Amidst all the hagiography we’re about to be inundated with following the death this morning of Dianne Feinstein, allow me to tell you why I only ever voted for the lady once, in her initial run for office in 1969, before I became better-educated about her.
It seems to me that an elegant solution to the overall situation would be for Newsom to resign as Governor, have new (and first woman) governor Kounalakis appoint him to the Senate seat as essentially a place holder, and let the three serious candidates battle it out for the next election. That would get him off the Pelosi hook, keep the air clear and put him in position for a decent post in the next Biden cabinet.
TC, thank you a ton for this piece of writing. I lived in the Bay Area briefly from 1980-1984 (while chasing my now wife while she was at Stanford) and learned then of the details of the assassinations of Milk and Moscone. I have never thought that DiFi was nearly the progressive Democrat she was assumed to be, and this piece helps me fill in some huge gaps in my historical knowledge (I hate writing the word historical... but at this point, 40 years agone, it is.)
I also thank you for introducing me to the word "hagiography". I have attended a number of cop funerals, and I can guarantee you that there were a number of them whose eulogy was nowhere near what their lives meant. I guess "hagiography" in common translation could be "don't speak ill of the dead". That's fine, but don't lie about them either.
Dr. Samuel Johnson had a line that my all-time favorite sportswriter (and second all-time favorite writer, behind Russell Baker), Red Smith, loved: In lapidary inscriptions, man is not on oath. In other words, they won't say what an anal portal someone actually was.
That said, the most hilarious fictional eulogy I ever saw was for a cop on The Closer.
I never liked her, but I do like Adam Schiff and think he would make a great Senator. She should have retired long ago just like RBG should have retired.
Thank you for educating me. I am one of the ones who fell for the Dianne Feinstein “myth.” I’ll be looking forward to what Gavin Newsom does with a little more knowledge of what it could mean in the long run.
Since I'm a NYer - with no Cal. political "bias" - My only take on Sen.Feinstein was the fact that she and Rep.Huffman are partially (?) responsible for the mess on PT.Reyes National "seashore". They do love their livestock lobby, it seems. Maybe there will actually be a fence removal for the Elk AND, pray that the "ranches" are removed from there - it will take decades, if not longer, for the pollution, manure, junk etc to be cleaned up but thats what I hope for. I have felt for several years, that it was past time for her to retire - shes only been filling a seat for far too long. But thats MY opinion!
DiFi definitely served well past her "sell-by" date. She had her moments but was needing to be replaced at least two full Senate terms ago. I was much happier with Barbara Boxer when she was serving. I'm sure the hagiography has already been written, and will be as good (meaning bad) as it was when John McCain died.
Just read The New Yorker's obit. It's actually pretty balanced, highlighting her good accomplishments (assault weapons ban, dialing back torture) but not pulling punches on her later years. I dread what the networks will do.
As readers have already written: thank you for your fearless personal reporting on Senator Diane Feinstein's career trajectory. What concerned me recently were her increased absences (mentally, as well as physically) from her job. [Am I correct in writing that DiFi's many absences were delaying consideration and approval of President Biden's judicial candidates? Weren't we holding our breath during the last Governor Newsom recall, because his loss would have meant risking a Republican replacement upon the Senator's death?] I cannot forgive elected or appointed public servants who hold onto their positions when confronted with the inability to do their jobs, or when they can do their job but decide to gamble that they can outlast an "illness demon". Term limits, please! Anyway, thanks again.
What a history lesson. You seem to know the ins and outs of politicians all over the place, and can rate them with knowledge the rest of us are missing. Maybe another series with under the radar political facts. As Jack Webb said, "Just the facts, Ma'am"
Thank you for a summary of the last half century of Bay politics. The foundational stuff is always good to understand. As for Gov. Newsom, one has to assume he's been making calculations for a long time now and that's why he's put himself on the edge of the current political spotlight, a safe move. He may surprise all by appointing someone totally unexpected. I hope he does because the system needs some shocking. Or at least a substantial pummeling.
He has said that if he had to make an appointment, it would not be one of those campaigning in the election. Likely a "placeholder." Some thought he would call a special election but it's unlikely. Appointing himself also unlikely.
While it’s somewhat sad to read of Feinstein’s death, she should’ve retired some yeas ago, but be that as it may, it will be interesting to see what happens now with replacing her and the effects that might have going forward.
I got a sense of this the other night while watching the Adam Driver movie, “The Report.” Annette Benning played the female, senior senator, looking and sounding like Diane Feinstein. The character was alarmingly CAREFUL.
So I usually pretty much agree with u on most things but TC here’s my slant as an outsider and a woman. She is dead now and she was excellent at staying in power right up to her end. And look at the rest of the Senate mostly white males who are always using whatever’s gonna keep them in office and in power…right. So I applaud here for being an incredibly tough cookie right to the end and if she waffled on her progressive promises, hey I even consider my self a deeply progressive person who is a registered independent BUT if I wanted to get into politics which I don’t but if I ran and won—- my pragmatic side would most likely kick in so I could stay in power. RIP to a very strong woman!
It seems to me that an elegant solution to the overall situation would be for Newsom to resign as Governor, have new (and first woman) governor Kounalakis appoint him to the Senate seat as essentially a place holder, and let the three serious candidates battle it out for the next election. That would get him off the Pelosi hook, keep the air clear and put him in position for a decent post in the next Biden cabinet.
That's good!
Thanks. It's a pretty classical political play but there's often a reason why classics become classics.
It's the kind of political ju-jitsu one could expect from Newsom.
