CNN: The California Democratic Party Endorses Kevin De León over incumbent Dianne Feinstein

[Lunar Wolf]

Washington (CNN)Leaders of the California Democratic Party on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to endorse Kevin de León for the US Senate over incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

De León, a more liberal, activist voice within the party, recently served as California State Senate president pro tempore and currently represents parts of Los Angeles. Feinstein, the leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is seeking her fifth full term in the Senate.
De León garnered 65% of the vote among the party's executive board members, Feinstein received 7% of the vote, and 28% voted "no endorsement." Sixty percent of the vote was needed for the party to officially endorse a candidate.
In a statement shortly after the endorsement, de León renewed his call for a debate against Feinstein and celebrated the win.


"Earning the endorsement of so many leaders and activists of the California Democratic Party isn't just an honor and a privilege; today's vote is a clear-eyed rejection of politics as usual in Washington, D.C.," de León said in the statement. "Through years of hard-won progress, we have proven to the world that California can forge a path for the rest of the nation."
Feinstein's campaign manager, Jeff Millman, touted the senator's Democratic primary election results.
"While 217 delegates expressed their view on Saturday, Senator Feinstein won by 2.1 million votes and earned 70% of the Democratic vote in the California Primary election, carrying every county by double digits over her opponent," Millman said in a statement. "We are confident that a large majority of California Democrats will vote to reelect Senator Feinstein in November."
The incumbent was also denied the California Democratic Party's endorsement in February when she sought it at the state's convention. Then, de León was not able to earn their endorsement outright, but he did secure enough votes (54%) to prevent one for Feinstein, who received just 37% of the delegates' votes.

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https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/15/poli...nne-feinstein-california-democrats/index.html

 

[VectorPrime]

Cool. It's Dem vs Dem due to the jungle primary so this is only a good thing.

 

[Amnixia]

Not surprising. After major wins by progressives like Ocasio-Cortez the brass finally gets that they need to get on board.

Nothing lost either, Feinstein is pretty much a undercover republican.

 

[onadesertedisland]

I don't think Feinstein has the best interest of the party in mind with her leadership. She seems more inclined to secure her tenure than direct a party that can affect change and secure leadership in government.

 

[Ponn]

People are expecting a Blue Wave in general elections but primaries are looking to be a bloodbath as well. People really want change. Even though Trump was the completely wrong direction for change DNC still needs to take notes.

 

[DrewFu]

It doesn't matter. Feingstein will still win by a landslide.

 

[PanickyFool]

Feinstein is one of the principal reasons, from her days in city government, that SF is preserved in Amber and had such wealth disparities.

In any case I am always a fan of the Democratic party removing the geriatrics and making room for long overdue new leadership.

 

[Kirblar]

People are expecting a Blue Wave in general elections but primaries are looking to be a bloodbath as well. People really want change. Even though Trump was the completely wrong direction for change DNC still needs to take notes.

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Feinstein's exactly the sort of position (safe blue seat) they should be primarying. CA's dumb jungle primaries are likely to prevent that from being a possibility though.

 

[I am a Bird]

Someone should lower feinsteins flag at half mast for her.

 

[Xiaomi]

Good. I'm sure Feinstein can continue to cozy up to police unions and healthcare lobbyists as a retiree, so it's not all bad for her.

 

[LukeOP]

Good. Hopefully Feinstein loses.

 

[norwegiandude86]

Feinstein is a republican lite anyways she will still win though

 

[Deleted member 176]

Democratic*

 

[zero_suit]

Good.

 

[DrewFu]

Good. Hopefully Feinstein loses.

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It's incredibly unlikely.

 

[onadesertedisland]

I am of the opinion that the old guard Democrats are responsible for the routing we currently have with regards to the republicans taking over the entire country. The old guard Democrats sought celebrity over service and tenure over duty. I do not thank them for doing the bare minimum in their roles. Fuck them. They did not fight, they acquiesced and here we are. Their donors are not our masters. The voters are their masters.

 

[loneliestwizard]

Jesus Christ, Dianne Feinstein is 85 years old. I can't imagine she has much of a handle on the world as it really is today after having been in public office SINCE 1970.

 

[Kirblar]

I am of the opinion that the old guard Democrats are responsible for the routing we currently have with regards to the republicans taking over the entire country. The old guard Democrats sought celebrity over service and tenure over duty. I do not thank them for doing the bare minimum in their roles. Fuck them. They did not fight, they acquiesced and here we are. Their donors are not our masters. The voters are their masters.

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This logic only makes sense if you blame the Old Guard democrats for embracing Civil Rights. Because what led to the collapse of Democratic power wasn't "accepting money from donors", it was the flight of "Dixiecrats" to the GOP in the 1968 Presdiential election and over the next 5 decades.

 

[Infamous Hawk]

Not surprising. After major wins by progressives like Ocasio-Cortez the brass finally gets that they need to get on board.

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This.

It's California. They can afford to prop up a more progressive Dem.

 

[Deleted member 17092]

Jesus Christ, Dianne Feinstein is 85 years old. I can't imagine she has much of a handle on the world as it really is today after having been in public office SINCE 1970.

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For the good of the party she should retire. I would actually be for a 70 year old limit on all public offices. In normal life you retire around then politicians should too.

She wins another term puts her at 91. That's ridiculous.

 

[Orin_linwe]

I recommend this recent episode of the history-podcast "The Dollop", that gives a fair bit of needed context to people - like me - who had a very surface-level of Feinstein in contemporary politics.

