Reader discussion of shutdown, Senator Feinstein, and more.

September 30, 2023

          The purpose of this short note is to open the Comments section for reader discussion over the weekend. Because we are on the cusp of a government shutdown and because of the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein, I am opening the Comments section to all readers through Saturday at 5:00 PM Pacific (or until the first troll joins the discussion). As always, please be respectful and “like” worthy comments to flag them to the attention of other readers.

The passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein.

          Senator Dianne Feinstein led a remarkable, groundbreaking life that improved the lives of tens of millions of Californians and hundreds of millions of Americans. See NYTimes, Dianne Feinstein, 90, Dies; Oldest Sitting Senator and Fixture of California Politics. (This article is accessible to all.) It is impossible to do justice to her life in this brief newsletter, but the Times captured a portion of her accomplishments in this passage:

She achieved remarkable political breakthroughs as a woman, becoming San Francisco’s first female mayor; the first to be considered as a presidential running mate, in 1984 (Walter F. Mondale eventually chose Geraldine A. Ferraro); the first major-party candidate for governor of California; the state’s first woman elected to the Senate; and, in time, a fixture among the oldest members of the Senate. She presided over President Barack Obama’s 2009 inaugural ceremonies, another first for a woman. And in November 2022, after 30 years in the Senate, she surpassed Barbara A. Mikulski’s record as the longest-tenured female senator in American history.

          Although some might view it as unseemly to discuss the political consequences of her death, such discussion is unavoidable given her choice to remain in the Senate despite long-term illness and incapacity. Many readers have asked me to comment on two items: Who should Gavin Newsom appoint to replace Senator Feinstein and can Republicans prevent Democrats from replacing Senator Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee?

          As to the question of her replacement, I will say only that Gavin Newsom should not interfere with the current campaigns of Barbara Lee, Katie Porter, and Adam Schiff to succeed Feinstein—campaigns launched before her death. At the same time, California needs (and deserves) more than a “caretaker” replacement. California’s citizens—and all Americans—deserve an interim Senator knowledgeable in the ways of the Senate and able to hit the ground running.

          As to whether Republicans will prevent Senate Democrats from replacing Senator Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, the short answer is that they could try, but apparently will not do so. See Business Insider, GOP Insists They Won't Block Feinstein Judiciary Committee Replacement.

Other major stories on Friday worth discussing:

House Republicans voted down their own proposed continuing resolution on Friday, essentially ensuring a shutdown beginning Saturday at midnight.

A co-defendant in the Georgia case against Trump for election interference pleaded guilty to tampering with voting machines and theft of voting data.

General Mark Milley said in his retirement remarks that members of US military do not swear an oath to a “wannabe dictator.”

In a new low for Trump, he mocked Nancy Pelosi’s husband—Paul Pelosi—who was brutally attacked by an assailant looking for Speaker Pelosi at her home. (“How’s her husband doing, by the way, anybody know?”) The attendees at the California GOP convention dutifully laughed at Trump's offensive joke.

Federal district Judge Steve Jones denied Jeff Clark’s petition to remove his Georgia criminal case from Fulton County to federal court. Judge Jones also denied the removal petitions of three “false electors.” (Jeff Clark was the environmental lawyer in the DOJ who tried to take over as acting Attorney General.)

Concluding Thoughts.

          We must help bring America back to a place where it is viewed as reprehensible to mock a victim of a brutal assault, call for the execution of a military general, demand the jailing of opponents, or threaten to close media outlets. The most disturbing thing that happened this week is that Republican convention attendees laughed when Trump mocked the attack on Paul Pelosi. The most uplifting thing that happened this week was when a decent man rose to the defense of democracy as he praised his long-time political opponent and dear friend, John McCain. Joe Biden is showing us the way back to a better America.

          Talk to you on Monday!