Barack Obama endorses Dianne Feinstein for Senate
Source: Axios
Alayna Treene 1 hour ago
Former President Barack Obama released a statement Friday endorsing Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Ca.), 84, for reelection to the Senate, amid speculation that she might have trouble facing off other Democratic candidates come November.
Why it matters: Obama has begun to reinsert himself back into the political sphere after months of staying away from Washington affairs. In March, Politico first reported that he will appear at a fundraiser for Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) in Beverly Hills on May 6.
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Read more: https://www.axios.com/barack-obama-endorses-dianne-feinstein-for-senate-california-ab22a2df-b532-4b28-b34b-652ee6e1b46a.html?utm_source=sidebar
Link to tweet
brooklynite
(93,878 posts)am I supposed to? And if so, why?
brooklynite
(93,878 posts)Particularly when DCCC or DSCC gets involved.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)I am damn glad to see and hear from him. I'd say to the "worked up ones", stay worked up. I see a top political officer who is a living POTUS getting involved. Bring out the big guns, and keep them out. Hammering away at that arrogance of the RW. I say.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)in this perilous time. Glad this powerhouse is weighing in on behalf of another.
George II
(67,782 posts)mcar
(42,210 posts)BlueWI
(1,736 posts)with no thumbs on the scale. Isn't that best?
TomCADem
(17,378 posts)...President Obamas supports.
OTOH, President Obama isn't going to govern in California. There may be some voters locally who are better qualified to judge between candidates to represent them than the former president.
radical noodle
(7,990 posts)other people support? Other people and groups support their candidate by endorsements.
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)Obama moderates a debate where all Democratic candidates share their ideas.
Obama hosts a fund raiser with proceeds going to the California Democrats. All candidates are invited to attend.
Both of these options would encourage new candidates to improve their name recognition and contribute to the overall profile of Democrats in California. If the national figures would do these options more frequently rather than endorsing and fundraising for who they already know, the whole party would be better off.
radical noodle
(7,990 posts)it's okay for others but not for Obama?
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)I know it's unrealistic that the standard procedure will change of national figures endorsing incumbents. I just think it would be better to encourage and support a full statewide debate between new candidates and established candidates. Plus, I don't think that an endorsement during the primary season clarifies much about the issues of concern. During the general election, the endorsements are more helpful.
It has been a frequent and, I think, a reasonable criticism of the Obama presidency that not enough attention was paid to building up state and local organizations through the DNC and other means. Here's a chance to do things differently.
radical noodle
(7,990 posts)and I do not like the idea of the fund-raiser for all people running as Democrats. First of all, there are sometimes terrible candidates that I don't like. Second, most people don't want to give to candidates running against their favorite candidate.
Even with a debate such as you suggested, I think Obama has a right, like every citizen, to endorse the person of his choice.
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)It all comes down to results - what strategy is best for winning more elections, getting more voters and candidates involved, and passing progressive legislation? I think that these endorsements during the primary are a form of power hoarding that caps participation, but others think differently. Thanks for your thoughts.
treestar
(82,383 posts)They dont have to agree or even listen.
Hekate
(90,202 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Your spin is ridiculous.
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)as I do with you.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)The unfounded "Thumb on the scale" accusation has a history here and with recent Democratic Party politics.
That history is ugly and comes from those who conflate a 4 million vote loss with having a nomination stolen from them.
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)and are clearly uninterested in dialogue.
Later on.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)regarding your dialogue is that you said thumbs on the scale regarding some action that Barack Obama took.
Which you did.
Deb
(3,742 posts)A wonderful endorsement.
Very glad to see this.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)iluvtennis
(19,758 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)Response to George II (Reply #9)
Post removed
onetexan
(12,994 posts)Raine
(30,540 posts)I'm voting for DiFi!
JCanete
(5,272 posts)the incumbent, and that's whether the incumbent is Feinstein(not my favorite among dems but will have my GE vote if it comes to that) or Lieberman. Remember that one? It goes with the territory of working within Washington to have each other's backs, rather than to endorse based upon the platform, because you need to count on them to have your back down the line too. I'm sure all of this is in the service of enacting democratic policy...to keep a strong united front among incumbents who have accumulated influence and financial backing...I'm just not at all convinced that that is the most effective way to move forward in practice.
TomCADem
(17,378 posts)This reminds me of when Bernie supporters attacked Boxer. It was more sexist than based on actual policy.
JCanete
(5,272 posts)brought her up in response to my mention of Lieberman, guess who was among our esteemed Senators that went out there to campaign for him against his more progressive challenger? That sure went well didn't it? And THAT is my point. It doesn't matter if we're talking about Feinstein or Lieberman, the established democrats will endorse and campaign for them.
treestar
(82,383 posts)The nomination. Then lieberman ran as an independent and won.
George II
(67,782 posts)...lost in the primary.
The funny thing is that he created the "Connecticut for Lieberman" Party, but neglected to complete the process by filing the proper paperwork. Someone else did so and elected himself as Chairman. Lieberman never really joined his own party.
JCanete
(5,272 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)...for DEMOCRATS. Some like to denigrate Democrats by calling them "establishment".
Unfortunately as we've seen in the last day or two we also have some who "identify" with Democrats endorsing candidates who are or were Green Party members.