Dianne Feinstein’s empty chair

Dianne Feinstein’s empty chair

Sept. 26, 2012

Katy Grimes: Has anyone seen Sen. Dianne Feinstein lately? She refuses to debate challenger Elizabeth Emken, she runs from reporters, and now there is news that Feinstein will not meet with the editorial boards of California’s newspapers.

What prompted her to walk away from Mark Matthews, the ABC reporter during an interview at the Democratic convention? “She (Emken) really wants to debate you,” Matthews told Feinstein during the brief interview.

“I’m running my own campaign. Thank you Mark,” Feinstein said as she started to get up. Then she sat back down and continued. “I did a large event in Modesto, three to four meetings, and Southern California… that’s what I’m going to continue to do,” Feinstein said. Then she got up, patted Matthews on the shoulder in a patronizing manner, and walked away.

“She really does not like that question,” Matthews said. “I saved that question for last.”

Senate royalty

Feinstein needs to be reminded that this is a race for the U.S. Senate — not a coronation. She’s the only U.S. Senator running for reelection who will not debate her opponent.

“U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein continues to enjoy a large advantage in her bid for a fourth full term, with a new statewide poll showing the Democratic senator widening her double-digit lead over GOP challenger Elizabeth Emken,” the Sacramento Bee reported Sunday. “Field Poll results released today show the 79-year-old incumbent leading her opponent by 26 percentage points, 57 percent to 31 percent, heading into the final seven weeks of the campaign.”

But the Bee story failed to note that other polls, including the recent California Business Roundtable/Pepperdine poll show significantly different results, with Feinstein polling at 45.9 percent, Emken at 33.6 percent, and ‘undecided’ voters still reporting in at  20.6 percent.

“Compared with the Field Poll released last month, Feinstein’s lead has shrunk from 19 percent to 12.3 percent among all voters, and just 10.3 percent among those who will ‘definitely’ vote. Feinstein continues to poll well under 50 percent, and leads with just 45.9 percent among all voters. By contrast, President Obama is polling at 52.5 percent, or 6.6 percent better than Feinstein, who has been in the office for nearly 20 years,” the Emken campaign reported.

“Nothing screams ‘entrenched incumbent’ more than a refusal to debate an opponent,” the Los Angeles Times recently wrote.

“I don’t see any point in debating my opponent,” is the response from Feinstein, the Emken campaign reported.

According to a recent Gallup poll, only one in 10 Americans approves of the job Congress is doing, tying the lowest approval rating in 38 years. Given that Feinstein has been in the Senate since 1992, and in politics since 1961, and also polls unfavorably, her refusal to debate publicly can’t help her approval numbers.

Empty chair debate

In 2009, Dianne Feinstein proudly announced support for Solyndra.

“U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision to finalize a $535 million loan guarantee to a California-based solar company, Solyndra,” Feinstein’s official Senate website reported. “The Department of Energy announced the initial selection of Solyndra as a conditional loan guarantee recipient in March and formalized the decision today at a ground-breaking ceremony in Fremont, California.”

“This is a major milestone for California’s solar industry,” Senator Feinstein said. “This federal loan guarantee of $535 million will enable Solyndra to secure affordable financing – at a time when credit is extremely tight – in order to build and operate a commercial-scale facility to manufacture the next generation of rooftop solar systems.  The operation is expected to generate at least 3,000 clean energy jobs in an area whose largest employer – NUMMI – may soon shut down. And it will ultimately help make it more affordable for more Americans to power their homes and buildings through solar energy.  So it’s a win-win for the economy and the environment.”

Feinstein’s ceremonial Senate seat has become an empty chair. Maybe Emken should hold a debate with Feinstein’s empty chair.

Clint Eastwood proved that it can be done effectively.

16 comments

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  1. Dyspeptic
    Dyspeptic 26 September, 2012, 10:08

    Old Di-Fi will continue to win re-election with 100% predictability until she becomes an obvious liability to the left wing puppet masters who really run the state. If she were declared mentally incompetent tomorrow it wouldn’t affect the election results one bit. Hell, if she died tomorrow that wouldn’t affect the election results either.

    If the decrepit dunderhead Babs Boxer can easily win reelection against a well funded and polished candidate like Carli Fiorina then Elizabeth Emken, a total unknown, doesn’t stand a chance against the pearl fondling, gun grabbing, tax raising, illegal alien hugging ‘Frisco rich witch.

    One has to remember that Kalifornia is the promised land for zombie voters. The majority of them don’t think, analyze or critically evaluate candidates or issues. They see a “D” next to someone’s name and they pull the lever like automatons. Voting a straight partisan ticket reduces the whole ugly process to something that lowest common denominator dimwits can get their feeble minds around.

    Never overestimate Kali. voters, it just leads to self delusion. Assume the worst in this regard and you will never be disappointed.

    Reply this comment
  2. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 26 September, 2012, 12:18

    I like Di-fFi, and Boxer too, they have done a decent job, even tho I don’t agree with some o their issues.

