Feinstein reports $5.7 million on-hand for Senate race

[Freddie Stubbs]

(01-31) 10:04 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., raised $745,000 during the last three months of 2005 and said she had $5.7 million cash on hand as of Dec. 31.

California's popular senior senator is seeking a third full term; her fundraising pace has slowed as no formidable challenger has emerged. A conservative former state legislator, Dick Mountjoy, last week announced plans to challenge her, but he had not started raising money during the reporting period.

more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/01/31/state/n100420S34.DTL

[fairandunbalanced]

1. Boxer is way better :)

Yeah Dianne is way to conservative and takes the side of the right wing often. But this is cali and I really dont see any republicans winning a senate seat anytime soon.
Hopefully Arnold will be cast aside to as the democrats play around with their power in the state. They wouldn't move a inch for one of their own but the minute Arnold took the stage they have been rolling over.

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. Actually, she sides with liberals 86% fo the time

http://www.adaction.org/lifetimesencalifornia.html

[Patrick Henry]

16. Nope. She's got a MINUS 105 on this human rights voting chart

The PHDC scores signifantly more votes than the ACLU. Most groups just take a handful of votes and, if they were the lucky handful, a bad Senator will get an OK rating. The PHDC tracked 55 major votes. Boxer (the highest scorer) is a plus 152.5 on the PHDC chart for 2005. Now which scoring method most reflects what you've seen from Feinstein, who backed most of Bush's nominees, the Real ID Act and CAFTA?

Here's the chart.

http://patrickhenrythinktank.org/sen-score7.html

Go Cindy.

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. Perhaps she was just following Barbara Boxer's lead with the Real ID Act

Wasn't that the bill which was going to authorize concentration camps? I seem to remember a DUer who kept claiming that, but for some reason she doesn't post here anymore. ;)

[coalition_unwilling]

2. I plan on throwing myself into Cindy Sheehan's campaign

against Feinstein, assuming Sheehan decides to run.

N.B. On Thursday, 1/26, Feinstein's L.A. office was telling callers she would not support the Alito filibuster. That she changed her mind at the last minute does her no credit, imho, as the vote count(s) had already happened and it was clear filibuster would fail. So she decided to support it only when it was politically safe to do so, instead of supporting it or, perish the notion, actually spear-heading it back when it mattered.

Not surprising--Feinstein's husband works for (or perhaps has an ownership stake in) a major defense contractor and has profited handsomely in the post-9/11 world. If it were Cheney, we'd rightly be calling attention to the blatant conflict of interest.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Just don't delude yourself with the idea that Ms. Sheehan can win

Even she says that she doesn't have a chance.

[coalition_unwilling]

9. Delusions are the only way I get through the day :)

However, I've been fantasizing the way Sheehan could frame the campaign:

"Feinstein voted for the war in Iraq, continues to vote to fund it and refuses to support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan was against the war in Iraq, is against its continued funding and supports and immediate withdrawal from Iraq.

Could it be that Dianne Feinstein is a DINO--a Democrat in Name Only?

Cindy Sheehan--a real Democrat for real people"

I'm trying to get Ron Kovic to run against Jane Harman. Substitute Kovic for Sheehan and Harman for Feinstein and it could work just as well.

[still_one]

10. I don't want to get flamed, but look at this senario

The repukes would throw money at sheehan to run as an independent. Once she is officially in, at the right time they would show start showing the photos of Sheehan with Chavez, and the right wing propaganda machine would start rolling both statewise and nationally. Then all the repukes would need to do is run a "perceived" moderate against feinstein, and Feinstein would definitely have work hard to survive.

That above senario will probably not happen. Instead the following is what will probably occur:

1. If Sheehan runs she will run as a Democrat, and not get the nomination. She will be encouraged to run as an independent, but probably won't.

2. It looks as though the repukes are going to run a right wing bigot against Feinstein, so the advantage will go to Feinstein.

[coalition_unwilling]

29. On the west side of Los Angeles, anti-war sentiment is

incrediby strong (as is anti-Feinstein stentiment). I think Sheehan should make her run at Feinstein in Dem primary and not act like a Nader-esque spoiler in general election, should she lose to Feinstein in primary.

But I probably won't be voting for Feinstein in general election this time around; she serves her corporate masters and not unemployed proletariat like I am.

[Patrick Henry]

17. Cindy is more likely to win than Feinstein

Do you know any Democrats who like Feinstein? If so, you're hanging out with the DLC.

