Senator Dianne Feinstein, an 'icon for women in politics,' dies at 90

[littlemissmartypants]

Last edited Fri Sep 29, 2023, 07:23 PM - Edit history (3)

Source: ABC

Her career was filled with firsts: first woman mayor of SF and one of the first women elected to the U.S. Senate from California.

Friday, September 29, 2023 8:38AM

SAN FRANCISCO -- Senator Dianne Feinstein has died at 90 years old, ABC7 Insider Phil Matier has confirmed. Her career was one of many firsts. She was the first woman president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman mayor of San Francisco, and one of two of the first women elected to the U.S. Senate from California.

"Dianne Feinstein, right from the start, was an icon for women in politics," said former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Senator Chuck Schumer adds, "She's a legend. A legend in California as the first woman senator. A legend in the Senate. She was the leader on so many different issues."

Born Dianne Goldman in San Francisco on June 22, 1933, she was raised by a Russian Orthodox mother and Jewish father. She worshipped at Temple Emanuel Synagogue and graduated from San Francisco's Convent of the Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic all girls' high school. She was in the glee club, ballet, camera club and athletics.

Read more: https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

---

Last photo of Senator Feinstein pictured here with her friend and former California congresswoman, Jane Harman, taken yesterday evening.

[Lovie777]

1. R.I.P. ............................

[FalloutShelter]

2. So sorry to hear this.

She so wanted to make it through an election for her seat and not an appointment.
She was a stalwart Democrat and a role model for women in politics.
Rest in power Diane.

[dalton99a]

3. R.I.P.

[littlemissmartypants]

50. Thanks for sharing this. ❤️

[BumRushDaShow]

4. NBC News breaking

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazer in U.S. politics and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, dies at age 90

Sept. 29, 2023, 8:46 AM EDT
By Rebecca Shabad and Dareh Gregorian

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a vocal advocate of gun-control measures who was known for trying to find common ground with Republicans during her three decades in the Senate, has died, according to two sources familiar the matter. She was 90.

Feinstein, the oldest member of the Senate, the longest-serving female senator and the longest-serving senator from California, announced in February that she planned to retire at the end of her term. She had faced calls for her resignation over concerns about her health.

After she announced her retirement, President Joe Biden hailed his former Senate colleague, calling her “a passionate defender of civil liberties and a strong voice for national security policies that keep us safe while honoring our values.”

“I’ve served with more U.S. Senators than just about anyone,” he said in a statement at the time. “I can honestly say that Dianne Feinstein is one of the very best."

(snip)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dianne-feinstein-rcna18010

[Glorfindel]

5. Rest in Power, Senator Feinstein

[littlemissmartypants]

6. More...

Feinstein went on to study at Stanford University where she graduated in 1955 and was later married three times.

She had her only daughter, Katherine, with her first husband, who she divorced after three years.

In 1962, she married her second husband, Bertram Feinstein, who died in 1978 of colon cancer, just months before Feinstein became San Francisco mayor.

In 1980, Feinstein married her third husband, investment banker Richard Blum. She remained with him until his death from cancer in 2022.

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[Backseat Driver]

71. RIP.....When the going got tough, she got going!

We will miss her determination and steadfastness in representing the People of California in the halls of the nation's Senate. Much respect for you, dear Lady, and thanksgiving for your service to our country. I am so very saddened at her passing...may you rest painlessly and peacefully as you gain the wisdom of angels on high, Dianne Feinstein.

[lamp_shade]

7. A life well lived.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. More...

Feinstein's first foray into politics came in 1960 when then-Gov. Pat Brown appointed her to the California Women's Parole Board. But it was in 1969, at the age of 35, that Feinstein first held public office, winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown was in the state Senate at the time. He recalled meeting Feinstein during those years.

"I remember that I was trying to get a house here in San Francisco, when they wouldn't allow Black people easily to get houses," he said. "And there was a demonstration and this angular tall, great looking white woman pushing a baby stroller with a little kid in it, who nobody knew anything about, came out to participate in the protest. That was Dianne Feinstein! And it was that long ago, and so I am a great admirer."