Which, for me, basically boiled down to her being female and a jew, so, of course she had to be sorta okay and decent, at worst.

http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/d/3/d/d3d...31695605&hwt=b9abeea53cfe9328b93c9a52d83746ec

It's a good listen, and also deals a little (minuscule) bit about the culture of who can become an influential politician in contemporary US, and how the actual job they do - as a representatives of the people - often gets twisted into what is essentially "office politics", and how the system makes them feel obliged to do symbolic - but ultimately wrongheaded and ephemeral - decisions that only hurt the people they ostensibly represent.

 

[ctj]

Good. Hoping De León can win even though it's probably still a long shot.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

This logic only makes sense if you blame the Old Guard democrats for embracing Civil Rights. Because what led to the collapse of Democratic power wasn't "accepting money from donors", it was the flight of "Dixiecrats" to the GOP in the 1968 Presdiential election and over the next 5 decades.

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Yup, LBJ openly and accurately stated that his and the JFK administration's Civil Rights stance would cost the party for generations due to losing a large chunk of racists.

 

[Deleted member 43]

To be honest, the fact that the California Party Leadership endorsed someone who the party membership so soundly rejected in the Primary bothers me.

It's their right, that's the rules in California, but even as someone who voted for De León, this is not a "fuck yeah" moment.

 

[jack_package_200]

Yay

She's been saying some stupid shit lately

 

[Deleted member 24907]

People are expecting a Blue Wave in general elections but primaries are looking to be a bloodbath as well. People really want change. Even though Trump was the completely wrong direction for change DNC still needs to take notes.

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Yep. The GOP had reinvented itself right into being a putrid dumpster fire. The DNC should reinvent itself, but for the better.

 

[Kirblar]

To be honest, the fact that the California Party Leadership endorsed someone who the party membership so soundly rejected in the Primary bothers me.

It's their right, that's the rules in California, but even as someone who voted for De León, this is not a "fuck yeah" moment.

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Cali is a Jungle Primary, not a normal open or closed party primary.

 

[Sei]

Feinstein has been dropping the ball on so many things lately, it's time to go.

Need someone with energy to fight in Washington.

 

[Madison]

One more vote for Medicare for All and Abolish ICE is always a plus

 

[Deleted member 2625]

Good.

Also check out the Dollop podcast on Feinstein. Was recent.

 

[gutter_trash]

Thank you for your service.

In all respects, CA deserves a Gen-Xer.

Feinstein is pre-Boomer (Silent Generation)

 

[davepoobond]

im not particularly convinced De Leon is going to be better.

Feinstein has seniority in the committees she is a part of.

 

[Deleted member 7430]

And I am going to run for mayor of Santa Rosa.

 

[Zelas]

Ok? They had a primary and she crushed him. Overwhelmingly. We're done caring about the will of the people and are back to caring about establishment types?

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Safe seats will need to be more forceful as red state/districts do good to even get elected.

One more vote for Medicare for All and Abolish ICE is always a plus

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Russian propaganda

 

[Kirblar]

Ok? They had a primary and she crushed him. Overwhelmingly. We're done caring about the will of the people and are back to caring about establishment types?

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You probably should read the OP lol

 

[Not]

Hopefully this is a good sign the Democratic establishment is realizing their younger base is only going more left.

 

[Ponn]

Feinstein has seniority in the committees she is a part of.

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Has it been worth anything lately?

 

[Titik]

De Leon seems like a better fit for today's California anyway. Plus he will be our first Hispanic senator if he wins. Wish Feinstein retired instead because I appreciate what she has done for the state but it's time to hand over the torch.

 

[Apathy]

They really need to add term limits. These people that get too cozy and don't let new blood in

 

[Mona]

Russian propaganda

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its working

 

[Deleted member 22490]

Russian propaganda

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...what?

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

Hopefully he sticks around after his probable loss so he can take over when she inevitably dies of old age during her next term.

I don't even understand why she wants to keep working. Retire and relax you ain't immortal.

 

[Gwenpoolshark]

Almost nobody liked Feinstein. I'm genuinely surprised the DNC is responding to the base in this way.

 

[Volimar]

Honestly surprising given Feinstein's fame and position.

Have a hard time seeing her lose to him though.

 

[Kirblar]

Almost nobody liked Feinstein. I'm genuinely surprised the DNC is responding to the base in this way.

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It would be very surprising if the Dem's national organization that only gets involved with Presidential elections was endorsing a candidate in a statewide election. They're not. This is the California Democratic Party.

 

[syndicalist]

During the primary, she won the top spot in every single county, including the deeply red ones. I'm supporting De Leon, but I find that pretty remarkable. I'm not sure she'll be replaced this year.

Russian propaganda

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This is offensive nonsense. Don't spread this conspiracy theory bullshit.

 

[0VERBYTE]

Fienstien needs to go. Shes 85 and surely her mindset is still set in the 1900's. I cant see anything wrong with letting a progressive young mind in to fight the GOP. She needs to pass the torch seriously.

 

[davepoobond]

Has it been worth anything lately?

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the point of getting control of the senate, she would be in charge of those committees, so i would guess its more important for next term. the whole point is getting control.

most assuredly it wont be a CA democrat heading up those committees.

and i have no idea who is next in line. could be a conservative democrat for all we know

 

[Zelas]

You probably should read the OP lol

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Leaders of the California Democratic Party

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What am I missing? This was an endorsement, from a fraction of the fraction.