# Who would make the best US Senator, Katie Porter, Adam Schiff, or Barbara Lee? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 1, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177 "2023-02-01T21:49:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [February 2, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/21 "2023-02-02T23:18:34Z")
Thanks for posting the cite. I got the information via an email received this morning but hadn’t seen anything in print till now. It’s good strategy, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/22 "2023-02-02T23:31:54Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > As for Porter’s district returning to GOP control, perhaps the demographics are more purple than red, and voters there have become comfortable with a Dem on the ballot? It would be interesting to see how heavily each party invests in the district race. Oh, sure, if the district is currently D+2, then there are better than even odds that the next Democrat to run there would also win. But I’d really rather do better than just “better than even”. > [@Icarus](#): > > Being Senator for the whole state would necessarily cover both blue and red areas, and require the ability to serve all constituencies. Schiff, due to his high profile work against Trump, and Lee, being a classic SF liberal, would have less appeal to the statewide GOP voters. Any Democrat can serve all constituencies (as opposed to Republicans, who serve no constituencies), and appealing to Republican voters isn’t really a big deal in California. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/23 "2023-02-03T03:43:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Oh, sure, if the district is currently D+2, then there are better than even odds that the next Democrat to run there would also win. But I’d really rather do better than just “better than even”. Much better than even odds. Of the 9 districts that are D+2, only 2 are held by Republicans. (That’s 22%). On the R+2 side, of the 7 districts, 3 are Dem, 3 are GOP and one is N/A. Part of the GOP’s storied candidate quality problem. Interesting, but I still think your point remains. Cite: [https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2022-partisan-voting-index/district-map-and-list](https://www.cookpolitical.com/cook-pvi/2022-partisan-voting-index/district-map-and-list) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/24 "2023-02-03T08:48:37Z")
Looking in from outside, all three of them are fine, and my hope is to not hear about this race until November 2024. (But who am I kidding, this thing is probably going to have the highest dollars-to-consequences ratio of any Senate election in history, and California’s electoral system means that the primary might not even end it. Hopefully some Republican sacrificial lamb manages to claw their way into the top two.) ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/25 "2023-02-04T23:18:05Z")
Job requirements for Senators and Reps. They should be compentent at both internal and external diplomacy. Internal diplomacy let’s them shape legislation. (Policy chops lets them shape _good_ legislation and sensible outcomes). External diplomacy keeps them in office. Senators aren’t known for their charisma: they find themselves constraining their language mostly to avoid public gaffes but also to endear themselves to the other members whose support they will need to move bills forwards. Schiff plays a strong internal game and a decent external game. However. I understand that his appearances on MSNBC are heavy on legal terminology which doesn’t move the public opinion needle. Porter, in contrast, has her whiteboard: she might be able to sell progressive ideas as sensible reform to the broader public. Democrats don’t have enough people who even try to do that. Too many are like [Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/certainly-illinois-can-do-better-than-dick-durbin/sharetoken/IE2M6Xs01oxV) who plays to the chin-stroking Washington press core, rather than pushing his team’s ball forward. (gifted link) Porter’s internal diplomacy is fine, though Schiff’s experience would probably give him an edge in this regard. For shifting public opinion though, Porter has a clear advantage AFAICT. She uses direct language rather than getting bogged down in [stare decisis, precedent, settled law or other terminology.](https://oliverwillis.substack.com/p/one-weird-trick-to-destroy-conservatives) Moreover, [she shows up](https://oliverwillis.substack.com/p/why-are-democrats-so-bad-at-getting): she tries to persuade the public of her policy goals, as opposed to merely persuading a TV audience that she knows of what she speaks. Substantive difference. Anyway, that’s my take for what the Dems need in the Senate now. Can Katie Porter fill those shoes? I’m not certain to be honest, but I think Schiff would offer the sort of competence that we already have a fair amount of. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Porter is my pick, but any of them would be s big improvement over Feinstein. God yes. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/26 "2023-02-04T23:37:20Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Much better than even odds. Of the 9 districts that are D+2, only 2 are held by Republicans. (That’s 22%). On the R+2 side, of the 7 districts, 3 are Dem, 3 are GOP and one is N/A. Part of the GOP’s storied candidate quality problem. That’s of the districts that are D+2 right at this moment. That can shift. It’s not that hard for a district that’s D+2 right now to become +0 or R+2. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/27 "2023-02-05T01:33:23Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’s of the districts that are D+2 right at this moment. That can shift. It’s not that hard for a district that’s D+2 right now to become +0 or R+2. The Cook metric is based on the past 2 Presidential Years, so the data is locked in for 2024. But _mutatis mutandis_ I agree: predictive power for 2024 will presumably be less than for 2022, sending the odds somewhat closer to 50:50. Also, I didn’t control for anything, including incumbency. Poor Republican candidate quality is a genuine effect, but including controls would probably reduce its apparent magnitude. It’s still striking how small moves of the needle can lead to big changes in electoral probability. ETA: I see wiki has a page up on the election: [2024 United States Senate elections in California - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_Senate_election_in_California) Porter has 1 endorsement. Schiff has 23, including the retired Henry Waxman. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/28 "2023-02-06T21:22:49Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Schiff plays a strong internal game and a decent external game. However. I understand that his appearances on MSNBC are heavy on legal terminology which doesn’t move the public opinion needle. I’ve seen him on MSNBC frequently, and I’d agree with this. Extremely smart, extremely well-versed in the details, but comes across as a bit of a legislative nerd. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/29 "2023-02-06T22:22:45Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > > > Schiff plays a strong internal game and a decent external game. However. I understand that his appearances on MSNBC are heavy on legal terminology which doesn’t move the public opinion needle. > > I’ve seen him on MSNBC frequently, and I’d agree with this. Extremely smart, extremely well-versed in the details, but comes across as a bit of a legislative nerd.   Kind of like the anti-Trump. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2023, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/30 "2023-02-09T03:33:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Extremely smart, extremely well-versed in the details, but comes across as a bit of a legislative nerd. Those are the sort of candidates I personally tend to prefer. The nakedly charismatic make me slightly itchy - just too damn animated and smiley all the time 😉. I prefer slightly boring policy wonks. But I do get my preferences don’t necessarily jibe with the larger electorate. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/31 "2023-02-10T01:09:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Porter is my pick, but any of them would be s big improvement over Feinstein. Feinstein is okay, but she has visably aged and looks infirm. Would you prefer a Republican? 🙄 Because that’s what the Dems get when they start dising their own people. I would pick Porter, sure, I like her style. None are bad choices. > [@silenus](#): > > she _isn’t_ an old white guy Gosh you got racism, ageism and sexism in one line. 😱 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/32 "2023-02-14T19:03:55Z")
Hooray! Feinstein is retiring! > **[Sen. Feinstein makes it official: She will retire at the end of her current term](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-02-14/dianne-feinstein-retire-term-ends-california-senator)** > > Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California’s longest-serving senator, will not run for reelection at the end of her term in 2024. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/33 "2023-02-17T16:06:30Z")
He is not old, 62 is a middle aged guy by today’s standards. He could easily serve one term and leave by 70 or 12 years and bow out from the senate at 76. Even then he will be nearly 14 years younger than Fesinstein’s current age or the age Barbara Lee will be she runs. From a 36 year old guy, you are not old. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/34 "2023-02-17T16:12:56Z")
I wonder if Governor Gavin Newsom would throw his hat and run for Senator? Its seems like a natural next step in his political career. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/35 "2023-02-17T19:28:41Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > I wonder if Governor Gavin Newsom would throw his hat and run for Senator? Its seems like a natural next step in his political career. Not now - he just got re-elected to the governorship and as I will insist every time this is brought up, Governor of California confers more influence and power than California Senator. It might be different in a state like Montana or Wyoming, but California has the resources of a substantial country and as we’ve seen Newsom is in no way deterred from using his bully pulpit to go national when it suits him. Senator is a step down for him. He might go there eventually, but the only genuine political promotion for him is effectively U.S. President and I don’t think he’s going to get there. If he takes a Senator slot it will just be to extend his political career/new experience/set up another run at the top office down the line. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/36 "2023-02-17T20:28:00Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Not now - he just got re-elected to the governorship and as I will insist every time this is brought up, Governor of California confers more influence and power than California Senator. While mostly true, this is the last time he can be elected as Governor. I doubt if he will settle down and retire. IIRC, he said he would not run vs Biden in 2024. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/37 "2023-02-17T20:59:33Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > It might be different in a state like Montana or Wyoming, but California has the resources of a substantial country and as we’ve seen Newsom is in no way deterred from using his bully pulpit to go national when it suits him. As Gavin’s own people have stated, California is on the cusp of overtaking Germany in terms of GDP growth, which would make it the 4th largest economy in the world. That’s just mind-boggling. > **[ICYMI: California Poised to Become World’s 4th Biggest Economy | California...](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/10/24/icymi-california-poised-to-become-worlds-4th-biggest-economy/)** > > SACRAMENTO – According to Bloomberg, California is poised to overtake Germany as the world’s 4th largest economy, continuing to outperform the nation and other countries in GDP growth, companies’… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/38 "2023-06-14T17:40:17Z")
Bumped. Might actually help Schiff among Cali Dems: > **[House to consider resolution to censure Adam Schiff](https://www.aol.com/house-consider-resolution-censure-adam-002122385.html)** > > The House is looking to consider a resolution to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) this week after a Republican lawmaker moved to force a vote on the measure. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), a m… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/39 "2023-06-15T14:05:13Z")
Well, there you go. > **[House rejects effort to censure and fine Democrat Adam Schiff over...](https://www.aol.com/news/house-rejects-effort-censure-fine-205814705.html)** > > The vote was a rare victory for Democrats in the Republican-led House as more than 20 GOP lawmakers joined them to block the measure. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177/40 "2023-06-21T23:46:09Z")
> **[In rowdy scene, House censures Rep. Adam Schiff over Trump-Russia investigations](https://apnews.com/article/schiff-censure-house-republicans-russia-trump-318300df0f7b4f51c5b0ba5dd91edd23)** > > The House has voted to censure California Rep. Adam Schiff for comments made several years ago about investigations into Donald Trump’s ties to Russia. The House on Wednesday rebuked the Democrat in a vote that fell along along party lines. The... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-make-the-best-us-senator-katie-porter-adam-schiff-or-barbara-lee/979177.md?page=3)