Cindy can just say to Feinstein: Your vote killed over 2000 Americans. You voted to give money to your husband at the cost of Americans lives over and over again. You voted to send American jobs to Latin American. You voted for a man accused of using death squads to kill nuns. You voted that there was no intelligence failure.

Cindy should then show pictures of Feinstein and Condi in the Foreign Relations Committee and pictures of Bechtel and Richard Blum. And that's if she wants to go easy on DIFI.

The Democratic nominee will win the general election - unless it's DIFI. A great many Democrats will go third party before voting for DIFI. DIFI is a loser.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. If no Democrats like Feinstein,

Ms. Sheehan must be a shoe-in to defeat her in the primary. She won't even have to camapign or raise any money, right?

[coalition_unwilling]

30. Hmm, it's difficult to say (taking your question seriously), but

what I would say is that Feinstein's pro-war position has gradually alienated her from many in California. I do think Sheehan will need to run a hard campaign, especially to counter the massive gobs of money Feinstein has amassed. However, spun correctly, that campaign-funding gap can work to Sheehan's advantage, especially when Feinstein's husband's connections to militarist economy come into political play, as indeed they should.

[rinsd]

37. Sigh

DiFi last approval rating:

Here's a story from last year dealing with her reelection chances - http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/08/BAG5DBLSFM1.DTL

Here's a tracking poll - http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollTrack.aspx?g=fabcefb4-9643-4eca-b2d6-d2947ee79d26.


"However, spun correctly, that campaign-funding gap can work to Sheehan's advantage,"

Spun correctly? Fundraising is an interpretation of one's popularity. Why do you think the bat was so effective in Dean's campaign. The only way those gaps can be spun is if the candidate is using their own money. And even then its a mixed bag at its effectiveness.

"
especially when Feinstein's husband's connections to militarist economy come into political play, as indeed they should."

Which will be countered by Cindy's embrace of more radical elements of the left. Quotes of her saying the bolivarian revolution is a good thing on near endless loop accompanied by photos with her and Chavez.

Even in CA that is not gonna fly with most people.

[coalition_unwilling]

38. Yeah, I sort of see your point, but . . .

I'm a prisoner of the west-side of L.A. and I can assure you from attending two weekly anti-war vigils here that anti-war sentiment is high and rising fast. (Purely anecdotal and experiential, based on my interactions with motorists and passers-by).

What's up with the shots at Chavez and Morales, btw? They're both Latino and city of Los Angeles is now officially majority Latino (although not everyone in that 51% can vote yet). I could see clips of Sheehan with Chaves and Morales cutting both ways in Latino market. Among white progressives (say 10-15% of CA electorate), Chavez and Morales are viewed as heroes. So it seems to me Chavez and Morales issue could end in a wash.

[rinsd]

40. I'm not saying that anti-war sentiment is not rising...

..all polling indicates it is.

But is it enough for a political neophyte and quasi-polarizing figure to overcome a popular well funded incumbent?

Cindy may want to seek a House seat first.

Don't forget even having a Latino majority in population does not equate to voter eligible/registered. And while cozing up to a Latino won't be an issue, the clip of her saying the bolivarian revolution is a good thing could hurt her badly.

[coalition_unwilling]

42. Perhaps .. waters are rather muddy right now

As for House seats, I'm trying to talk Ron Kovic into running in my district against Jane Harman. He hasn't gotten back to me yet. Any help any of you could provide in that regard would be invaluable.

[rinsd]

36. Delusional at best....

First, check out DiFi's approval ratings. They are higher than Boxer's.

Next, look at her campaign war chest

Then, check out the record of political neophytes vs. seasoned politicians.

"Cindy should then show pictures of Feinstein and Condi in the Foreign Relations Committee and pictures of Bechtel and Richard Blum"

Which would do much since most Americans will either not be able to connect the dots or won't care.

However, you show photos of Cindy with Chavez and alot of people will not react well to them.

[coalition_unwilling]

39. I think you're mis-reading Chavez' iconic stature among Latinos.

Right now, Latinos constitute an absolute majority in Los Angeles (although not all 51% of them can vote). Pat Robertson's lame attempts to call for a coup against Chavez fore-grounded him for many non-Latino Californians and may have improved Chavez' favorability ratings among non-Latino population.

I think Chavez and Sheehan as an issue is pretty much of a wash among the Democratic electorate. But I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this . . .

[rinsd]

43. Yes, but I believe they are not a voting majority

And that's the big difference.

Also you have to assume two things. One that people are already aware of who Chavez is and his "relationship" with Cindy. Than you have to factor in how to frame that as a positive without getting sidetracked into whether Cindy is a hard core leftist.

