“Just say aye,” Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray repeatedly pleaded to Feinstein during the vote. Eventually, Feinstein did just that.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Thursday appeared confused and attempted to deliver a longer speech during a Senate hearing, the latest in a string of episodes that have raised further questions about her ability to continue serving in office.
“Just say aye,” Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray repeatedly pleaded with her colleague.
Instead of a short reply, Feinstein began her response by saying, “I would like to support a yes vote on this, it provides $823 billion …” As the California Democrat continued to speak, an aide also intervened to try to remind the lawmaker that this was not the time for speeches.
“OK,” Feinstein then said as Murray reminded her one final time to “just say aye.” “Aye,” she finally said.
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Who are the voters that gave her another term? That is the issue. Are there literally zero other candidates who could have stepped up?
Incumbency advantage is huge. People have seen her name on the roles for years, decades. It’s a familiar sight so it’s a lot harder to win a primary. And the party is afraid a new face would win the general and flip the seat to Republicans. So it’s “safer” to keep an ineffectual incumbent in since they can be controlled, mostly.
We are suffering with that all along the west coast.
People complain and bitch all the time then just vote in the incumbent or a recycled version of them. Mostly because those already in power have bent their knee to corporations and lobbies, so as long as they play ball the campaign funding will keep flowing.
Most primary attempts are just drowned out by the money and fatigue of voters seeing too mant candidates that say the same thing… so incumbet it is.
Then comes the election where they get to choose, the same old thing OR some maga qanon crazy ready to take away basic human rights.
It sucks.