They have Matlock re-runs on a continuous loop for their viewing pleasure in between “votes”.
Newsom clarifies his intentions if he has to replace Feinstein: to avoid influencing the Democratic primary for that seat, he’d install a placeholder rather than give an incumbency edge to Barbara Lee.
Barbara Lee does not like that idea one bit:
That is a stupid idea I would give it to someone likely to win next election that I most agree with politically so they have seniority over any new Senators from the November election.
I don’t know why Newsom can’t just keep his mouth shut about a Senate vacancy that doesn’t even exist. He didn’t need to pledge two years ago that he would appoint a Black woman, and he didn’t need to state recently that she would only be a placeholder. Lee’s right – pledging to appoint a Black woman to the Senate but only as a caretaker is tokenism.
We in California are well aware of this flaw of his. If/when he pushes into the national scene everyone will know it as well.
The problem has been solved 
It does now…
ETA: snap!
I’m afraid another problem has just started.
Wow, i get news alerts from… Maybe 8 papers that would report this. And my husband listens to NPR all morning. I’m shocked to learn this here.
For all the contretemps lately over her ability to serve, she had a long and distinguished career. RIP.
I half expect to see a new headline: “Feinstein Still Refusing To Give Up Committee Assignment”.
And i just got one from WaPo. (And confirmed that looks of other places are reporting it )
RIP Senator Feinstein. You had a long and storied career, broke barriers, and up until nearly the end, you were a force for good.
Can governor Newsom appoint himself to the position? (really asking)
It’s happened before. But Newsom has very publicly committed that he will appoint a Black woman to the seat, and while I’d love to see him argue how he meets the criteria I don’t think even he has the chutzpah.
Stunning news this morning. A warrior for many important causes.
Blessed is the way thou walketh today, oh soul, a place of rest is prepared for thee.
May she RIP.
On the right side of so many issues over so many years, she will be missed. She fought the good fight for all of us.
Wonder how long it took anyone to notice? Glad the whole debacle will be ending, but wonder how long she has been “near death” - while Congress was in session - w/o resigning. When was she last spotted “in the wild”?