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[onetexan]

9. Time to appoint Adam Schiff asap to fill the seat

RIP Senator Feinstein. Thank you for your service to our country 🇺🇸

[SoFlaBro]

12. This news ruined my morning. Why not Porter to fill the seat?

RIP Dianne

[BComplex]

28. I'm with Porter, too.

Obviously!

[oldsoftie]

42. Newsome has said he didnt want to pick someone running for the seat.

He didnt think it was fair to the others who have announced their intentions to run for the office.
I tend to agree; shouldn't be hard to find a good person who isnt interested in running in '24

[paleotn]

73. Which one? The answer is yes.

Flip a coin. Most Dems would be happy either way I think. A nice predicament to have.

[aggiesal]

75. Because she doesn't have the resume that Adam has ...

plus Katie's Orange County district is predominately (R) and if she gets appointed, her district would most likely fall back into (R) hands.
While Adam's district is a safely in the hands of (D).

[onetexan]

126. THIS!!☝️

[geardaddy]

80. Katie would be excellent.

[MistakenLamb]

20. won't do shit

Republicans will make damn sure the judiciary committee will not have a replacement

[DickKessler]

120. ....

https://x.com/mjs_dc/status/1707759191438262392

[underpants]

23. Unlikely

A pretty brutal political fight between Newsome and Nancy is about to start.

[ShazzieB]

132. Please elaborate.

Why do you think this is going to happen?

[Demguy81]

25. Newsom vowed to appoint a black woman.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-04-13/gov-gavin-newson-sen-dianne-feinstein-promise-to-appoint-a-black-woman

[cstanleytech]

104. Karen Bass maybe?

[beaglelover]

117. She was just elected mayor of L.A. Not a very fair thing to do to the people of L.A.

[cstanleytech]

130. In the long-term I think it would be better value for them to have her as a Senator.

[FBaggins]

27. It should not be Schiff

There are three candidates currently campaigning for the nomination for next fall’s election. Newsom should not “put his finger on the scale” to benefit any of the three over whatever the democratic process will give us.

Schiff is my favorite of the three - but Newsom should select a “placeholder” loyal democrat who does not intend to run for the full term.

Additionally, Newsom committed to selecting a woman of color who if the need arose.

[coffeenap]

49. An honorable placeholder choice would be Waters, imo

[TeamProg]

91. Gavin isn't going to appoint anyone who is on the candidate list for the 2024 Sen. election. nt

[TeamProg]

92. She was a fantastic Senator, human being and deserves an enormous amount of respect. nt

[DickKessler]

119. Why?

[James48]

10. How do they replace dead Senators in California?

If Feinstein dies, and if Robert Menedez is booted, does that throw control back over to the GOP?

[ET Awful]

18. I believe the Governor appoints a replacement

Until a special election can be held.

[SouthBayDem]

32. Governor has to appoint

Right now democrats have a 50-49 senate majority. Menendez leaving before Governor Newsom appoints a replacement would make the senate deadlocked 49-49 with VP Harris needing to be the tiebreaking vote.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

70. Couldn't he appoint

Barbara Boxer for the remainder of Diane's appointment?

[SouthBayDem]

103. I have not heard Boxer named as a possible interim senator

There was precedent when Jon Kyl temporarily returned to the senate after McCain died. Newsom has said he’d appoint a black woman if the seat became vacant. So Barbara Lee is a more likely replacement.

[Polybius]

110. It won't be Barbara Lee

Newsom has already ruled out appointing anyone that's currently running, and I agree with him.

[Karma13612]

37. From www.senate.gov

I believe this is how it works, but I’ll defer to others with more knowledge!

If a vacancy occurs due to a senator's death, resignation, or expulsion, the Seventeenth Amendment allows state legislatures to empower the governor to appoint a replacement to complete the term or to hold office until a special election can take place.

So, I think the gov’s of California and NJ (both Dems) would appoint replacements. I’m more concerned about the fact that Diane (RIP) was on the Senate Judiciary Committee. And the reason we needed to keep her going was because the Repugs have said they will not allow a replacement if a seat on the committee opens up. So, that could mean Biden has had his last chance to nominate and confirm judges.

Again, I’ll defer to others for verification. So, we could keep our razor thin majority, but there would be a problem on committees.

Personally, I can’t see how it’s fair that we lose our majority on a committee. Seems like that should be a given as long as we are the Majority party in the Senate.

