Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

1 day ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

1 day ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

2 days ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

2 days ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

2 days ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

2 days ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

2 days ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

2 days ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

3 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

3 days ago
What if Dianne Feinstein Steps Down Before Her Term Ends?
gvw_calmatters
By CalMatters
Published 6 years ago on
March 1, 2019

Share

Along with her considerable political talents, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has an unhelpful verbal mannerism in which she talks to people who try her patience with a faintly exasperated tone in her voice.

Dan Schnur
Opinion

Special to CALmatters

Feinstein’s senior senator moment brought back speculation that she may decide to step down before her current term ends in 2024, when she will be 91 years old. That would allow Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint her successor.

She shares this trait with, among others, former Vice President Al Gore and Sheldon from “The Big Bang Theory.” It can make her sound as if she is condescending to a slightly backward group of schoolchildren.

The problem arises when she is talking to a group of actual schoolchildren, who are not backward but are extremely motivated supporters of unrealistic public policy.
The result was an unfortunate video in which Feinstein appeared to be admonishing these kids for daring to care about the future of the planet.

Even after it became public that the advocacy group that had sponsored the visit had unfairly edited the video to make her look like an annoyed lunchroom monitor, the entire episode cast Feinstein in a decidedly unfavorable light.

But Feinstein’s senior senator moment brought back speculation that she may decide to step down before her current term ends in 2024, when she will be 91 years old. That would allow Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint her successor.

Barring a miraculous resurrection of the California Republican Party, assume that Newsom gets re-elected in 2022. Barring an equally miraculous gubernatorial attitude adjustment, assume he then begins planning a presidential campaign for 2024 or 2028.

Becerra Has Filed Dozens of Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration

Finally, let’s postulate that one contributing factor in Newsom’s decision on Feinstein’s replacement will be how it could enhance his White House aspirations.

In an almost-post-Trump Democratic Party, demographic identity is destiny. So bet against a white male governor appointing a white male senator. That means if Congressman Adam Schiff, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, or Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti want to hold statewide office, they’re going to have to do it without Newsom’s help.

So who would Newsom pick?

The presumed frontrunner for the appointment is Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who was a Democratic Party loyalist in 2018 in forgoing possible challenges to both Newsom and Feinstein. But while Padilla was playing good soldier, two other Latino leaders, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, and former state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León were turning themselves into media stars.

Becerra has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump Administration, establishing a national platform as one of the president’s most persistent adversaries.

But de León leveraged his unsuccessful campaign against Feinstein to emerge as a hero of the state Democratic Party’s progressive wing. Even though he and de León have clashed in the past, Newsom would greatly enhance his own leftist credentials by putting a younger, more media-genic version of Bernie Sanders into the U.S. Senate.

There is no shortage of qualified Asian-Pacific candidates. John Chiang established a solid record during his years as state controller and state treasurer, and current statewide officeholders Betty Yee and Fiona Ma and Congressman Ted Lieu would all be smart options as well.

Women Voters and Candidates Fueled the Democratic House Takeover

On the other hand, an African-American appointee would be a more likely replacement for Kamala Harris should she end up in the White House two years from now. San Francisco Mayor London Breed is still new to the job, but a Southern Californian such as Congresswoman Karen Bass, Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, Sen. Holly Mitchell or Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson could help on their home turf and in key primary states.

Newsom has proudly pointed to his early support for marriage equality. So the appointment of an LGBTQ senator could reinforce his support with this critical voting bloc. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is unpredictable, and state Senate President Toni Atkins is underwhelming.

Newsom is the product of a tribal Bay Area political network. He and Harris share the same consultants — Ace Smith, Sean Clegg, Laphonza Butler, and Juan Rodriguez — who also advise firebrand Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

But Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes, a relatively unknown young centrist who represents a working-class battleground in the Inland Empire, would be an intriguing alternative.

Women voters and female candidates fueled the Democratic House takeover this year and are providing much of the early energy in the 2020 presidential campaign. California has had two female Senators since 1993, and if Newsom wants to continue that record, there are other options available to him in addition to those listed above. Respected Congresswoman Jackie Speier reportedly explored a statewide campaign last year. But picking a non-politician like Maria Shriver or Laurene Powell Jobs would send a powerful message through national Democratic activist and fundraising circles.

Newsom is also the product of a tribal Bay Area political network. He and Harris share the same consultants — Ace Smith, Sean Clegg, Laphonza Butler, and Juan Rodriguez — who also advise firebrand Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

As Feinstein’s illustrious Senate career winds down, keep an eye on Schaaf as the type of replacement with whom Newsom could feel especially comfortable. Demography is destiny but so is loyalty.

About the Author

Dan Schnur is a professor at USC’s Annenberg School of Communications, UC-Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, and Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Public Policy, dan.schnur@mindspring.com. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s Capitol works and why it matters. Find his most recent CALmatters commentary here.

[activecampaign form=19]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

DON'T MISS

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

DON'T MISS

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

DON'T MISS

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

UP NEXT

Much of LA’s Community of Immigrants Is Hiding, Leaving a Hole in the Fabric of the City

UP NEXT

Things Netanyahu Might Say if Injected With Truth Serum

UP NEXT

California Politicians Ignore Ag’s Troubles, but Boost Movie Business

UP NEXT

Trump’s Courageous and Correct Decision to Bomb Iran

UP NEXT

How the Attacks on Iran Are Part of a Much Bigger Global Struggle

UP NEXT

Groceries Are Now a Luxury. So Is Breathing.

UP NEXT

California Politicians Agree on School Money, but Poor Test Scores Need Attention

UP NEXT

Sen. Alex Padilla: This Is How an Administration Acts When It’s Afraid

UP NEXT

Bay Area Transit Systems Want More Money. But Their Payrolls Soared as Ridership Declined

UP NEXT

History Suggests the GOP Will Pay a Political Price for Its Immigration Tactics in California

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

16 hours ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

1 day ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

1 day ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

1 day ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

1 day ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

1 day ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

1 day ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

1 day ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

1 day ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

2 days ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

Like a lot of people of center-right/center-left political leanings, I’ve spent the past few decades detesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netan...

14 hours ago

2022 Election Rally for Netanyahu
14 hours ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

University of Virginia President James Ryan Resigns
14 hours ago

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

15 hours ago

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

Zohran Mamdani Speaks to Supporters
16 hours ago

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

American Flag Revolver
1 day ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
1 day ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
1 day ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
1 day ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend