Rep Adam Schiff may make a run for Senate

[zuul]

Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris), Politico

NEWS: Rep Adam Schiff has decided NOT to seek a leadership post in House Dem caucus and is instead looking more seriously at a Senate run, per multiple sources.

2:25 PM · Nov 16, 2022

Link to tweet

[Sneederbunk]

1. Excellent.

[bdamomma]

2. Go ahead

he's great, I would love to see him as a Senator!!!!

[Mr.Bill]

3. Does he know something about Feinstein

that we don't know?

[W_HAMILTON]

7. That she's up for reelection and didn't win very handily last time around...

...and has only had bad press about her ... situation ... ever since.

[Sky Jewels]

13. She should have gotten out years ago.

Ugh.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

23. Dianne Feinstein has been an excellent Senator for California

and an inspiring figure since she stepped forward to lead San Francisco in the aftermath of the murder of SF mayor George Moscone and Sup. Harvey Milk.

She is famous for having the arguably best staff in the Senate.

I can't imagine that she intends to run for another term. I am a fan.

[mcar]

28. She has been

I would guess that CA politicos are aware of her plans.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

30. It is beyond my imagination that Dianne Feinstein would seek another term.

And I say that as someone who has deepest respect and admiration for her.

[mcar]

34. Yes, she has earned her retirement

if that is her choice.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

36. I would respect this position as well, and thank her for her many years of service.

[tishaLA]

44. Did you read Rebecca Traister's profile of her?

Maybe six months ago in New York magazine. It was neither fawning nor overly critical (although her biggest enemies and supporters would probably see it that way) and gave the most substantive portrait of where she's been and where she is now that I've read. My favorite vignette in the article:

She is probably most famous for her push, as soon as she got into the Senate, for an assault-weapons ban. She had been spoiling for this fight for decades; back when she was mayor of San Francisco, her controversial ban on handguns provoked a recall campaign (she survived it). In 1993, Idaho Republican Larry Craig challenged her by saying, “The gentlelady from California needs to become a little bit more familiar with firearms and their deadly characteristics.” In response, Feinstein said, “I am quite familiar with firearms. I became mayor as a product of assassination. I found my assassinated colleague and put a finger through a bullet hole trying to get a pulse. I was trained in the shooting of a firearm when I had terrorist attacks, with a bomb in my house, when my husband was dying, when I had windows shot out. Senator, I know something about what firearms can do.”
https://www.thecut.com/article/dianne-feinstein-abortion-gun-civil-rights.html

[Just A Box Of Rain]

47. Thanks for the link.

I love the excerpt.

I'm afraid that too many on DU lack the historical perspective to allow them a full appreciation of Dianne Feinstein. Who she is, and what she's done.

I deeply admire her.

[wryter2000]

68. She has been

I hope she'd feel it would be great to have Schiff follow her.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

70. I would certainly assume there is mutual respect between the two.

[LakeArenal]

4. I ll take him!!!

[Hekate]

5. That's actually a good thing

[W_HAMILTON]

6. I'm guessing this would be for Feinstein's seat.

I see that Feinstein won with around 52% of the vote last time.

How do primaries work in California again? I know it is a jungle primary, but is the eventual winner of the general required to get 50%+ to win? I guess my ultimate question is what is preventing three or four Democrats running for this seat and thus diluting the vote and letting Feinstein (or even a Republican) win?

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. If Schiff and DiFi were the top two in the primary, they would be the ONLY two in the general.

[W_HAMILTON]

14. Oh, that's good to know. I was wondering about that.

So, there are no third-party spoiler candidates? Only two candidates will be in the final general election race?

[Fiendish Thingy]

15. That's my understanding. Nt

[Mz Pip]

19. Jungle Primary

Everyone runs in the primary regardless of party affiliation. Top two vote getters advance to the general.

Last time Feinstein ran against Kevin de Leon, another Democrat.

[Nictuku]

8. Senate?

California? We just re-elected Senator Padilla to 6 years. That must mean 1. Adam Shiff is moving out of California OR 2. Senator Feinstein is going to retire.

He will be sorely missed in the House. He is my ex-husband's Rep (West Hollywood). He will make a fine senator.

[Retrograde]

60. 2024

Feinstein’s seat is up for re-election then

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. Schiff would be far better than DiFi, but I prefer Porter. Nt

[Bev54]

17. I like Porter as well but she is in a much redder district and might be hard to

get another dem in there right now, Schiff will do well though and next will be Porter.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

26. I'd put it more strongly. Having Porter leave that House seat would virtually guarantee

that it goes Republican.

Porter would make a fine Senator, but there would be a significant opportunity cost.

[Caliman73]

11. I would not object to a Senate Run from Schiff.

As someone else said, I prefer Katie Porter. She would be a kick ass Senator, but then so would Schiff. Schiff and Ossoff on the Judiciary Committee? Look out law breakers.

