California Democratic Party Snubs Feinstein and Endorses Kevin De Leon

[RhodeIslandOne]

Source: New York Times

LOS ANGELES -- Six weeks after winning an overwhelming victory among California primary voters, Senator Dianne Feinstein suffered an embarrassing setback Saturday night as the state Democratic Party officially endorsed her rival for election this November.

Kevin de Len, the Democratic leader in California's State Senate, won the support of the party leadership despite an effort by Ms. Feinstein to convince the party not to offer an endorsement.

The vote for Mr. de Len reflected the rise of younger liberal activists in the California Democratic leadership, some of whom regard Ms. Feinstein as a moderate compared with the intensely progressive voices who are coming up through the party ranks. These activists tend to be younger and more left-leaning than the state party at large.

Mr. de Len, 51, remains a long-shot candidate in his two-way race against the 85-year-old Ms. Feinstein in November; the two Democrats are facing each other, with no Republican in the mix, after they prevailed in the state's so-called "top two" open primary last month. Still, the vote for Mr. de Leon was a reminder of Ms. Feinstein's tepid support among liberal Democrats as the party debates how to take on President Trump in the fall midterm elections.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/us/politics/feinstein-california-democrats.html

---

Bad move by California Dems in my view, regardless of looking "to the future". You have the answer of who the people wanted.....

[RhodeIslandOne]

2. I dunno

That's not really a great argument, as politics is full of assholes and that's sometimes how it has to be.

I just think if the people sent a message on election day, you take it.

[sandensea]

3. While I wouldn't phrase it quite like that, I agree.

I'm not her biggest fan (I even voted against her in a primary once in '06 over what I saw as her reluctance to call Bush out).

But besides being the incumbent senator with 26 years of seniority (plus her 14 years as San Francisco mayor), Feinstein received the most votes by far - 44% to 12%!

This snub is the kind of thing that frankly makes us Democrats live up to Will Rogers' quip about our party sometimes.

[BadgerMom]

56. Hear, hear.

And she has my vote.

[JCanete]

90. what is the point of endorsements if you are just assumed to go with the incumbent always.

Last edited Sun Jul 15, 2018, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

What makes it idiotic, and what makes it disrespectful?


That said, I'm not sure how I feel about party endorsements. Both candidates are running as a democrat, and I'm not sure whether the party should ever weigh in.

[Iliyah]

4. Still voting for her

[wryter2000]

79. Me, too. N/t

[skylucy]

5. ...

I agree. I'm disappointed in the California Dems leadership. Senator Feinstein still has my vote.

[pazzyanne]

6. A proven track record is something that needs to be considered,

and Diane Feinstein has that record. It's a shame, but she is a strong candidate. May the best woman win!

[still_one]

11. It is shame, and I suspect those behind this have NO IDEA what Feinstein has done, or even cares

Those of us in California will send a very loud and clear message in November, and it will be for Feinstein. She has done well by our state, and she will continue to do so

[pazzyanne]

81. Good for you, still_one!

I have always admired Diane, and was sad to hear that she was disrespected in that way after years of advocacy and service. Fight on, Diane!

[skylucy]

96. I know this thread is from yesterday, but the more I think about the

California Dem leadership not endorsing Feinstein, the more angry I get...and it takes ALOT to get me mad at Dems! Senator Feinstein is going to win in November, just as she won by a large margin in the primary, but it still bothers me that people in leadership just slapped down all of us who supported and VOTED for Senator Feinstein. It also makes me pretty nervous about who is in those positions of leadership that made such a counter productive, insulting and bone headed decision for our party here in CA.

[still_one]

99. I agree with you lucy. I could have bought them not endorsing anyone, but this is just pure "our

revolution" bullshit I believe, and they are working overtime to see just if they can screw up the midterms with distortions, and misrepresentations, just like they did in 2000 and 2016

[mr_liberal]

7. Just when you need her to be enthusiastic in opposing Kavanaugh. Dumb. nm

[riversedge]

88. DiFi will be VERY vocal against Kavanaugh. yes. she. will.

[JCanete]

91. why would she be less enthusiastic about opposing him? nt

[aeromanKC]

8. Time to pass the Torch

Hopefully a strong De Leon campaign will help the GOTV down ticket.

