were willing to hold the seat temporarily. Breaking his promise would cost Newsom (us) politically, potentially VERY seriously, and it'd also lose us the "incumbent" electoral boost for his appointee.
A lot to lose and nothing to be gained except campaign exposure for Porter, but she'd still have to decide on her next direction -- campaign to return to the house in 2 years or...?
GuppyGal
(1,748 posts)Nixie
(16,964 posts)He had everyone's blessing.
This is really disgusting to witness. It's very obvious that Khanna's motives are to try and snag a senate seat that his wing of the party couldn't win in a statewide election. I thought we cared about democracy around here. SMH
dsc
(52,164 posts)thanks in part to McConnell's absence for much of the same time frame. Judges are too important for us to allow a blockade.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)what the priority was instead.
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)Roberts would not have done it had there been one more vote IMHO. I adore Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
She was a pioneer for women, but I don't think her legacy is as good as it would have been had she retired...I know my millennial and GenZ daughters are bitter about this.
Nixie
(16,964 posts)certain candidates didnt emphasize that fact. We cant blame the revolutions lack of priorities about the Supreme Court on RBG. Had Hillary won, she would have picked RBGs replacement, not Donald stinking Trump having a pick. Talk about bitterness.
Handing over the Supreme Court has screwed an entire generation, at least.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Because the Senate confirming 13 District Court judges and one appeals court judge during her absence doesn't seem like much of a blockade. Plus there are over a dozen judicial nominees that already were approved by the Judiciary Committee before Feinstein became unavailable -- her absence isn't stopping those nominees from being confirmed by the full Senate.
Marius25
(3,213 posts)Some of them were actually put forward as candidates by Republicans. I don't quite understand why we're nominating Republican Judicial picks, but...
Without Feinstein, none of our liberal picks can get through.
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)judges that Republicans choose? I do not. Consider Merrick Garland and the disgraceful behavior of Republicans towards him.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Last edited Tue Apr 18, 2023, 01:14 AM - Edit history (1)
In case you've forgotten, even with Feinstein absent (and with Fetterman absent as well), 22 judges were confirmed so far this year. Last year 59 judges were confirmed during the entire year. There are 18 nominees that have been approved by the Judiciary Committee but are awaiting a floor vote. We have 50 senators. The republicans have 49. How do you figure that there won't be any more judges?
You seem to have a misunderstanding of how the confirmation process works. Even if Feinstein is out for another month there is no reason that the 20 pending nominations can't be approved, although in reality, it probably would take more than a month to get them confirmed based on the pace at which Schumer has been bringing them to the floor.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Even if one is absent, it's still a tie and Harris casts the deciding vote.
It's just simple math.
And have you actually looked at the votes on Biden's nominees? Do you actually think that of the 22 confirmed since January, all but three were secretly Republicans? Because of those 22, only three haven't gotten at least two Republican votes. And of the 59 Biden nominees confirmed in 2022, I believe only two were confirmed without Republican votes.
So I guess we should stop celebrating Biden's success in getting judges approved, eh?
Marius25
(3,213 posts)Without Feinstein, it's 50/50 Dem/Rep which means Dems have to get Republican approval to move nominees out of committee. There is no tie-breaker. That means no liberal judges will be confirmed. Only judges supported by Republicans are getting confirmed.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Last edited Tue Apr 18, 2023, 01:14 AM - Edit history (1)
that are awaiting floor approval. Of the nominations that are still at the Committee, many haven't had hearings yet and Feinstein's presence isn't needed for hearings. In fact there is a hearing on several nominees scheduled for tomorrow.
Her absence isn't preventing the 18 nominees that already have been approved by the committee from moving forward. It isn't preventing hearings on a number of the more recent nominees that haven't had committee votes yet.
At some point, Feinstein not being able to vote in Committee might slow down the process, but we're nowhere near that point yet.
Those are facts. Plain. Simple, Verifiable facts.
onenote
(42,724 posts)The first day on which Feinstein missed a vote was February 27. The last day on which the Senate held votes before going on recess was March 30. During that period there was a total of 18 days on which the Senate had votes.
That's hardly two months, fucking or otherwise.