[Bev54]

18. I think Finestein should just retire and let Schiff be appointed now.

[Caliman73]

21. Shhh...

You will be accused of ageism, sexism, being against the Democratic Party, etc...

[maxsolomon]

24. Not at this point.

If this is being floated, she's probably agreed not to run again.

[grantcart]

35. A few days ago she wasn't aware that she declined President Pro Tem

of the Senate

[Celerity]

39. Dianne Feinstein could be third in line to the presidency as Senate president pro tempore. She

appears unaware that she's already declined the job.

https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/dianne-feinstein-could-be-third-in-line-to-the-presidency-as-senate-president-pro-tempore-she-appears-unaware-that-shes-already-declined-the-job-/articleshow/95541784.cms

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California was poised to become president pro tempore of the Senate, according to long-standing Senate tradition. As a result of her new status as the longest-serving Democratic senator, the 89-year-old lawmaker would have been third in line to the presidency, behind the vice president and House Speaker.

But Feinstein — who will also be the chamber's oldest currently-serving member come January — issued a statement to the Washington Post last month saying that she's not interested in running for and serving as president pro tempore of the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will instead nominate the 72-year-old Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington — the next most senior Democratic senator, having been elected just two months after Feinstein — to the position, a source familiar with the discussions told Insider on Wednesday.

Yet when Feinstein was asked by Insider at the Capitol on Tuesday about the potential of taking on the job — she would be the first woman in American history to hold the position — the California Democrat insisted that she hadn't thought about it. "Well, I haven't thought about it, but I'll let you know when I do," said Feinstein, who was first elected in 1992. "I just got back, I've had a lot of issues." An aide walking with the senator quickly interjected, telling Insider that Feinstein had "told a few reporters in the past that she's not thought about it, and has no intention of seeking the position."

"That's what you've told reporters," the aide said to Feinstein.

"I don't know what you're saying," she replied.

"This is about the Senate pro tem position," he said.

"Well, I haven't said anything about it, that I know of," she insisted.

"You were asked about it over the break, and you put out a statement saying that you had no intention of running for it," he said, apparently referencing the statement given to the Post.

"Okay, well then, I guess it's out," she conceded.

snip

[grantcart]

56. Patty Murray is going to be President Pro Tempore

Sen. Feinstein should not be a sitting Senator it's quite disgraceful and it thwarts the career of some aspiring young politician in his 60s, lol.

[Celerity]

58. lol, love this part

it thwarts the career of some aspiring young politician in his 60s, lol.

It is pretty telling that a pol who will be 64 years old during the 2024 general elections is looked at by some as a young upstart whippersnapper.

If Kamala Harris had been elected President in 2020 (not even 2024 or 2028), only 3 Dems in history would have been older when they first became the President-elect or assumed the office after the death of the POTUS when they were VPOTUS: Truman (1945, after FDR died), James Buchanan (elected in 1856), and Andrew Jackson (elected in 1828). LBJ was younger (55) than her (if she had won in 2020, it was when she was 56) when he first became POTUS after JFK was assassinated in Dallas.

Biden, of course would never have become POTUS if Harris had won in 2020.

[grantcart]

62. My State Senator is an 80 year old who also sits on an elected

School board position.

It drives me crazy that people who have had great careers hang on beyond reason. Biden is an exception but I don't think he should run again. He should keep the door open and then before the first primary bow out and let the party hash it out.

[RayStar]

59. NOW

I like this idea.

[sop]

12. Schiff is a good choice, Porter would be my choice.

Since I don't live in California, it doesn't matter.

[maxsolomon]

25. What would Porter do that Schiff wouldn't?

Frankly, I'm surprised he'd want to bother with the Senate. The Senate sucks.

[getagrip_already]

27. But the house is weak launching point for potus.....

While it used to be common, it hasn't been so for a while. Nixon and bush were reps, as was Ford (but he wasn't elected potus).

Only 4 house members were elected potus after 1901.

[cachukis]

16. Could the play be that Di-Fi retires, Newsome appoints and

Schiff runs on record as incumbent.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

29. Gavin Newsom has committed to appointing a Black woman to fill the seat should Sen. Feinstein

retire prior to the end of her term.

The by-far most obvious choice in that scenario--Karen Bass--has just been elected mayor of Los Angeles, so she's likely out of consideration.

Best if Feinstein serves out her term and the voters of CA pick their next Senator.

[appmanga]

33. I'm a black guy...

...but not a Californian. I would love for Katie Porter to get that seat.

[cachukis]

40. Did not know that. Not opposed.

But if Feinstein ages poorly, should we exclude Schiff now that Bass will be in LA? Is there a better black woman to fit the bill? Don't want Schiff on the sidelines. Oh, the humanities.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

50. That's up to Gov. Newsom.

If Bass is unavailable (she was not when Newsom first made this pledge) there isn't such an obvious choice (unless I'm missing someone).