🤷?♀️

[bdamomma]

62. Thanks for

the info. Sounds reasonable to me.

[AllyCat]

11. Oh no. So sorry to hear this.

Godspeed Ms Feinstein

[littlemissmartypants]

13. More...

In the 1970s, while serving as the first female president of the Board of Supervisors, Feinstein ran twice for mayor, but lost. She had decided to not run again, when tragedy struck the city.

The tragic assassination of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone by Supervisor Dan White in 1978 put Feinstein in the job. In 1979, Feinstein won her first full term as mayor and began reshaping the city.

During the decade she served, she survived a recall attempt, lead mostly by detractors of her proposal to ban handguns in San Francisco. She oversaw the remaking of the city's skyline, which some decried as the Manhattan-ization of San Francisco, also oversaw a raucous 1984 Democratic National Convention and saved the city's cable car system.

"The cable cars still running!" Brown exclaimed. "Cause of Dianne."


https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[iluvtennis]

14. Rest in Peace Dianne Feinstein and May your Memory be a Blessing.

[BlueKota]

15. RIP

[Joinfortmill]

16. Rest in peace. She had a difficult end.

[MistakenLamb]

17. RIP Senator

there goes any chance of any more judges for the next 16 months

[oldsoftie]

46. How do the rules NOT allow for a member who DIES to be replaced?

Regardless of what the other party says? Stepping down & dying are totally different.
I'd appoint a replacement and dare the GOP to try to stop them from taking their seat. Let THAT be the optics the people see on TV

[jimfields33]

56. Republicans won't stop the senate seat from being filled.

But the committee seats won’t be.

[oldsoftie]

112. I was referring to the committee seats. How can they stop it?

It needs to be shown on TV every day how the republicans are stopping a democrat from taking his or her rightful seat replacing a deceased member. Just send a replacement and let the chips fall where they may. The chair MUST be ba Dem, since the Dems have a majority, right? So just send Booker or whoever to take the seat & let them bitch

[DallasNE]

124. I'm With You

Last edited Fri Sep 29, 2023, 11:02 PM - Edit history (1)

This is not what the Republicans can stop. The Democrats wanted to swap Feinstein to another Committee for a Senator from that Committee becoming a member of the Judiciary Committee. This is different because there is now a vacancy that can be filled. And I don't believe Filibuster rules apply here.

Update: Here is a news article that confirms my earlier statement. Once the new Senator is sworn in then the Senate will be reshuffled and the vacancy will be filled.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-replace-dianne-feinstein-judiciary-committee-rcna118151

[DickKessler]

122. How do you know they won't be?

[onenote]

127. They don't. But it doesn't stop folks from shooting from the hip.

When the repubs indicated they wouldn't agree to a temporary substitute for Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, it was specifically in the context of her remaining a member of the Senate. It did not address the situation where she resigned or the seat otherwise became vacant. But that distinction seems to have gotten lost.

Here's the latest:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republicans-replace-dianne-feinstein-judiciary-committee-rcna118151

[ripcord]

99. Nice tribute to a liberal legend

We are going to have idiots focusing on this rather than her amazing career and it is sad they are such small people.

[ripcord]

98. How do you explain the 21 judges appointed during her absence?

[onenote]

101. Thank you.

I doubt you'll get a response.

As you note, during her absence, some 21 judicial nominees were confirmed by the Senate. A number of additional nominees were approved by the Judiciary Committee for a floor vote during her absence.

A substantial majority of Biden's judicial nominees have been confirmed with at least one Republican voting aye (usually Collins, sometimes joined by Graham and/or Romney).

[ripcord]

102. I keep reminding myself

That is only a small percentage of posters who jumped on the hate Feinstein bandwagon.

[2naSalit]

19. Oh dear!!

[calguy]

21. What a fantastic, productive life she had

Living in California at the time, the first time I heard about Dianne was on that horrible day when San Francisco mayor George Moscona and Harvey Milk were murdered by Dan White. I remember the leadership and comfort she gave the city as she assumed the role of Mayor. Her leadership and service throughout the years since then have been an inspiration to men and women not just in California, but the nation and the world.