Frasier Balzov
(2,663 posts)Or staff exercising undue influence on her?
Phoenix61
(17,009 posts)care for my Mom as she died one brain cell at a time. It can feel like betrayal when you acknowledge where they are. I completely get the people around her wanting to protect her. Why wouldnt they? She is truly a legend.
ripcord
(5,466 posts)Hopefully she will run again in '24 just to give all her detractors the big middle finger.
Calculating
(2,955 posts)It isn't even ageism at this point, it's just common sense that people in their 90s should probably retire and enjoy their remaining time.
newdayneeded
(1,955 posts)that said pilots should be able to fly commercial jets well into their 70s. SMH!
onenote
(42,724 posts)It seems rather presumptuous of you to assume that once people reach a certain age they can't enjoy their chosen profession. Jane Goodall is 89. Should she stop working with chimps and sit around drinking fruity cocktails starting next year? Jimmy Carter is 98, has had various health issue for nearly a decade and has remained committed to doing the good works. Should he have stopped that work and taken up golf and gin rummy instead?
Nice priorities.
Phoenix61
(17,009 posts)Once you are past the contagious stage, and she definitely is, you are free to travel anywhere you want. This bs of waiting for her doctor to clear her is just that, bs. IMHO, this disease process has had a profound impact on her cognitive abilities. When you have dementia, anytime you get ill you never fully recuperate. Its sad and tragic and heart wrenching but its reality.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Many DUers seem to enjoy playing physician. Hopefully you aren't one of them, but I have my doubts.
Phoenix61
(17,009 posts)Hell, Jamie Raskin is undergoing chemo and hes showing up to work!
onenote
(42,724 posts)Autumn
(45,120 posts)it usually takes two to four weeks for the rash to heal completely.
RandySF
(59,039 posts)Phoenix61
(17,009 posts)you have shingles. It said when the rash is in the blister phase you can shed the virus. I guess like when you have an actual pox? They said its rare but since children too young to get the vaccine or someone immune compromised could be on your plane it is best to wait until after that phase.
madville
(7,412 posts)People called for Robert Byrd to resign once he got above 90 and was missing time in the Senate around the time Obamacare was getting passed in 2009 and 60 votes were critical in the Senate.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)Byrd was in a deep red state with a blue governor. Getting him to resign and be replaced by that governor was the best hope of retaining the seat.
No such consideration applies to Feinstein... though it's still political gamesmanship. Only this time it's within the party.
madville
(7,412 posts)It was and is politically advantageous for the party and administration in both cases. Have never understood why some of these folks want to selfishly cling on until the very end, even to the detriment of the party.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)Theres someone who desperately wants to be a senator for life yet knows that they cant win it in an open primary. The only path to power is convincing Feinstein that she must step aside now
Talk about selfish. At least Feinstein and her staff can say that the voters overwhelmingly selected her over and over again for decades.
Marius25
(3,213 posts)Personally I don't think it's Feinstein digging in, I think it's her staff who want to hold onto their positions.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)Timing SCOTUS retirements relies on control of the senate and white house.
But there is zero risk that Feinstein leaving on her own terms will cost us a senate seat.
The only open question is which progressive democrat will replace her.
Marius25
(3,213 posts)For example, the abortion pill ban was done by a Texas Federal Judge. It was immediately appealed to the 5th Circuit - the most conservative in the country. The 5th Circuit upheld part of that abortion pill ban. We are currently awaiting Feinstein coming back to confirm a Democratic Judge on that Circuit who might have struck down the Texas Judge.
Every day we're not confirming Judges is a day people are losing their rights.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)That same 5th circuit had a judge announce his retirement over a year ago and the administration just got around to appointing a replacement last week.
Obviously a few weeks of delay has little real impact.
Also - the ruling was unanimous. One more judge couldnt have overturned the TX judge even if they made it onto the panel. And even if we got TWO onto that panel - the en-banc 5th is 2-1 Republican
pinkstarburst
(1,327 posts)We don't have time to waste here. There is a good chance that we will lose control of the senate in 2024. The person in the CA senate seat needs to be AT WORK voting in Biden judges as fast as they can NOW so that we can get as many as possible confirmed, just like when republicans controlled the WH for four years, they pushed as many of their nominees through as they could. And now look where we are.