"I think Chavez and Sheehan as an issue is pretty much of a wash among the Democratic electorate"

I don't know about that. Its tough to judge from DUer reaction because they do not really reflect the rank and file Democratic voter. And its not just the primary electorate you have to consider but the general electorate. And that brings "electability" to the realm. I think party bosses both in state and at the national levels would not be comfortable with Cindy potentially winning the nomination. That could lead to additional fundraising for DiFi.

My last reason that I think it is nigh impossible for Cindy to beat DiFi is that TV advertising wins in CA. It won Ahnuld the recall election. And it (funded by union groups) has been a major part of the defeat of Ahnuld's iniatives and his falling poll numbers.

All that said, I think Cindy could make a run at a House seat and get a decent showing.

On edit: Also I wanted to apologize for the delusional remark. It was uncalled for.

[coalition_unwilling]

46. No apology necessary. I like to think of Percy Shelley's dictum

that "poets are the unacknowleged legislators of the world." Of course, there's a very fine line between poetry and delusion, witness Coleridge and\or syliva Plath.

[IndianaGreen]

3. and a $3 million dollar home to boot!

This woman is not on the payroll of the American people, that's for sure!

[slackmaster]

5. Her OLD home was worth about $3 million

The new digs cost her and her hubby a cool $16.6 million.

The property tax on that place will be more than twice my salary.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

6. truly a woman of the people...

:sarcasm:

[slackmaster]

7. Link to DU thread about her new digs

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2412251

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. So, rich people can't properly represent working people?

[slackmaster]

26. Obviously some can - your examples are stellar

DiFi is IMO an example of someone whose elitist attitude prevents her from representing the people of California.

[Freddie Stubbs]

28. The people of California seem to disagree with you

They keep reelecting her with wider and wider margins every six years.

[slackmaster]

31. You have to look at what the Red Team has presented as alternatives

Nobody real.

[Freddie Stubbs]

33. And who has the Blue team presented as an alternative?

:shrug:

[rinsd]

35. Why risk what is deemed a safe seat?

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. It is a safe seat for a reason

Feinstein is exceedingly popular in CA. No one of any consequence has had the nerve to run against her in quite a while.

[slackmaster]

27. Obviously some can - your examples are stellar

DiFi is IMO an example of someone whose elitist attitude prevents her from representing the people of California.

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

45. DiFi ain't no Jack Kennedy...

She lives off the wealth that is created by war. Totally a different scenario from JFK, FDR, Kerry, or Edwards.

[Upfront]

11. Go Sindy!

[Horse with no Name]

12. Where do we find out who her contributors are?

My guess is the majority is corporations that she is in bed with.

[slackmaster]

14. Link to her 2004 contributions if you really want to know

My guess is the majority is corporations that she is in bed with.

Good guess, if you mean corporations that she and/or her husband are in bed with.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/sector.asp?CID=N00007364&cycle=2004

[Horse with no Name]

15. yep

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00007364&cycle=2004

[pennylane100]

13. I don't always agree with Fienstein

but I intend only to give to candidates (after I have checked them out) who run against the bastards who
voted against cloture in the senate. I want them all to pay

[wordpix]

18. another example of a nation of, by and for the incumbents

[PVK]

19. Cindy wouldn't need that much cash to beat DiFi.

And she'd get tons of donations from the grassroots anyway. I hope Cindy takes this old bag on. I really do.

[kaygore]

20. Me, too

[rinsd]

34. You're joking right?

Taking on a very visible incumbent senator with a near 60% approval rating with a huge war chest will take alot of money.

DiFi's approval rating as of 1/16/06 was 52%. It was as high as 58% in Nov.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollTrack.aspx?g=fabcefb4-9643-4eca-b2d6-d2947ee79d26

[leesa]

21. Good for her. She won't get my vote. I live in California. I will try

to encourage everyone I know not to vote for the warmonger/corporate whore. Enough's enough. No more DLC/GOP lite for me.

[Voltaire99]

22. By their corporate contributions ye shall know them. (nt)

[Pithy Cherub]

32. If Cindy runs she gets my vote!

DiFi is a walking disaster to the people or as some Californians say Gray Davis in a dress! We can't afford her poor judgment and bush enabling votes any longer: Aye on medicare(total disaster), Aye on IWR (All the needless Death) and so it goes. DiFi's votes are hurting and killing the people of California.

[coalition_unwilling]

41. Certainly hurting and killing many poor whites and Latinos who enlisted

in order to serve their local communities, get a college education and just keep a roof over their heads.