Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Fri May 4, 2018, 03:57 PM May 2018

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.

###




Read more: https://www.axios.com/barack-obama-endorses-dianne-feinstein-for-senate-california-ab22a2df-b532-4b28-b34b-652ee6e1b46a.html?utm_source=sidebar








41 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Barack Obama endorses Dianne Feinstein for Senate (Original Post) DonViejo May 2018 OP
Don't ya HATE it when Party leaders get involved in Primaries??? brooklynite May 2018 #1
No heaven05 May 2018 #2
Some folks here get all worked up about it. brooklynite May 2018 #3
ohhh, okay heaven05 May 2018 #4
:) We need all our powerful leaders at work Hortensis May 2018 #41
I think there was sarcasm there, right brooklynite? George II May 2018 #8
I see what you did mcar May 2018 #13
Frankly, I would rather California Democrats decide BlueWI May 2018 #15
Think CA Democrats Deserve To Know Who... TomCADem May 2018 #16
Sure. BlueWI May 2018 #18
Why should they not know who radical noodle May 2018 #20
Here are two alternatives to endorsing one candidate. BlueWI May 2018 #30
What you're saying seems to be... radical noodle May 2018 #32
What do you think about the options I mentioned? BlueWI May 2018 #33
I like the idea of a debate radical noodle May 2018 #34
Definitely he has that right. BlueWI May 2018 #35
They will treestar May 2018 #22
Right on cue Hekate May 2018 #29
There are no thumbs and no scale. Barack Obama endorsed a candidate which anyone can do. stevenleser May 2018 #36
It's possible to disagree respectfully BlueWI May 2018 #37
Unproven accusations against the Dem party & its elected leaders is not disagreeing respectfully. stevenleser May 2018 #38
You make numerous unfounded assumptions BlueWI May 2018 #39
I didn't make a single unfounded assumption. The only assertion I made stevenleser May 2018 #40
Thank you, Pres Obama Deb May 2018 #5
+ 1000 MBS May 2018 #10
Glad to hear it! Little Star May 2018 #6
+1000 iluvtennis May 2018 #7
Great endorsement, thanks Obama! And to think someone here just yesterday wanted her to quit! George II May 2018 #9
Post removed Post removed May 2018 #24
I'm with him, and i'm with her onetexan May 2018 #11
GOOD... Raine May 2018 #12
No, but I'm generally not fond of their altogether predicatble, though understandable, lean towards JCanete May 2018 #14
Please. Comparing Feinstein to Lieberman? TomCADem May 2018 #17
where did I do that? Boxer decided to cast some shade herself, and I like Boxer, but since you JCanete May 2018 #19
I thought the challenger did get treestar May 2018 #23
Yes, that's what happened. Lieberman won the convention endorsement but then... George II May 2018 #26
And previous to that Boxer went and campaigned for Lieberman over his challenger. nt JCanete May 2018 #27
Throw in your adjective if you want, but it's really DEMOCRATS endorsing and campaigning.... George II May 2018 #25
+1 Little Star May 2018 #28
+2 Hekate May 2018 #31
So do I. riversedge May 2018 #21
 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
4. ohhh, okay
Fri May 4, 2018, 04:21 PM
May 2018

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)
41. :) We need all our powerful leaders at work
Tue May 8, 2018, 12:56 AM
May 2018

in this perilous time. Glad this powerhouse is weighing in on behalf of another.

BlueWI

(1,736 posts)
18. Sure.
Fri May 4, 2018, 10:22 PM
May 2018

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)
20. Why should they not know who
Sat May 5, 2018, 02:48 AM
May 2018

other people support? Other people and groups support their candidate by endorsements.

BlueWI

(1,736 posts)
30. Here are two alternatives to endorsing one candidate.
Sat May 5, 2018, 05:07 PM
May 2018

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.

BlueWI

(1,736 posts)
33. What do you think about the options I mentioned?
Sun May 6, 2018, 09:17 AM
May 2018

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)
34. I like the idea of a debate
Sun May 6, 2018, 11:48 AM
May 2018

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)
35. Definitely he has that right.
Sun May 6, 2018, 03:33 PM
May 2018

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.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
36. There are no thumbs and no scale. Barack Obama endorsed a candidate which anyone can do.
Sun May 6, 2018, 11:15 PM
May 2018

Your spin is ridiculous.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
38. Unproven accusations against the Dem party & its elected leaders is not disagreeing respectfully.
Mon May 7, 2018, 05:20 PM
May 2018

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.

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
40. I didn't make a single unfounded assumption. The only assertion I made
Mon May 7, 2018, 06:12 PM
May 2018

regarding your dialogue is that you said “thumbs on the scale” regarding some action that Barack Obama took.

Which you did.

Response to George II (Reply #9)

 

JCanete

(5,272 posts)
14. No, but I'm generally not fond of their altogether predicatble, though understandable, lean towards
Fri May 4, 2018, 07:51 PM
May 2018

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)
17. Please. Comparing Feinstein to Lieberman?
Fri May 4, 2018, 09:19 PM
May 2018

This reminds me of when Bernie supporters attacked Boxer. It was more sexist than based on actual policy.

 

JCanete

(5,272 posts)
19. where did I do that? Boxer decided to cast some shade herself, and I like Boxer, but since you
Sat May 5, 2018, 01:57 AM
May 2018

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.




George II

(67,782 posts)
26. Yes, that's what happened. Lieberman won the convention endorsement but then...
Sat May 5, 2018, 11:05 AM
May 2018

...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.

George II

(67,782 posts)
25. Throw in your adjective if you want, but it's really DEMOCRATS endorsing and campaigning....
Sat May 5, 2018, 10:58 AM
May 2018

...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.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Barack Obama endorses Dia...