If you’ve been racking your brain and beating your head against the wall trying to figure out why the Dems in the Senate won’t replace Diane Feinstein, you can now rest knowing the reason is…well…political.
After reading the two new bombshell reports by Politico and The New York Times today, it became clear why the Democrats don’t want Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) to leave, as well as just how terrible her medical (and mental) condition really is.
According to The New York Times, Feinstein’s health is much worse than a simple case of shingles.
Ms. Feinstein’s frail appearance was a result of several complications after she was hospitalized for shingles in February, some of which she has not publicly disclosed. The shingles spread to her face and neck, causing vision and balance impairments and facial paralysis known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The virus also brought on a previously unreported case of encephalitis, a rare but potentially debilitating complication of shingles that a spokesman confirmed on Thursday after The New York Times first revealed it, saying that the condition had “resolved itself” in March.
Characterized by swelling of the brain, post-shingles encephalitis can leave patients with lasting memory or language problems, sleep disorders, bouts of confusion, mood disorders, headaches and difficulties walking. Older patients tend to have the most trouble recovering. And even before this latest illness, Ms. Feinstein had already suffered substantial memory issues that had raised questions about her mental capacity.
The New York Times
What does this have to do with the Pelosi’s? If you saw the footage of Feinstein being wheeled into the Capitol the day she arrived, looking frail in her wheelchair, you may have noticed someone walking with her. This person could also be seen helping aides to shield her from reporters. That person was Nancy Corinne Prowda, Nancy Pelosi’s eldest daughter, who has been caring for Feinstein.
Politico explains this “arrangement” in an article where a member of the Pelosi family spoke under condition of anonymity.
Multiple people familiar with the arrangement say it’s only the most visible part of a quiet but critical role the Pelosi family has played in helping to take care of the ailing senator, both in Washington and San Francisco.
By all accounts, the arrangement is rooted in a long and friendly relationship between Feinstein and the Pelosis — twin pillars of San Francisco politics. But among some of those who are aware, it has also raised uncomfortable questions about whether Nancy Pelosi’s political interests are in conflict with Feinstein’s personal interests.
Politico
Pelosi wants Feinstein’s seat to go to Adam Schiff, which requires her to stay in the Senate for the remainder of her term. If she were to retire, Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, would nominate someone to fill her seat.
Cenk Uyger, of The Young Turks, called it earlier this week when he recalled that Gov. Newsom had promised to nominate a Black woman to fill the seat. That would most likely be Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who is a Progressive. Nancy and the establishment would rather not vote judges through than have a Progressive take the seat, according to Uygur. That makes perfect sense! #Cenkwasright
The intrigue surrounds the future of Feinstein’s seat. Pelosi has endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff, her longtime protégé and former hand-picked House Intelligence Committee chair, to succeed Feinstein after her sixth and final term ends next year. Schiff (D-Calif.) is a household name in California and already has a $15 million campaign cash advantage over his nearest competitor.
But if Feinstein were to bow to pressure and retire early, Schiff’s advantage could disappear. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has pledged to appoint a Black woman to serve out her term, and one of Schiff’s declared opponents, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), would fit the bill.
“If DiFi resigns right now, there is an enormous probability that Barbara Lee gets appointed — thus, it makes it harder for Schiff,” one Pelosi family confidant told Playbook, adding that the relationship between Pelosi, her daughter and the senator is “being kept under wraps and very, very closely held.”
Politico
In my opinion, forcing Diane Feinstein to work in her condition, and using her for political gain isn’t just shady politics, it is elder abuse.
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