Volatile California governor recall has Democrats nervous about Feinstein seat

[hookaleft]

(CNN)It's the Democrats' doomsday scenario: California Gov. Gavin Newsom loses his recall race this fall, and a Senate vacancy is later filled by a GOP governor.

And the 50-50 Senate, currently controlled by Democrats, is run again by Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.

It's a scenario that Democrats publicly say they're confident will never happen -- but privately, many acknowledge that it's entirely possible.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 88, is less than half-way through her six-year term. Newsom, meanwhile, is struggling to energize Democratic voters, while Republicans are rallying to vote him out of office between now and September 14 -- all of which has made the race surprisingly close.

*snip*

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/13/politics/gavin-newsom-recall-dianne-feinstein/index.html

[lagomorph777]

1. Scary as hell, especially since she's one of 3 Senate seats,

which are each only about half-dem.

[Sneederbunk]

2. Wishd the article had named at least one Dem who was nervous.

[brush]

3. The sky is not falling. The recall is not a sure thing for republicans.

You wouldn't know it by some of these posts here.

[hookaleft]

4. Do you live in California??

[brush]

5. Do you?

[hookaleft]

6. Yes. I am a little concerned.

[TDale313]

7. I'm in California too.

I think the odds are Newsom survives this recall… but we can’t take that for granted. And if he does go down, based on how this works, there is a good chance we’d end up with a Republican. Who should replace him is on the same ballot and there is no runoff or threshold. And Dems, who by and large want Newsom so stay in office, are understandably not coalescing around a plan B.

That said, we should take this seriously. That doesn’t mean panicking, but Dems need to turn out and there needs to be a sense of urgency. Don’t assume it won’t happen. Work to make sure it doesn’t.

[tirebiter]

8. I got concerned when I requested bumperstickers

To show my opposition to the recall. I had been contacted earlier so called that number. I was told they were out. Luckily I dug up a couple I had from the Davis recall. I have only gotten positive response but I’ve run campaigns in the past and bumperstickers are supposed to be ubiquitous and on places besides bumpers. Like graffiti.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. The obvious smart answer is Feinstein steps down for health reasons

And Newsom immediately names her replacement.

Puke's will scream bloody murder but FUCK THEM.

But of course, our side won't make the only smart move in this situation.

May I also point out that should this calamity come to pass, we could end up with a 6-2 Supreme Court the rest of Biden's term, because McConnell will simply refuse to allow a vote on anyone Joe nominates, because he can and nobody can do shit about it (not if it happens after Nov '22 anyways)?

[Mr.Bill]

10. There is another solution to the Feinstein situation

and it can be taken care of now, or even after the recall if we should lose Newsom. We hold a supermajority in both houses of the California legislature. We could simply pass a law like they have in some other states that any governor must replace a departing member of Congress with a person of the same political party. We can over ride any veto this new governor declares.

In fact, he/she will have zero legislative power on any matter.

I should add that I don't think Feinstein will resign as long as she has a pulse.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

11. That's a great idea!

Will they do it?

[Mr.Bill]

12. I can't think of a reason why

they wouldn't.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

13. Because people will say mean things about them? Keeping the powder dry?

"Newsom lost the recall fair and square so we just shouldn't do that?"

Seems to always be any number of excuses available for avoiding these sorts of things.

If they're going to do it, they should probably do so before the election, not after.

[getagrip_already]

15. what constitutes same party?

If someone like, say, devin nunes switched parties, could he be appointed?

Not a workable solution. But requiring a special election with no interim appointment might work. Still wonky since we would be 50 to 49 and mcconnel would be majority leader until the election.

Best answer is to keep the damn gov seat or pressure her to resign now.

[Mr.Bill]

16. They make it work in other states.

I'm not sure of the exact wording in those laws, but how about "must have been a member of the same party for ten years and carry the endorsement of the state legislature"?

[JoanofArgh]

14. Sounds to me like somebody from CNN has reading DU,lol

[PortTack]

17. The state of CA 64+% dem, gqp 33+%..dems are not going to recall Newsom

CNN: ranting for ratings

Am I in CA, no have lots of family there