She was one-of-a-kind, the likes of which are rare in this day and age. May she be rewarded in the after-life for a life well lived.

[littlemissmartypants]

51. ❤️

[chowder66]

83. +1

[NBachers]

22. I awaken to this here in San Francisco and it grabs my heart. Thank you, Senator Feinstein-

You made a difference.

Please respect the dead enough to save the political thrashing for later. There's time enough for that after respects have been paid.

[LoisB]

89. Thank you.

[gademocrat7]

24. R.I.P. Senator Feinstein.

[littlemissmartypants]

26. More...

The cable cars still running!" Brown exclaimed. "Cause of Dianne."

Feinstein rose to power as a crisis gripped the city's gay community. A disease that would later be called AIDS, killed thousands of gay men. Hoping to save lives, Feinstein ordered the city's bathhouses closed. A risky move, considering the political power of the gay community at the time.

Under her watch, the city's health department created the global standard for AIDS healthcare at San Francisco General Hospital. In 1990, Feinstein set her sights on a higher office, running for California governor. She lost to Republican Pete Wilson, but still made history again as the first woman in the state to win a major party's gubernatorial nomination. Then, in 1992, there was a turning point.

During what was dubbed the "Year of the Woman," Feinstein was elected to the U.S. Senate, alongside Bay Area Congresswoman Barbara Boxer.

In Congress, Feinstein served as the first woman to chair the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee. She authored the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, leading to a 10 year restriction on certain semi-automatic weapons. The legislation was prompted by the 101 California Street shooting, when a gunman opened fire at a law firm in San Francisco's financial district, killing eight people.

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[littlemissmartypants]

29. More...

"I worked with Republican and Democrats alike," said Feinstein in an interview with CSPAN. "Ten Republicans along with 46 Democrats voted in favor of the amendment."

Brown adds, "Dianne Feinstein is the only member of Congress either on the Congressional side or on the Senate side who's ever been able to get a controlled weapons ban signed into law. Dianne got that."

In 2014, Feinstein released a report revealing how the CIA was detaining and interrogating potential terrorists, sometimes torturing the suspects. The release of the report, led to anti-torture legislation.

"This program was morally, legally and administratively misguided," she said in an interview with CSPAN. "This nation should never again engage in these tactics."

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[sinkingfeeling]

30. Goodbye, good lady.

[LymphocyteLover]

31. Sad. Did she have children? I've never heard of any.

[littlemissmartypants]

35. Katherine

[onenote]

38. Yes. A daughter, Katherine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Feinstein

[ancianita]

54. Katherine Feinstein Mariano, presiding judge for 12 yrs in SF Superior Court

[LymphocyteLover]

106. Thanks!

[KewlKat]

33. May her memory be for a blessing

[livetohike]

34. Rest in peace Senator. Thank you for everything

you have worked for on behalf of your constituents and all of us. My sympathy to her family and friends .

[JohnSJ]

36. She was ahead of her time. From gun legislation, woman's rights, civil rights, taking over

as Mayor of SF, when the City was at its lowest point from jonestown, and the AIDS epidemic, fighting the discrimination against the victims of that disease and research, while much of the rest of the country put their heads in the sand while people were dying.

A truly great public servant who will be honored and remembered.

[littlemissmartypants]

52. ❤️

[Auggie]

39. Senator Feinstein signed my birthday card back in the mid 1990s ...

The office gang was thoughtful enough to take me out for lunch. Diane Feinstein and her local S.F. staff were at the same restaurant. A guest took my birthday card over to the senator and asked her to add her signature. She did, and more graciously than I could have ever imagined.

[littlemissmartypants]

53. Very cool. Thanks for sharing this. ❤️

[IronLionZion]

40. RIP

[TNNurse]

41. We found it painful to watch her in public recently. She had deteriorated.

May she rest in peace.

[Aviation Pro]

43. Rest in Peace, Giant

You're part of the ages now.

[littlemissmartypants]

44. More...

Feinstein's legislative legacy also includes:

●Creating federal coordination of Amber Alerts, the national child abduction warning system
●Passing the California Desert Protection Act, which protected millions of acres of California desert and created the Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks
●Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, to protect women from domestic violence and sexual assault
●Authoring the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, to enshrine marriage equality into federal law

In an interview with CSPAN she said, "Simply put, Americans should be free to marry the person they love regardless of sexual orientation or race."

