Sen. Dianne Feinstein is in the last days of her political life and likely the last decade of her personal life. Perhaps that’s why she is finally calling it a career.
Politics :
Dianne Feinstein has enjoyed an illustrious career representing Democrats from the State of California since 1992. However, she will be 90 years old in June. Not only is she already the oldest sitting US Senator, but she has been experiencing a deep cognitive decline for some time. For example, she sometimes doesn’t recognize longstanding colleagues and frequently has trouble keeping up with arguments in the chamber. In fact, her Democratic cohorts opted not to name her President Pro-Tempore of the US Senate (a ceremonial position that usually goes to the oldest member of the prevailing party) due to her condition. The title instead went to Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washinton, who is 72 and seemingly still capable of being constitutionally 3rd in line to the presidency.
For the past few years, Democrats have been gently hinting at Dianne Feinstein that perhaps it was time to step down and enjoy her life outside of Washington. This year, the hinting got a bit bolder when several Democrats made it known they intend to run for her US Senate seat in the next election.
And then, the hints started coming from her constituents.
“I would much prefer a younger candidate, certainly anybody from Gen X,” said William Betts of Carlsbad, CA, who is one of her long-time small donors. “My preference is that she retires.”
“God bless her,” said Garry South, a Democratic strategist who has worked on major statewide campaigns in California. “But the most pathetic part of politics is when somebody doesn’t know when it’s time to leave.”
Well, it seems Sen. Feinstein does know when it’s time to pack up the ship. She announced her retirement from politics on Tuesday.
“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024, but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” Mrs. Feinstein said in her announcement.
As the old saying goes: “You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein has been a bedrock of the Democratic Party for decades and is owed her flowers for finally accepting that the time has come to “fold ’em.”
OK WASSUP! discusses Politics:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein to retire.
The Hill:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) needed to be corrected by a staffer on Tuesday that her office had put out a statement announcing her decision to retire from her Senate seat.
A reporter asked Feinstein, 89, if she had any message for her Senate colleagues after her retirement statement was issued by her office.
Feinstein asked the reporter what he was referring to, and he responded that he meant about her decision to not run for reelection.
“Well, I haven’t made that decision. I haven’t released anything,” she said.
“Senator, we put out your statement,” a staff member for Feinstein quickly cut in.
“You put out the statement?” Feinstein responded. “I should have known they put it out.”