Maxine Waters is nearing the end of her career.

Rep. Barbara Lee is well-respected by many, but considerably to the left by California standards.

SF Mayor London Breed is polarizing.

Holly Mitchell, who won a seat on the powerful Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2020 is a rising star, but lacks name recognition and experience.

Karen Bass was a natural choice. Checks all the boxes, but she has a new job.

[JustAnotherGen]

20. I would love to see it

[Auggie]

22. Okay with me ...

says this Californian.

[appmanga]

31. I think the world of Adan Schiff...

...but I really want Katie Porter to replace DiFi. Even though I don't live in CA.

[shanti]

32. He has my vote

against Feinstein.

[iemanja]

37. Great. I love him.

[ZonkerHarris]

38. As a Californian I'll take Schiff but would rather have Katie Porter

[homegirl]

41. Let's give him

a running start.
1. Dianne Feinstein retires
2. Newsom appoints Schiff to fill her seat
3. Newsom appoints a replacement for Schiff's seat in the House

[Wounded Bear]

46. A good short term plan if things go that way...nt

[former9thward]

61. Newsom can't appoint a House vacancy.

He can only call for a special election.

[homegirl]

63. Thank you

for the information on the process.

[ShazamIam]

42. It has been a very long time since California had a White male U.S. Senator.

For years it was Boxer/Feinstine, then Feinstein/Harris. Now Padilla/Feinstein. Padilla is very American and his parents are from Mexico.


edit: remove nt

[patphil]

43. Wow! She's even older than Grassley

Senator Feinstein would be 91 for the 2024 election. I do believe it's time for her to retire.
We wouldn't want to have the voters decide to retire her in favor of a Republican.

[Wounded Bear]

45. He'd be a good one...nt

[BadgerMom]

48. Re: Feinstein's filing

She filed her 2024 campaign paperwork in 2021. At the time aides downplayed the likelihood that she would run.

https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/dianne-feinstein-has-filed-initial-paperwork-to-run-again-in-2024/

[Just A Box Of Rain]

52. Feinstein need to file this paperwork for legal purposes in order to maintain

her campaign committee.

What her aids are saying is not subtle. She will not be running again.

I will miss her. She deserves to have some rest after her life of great service.

I hope DUers show her proper respect. She's earned it.

[BadgerMom]

55. Agreed.

[mysteryowl]

49. I always thought of Schiff as a Senator, knowing he wasn't, so this sounds right to me.

California needs more US Senators! Two is too few for that large of a population.

[ffr]

51. I support this decision.

Would welcome him in any sort of capacity. He has the kind of temperament we need in our nation's leadership.

[SalamanderSleeps]

53. I think it's interesting how Politco is always their for us.

Multiple sources my ass.


Adam Schiff does not faze me as the type of person that does things over the transom.

I'll reserve judgment until Sarah Ferris of Politico can validate her sources.


I'm inclined to think that Politico just loves to stir shit up.

[Bayard]

54. I would love to see Schiff replace Feinstein

He is totally awesome and a great asset.

[WarGamer]

57. He'd be exceptional...

BUT that'd leave California with no female Senators after DiFi retires.

[wryter2000]

72. We had all women for quite a while

I think we've been represented.

[Sympthsical]

64. I am whelmed

One thing which I find weird in this thread is how comfortable people are with the next senator being imposed on the voters from the top down.

Let's get a retirement so someone can be appointed! Let's get someone to fit a demographic!

Or - and stop me at this crazy idea - let the voters manage it?

It's California. Whoever's next is going to be Democratic.

Schiff is just . . . eh. As I said. He's whelming.

I'd like some options before the party picks it for us.

[Rhiannon12866]

65. Twitter followup:

Link to tweet

[LeftInTX]

66. I would like to see Adam as senator

[wryter2000]

67. Is Difi up in 2024?

I would love to have him in the Senate. I'd hate to have a nasty primary, though.

[jalan48]

71. Great news. I can't imagine why Feinstein would choose to run again. Turn the page.

It's also a job that Feinstein took herself out of the running for in October when her office sent a statement to the Washington Post stating that she had no interest. She apparently forgot about that when Insider reporter Brian Metzger asked about it again Tuesday.

"An aide walking with the senator quickly interjected, telling Insider that Feinstein had 'told a few reporters in the past that she's not thought about it, and has no intention of seeking the position,'" Metzger reported. "'That's what you've told reporters,' the aide said to Feinstein."

According to Metzger, Feinstein told the aide, "I don't know what you're saying," and the aide replied, "You were asked about it over the break, and you put out a statement saying that you had no intention of running for it." Feinstein then reportedly conceded, "OK, well then, I guess it's out."

https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/reporter-details-feinstein-memory-lapse-17587048.php