It is incredibly selfish of her to try to hang on to this if she can't come back NOW. I'm sorry, but she needs to consider that it isn't all about her, it is about the 330 million people who are depending on her vote, women and children who are losing their rights because of judges' decisions, LBGT people who are losing their rights because of judges decisions, disabled people, POC. Biden appointed judges have the power to make a positive impact and we need every one of them that we can get. Having Feinstein selfishly hold up the process is detrimental.
We may very well lose the senate in 2024. We may not retain control of the WH in 2024. We will fight hard to make sure we do, but for the next 1.5 years while we have control, our focus MUST BE on pushing those confirmations through. We can't get distracted by stupid remarks about ageism and sexism. That's not what this is about. This is about a 90 year old woman not coming to work and not being able to do the job and Biden judges needing to get confirmed.
If she isn't replaced, those Biden judges won't be confirmed. Do we want those positions to be Trump or DeSantis judges instead so that we can say "oh how lovely, we let Feinstein carry out her term sitting at home never coming back in to work, but we weren't sexist or ageist!" I just can't even with some of the people here...
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)We may lose the Senate over 20 months from now. Shes missed a couple of weeks worth of votes.
Youre ridiculously misguided on how senate confirmations work. Acting like her absence is going to cost us loads of judges makes no sense at all.
Ifshes still out months from now you might have a point
but not any time soon.
The real deadline is the upcoming primary season. This is the third time that someone has tried to manufacture a way to get her to give up her seat before the voters have a chance to replace her. Its unseemly in anyone but unacceptable in anyone who wears the label Democrat
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)in terms of her health. We need to get as many judges approved as possible. I suspect California politics are the issue here and it is horrifying to me that anyone would think that is more important than getting judges.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)I had it and didnt miss any time at all
but Shingles can be much more serious the older the patient is
and can certainly create significant effects for months.
horrifying to me that anyone would think that is more important than getting judges.
And its laughable to me that anyone thinks thats the trade-off (immediate replacement or we lose judges)
We could easily pause the conversation for three months and revisit it
and not lose a single judge because of it. But every month that goes by makes it less and less likely that our mystery senator-in-waiting loses the game.
onenote
(42,724 posts)Last edited Tue Apr 18, 2023, 01:13 AM - Edit history (1)
confirmed?
There are around 18 additional judges that haven't been voted on at the Committee. Many of them haven't even had a committee hearing yet -- a necessary step before they are voted on by the Committee. Her absence has no impact whatsoever on those hearings. One is scheduled for tomorrow. In March, one was held when not only Feinstein was absent, but Chairman Durbin himself couldn't' attend because he'd tested positive for COVID.
At some point in time, Feinstein's absence could begin to have an impact on the judicial nomination/confirmation process. But that time is not now. And she might well be back before it comes. She is entitled to the same opportunity to recover that has been accorded other members of the Senate who have missed votes because of illness.
Lancero
(3,011 posts)So the amount of overlap between certain, shall we say, voting groups demanding she resign isn't much of a surprise here.
Marius25
(3,213 posts)Lancero
(3,011 posts)We defend the man, but abandon the woman.
Nancy Pelosi was 100% correct as to the nature of these attacks.
Marius25
(3,213 posts)and her absence is causing a lot of problems.
Even Klobuchar said it's going to be an issue. Is Klobuchar sexist too?
Lancero
(3,011 posts)onenote
(42,724 posts)including Sanders and, of course, Fetterman. She actively participated in Judiciary Committee meetings. Indeed, her vote was essential to getting many nominees through the committee.
I'd love for you to expand on, with specifics, the "lots of problems" her absence has caused thus far and is likely to cause over then next month or two.
Demsrule86
(68,620 posts)in 24...and there is not a certainty that she will ever be back. We could lose the Senate in 24. The map is tough for us...so we might not get any judges in a Biden second term and that is madness. And believe me, this would not help with Sen. Feinstien's legacy.
Lancero
(3,011 posts)NotVeryImportant
(578 posts)Some people never learn.
ripcord
(5,466 posts)But then only ones that matter come from DiFi and the California voters.