# Feinstein’s replacement speculation and breaking news thread {Laphonza Butler sworn in} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 29, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865 "2023-09-29T14:43:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/41 "2023-09-30T12:25:14Z")
At the time, various reports circulated to the effect that some wanted Feinstein to at least give up the Judiciary Committee seat but that she and her allies would not budge on “only if I get it back when I get better” which was a non-starter on the other side. I can see how the way seats are assigned by resolution of the body instead of by appointment by the leadership leads to the de facto “no acting seat-fillers” rule — sure, they can vote (or more normally grant assent) to seat a replacement any time, but nothing forces them to then allow another vote to undo that when she “got better”. Also TBF it was not just Feinstein the person behind not letting go: there is a whole Feinstein Political Apparatus from ward clerks to Senate senior staff to SuperPAC donors that has developed over 5 decades in California and DC that would have had a whole lot of weight for the leadership in Washington and Sacramento to take into account. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/42 "2023-09-30T14:18:09Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Word on the street is Maxine Waters, long-serving U.S. Representative from L.A. Waters has said that she has no interest in the appointment according to this article – and that she supports Newsom appointing Lee: > **[Jockeying to replace Feinstein ramps up as Newsom faces pressure to act](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/29/feinstein-death-senate-seat-contest-00119079)** > > The California governor is expected to announce his pick within days, not weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/43 "2023-09-30T16:07:25Z")
Out of curiosity, are Feinstein’s staff out of a job, or would they get hired by someone else? ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/44 "2023-09-30T16:46:41Z")
I would expect the good ones with contacts and experience would get snapped up. Long time staff may be ready to retire or consult/lobby. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/45 "2023-09-30T18:39:45Z")
While the office sits vacant, her staff continue to be employed by the Senate itself. They can’t really do much — they can work on constituent issues, answer phones, etc. Upon taking office, Feinstein’s replacement will inherit her staff and both her DC and California offices. She will be free to retain or dismiss whomever she wishes. It’s likely that most of her staff would stick around for a while to help the new Senator get her feet under her, but few staffers who worked for someone with Feinstein’s seniority will want to work for a newbie long term. As @CaveMike says, they will have no shortage of professional opportunities with other Senate offices, the Administration, lobbying, etc. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/46 "2023-09-30T20:35:57Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > You’d think the Democrats would learn to stop doing that. Why? I mean the GOP basically promises to not nominate anyone but white Christians, so? > [@Procrustus](#): > > I know some of you think it’s inappropriate to hold age against a candidate, **Yes, that is called “ageism” and it is a form of bigotry.** And the thing is there are several strong announced candidates for That Senate seat. Newsom does not want to be seen as favoring any of them. so he is appointing a caretakers. The age is not relevant here, and in fact being older, and near retirement is a plus. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Would she be obligated to not run again? For that seat in the Senate, she would be _expected_ but not _obligated_ to not run again. Besides, there are several top candidates already lined up and raising funds. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/47 "2023-09-30T23:23:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > **Yes, that is called “ageism” and it is a form of bigotry.** Ageism is when you prefer a 30-year-old to a 50-year-old, because they’re more energetic and attractive. It’s not ageism when a candidate is in his or her 80s (or older) and there is a good chance that they might not be able to finish their full term. It’s certainly not ageism when a candidate has actual cognitive impairments as Feinstein did and is unable to perform in their role. But I do agree with you that if there are no legitimate health concerns (physical or mental), that age brings experience and can be a big asset. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/48 "2023-10-01T01:25:16Z")
That seems to me to be fair, if anything in politics (many, blood sucking) is fair these days. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/49 "2023-10-01T03:13:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, that is called “ageism” and it is a form of bigotry. Let’s not be too woke for good sense here. Ageism typically is used to refer to someone in their 40s or 50s being overlooked in favor of someone a decade or two younger. It’s NOT intended to be used to quash questioning of whether some ancient old geezer is fit for a job/office, or whether it’s a good thing for them to hold said job/office. 85 is IMO, too old to still be working. That’s a person who was middle aged _six_ presidents ago. Someone who could/should have retired back when Blackberries and iPods were the hot new things. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/50 "2023-10-01T03:49:33Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s not ageism when a candidate is in his or her 80s (or older) and there is a good chance that they might not be able to finish their full term. Since, in this case, there is no full term, then yes it is ageism. And do you know of any health issues for Barbara Lee? > [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s certainly not ageism when a candidate has actual cognitive impairments as Feinstein did and is unable to perform in their role. But then the concern is her health issues- which are kinda moot. > [@bump](#): > > Ageism typically is used to refer to someone in their 40s or 50s being overlooked in favor of someone a decade or two younger. It’s NOT intended to be used to quash questioning of whether some ancient old geezer is fit for a job/office, or whether it’s a good thing for them to hold said job/office. Barbara Lee is 77. By no means is she an "ancient old geezer’ all of which are pretty nasty ageist pejorative terms, on the order of “beaner” Mexican. Especially “geezer” is is very clearly pejorative. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/51 "2023-10-01T03:59:02Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > But I do agree with you that if there are no legitimate health concerns (physical or mental), that age brings experience and can be a big asset. I see this said often. That the older members of congress have more experience and that is a desirable thing. Yet, I see no evidence that being older is a benefit to a congresscritter. Sure, time in congress provides experience but that is related to time on the job, not being old. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez entered congress at 29 (she’s now 33). When she is 49 she will have 20 years of experience under her belt (assuming she makes it that far as a congresswoman). Is someone else who is 79 but also with 20 years of experience in congress “better” than AOC would be? I don’t think so. Again, there is no evidence that the older a congresscritter is the better they are at the job just because they are old. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/52 "2023-10-01T04:03:00Z")
@Atamasama @bump I’m sorry, I must object to this line of argument. Ageism doesn’t have an upper limit. If you’re using age alone as a reason to discriminate, that is ageism. Sure, if someone has cognitive impairments relative to ageing, then that can be disqualifying. But that’s not age itself, but the cognitive impairment. And it can make some sense to consider how long the person might be able to do the job based on how long they have left to live. But that’s not actually about their age, either, since there is no fixed death date. Health would obviously also play a role. However, in this case, we’re talking about cognitively healthy seniors and a job where, if they died in office, it wouldn’t be a big deal. So, while I think DrDeth was being a bit blunt, I do think it comes off a bit ageist to disqualify someone for this job based on age alone. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/53 "2023-10-01T04:05:22Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Again, there is no evidence that the older a congresscritter is the better they are at the job just because they are old. ⁢ It’s not that they’re necessarily better. (That would also be ageism, in fact.) But there is the argument that life experience is a positive. It just can also be outweighed by other factors. Plus there is a correlation between time in congress and age. I think a lot of people say “age” when they mean “experience.” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/54 "2023-10-01T04:16:32Z")
Moderating: This thread is not for arguing about ageism. Let’s drop this hijack in this thread now, please, and start a different thread if you wish to continue the discussion. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/55 "2023-10-01T13:20:48Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Plus there is a correlation between time in congress and age. I think a lot of people say “age” when they mean “experience.” Or more importantly, seniority. Seniority, and the mover-shakerness that usually accompanies it is what makes one congresscritter more influential or capable than another. Yes, there is an element of experience, of learning how the game is really played, and of accumulating favors given and owed. But an awful lot of the incremental value, and particularly in a hyper-partisan era, comes down to simple seniority. And he value of seniority is entirely a product of the House & Senate rules. That could be changed to stop rewarding seniority quite so steeply. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/56 "2023-10-02T03:10:55Z")
Being reported that Newsom intends to appoint Emily’s List president Laphonza Butler to fill the seat. > **[Newsom picks Laphonza Butler as Feinstein replacement](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/01/newsom-senate-pick-butler-00119360)** > > California’s governor chose a labor leader turned power player to serve in the Senate, and an adviser told POLITICO there were no preconditions about whether she could run in 2024. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/57 "2023-10-02T05:13:02Z")
He kept his promise to appoint a black woman. She’s also the first LGBTQ Senator from California. She was not asked to pledge not to run in the election and has until December 8th to file. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/58 "2023-10-02T05:57:30Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > She was not asked to pledge not to run in the election and has until December 8th to file. She has no base, no public awareness and no campaign chest. She wont run… for this. My guess anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/59 "2023-10-02T06:20:36Z")
Yep. This is a caretaker appointment who is understood not to have any long-term aspirations to office, much like when John Kyl was appointed to fill McCain’s seat so they’d have an R vote in a seat for a few months. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/60 "2023-10-02T06:29:20Z")
Pretty solid pick given his options. I find it interesting that Newsom has now appointed both of the current two CA senators (one of course has since won re-election) 🙂. [Looking it up](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_appointed_United_States_senators) I was mildly surprised to find that this doesn’t appear to be a unique event. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865.md?page=4)