Feinstein's Approval Rating Sinks to Historic Low in New Poll

[alp227]

Source: KQED

For most of her 29 years in the U.S. Senate, Dianne Feinstein has consistently enjoyed some of the highest approval ratings among California's elected officials. But not anymore.

A new poll from UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies finds that just 35% of registered California voters approve of the job Feinstein is doing, while 45% disapprove and 20% have no opinion.

It's the first time her approval rating has dipped below 44% since 1993. It's also the first time voter assessments of her have sunk underwater in surveys by Berkeley IGS, or the now-defunct Field Poll, since 1993.

Read more: https://www.kqed.org/news/11859796/feinsteins-approval-rating-sinks-to-historic-low-in-new-poll

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If I were to construct an argument for term limits, California's senior senator would be the best case.

[flying_wahini]

1. She needs to step down.

[Thekaspervote]

7. Yes she does!! She has filed paper work to run again..sounds like a recipe to lose a senate seat

[Bettie]

39. The way CA primaries go

she'd probably be running against another Democrat, so we are unlikely to lose a seat.

[Mawspam2]

63. Doesn't CA have "top two" primaries?

Meaning if Reps coalesce around one candidate and the Dems split their vote, it would be a Rep vs. a weakened Dem in the general. If that Dem is Feinstein, Reps win.

[Joe Bacon]

73. The last couple California Senate General Elections have been between 2 Democrats.

Could wind up a rerun of De Leon vs. Feinstein again. De Leon came close before.

[C Moon]

16. Yes. And let the current Governor replace her.

[Hulk]

53. She has served well......move on.

Some of these dinosaurs need to pass the baton on to new, young and progressive Democrats for the future of the country.

She is toast.

[azureblue]

59. so does

Mitch, and the rest of the Congress people who supported Trump's lies and coup. Also the rest of the corrupt GOP, and don't even try to throw out a false equivalency to cover for that. The entire GOP is corrupt, so throw them out first.
Priorities, people, priorities.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

2. Kind of amazed voters pay that much attention to her.

California is going through rough political times.

[sarcasmo]

3. Term limits

[GoneOffShore]

8. I'm for and against term limits.

For when it comes to those who don't know when to roll down the shutters and go home.
Against in the sense of institutional continuity.

[PSPS]

9. We already have term limits. It's called an election.

[chowder66]

54. +1

[TexasBushwhacker]

75. I agree and Feinstein has already filed with the FEC to run in

2024 when she will be 91. She wants to break Barbara Mikulski's record as longest serving female senator, which is a piss poor reason to run, but that's just me

[Turin_C3PO]

11. I'm absolutely against term limits.

We need institutional knowledge in our legislature. If term limits were a thing, there’s be no Nancy Pelosi. Her knowledge of the House has been of immense benefit to us.

[diverdownjt]

31. I like your logic.

Would you consider an upper age limit?

Nancy is my favorite Democrat right now and I wouldn't trade her for all the gold....
So this question is just for more clarity and no one specific in mind....

Your logic also gives us McConnell.

[Mr.Bill]

65. A thorough physical and mental evaluation

may be appropriate. If I was an elected official over 70 I would voluntarily do that and make the results public. I would think I owe that to my constituents.

[SunSeeker]

45. Totally agree. nt

[JI7]

17. No

[irisblue]

22. Ohio instituted state level officials term limits in 1992, I voted for it then. I regret that vote

Someone can run for state legislature, do 8 years in the state house, then run for the state senate, then rerun for the state house again. There is here a group of recycling state level officials who have become very dependent on that sweet dark money and the political corruption that follows( see Larry Householder).

it sounded like a good idea, but the unintended consequences are really bad.

[marble falls]

27. And that is text book for how Republicans got control of state legislatures to gerrymand ...

... we have the power to limit terms every time we vote.

We need to run as seriously for state legislatures as the GOP has for two reasons:

1. Stop gerrymandering.
2. State legislatures are academies for future candidates for national office.

[cstanleytech]

37. I remember when term limits was a rally cry the Republicans used decades ago before they

won the majority control and then that part of their platform was summarily executed.
Now mind you I favor something like term limits though in my opinion it should instead be that to win another term you need to win 5% more than you did the last time you won so if you won with 52% to win another term you need to win 57% and then after that you need 62%.

[Budi]

4. I would hope that as she retires she will be lauded & honored & thanked for the incredible ..

..advancements she brought to women, LGBTQ, etc whether thru her legislating on behalf of human rights or thru the enormous fundraising & distribution to lift a constantly suppressed demographic of our society.

That health issues of ageing may be evident, I would hope her lifeswork is not forgotten in the drumbeat of 'old & in the way"

The comments I read concerning the gtfoutta here crowd is shameful.