    Reply this comment
  3. SkippingDog
    SkippingDog 26 September, 2012, 12:52

    There’s absolutely no reason for DiFi to engage with Emken at all with the lead she has. Emken has never been anything other than a Republican sacrificial candidate who will quickly drop out of what little sight she’s had after November.

    Reply this comment
  4. lila
    lila 26 September, 2012, 13:21

    I couldn’t agree with you more Dyspeptic. My opinion we need to get Brown Boxer and Di-Fi out but like you said most Dem ‘s don’t use any common sense and even get the lest bit informed about what is going on in CAl or the US they just vote because of the name.

    Reply this comment
  5. Bob
    Bob 26 September, 2012, 17:31

    Feinstein needs to be reminded that this is a race for the U.S. Senate — not a coronation. She’s the only U.S. Senator running for reelection who will not debate her opponent.

    Crimestein does not need to be reminded of anything and does not need to debate anyone.

    She knows this is a kleptocracy and she will be coronated. She knows she can be in the Imperial Senate for life if she wants.

    She is a 100 year old kleptocrat who will live forever and be sent on her imperial throne for just as long.

    Now get back to work, serfs, and pay yer taxes! Crimestein demands your money!

    Reply this comment
  6. Donkey
    Donkey 27 September, 2012, 08:51

    Di-Fi can’t debate a rational mind and win in an irrational state. 🙂

    Reply this comment
  7. Donkey
    Donkey 27 September, 2012, 08:54

    Rex, have you taken your worm pill this week? California has been sending these two fools to DC for years and all we have gotten in return are illegal aliens and public debt. I sure hope it was sarcasim!!! 🙂

    Reply this comment
  8. Anti-lib
    Anti-lib 27 September, 2012, 09:01

    These elites think they are entitled to their seat due to “tenure”. The arrogance of that old prune is disgusting. Calipornia is the most liberal state in the union and they are also the most morally corrupt as well as a fiscal disaster, but people keep voting in the destroyers. Blindly pull the lever for the very people who have destroyed the state. Yea! Geniuses! You deserve what you get.

    Reply this comment
  9. Hondo
    Hondo 27 September, 2012, 10:06

    Rex, you like di-fi and boxer.
    They have helped run this state into a catastrophe. 10.3 unemployment when the rest of the nation is getting better.
    And how bout the central valley. Our two senators have chosen bait fish over family farms and jobs, hundreds of thousands of jobs.
    Those aren’t little things.
    Hondo…..

    Reply this comment
  10. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 27 September, 2012, 12:00

    I don’t mind either, I actually like Di-Fi, Boxer not so much but I do think they both have done a decent job for CA.

    Do some things bother me?? yes, like Di-Fi steering HUGE gov RE contracts to her billionaire husbands commercial RE firm CB Richard Ellis, but that is the negative, the positives are there too.

    You guys must remember I am an Independent, not a republican or democrat, I like whom I like.

    Reply this comment
  11. jimmydeeoc
    jimmydeeoc 27 September, 2012, 13:41

    Rex – I think you did forget your worm pill.

    You really think these two old yentas have been a net positive for the state? (Anyone else notice DiFi will be EIGHTY FIVE when she leaves office – or runs again – in ’18, btw?)

    In all honesty, I CAN think of a handful of things both have done that deserve praise (specifics escape me now, but I do recall having such thoughts).

    But goodness gracious – the negatives could fill shopping carts.

    Remind yourself of the concept of opportunity costs, Rex. Has she been HORRIBLE? Probably not. But you could open a phone book and pick names at random who would have done just as well, if not better.

    Reply this comment
  12. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 27 September, 2012, 14:05

    Wow, rough crowd today………..like I said, I like who I like, I don’t try to please anyone but myself. I vote my conscience.

    Reply this comment
  13. jimmydeeoc
    jimmydeeoc 27 September, 2012, 16:13

    Ohh and by the way…….anyone else notice this little slice of liberal hypocrisy:

    Romney is accused of being a “rich white guy” who is “out of touch”.

    Meanwhile, DiFi is nearly an octogenarian who also has a net worth in the tens of millions (aided, in part, by her trifecta of marrying lawyer/doctor/investment banker).

    But she’s not “out of touch”. Nope. Not a peep from the librul press.

    Pathetic.

    Reply this comment
  14. lookatthepolls
    lookatthepolls 27 September, 2012, 19:36

    I selected the link to the poll you indicated and the numbers you cited as a close race were from that organizations August 2nd poll…the same organization conducts them every two weeks and the most recent one from September 27th shows what all the rest do…in fact this poll shows Senator Feinstein over 50% and Ms. Emken now at under 29%. No wonder she isn’t debating her…why would anyone take that bait?

    Reply this comment
  15. Jay
    Jay 28 September, 2012, 20:09

    With any luck a tsunami will hit the Bay Area on election day.

    Reply this comment
  16. Pete
    Pete 11 October, 2012, 17:43

    Feinstein is a hideous individual and a reason why the Nation is bankrupt. She is now calling foe the prisoner to be moved from Gitmo to US soil. Folks run her out of office. California has to many socialists and communists in office. Vote for Prop. 32 and end the control of California from government unions.

    Reply this comment

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