Some people really just don’t know when to quit while they are ahead. And for outgoing Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, that certainly seems to be the case.
I say outgoing because, yes, she has made it official that she will NOT be running for election come 2024, making this her fifth and final term in the US Senate.
In a news release on Tuesday, the 89-year-old lawmaker told the press, “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.”
She went on to describe a number of things she has accomplished already since her time in Congress began, including helping to push forward and pass legislation on the ongoing homelessness crisis, mitigating drought, preventing wildfires and making healthcare more affordable and accessible. But, as she says, there is still much to be done, and so she will remain diligent in working on those matters until her last day in office.
Or at least what her notes told her to say. As to whether or not she actually will is a very different story.
Now, while I haven’t always approved of her much more liberal legislation ideas, this is not necessarily meant as a political barb. Instead, I say she may not do much of anything because, well, she doesn’t seem to know or do much these days.
As I mentioned, she is rather old for one to still be holding public office. And according to just about everyone, that age is showing a bit more and more every day.
Hell, even during the press conference in which she made her retirement announcement, her declining mental faculties got the better of her.
As usual, following her announcement, the floor was opened up to reporters to ask a few questions. Naturally, one of those questions was why she had now chosen to retire. Her answer explained perfectly why she must.
She replied, “Well, I haven’t made that decision. I haven’t released anything.”
Umm, but you just did…
At this point, one of her staffers stepped in to remind her of that very thing, saying, “Senator, we put out your statement.”
Feinstein’s response can be described as nothing but complete shock and then a rather nice (or not-so-nice) recovery.
“You put out the statement? I didn’t know they put it out. So – it is what it is.”
Let’s just say the whole thing isn’t a good look for someone who is not only a sitting US senator but a key part of several Senate committees, including the Senate Judiciary, Intelligence, and Appropriations committees.
To be clear, I am in no way making fun of or trying to embarrass the once esteemed Senator. The ravages of age are no laughing matter. Indeed, it must be rather stressful, confusing, and infuriating to constantly be reminded of things that have already happened or that you have even done.
And yes, I say constantly because this is by no means the first time Feinstein has needed to be reminded of the goings on around her or even of decisions she’s already made.
Take, for instance, a similar situation in November, shortly after the midterms were over and new committee positions were appointed.
As the longest-serving member of the majority party, the seat of president pro tempore of the Senate was offered to Feinstein. While the position and title hold little to no power, it would have made her third in line for the Oval Office, after the President, VP, and Speaker of the House.
She wisely declined the seat.
But then, when asked about it a short time later, she told inquirers that she hadn’t decided yet and would let them know when she did. A staffer interjected this time, too, reminding her that she, in fact, had already decided and even made a public statement about it.
These, as well as a bevy of other instances, are precisely why many in Washington believe she should have bowed out, still on top, in 2018. Now, all that’s left is a mess to clean up constantly.
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