[Cozmo]

10. Yes, she was a trailblazer, not so now

We need to allow California to provide another trailblazer. Her performance has suffered greatly, as of late. This is not the time to rest on laurels.

[Budi]

14. Nor is this the time to send her packing in disgrace.

Holee fuck.

I can list a whole lot of DC pols who have the blessing of young agile & able minds, who have done more damage than Feinstein ever did in her long carreer.

I would hope our ageing population who served the nation well & always on the side of human rights, are treated with dignity as they live out the years of their blessed lives.

Honor her for the sheer strength of the fight as she held a line against a dominant white male legislature. She is one of our original trailblazers, ceiling breakers. Those women who dared legislate & fundraise & organize for equal & human rights when those issues were buried under the patriarchial dominance of America & government.

I'm appalled by the drumbeat of 'who cares what you did long ago, you're old & forgetful now, so C-Ya"

[Cozmo]

68. Get over it, time to move on This is politics and the future of our party

[Budi]

69. Get over what? Have no idea what you're comment means.

Last edited Sat Feb 13, 2021, 01:03 PM - Edit history (1)

Get over it was a RW talking point after 2016 Trump vs Clinton.

Actually it's been one of Sarandon's 'red rose followers, often used comments.

So, not sure what you're asking me to 'get over'?

Maybe explain to be clear.
Thanks

[Cozmo]

71. You are harping about Dianne's past accomplishments as if we are not acknowledging it. but

She no longer is adequately representing Dems. Do you actually want her to remain an ardent voice for our party? I fear your'e not seeing the forest for the trees

[Budi]

72. Harping??? Making a point, in a post on DU is now Harping?

🙄

Harping

[TeamPooka]

32. The secret to that is retiring before you ruin your legacy.

[Fullduplexxx]

5. Sounds like someone who plans on leaving soon Is dropping the pretense and cashing out

[awesomerwb1]

6. She's about to turn 88

She's not up to par with the current GQP's new brand of extreme politics. She should retire immediately and enjoy the years she has left with her family.

[LudwigPastorius]

12. Friends and family need to stage an intervention.

She's obviously suffering some cognitive decline.

[Historic NY]

13. She needs to retired while the gov can appoint some one

[CountAllVotes]

15. I am so done w/Feinstein

The last time I wrote to her re: an issue that is very close to me, I received a response that sounded like something from the Strom Thurmond School of Logic.

*eek*

Time to find something else to do with yourself Dianne as you'll be 91 years old when the Senate term is up.

91.

I realize not everyone gets demented when they get old but GOOD GAWD!

[Indykatie]

18. DF Gave Us All the Middle Finger When She Filed Papers to Run Again in 2024. WTF is Her Rush?

[alp227]

21. That was not an official re-election declaration

rather just a technicality so that she could access campaign funds.

[twodogsbarking]

19. Term limits

Everything has a shelf life.

[marble falls]

30. The ballot box is the correct way to limit terms.

[chowder66]

55. +1

[twodogsbarking]

64. The best way so far

eh.

[bringthePaine]

20. clearly unfit to serve for awhile - time for "the talk" w/ a few close biggies...

[jb5150]

23. It's not about age, it's about ability ....

My grandmother was sharp as a tack until the day before she died at 94, some people are just lucky that way, but most of us will not be so lucky. There's no shame in retiring while you still have the energy left to enjoy it, and she could always find a way to continue to serve the party, and the country, in a civilian capacity.

We all slow down as we age, I'm 58 and even I forget stuff ..... but I'm still sharp enough to know you don't hug a weasel like Lindsey Graham.

[justhanginon]

33. I'm 84 and still sharp as a uh..uh...uh I think it startss with a t.

Oh crap, nevermind.

[LiberalLovinLug]

38. lol

[CTyankee]

70. We're 80 and 81, respecively, and we've never been stronger in our liberal Dem beliefs.

But we are in deep blue CT surrounded by deep blue New England. My kids are in NYC, Boston and Los Angeles respectively. We've got lots of fight in us!

[mezame]

34. She Lost Me At Lindsey Too

And I wrote her saying as much. That felt very much like a betrayal, so I agree it's time she was voted out. IMO she should've gracefully retired long ago and her legend would've been secured. But now? Not so much.

[bullimiami]

46. me as well.

[LittleGirl]

24. She's done

It’s a disgrace that she is holding a seat that a younger progressive candidate which could run laps around here. I’m a boomer and I know my limitations. It’s disgraceful she doesn’t act on her and step down. Everyone of those Congress members over 75-80 should step down.

[Grasswire2]

25. there are others in positions of power, too, in committees

I can't help but think what our status would be now if the people at the top of their abilities were chairs.

Adam Schiff.

[paulkienitz]

26. if she insists on running again, I will support a primary opponent

[jalan48]

28. Any response from Feinstein regarding these numbers?

[Bayard]

29. Pass the torch......

I have to say, when I had big problems in Calif., I contacted Boxer's and Feinstein's offices. Boxer's people bent over backwards to help me, and stayed in touch. Feinstein's office did nothing.

[Auggie]

35. She loathes campaigning. Primary a high-profile Dem and I bet she drops out.

[Mr.Bill]

36. Problem is, Nancy Pelosi would be the worst case.

[azureblue]

60. the worst case

is Mitch McConnell. Absolutely.

[Mr.Bill]

61. In the context here, I think you mean the best case.

The best case for term limits.

[dsc]

40. Term limits are bad for all kinds of reasons

1) we have them, they are called elections. Feinstein won last time. Thems the breaks.
2) especially in an expensive state such as CA, term limits increases greatly the influence of money. You either have to buy name recognition, be famous already (that is how CA got Arnold), or be a known politician (such as Brown or Feinstein).
3) Just imagine where we would have been without the likes of Pelosi during Trump's tenure

[LiberalFighter]

42. You are absolutely right.

[LiberalFighter]

41. Enough with term limits. They are not the problem.

Voters and candidates are the problems.

Term limits would make it worse. It is not a fix that would work the way you think.

[LiberalFighter]

43. Here is a letter I wrote last year to my local newspaper against term limits.

Term limits subvert lawmaking's intent

Two recent letters have strongly supported term limits. They are mostly misguided.

One suggested members of Congress only serve one term – a folly and not warranted when elections already serve as a form of term limit. Another stated the Founding Fathers under the Constitution intended members to only serve one term. This was not intended or included, nor followed.

The average seniority of members in Congress is 10.1 years on the Senate side and 8.6 years in the House at the start of 2019. A total of 20 senators were elected in 2016 or later and 144 in the House.

Term limits would discourage better and more qualified people from seeking office. There are already too many unqualified and unethical people in Congress; we don't need more.

Under term limits, the executive branch would become a haven for corruption when the legislative branch doesn't pursue needed oversight. For legislators to conduct proper oversight requires time to build up the knowledge and experience specific to the federal government.

Building good relationships with other members of Congress, including those from the other side, takes time. Experience and knowledge are critical for providing services to constituents and offering or supporting legislation vital for the government's operation.

Focus should be on campaign finances and lobbyists, especially when it is easier for foreigners and corrupt individuals to contribute to candidates or PACs. Then there are the lobbyists, too many of whom are former members of Congress.

Gary Schepp

Fort Wayne

[NRaleighLiberal]

44. sad, but inevitable. Each of us will likely have a pull date - the key is being self aware enough

(or have trusted family and friends) to help the transition.

[Nitram]

47. She doesn't seem very effective anymore, and is certainly out of touch with a majority of Dems.

[FBaggins]

48. Any reason why she would care what her approval numbers are?

She isn't up for election for almost four years and will almost certainly not be running at 91.

[Blasphemer]

49. I'm strongly in favor of term limits

In some fantasy world with an informed and engaged electorate they would not be necessary. In the world we live in, people vote for a name they know without putting any thought into it at all. Term limits would also put the onus on Democratic party leadership to consistently look for and field high quality candidates. Without any incentive to do so, a lot of potentially high caliber public servants never get a first look. Indeed, this might help the party place more attention on what is happening at the local government level. In looking for national level candidates there, they may also find answers to other problems happening at the state-level.

[IronLionZion]

50. California has gotten more liberal since she first took office

And she faced a strong primary challenge last time losing even the state party's endorsement.

[slumcamper]

51. SIGH... Please--RETIRE.

I'm 61 and, frankly, am tired as hell of people "petrifying" in office.

Senator Feinstein, thank you for your service, your experience, and your career on the side of GOOD. But step the hell aside and make space for the rising generation. Pass the good torch and light the way.

And NOTE TO IA's Grassley (who will be 88 this year and is fossilizing before our very eyes): GTFO. GO. Remaining in office until you die will not erase your deplorable legacy as McConnell's Number 1 ass-licker. It was you who chaired the Judiciary Committee and refused hearings on Garland. You damaged the court and the nation's future. Be GONE. You are a spineless and rudderless suck-up who has cultivated a base of support among apathetic Iowans by promoting photo-ops in which you pin long-deferred medals on disgruntled WWII veterans.

[karin_sj]

52. I voted for her each time she was on the ballot...

... but it is beyond time for her to step down. Between going maskless in the halls of Congress to calling the Coney Barrett hearing “one of the best set of hearings that I’ve participated in,” she totally lost my support. She seems to be losing it mentally as well. She has to go. We need someone stronger and sharper to take her place.

[dhill926]

56. yep, she should retire...

we have a ridiculously deep bench here in California...

