# 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:** 6
**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 3, 2023, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/101 "2023-10-03T19:22:18Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > Residency requirements are your basic bullshit. … Maybe in the 18th century,… Quite right. But we have an 18th century blueprint for government that cannot be updated. So we are stuck with 18th century issues being very very important, and 21st century issues being very very absent. I’m not sure what, other than tearing down the USA and building a replacement, that we can do to fix this. And right now the wrong team is the one setting the stage for the teardown and worse yet, the blueprint for the replacement. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/102 "2023-10-03T20:08:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > tearing down the USA and building a replacement I’m on Team Tear Down and Build a New One, but only after we secure a Team Blue to supervise the tearing down and rebuilding effort. This shit is wack, starting with Electoral College assuring minority rule, Supreme Court policing itself against open corruption, Senate filibustering every good idea comes down the pike, POTUS empowered to pardon any felon he likes, including himself… ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/103 "2023-10-03T20:10:53Z")
Butler was sworn in this afternoon without objections. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/104 "2023-10-03T20:15:00Z")
She registered to vote in California, establishing residency there, yesterday. > **[Feinstein's successor Laphonza Butler takes office as California's new senator](https://www.npr.org/2023/10/03/1203162488/butler-pick-draws-praise-mounting-speculation-over-2024-plans)** > > Laphonza Butler, a Democratic adviser and labor leader, was sworn in as California's newest U.S. senator. Her appointment could disrupt a crowded primary race. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/105 "2023-10-03T20:18:53Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > This shit is wack, starting with Electoral College assuring minority rule, In 2020 Biden won and had a majority of the popular vote. It’s only happened in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016, so it’s rather rare. > [@slicedalone](#): > > Senate filibustering Thats not a law, that is a Senate rule- which has been changed several times. > [@slicedalone](#): > > POTUS empowered to pardon any felon he likes, including himself Only Federal crimes, and a self-pardon is doubtful. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/106 "2023-10-03T20:25:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > 2000, and 2016, so it’s rather rare. Enough for me. But back to Feinstein’s replacement: If she chooses to run in '24 (I don’t think she will) she’ll probably take votes away from Barbara Lee most of all the three declared candidates. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/107 "2023-10-03T21:42:54Z")
And that’s probably one reason Barbara Lee is pissed off about how this went down. But, she chose to announce her candidacy for the seat. Had she hedged and waited to see if Feinstein did not make it to the end of her term, Lee probably would have been selected. But she did not know Newsom was going to rule-out current candidates. At this point all she can do is run a good campaign and see if that is enough, plus hope that Butler does not run. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/108 "2023-10-03T21:50:03Z")
I think that if Newsom wanted Barbara Lee to be the next senator, he would have chosen her rather than make his weird “but no one who wants it” statement. And if he didn’t want her, (which i believe his actions demonstrate) he would have found someone else to tap. I don’t think her having declared her candidacy had anything to do with it. I gotta admit, I’m intrigued with the choice he made. Butler has a ton of political experience for someone who hasn’t run for an office herself. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/109 "2023-10-03T21:51:26Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > she did not know Newsom was going to rule-out current candidates Pretty good guess, though. If he’d endorsed any declared candidates, he’d have gotten himself into even hotter water than he is right now, for putting a heavy thumb on the scale. I think Barbara Lee just decided to roll the dice, and hope that DiFi lived out her term. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/110 "2023-10-03T21:55:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think that if Newsom wanted Barbara Lee to be the next senator, he would have chosen her rather than make his weird “but no one who wants it” statement. And if he didn’t want her, (which i believe his actions demonstrate) he would have found someone else to tap. Yeah, you are probably right. ---
**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 3, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/111 "2023-10-03T23:51:07Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And if he didn’t want her, (which i believe his actions demonstrate) he would have found someone else to tap. I don’t think her having declared her candidacy had anything to do with it. Oh, I do. I think he mostly doesn’t want to upset Schiff and Porter who a) are so far polling stronger than Lee and b) have political clout. Newsom seems to always be relentlessly triangulating to expand his personal political alliances. Lee and the Congressional Black Caucus are (so far) [taking the high road](https://thehill.com/homenews/race-politics/4236675-black-lawmakers-praise-butler-dont-want-her-pitted-against-lee/) and Schiff and Porter are happy. I honestly don’t think Newsom would have any problem with Lee. Further if she was already the clear front runner I think he just might have pulled that trigger. But she’s not and this offends the fewest number of people the least. Pure political expediency in what was a bit of a no-win situation. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/112 "2023-10-03T23:57:04Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > But we have an 18th century blueprint for government that cannot be updated. At least not de facto. De jure, that’s the whole point of having an amendable Constitution: we ought to be able to update anything and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/113 "2023-10-03T23:57:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Note that technically Dick Cheney was not eligible for Veep. Legal Eagle screwed this up too. President and VP can be from the same state. IF they are from the same state an elector **from that state** can only vote for one of them. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/114 "2023-10-04T00:12:32Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Legal Eagle screwed this up too. President and VP can be from the same state. IF they are from the same state an elector **from that state** can only vote for one of them. Yeah, but that would have caused issues. as was said- > [@flurb](#): > > but it would have been interesting if Texas electors had been forced to cast their VP votes for someone else. The result would have been a contingent election in the Senate, which was tied as a result of the 2000 election and no VP to break ties. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/115 "2023-10-04T00:21:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, but that would have caused issues. For that particular election sure. But suppose both are from Vermont in a blowout. The 3 EVs wouldn’t matter but both can still be President & Vice-President despite being from the same state. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/116 "2023-10-04T00:25:10Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > For that particular election sure. But suppose both are from Vermont in a blowout. The 3 EVs wouldn’t matter but both can still be President & Vice-President despite being from the same state. Okay, you are correct. but back then, it would have been a shitshow, not that anyone would have been able to do anything. ---
**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 4, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/117 "2023-10-04T00:31:26Z")
In the Texas scenario, could half of the delegation vote for one and half for the other? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/118 "2023-10-04T00:34:40Z")
Yes. It is up to each elector to vote for a non-resident for one of the positions. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/119 "2023-10-04T03:36:49Z")
So what happens to Feinstein’s committee appointments? ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865/120 "2023-10-04T03:46:35Z")
Schumer will introduce a resolution to reassign her committee positions to other Democrats. It’s unlikely they’ll go to Butler – unsurprisingly, Feinstein was on some choice committees that much more senior Democrats would love to have. Schumer will have to negotiate those demands. Butler will get put on Joint Committee on Printing or whatever other assignments they use to razz freshmen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feinstein-s-replacement-speculation-and-breaking-news-thread-laphonza-butler-sworn-in/990865.md?page=7)