[still_one]

10. Perhaps you should be focusing on Wisconsin instead of California, since it appears your favoritr

group in your profile is Wisconsin. Us here in California will send our message loud and clear in November who we want as OUR SENATOR thank-you

[aeromanKC]

26. Actually, we all should focus on WI and FL, MO, WV, MT, MI, OH, NV, IN just to name a few

Afterall, the Russians stole a Senator from us in 2016 from WI not to mention the electoral college votes and now we have to worry about 2018 especially since the corrupt treasonous GOP Congress hasn't done anything to protect our Democracy.

Like I mentioned in my other post, it is GOTV and how it will help the Dem party and America I am interested in. A strong De Leon campaign should help out the down ballot in CA. In order to get the House back we will need some Red to Blue turnover in CA and it seems a strong De Leon campaign could help in that endeavor.

[still_one]

32. You realize the De Leon and Feinstein see eye to eye on 99% of the issues, so the assumption that

somehow De Leon would help the down ballot in California and not Feinstein I don't think appreciates the different demographic regions in our state, and actually De Leon is not going to move the red to blue turn over in the red districts being challenged by the Democratic opponent

[3Hotdogs]

70. While you have a point, I donate to candidates in states, other than my own.

I think that gives me some say and that's how I express it. I look at the candidates chances of winning and positions taken on issues.

What was her position on the Franken fiasco? That will help me determine if I will contribute in the general. It looks like she will be the candidate.

[wasupaloopa]

69. No way will that happen. "Pass the torch" and thus ignoring your best interests makes no sense.

He also has no coat tails since he is mostly unknown.

[pazzyanne]

83. To quote an old phrase: "It is never a good idea to switch horses in mid-stream!"

Minnesotans like me are still smarting over what the Democratic leadership did to Al Franken. We are in the fight of our lives for our country and there are Dems that are willing to throw proven Democrats under the bus. And we wonder why we have trouble in elections. I have no idea who De Leon is. Hopefully the California voters do their homework and engage in critical thinking.

[nolabels]

103. It's never a good idea to try to ride the same horse across an ocean

I just hope I live long enough to see her retire

[pazzyanne]

105. As long as that horse is productive, I have no problem going with experience.

Unproven horse in deep water makes me very nervous, especially at this time when our nation is in deep trouble.

[nolabels]

106. Living in a cave was also a good idea at one time.

Problem is there are not enough of them and they lack plumbing.

It makes me nervous just getting up in the morning but I will never let that stop me. One of the major reasons our country is in such disarray is because we support a few wealthy old men that think it's okay to keep hold of everything they can get there hands on into perpetuity.

[still_one]

9. I am so sick and tired of the bullshit bashing that Feinstein takes from people who I suspect have

no idea what she has done, or where she has stood on the issues, but follow like little sheep being told the LIE that she is a conservative, when they have no idea WTF they are talking about.

When SF was at the lowest point in its history after the People Temple, Moscone and Milk killings, Feinstein brought the city together.

At the height of the AIDS crisis when Reagan was slashing healthcare and ignoring the AIDS crisis, SF through Feinstein increased its AIDS budget far greater than any other city, including NY at the time. She gave Harvey Britt whatever he asked for in the budget to address the AIDS crisis, and doubled it every year. She was there in the hospitals visiting the victims, and while other cities were trying to dump their AIDS patients on SF, she tried to impress upon the Council Of Mayors how vital it was for the cities to unify and address this crisis.

She was far ahead of everyone on Women's rights, choice, gun control and every other liberal social issue, long before it became part of the populous movement.

When Feinstein wins in November, the California Democratic party will have egg all over their face.

I can hardly wait tell they contact me asking me for a donation. I'll give them an answer, and so will California in November

[rusty quoin]

12. I don't know.

I like what she has done, and also like what Socialists are doing. I just want to win for good.

[still_one]

13. Are you from California?

[rusty quoin]

16. Lived there a bit in the 90s

[still_one]

27. Not to sound rude, but us living in California will decide in November who we want as our Senator

quite nicely, regardless of the preference people from other parts of the country have for who they want to be California's Senator


As for issues like who will be the Democratic majority or minority leader in the House or Senate, that is a different issue where people not only should, but MUST express to their preferences to their respective Democratic Senators or Representatives who they would like to see as the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate

[rusty quoin]

29. You bet

[Silver Gaia]

62. Yes, I agree, we will. She will have my vote. Again.

This is not the time. Nor would it ever be really. Let DiFi retire with grace and dignity when she is ready. Trying to shove her aside is a disgusting move that I do NOT condone.

