Dianne Feinstein decided she doesn’t belong as top dog on the Senate Judiciary panel. Thus, she’s voluntarily stepping down.
Surely no one is buying this bulls*t. Feinstein enjoys the power. Otherwise, she’d be retired like most 87-year-olds. There’s a snowball’s chance in hell that Feinstein made this decision independently. It’s far more likely that Feinstein was thrown a bone. In an attempt to save face, Democrats extended her a chance to withdraw herself.
Politico confirmed Feinstein’s intentions:
“After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress,” the California Democrat said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to serve as a senior Democrat on the Judiciary, Intelligence, Appropriations and Rules committees as we work with the Biden administration.”
Feinstein added that she planned to focus her attention on combating climate change and the coronavirus pandemic.
Members of her own party had expressed concern before Barrett’s hearing that the 87-year-old wouldn’t be aggressive enough. Her approach to the battle over filling the seat left by the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg soon confirmed many Democrats’ fears, particularly after she praised Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for his handling of the process and gave him a hug at the conclusion.
Shortly after the hearings, several liberal groups called on her to resign from her position. One of those groups, Demand Justice, applauded her decision to step down.
“This was a necessary step if Democrats are ever going to meaningfully confront the damage Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have done to the federal judiciary,” said Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice. “Going forward, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee must be led by someone who will not wishfully cling to a bygone era of civility and decorum that Republicans abandoned long ago.”
After the hearings, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he had a “long and serious” talk with Feinstein.
Chuck Schumer and his liberal posse blew a gasket once Feinstein failed to deliver Justice Barrett’s head on a platter. Instead, Feinstein hugged Lindsey Graham and exclaimed: “This has been one of the best set of hearings that I’ve participated in.” At that very moment, Feinstein numbered her days, as bipartisanship in never the goal with modern leftists. But you know what they say. The evil you know is sometimes better than the evil you don’t know.
Who’s Next Up to Bat?
Feinstein’s departure from the committee leaves an important vacancy.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is next in line for the job, followed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
Durbin announced his interest in the post later Monday evening.
“I intend to seek the top Democratic position on the Judiciary Committee in the 117th Congress,” he said. “We have to roll up our sleeves and get to work on undoing the damage of the last four years and protecting fundamental civil and human rights.”
Sadly, Durbin’s been a politician since 1976 (the year I was born). And like Joe Biden, he hasn’t racked up the accomplishments. Which means liberals will definitely cling to his leadership. Obviously, Biden’s brand of government feeds the very swamp Trump worked to clean-up.
It’s Hard to Say Goodbye
Some Democrats seem sad to say good-bye to Feinstein.
Some of Feinstein’s colleagues praised her tenure following her announcement. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Feinstein “has been a steadfast and strong voice for the rule of law against an administration that continually jeopardized it” and said he looked forward to continuing to work with her.
Schumer said he was “deeply grateful” for Feinstein’s leadership on the committee. He added, “I know Senator Feinstein will continue her work as one of the nation’s leading advocates for women’s and voting rights, gun safety reform, civil liberties, health care, and the rights of immigrants who are yearning to become citizens of this great country.”
Should Democrats win the Senate in two Georgia runoffs, the Judiciary Committee chairmanship would be an exceedingly important job for the party. But even if the Democrats don’t prevail there, the ranking member job will require pressuring Republicans to move President-elect Joe Biden’s nominations.
But what’s with all the dramatics? She’s not leaving Congress. In fact, she’s not even leaving the committee. She’s only relinquishing the title of “leader.”
Let’s just save the celebrations for the day she finds herself at the retirement home.