[aggiesal]

57. I'd like to see Newsom take that seat ...

DiFi's term ends in 2024.

I have been voting against her since 2006 for her vote in favor of GW McIdiot's Iraq War Resolution in Oct. 2002.
Although I was fed up with her since before 2000 for her husbands connection to the Carlisle Group, because of their war profiteering.

So if there was a Democrat running against her in either the Primary or General election, DiFi would not get my vote.

[JanMichael]

74. I like Newsom but what is it with high level Dems in Ca and "French Laundry"?

Seriously. Even after, yes after, Newsome broke his own rule (I think group of 12 more than three separate households) London Breed did the same damned thing (although it is debated as to the number of non-related household members in the group of 8 people.).

They have both done a great job of really pushing people to not go to parties and birthday celebrations because of COVID. Really aggressively saying stay safe and don't gather. But...

Why do people like the foul foie gras so much in Cali? Oh an the optics for COVID suck the optics of $1,000 for two people kinda suck as well.

[SunSeeker]

58. Term limits are anti-democratic and not in the best interest of the American people.

If a Senator or Congressperson is loved by his constituents, why shouldn't they be able to reelect him or her again and again?

It is also good to have long serving members who have the institutional memory and experience to be effective leaders in the House and Senate.  Term limits would eviscerate experience, leaving lobbyists with even more power to guide legislation. 

Lobbyists will become the only ones with institutional memory and will become de facto congressional leaders. If what we really want is less corruption, why don't we pass campaign finance reform?  Why don't we have public financing of campaigns so that there is a level playing field, and ordinary people can run instead of just the rich (or those in the pocket of the rich)?  Term limits does not address the problem most people pushing it claim they want to fix.  In fact, it only makes the problem worse. 

We have term limits on the presidency because of Republican outrage over FDR's popularity, and his 3 re-elections.  Imagine if FDR was term termed out after only 8 years and we didn't have his steady hand through WWII. Presidential Term limits is a Republican device that has only served to keep Democrats from reelecting for 3 terms popular and effective presidents, like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Nixon, Reagan and the Bushes had no chance of being re-elected for a third term as their performance and/or popularity had fallen off precipitously after their first terms. If Obama was not termed out, he would have won a 3rd term, and there never would have been a President Trump, or 400,000 dead Americans from a deliberately botched pandemic response.

Exhibit A against the argument for term limits: CA Congressional Representative Henry Waxman. His decades of experience make him invaluable at crafting complex progressive legislation, which he has been doing tirelessly for decades. That's why this unassuming Congressman keeps getting re-elected; he is an excellent public servant. Instead of being termed out, he should be getting an award, as Bill Maher suggests in this hilarious bit:

[SpankMe]

62. I am not a detractor of DiFi, but it is time for her to move on

She has been a rock solid capital D Democrat for her entire career. She was mayor of San Francisco for Christ sakes. Even in the 80's you couldn't be mayor of that city with a conservative outlook on pretty much anything.

She has been relentless on LGBT rights, gun control, women's rights, anti-discrimination and the environment.

But, her husband's really rich, she hugs a few Republicans, takes a little less of a liberal view on some matters, and there are some here that want to throw her off a cliff.

Yes, I was disappointed when she replied to a letter I sent her saying that she thinks flag burning shouldn't be first amendment protected and would vote to criminalize it. But, she's a child of WWII when everyone across the political spectrum saw the flag as a unifying symbol. You can't escape how you were raised.

Her low approval rating is partially due to the fact that she's invisible. She's never in the news. You have to go to her web site to see what she's doing. I don't think half the people can even name California's US senators. She doesn't hold town halls or have meet and greets with constituents. Out of sight, out of mind. Then, if you can't think of something she's done for you recently, you give her a "no" on the approval rating.

If anyone took the time to see what she's doing on a day to day basis, she's a solid public servant supporting California's values and sensitivities in the Senate.

Now, the stories of her age-related decline are a bit troubling. She has 3-1/2 years left in her term. I can see her retiring early as these symptoms progress. That's why we have to fight this Gavin Newsome recall tooth and nail. If Newsome gets recalled and that moderate San Diego Republican guy gets in there, we could see a Republican senator from California when DiFi leaves early. I don't want this in my lifetime. Utah ain't giving us a Democratic senator any time soon, so I ain't giving away a Republican one form Cali.

Stop bagging on Dianne. She's a historic figure and fundamentally good. Let's find her a graceful way out.

[quakerboy]

66. This is one of those very unfortunate situations, and its gone on too long

Follow the money. I disagree with those questioning her competence. I instead will say that corruption should not be tolerated, especially within our own party.

[flibbitygiblets]

67. Time to Reti-Fi

California only has two Senators, they need both to be 100% on point.