She is and has been a great Senator, and she is still needed. We need her EXPERIENCE right now, not some newbie who will have to learn the ropes. This is self-defeating BS.

[Jim Lane]

89. I really don't understand this geographical parochialism.

This is a political discussion board. Members frequently post about races in states and districts where they don't live.

This is especially appropriate for an office like U.S. Senator, which will affect all of us. Even for governorships and the like, though, I see nothing wrong with it. Heck, last year DU had multiple threads about the race to become Mayor of Omaha.

[JI7]

15. what are socialists doing ? there is no socialism in california

[rusty quoin]

17. Not yet

[JI7]

18. there won't ever be socialism in california

[rusty quoin]

19. You kidding?

[JI7]

24. not even close to it.

[rusty quoin]

21. The Democratic Party is based on socialism

[JI7]

25. no it's not.

[rusty quoin]

30. Social Security?

[JI7]

31. social security is not socialism

[rusty quoin]

33. Yeah it is

[rusty quoin]

34. It's funny to me that you argue about that

[JI7]

35. no, it's not socialism

[rusty quoin]

36. What is it then? Capitalism?

[JI7]

38. it's a safety net

[rusty quoin]

39. That's socialism

[JI7]

41. no it's not. it's funded through mainly a capitalist system

[rusty quoin]

43. Who are you? It is a system created through the government to work with the capitalist

to make sure a person who works his whole life doesn’t starve in old age.

What do you think capitalist would do for them unless the rules were enforced.

[JI7]

47. yes, so the capitalist system is still there so there is no socialism

[rusty quoin]

48. Why are you so afraid of socialism

It reminds me of when liberal was trashed by the right.

Capitalism does not go away because of socialism. It only means rules for the game. You can’t do this or that. You can’t deny people health care.

[JI7]

51. no, socialism has to do with control of means of production . high taxes and safety net programs

in itself do not make a system socialist . california is actually the biggest example of that.

[rusty quoin]

52. That is Communism. There are many examples of good socialism in Europe.

[JI7]

53. which examples are those ?

[rusty quoin]

54. All of them. You need a list? They are left of Belarus.

I gotta go but I believe in things. Many times they don’t have a cover name. Universal health care is one. Rules on corporations is another.

I could list off a big list but I think you and I probably agree with most stuff, yet you have a big problem with the word socialism.

When it comes down to it, what matters is what you believe.

I really don’t care about isms as much as I care about people.

[LiberalLovinLug]

92. "the capitalist system is still there so there is no socialism"

This is frustrating. Americans even on here it seems, think it must be one or the other. When most successful and wealthier countries use a mixed system. As does the US. Its just that they lag behind other nations in some areas, notably healthcare and things like materiny leave. That is what Democratic Socialism is. Capitalists and entrepreneurs still control the means of production, they still control most of the financial wealth in the country. But for things that are 'essential' like the military, police, schools, postal services, and a few more, it makes more sense to fund them in a socialist way. One is for the cost savings of ordering supplies, and hiring from a centralized system, as well as the logistical advantage of keeping standards the same across the board and sharing costs and bureaucracies. The same SHOULD be true for taking care of your citizens medical needs as well. If there is any 'essential' service it would seem to be medical.

[rusty quoin]

40. It's like who am I talking to?

[rusty quoin]

37. What is it?

[lapucelle]

42. Social security is a social insurance program as defined and as regulated by statute. N/T

[rusty quoin]

45. Through the federal government

[lapucelle]

49. So?

[rusty quoin]

50. Huh?

[lapucelle]

55. OK, got it. You're arguing that the Democratic Party is based on social security

and that any program instituted through and regulated and administered by the federal government is socialism. According to that reasoning:

NASA is socialism, the Federal Reserve is socialism, the military is socialism and the Democratic Party is based on a single program whose existence it predates.

[rusty quoin]

57. No

[lapucelle]

58. Huh?

[JI7]

59. exactly, with that one can say Republicans are socialists because they support spending on military

and they want to give govt money to churches and shit like that.

[lapucelle]

60. Queen Elizabeth is socialism!

The British monarchy is based on the National Health Program!

[lapucelle]

46. The Democratic Party is "based on" social security?

[roscoeroscoe]

65. I'm with you!

She's a hero!

Support your heros. This is a foolish decision.

[RandySF]

14. The party should not endorse in a Dem vs Dem contest, but I'm tempted to vote for DeLeon

I respect Feinstein very and happily voted for her in 2006 and 2012. But it is 2018 and it may be time for someone new. What is the case for DiFi other than seniority?

[SunSeeker]

20. That was a mistake. She will probably still win, although by a more narrow margin.

So all they will have done is damage her. And that does not help Dems.

[Raine]

22. I'm still voting for DiFi

after years of service she deserves better treatment then this!

[BigmanPigman]

23. Just today she announced her plan to question SCOTUS candidate.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142109385
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Saturday that the vetting process for the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court will be “incredibly difficult,’’ and that her staff is reading nearly 1 million documents that she said could give red-state Democrats reason to oppose his nomination.
Reminding supporters of her seniority in the Senate and her leadership position on the Judiciary Committee, Feinstein said she has helped write the party's modern-day battle plan for a Supreme Court confirmation. She said that she has sat in on more than 10 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court justices since she was elected in 1992. But Kavanaugh’s nomination, Feinstein said, "is beyond, [it is] different from all of them. ... Because this man will be the deciding vote on most things we hold most dear.”

“This president has said he would appoint the person that would take down Roe [v.Wade] ... and I take him at his word,’’ she said.

[rusty quoin]

28. That is what I like to hear.

[Nero Mero]

44. McCaskill will still win by landslide

Voters are not party leadership.

[George II]

74. McCaskill is running for Senator in California? Who knew?

[LittleGirl]

61. My Mother is

85 and it's time for Difi to step down and show the youngsters that she can retire with grace.

I know that DiFi has done a great deal for CA and I respect that but it's time to move on. I know that there are many here that will disagree with me and I don't like what the CA Dems did here but I understand why. I'm nearly 60 and there is a time and place for 85 yr olds to let the younger generation take over.

[Nero Mero]

63. Voters will soon decide

In a few months.

[MBS]

64. Sigh.

I agree that this is a bad move.
No endorsement is much more appropriate.

DiAnne has been doing important work lately, especially with regard to the Russia probe.

[wasupaloopa]

66. The state Democratic Party does not go into the voting booth with people.

They just made themselves irrelevant in the 2018 election.

[BlueMTexpat]

67. Go, California!

Some there seem to be treating Feinstein the way that some treated Hillary in 2016 ... and still do.

They really do NOT know the respective histories of either.

But I have confidence that Dem voters in CA will do the right thing in 2018, just as they did in 2016.

[Drake Notthesinger]

68. Ah, Sweet Suicide

Yes, let's purge our best pols!

[Le Taz Hot]

71. Oh, don't worry dear Party Faithful,

the DiFi will win in November. But you can't keep California progressives locked up forever. If nothing else, the Old Guard WILL die off or be voted out and California will become a constant thorn in the side of the Establishment Democrats currently in power. We're chippin' away . . . .

[revmclaren]

77. Oh, you're back to' poke the hive' again.

With posts like this at JPR...

[link:https://jackpineradicals.com/boards/topic/answer-to-if-you-dont-vote-for-hillary-its-a-vote-for-trump/ |

I can see why you come back to Democratic Underground to 'poke the hive'.

I'm still here and will repost this little tidbit every time you slink back to bash effective and popular Democrats on DU.

Have a great day...



Only! 2018 - 2020

Don't bother replying...

[PoliticAverse]

72. From July 5th: Feinstein won't seek California Democratic Party endorsement

Citing a need for unity, Sen. Dianne Feinstein won’t seek the California Democratic Party endorsement she was unlikely to receive anyway in her re-election campaign.

“I am respectfully asking you to vote no endorsement in the U.S. Senate race,” Feinstein said in a “Dear Friend” letter to the 350-plus party executive board members who will vote on the endorsements July 14 in Oakland. “Republicans would like nothing more than to see Democrats fighting each other ... at the exact time we need to come together and focus on the general election.”