I'm guessing there will be a decent interval to allow the body to cool but he won't have much time to waste to get a Democrat back in the Senate.
Exactly right - end of next month at the latest.
TC, thank you a ton for this piece of writing. I lived in the Bay Area briefly from 1980-1984 (while chasing my now wife while she was at Stanford) and learned then of the details of the assassinations of Milk and Moscone. I have never thought that DiFi was nearly the progressive Democrat she was assumed to be, and this piece helps me fill in some huge gaps in my historical knowledge (I hate writing the word historical... but at this point, 40 years agone, it is.)
I also thank you for introducing me to the word "hagiography". I have attended a number of cop funerals, and I can guarantee you that there were a number of them whose eulogy was nowhere near what their lives meant. I guess "hagiography" in common translation could be "don't speak ill of the dead". That's fine, but don't lie about them either.
Dr. Samuel Johnson had a line that my all-time favorite sportswriter (and second all-time favorite writer, behind Russell Baker), Red Smith, loved: In lapidary inscriptions, man is not on oath. In other words, they won't say what an anal portal someone actually was.
That said, the most hilarious fictional eulogy I ever saw was for a cop on The Closer.
You're last line had me laughing. More generally, this was a terrific post! A lot of important stuff I didn't know!
you and me both, David.
Jeez, you really are fearless, TC. But good for you. More people should be as forthright.
Forthright in political discourse. Rare as hen's teeth. Why I am happy to pay for his take on our crazy world.
Me too, Jeri.
I never liked her, but I do like Adam Schiff and think he would make a great Senator. She should have retired long ago just like RBG should have retired.
Agree on Adam Schiff. And grrr to RBG and all those who continue to worship her in spite of the endless mess she left behind.
Still pissed at Katie Porter and Adam Schiff for giving up their seats
They're safe D seats
Still both are awesome and someone has to lose. I’m assuming that they have to resign their seats to run for senate
Thank you for educating me. I am one of the ones who fell for the Dianne Feinstein “myth.” I’ll be looking forward to what Gavin Newsom does with a little more knowledge of what it could mean in the long run.
Since I'm a NYer - with no Cal. political "bias" - My only take on Sen.Feinstein was the fact that she and Rep.Huffman are partially (?) responsible for the mess on PT.Reyes National "seashore". They do love their livestock lobby, it seems. Maybe there will actually be a fence removal for the Elk AND, pray that the "ranches" are removed from there - it will take decades, if not longer, for the pollution, manure, junk etc to be cleaned up but thats what I hope for. I have felt for several years, that it was past time for her to retire - shes only been filling a seat for far too long. But thats MY opinion!
DiFi definitely served well past her "sell-by" date. She had her moments but was needing to be replaced at least two full Senate terms ago. I was much happier with Barbara Boxer when she was serving. I'm sure the hagiography has already been written, and will be as good (meaning bad) as it was when John McCain died.
Go read the reports at Talking Points Memo. It's time to put on the hip waders.
Just read The New Yorker's obit. It's actually pretty balanced, highlighting her good accomplishments (assault weapons ban, dialing back torture) but not pulling punches on her later years. I dread what the networks will do.
I was just gonna say.....
Thanks for that, Tom, it helps to hear from someone who was there!
As readers have already written: thank you for your fearless personal reporting on Senator Diane Feinstein's career trajectory. What concerned me recently were her increased absences (mentally, as well as physically) from her job. [Am I correct in writing that DiFi's many absences were delaying consideration and approval of President Biden's judicial candidates? Weren't we holding our breath during the last Governor Newsom recall, because his loss would have meant risking a Republican replacement upon the Senator's death?] I cannot forgive elected or appointed public servants who hold onto their positions when confronted with the inability to do their jobs, or when they can do their job but decide to gamble that they can outlast an "illness demon". Term limits, please! Anyway, thanks again.
Yeah, all those points are right.
What a history lesson. You seem to know the ins and outs of politicians all over the place, and can rate them with knowledge the rest of us are missing. Maybe another series with under the radar political facts. As Jack Webb said, "Just the facts, Ma'am"
Or a book!
Thank you for a summary of the last half century of Bay politics. The foundational stuff is always good to understand. As for Gov. Newsom, one has to assume he's been making calculations for a long time now and that's why he's put himself on the edge of the current political spotlight, a safe move. He may surprise all by appointing someone totally unexpected. I hope he does because the system needs some shocking. Or at least a substantial pummeling.
RIP, D.F.
He has said that if he had to make an appointment, it would not be one of those campaigning in the election. Likely a "placeholder." Some thought he would call a special election but it's unlikely. Appointing himself also unlikely.
Thank you for all the details!
While it’s somewhat sad to read of Feinstein’s death, she should’ve retired some yeas ago, but be that as it may, it will be interesting to see what happens now with replacing her and the effects that might have going forward.
I got a sense of this the other night while watching the Adam Driver movie, “The Report.” Annette Benning played the female, senior senator, looking and sounding like Diane Feinstein. The character was alarmingly CAREFUL.
So I usually pretty much agree with u on most things but TC here’s my slant as an outsider and a woman. She is dead now and she was excellent at staying in power right up to her end. And look at the rest of the Senate mostly white males who are always using whatever’s gonna keep them in office and in power…right. So I applaud here for being an incredibly tough cookie right to the end and if she waffled on her progressive promises, hey I even consider my self a deeply progressive person who is a registered independent BUT if I wanted to get into politics which I don’t but if I ran and won—- my pragmatic side would most likely kick in so I could stay in power. RIP to a very strong woman!
Those are good points. My post is about the hagiography not being close to the truth.