Senator Feinstein’s future has been up in the air for months. Now it’s all coming to a head.
And this tragic news about Dianne Feinstein rocks Capitol Hill.
Earlier this year, California Senator Dianne Feinstein was supposedly at home suffering from a bout of shingles.
After months away from work, Americans learned that it wasn’t just shingles, but encephalitis – inflammation of the brain.
Since then, she has gone on to showcase a string of concerning behaviors and gaffes that raise questions as to her mental competence.
ABC NEWS: It was a "concerning moment" today when Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein had to be verbally instructed — both by a staffer and a fellow senator — how to vote during a committee hearing pic.twitter.com/ovPdJ1miyf
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 27, 2023
With all of the evidence pointing against, her some Democrats are already making plans to replace her.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on Sunday that he is willing to select a “interim” replacement for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., if she resigns before the end of her term.
On Sunday, Newsom made the statement during an appearance on “Meet the Press” on NBC. The sick Feinstein has confirmed that she will not run for re-election in 2024, but her health has sparked concerns about whether she would stay in office until the conclusion of her current term.
However, Newsom has stated that he will not select any of the current candidates campaigning to replace her as the temporary appointee, much to the dismay of Rep. Barbara Lee, who was largely regarded as Newsom’s first choice for the post.
“Yes. Interim appointment. I don’t want to get involved in the primary,” Newsom told host Chuck Todd. “It would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off. That primary is just a matter of months away. I don’t want to tip the balance of that.”
Several prominent Democrats have already declared their intention to run against Feinstein in the 2024 elections. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., is one of the most well-funded contenders, but Lee has lagged in surveys.
Newsom promised early in his tenure that his next interim Senate appointment would be a black woman. Lee meets the qualifications, however she is now ineligible due to the governor’s commitment not to select a current candidate for Feinstein’s seat.
On Sunday night, Lee slammed Newsom on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I am troubled by the Governor’s remarks,” she wrote. “The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election.”
I am troubled by the Governor’s remarks. The idea that a Black woman should be appointed only as a caretaker to simply check a box is insulting to countless Black women across this country who have carried the Democratic Party to victory election after election. https://t.co/Q5Q3jznuFd
— Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLeeForCA) September 11, 2023
It doesn’t take a genius to see that Barbara Lee doesn’t care about the plight of black women in this country, she just cares about advancing her career.
An appointment to Feinstein’s senate seat would be all but a guarantee of winning the election down the road.
Newsom, for his part, expressed hope that he will not be have to appoint a replacement for Feinstein. Her term is set to expire in January 2025. As a temporary substitute for Vice President Harris, Newsom has already chosen California’s other senator, Alex Padilla.
“I don’t want to make another appointment, and I don’t think the people of California want me to make another appointment,” Newsom said Sunday.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