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Feinstein-won-t-seek-California-Democratic-13052456.php

[Progressive dog]

73. In California the voters chose

and the party leadership overruled the voters.

[TryLogic]

75. I'm pretty old, but 85? Six more years? I have to question some of her motivation.

[Cartoonist]

76. Why I don't like Di

When GW took office and immediately called for tax cuts, Di was all aboard. She's one of the Rich. She didn't need a tax cut.

She thinks flag burning should be illegal. This is a betrayal of freedom. I wait to be amused by her apologists in defending that stance.

[Scruffy1]

98. I see no problems with this.

The party can endorse anyone they want and the voters can vote for any one they want. The candidate who gets the most votes wins. The loser gets some campaign experience. Some sound like they want their candidate to have a coronation. I personally don't think any 85 year old should be running for a six year term, but then that's up to the voters.

[idahoblue]

78. The party should not pick a candidate in the primary.

If their favorite does not win, the one who is on the ballot is damaged. Idaho Democratic Party and our own Blaine County Democrats have a policy to not back any candidates in the primary. Individuals support whoever they want to, but the party makes no official statement or other support. Then they can go all in for the primary winner without harmful baggage.

[PoliticAverse]

85. The California senate primary was back in June. This endorsement is for the actual election...

See: https://www.ocregister.com/2018/06/05/democrat-feinstein-wins-california-u-s-senate-primary/

[4139]

80. This will boost turnout in November and that will help in congressional races!

Not that that was their plan but I see it as a positive in the big picture 😀

[Arazi]

94. Agreed. And a younger candidate gets his name out there and the experience of the campaign

Feinstein will win hands down but the experience and name recognition gained will ve invaluable going forward. Plus the enthusiasm for the younger campaign can only help other Dem races.

She's 85 ffs. We must be looking to the future. Acknowledging that fact by endorsing the younger guy isn't smearing her since she'll win by a landslide, its setting up the next election

[revmclaren]

82. My family, friends and I will be proud

to vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein once again.

Only! 2018 - 2020.

[karin_sj]

84. As a Californian, I think this is utterly stupid and outrageous

I'm very upset that the California Democratic Party decided to go against the candidate that the California voters overwhelmingly selected in the primary (44% for Feinstein and 12% for de Len). I don't need the party to pick out our candidate. Why do we even bother voting if that's the case?

Per Wikipedia:

"Four-term Democratic incumbent Dianne Feinstein won reelection in 2012 with 63% of the vote, taking the record for the most popular votes in any U.S. Senate election in history with 7.86 million votes. Feinstein is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee."

That last sentence is really important. We need her experience and seniority, and her membership AND EXPERIENCE in the Senate Judiciary Committee. We don't need a newbie in there right now.

I think she'll win in November, but what the California Democratic Party is doing by endorsing the candidate who got FAR less votes than Feinstein did irks the crap out of me.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

86. When Senator Feinstein said Trump could be a good president I was apoplectic

I will not apologize for being apoplectic. However she has redeemed herself in my eyes and earned my support.

[left-of-center2012]

87. Passing the torch to a younger generation?

[secondwind]

93. I love Feinstein, but the Senate seat is six years... she is 85.... just a thought.

[Retrograde]

95. and the new governor will get to appoint a new senator

should that happen. It's very likely that Newsom will win the governorship this fall: if anything should happen to a sitting California senator he'll get to appoint a new one until an election can be held - and that will most likely be a Democrat.

[Retrograde]

97. Between this endorsement and Ocasio's support for challengers

I'm getting a bad feeling that unfriendly agents are trying to manipulate the coming midterm elections. I want to be wrong, but I wouldn't put anything past Putin's or McConnell's camps.

[obamanut2012]

100. DiFi won by a supermajory, won EVERY district, even De Leon's

HE COULDN'T EVEN WIN IN HIS HOME DISTRICT.

Trump is in charge, mid-terms are in like four months, and this is what they are doing???

[oasis]

101. Good luck with CA Dem fundraising after this big foot fiasco. nt

[Meadowoak]

102. How about, we vote out anyone who has a net worth of more than $100k? They don't seem to understand

Our day to day struggles. I am so tired of the argument that we need a rich businessman to "fix" the broken government. In fact, they are the ones that broke it.

[Sunlei]

104. Good that they work together- they are both Ds and win/lose we need them UNITED.