At times, Sen. Feinstein faced criticism from some in her own party.

Some of the worst came in 2018, after she initially declined to make public a letter from Bay Area professor Christine Blasey Ford during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Brett Kavanagh. Ford had said Kavanagh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school.

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[littlemissmartypants]

45. More...

Two years later, some Democrats also criticized Feinstein for appearing too cozy with Republicans during the confirmation hearings for conservative Supreme Court appointee Amy Coney Barrett.

Still, throughout her career, Feinstein was seen as a trailblazer for women. Someone who broke barriers, juggling being a wife and mother while navigating a career in the male-dominated field of politics.

"Dianne is unbelievable in how she sets her mind and her program on doing something and it gets done," Brown said. "

In Feinstein's later years in office, concerns were raised about her mental fitness and ability to serve. She was the oldest sitting member of Congress.

https://abc7news.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-dead-obituary-san-francisco-mayor-cable-car/13635510/

[Best_man23]

47. Rest in Power, Senator Feinstein

And thank you for your service to the United States and the US Senate.

[AllaN01Bear]

48. ""

she was woman who was on the forefront of change. anyone of those , the rs go after.

[Scottie Mom]

55. R.I.P., DiFi!

[ancianita]

57. RIP, Senator Feinstein. Grateful for your service to the nation.

[bdamomma]

58. OMG

I just got goose bumps. RIP Senator Feinstein.

[Happy Hoosier]

59. She was a remarkable Public Servant. RIP. NT

[Upthevibe]

60. littlemissmartypants ........

Thank you for posting....

I just read a text from my sister about her passing as soon as I woke. I hadn't planned on watching the news this morning but just turned to CNN/MSNBC. MSNBC isn't talking about it but it may be a replay from earlier this morning.

R.I.P. Diane Feinstein....

[littlemissmartypants]

67. You're welcome, Upthevibe. ❤️

It was very hard for me to watch her being dragged recently relative to her age when she really had accomplished so much for us all.

We could use more "sisters" like Senator Feinstein.

[brer cat]

115. We do need more "sisters" like Sen. Feinstein.

She was a giant and didn't deserve the often cruel attempts to push her out recently.

Rest in peace dear lady.

[Demovictory9]

61. Omg..this is huge

[Oopsie Daisy]

63. Rest in Peace. Thanks for your lifelong dedication to public service.

[llmart]

64. She had a long life well-lived.

She gave us so much and set an example for younger generations of women. She can go to her "great reward" because of the legacy she's leaving.

[William769]

65. A great loss.

[Delphinus]

66. ...

[Iris]

68. An icon

[DinahMoeHum]

69. .

[Martin68]

72. RIP. Feinstein was a force of nature. We were lucky to have her on our side.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

74. From the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein:

Link to tweet

[littlemissmartypants]

82. Thanks for sharing this. ❤️

[paleotn]

76. A giant. A trail blazer. She will be sadly missed.

[angrychair]

77. Rest in Peace

Thank you for your years of service as a Democrat and senator.

[denvine]

78. Rest in Peace Senator Feinstein!

Thank you for your public service!

[herding cats]

79. My thoughts to those who loved her. May she RIP.

She was a force and her legacy will long be referred to when encouraging women to enter politics.

[StarryNite]

81. RIP

[DownriverDem]

84. Amazing Lady

RIP She had an amazing career.

[chowder66]

85. An incredible woman and politician. What a loss.

[greatauntoftriplets]

86. Rest in Peace, Senator Feinstein.

[MissMillie]

87. RIP Senator

and thank you for your service.

[pazzyanne]

88. A beacon of light in so many ways!

Dianne Feinstein was/ is one of my Sheroes. Pass gentle to a well deserved rest, Gentle Lady.

[niyad]

90. Rest in power, my sister.

[area51]

93. RIP

[Bayard]

94. RIP, Senator Feinstein

A shame she never got to enjoy a retirement.

But now, we have a quandary.....

[Prairie_Seagull]

96. You have more than earned your rest.

Rest in PEACE Senator Feinstein.

[lordsummerisle]

97. RIP n/t

[Ohio Joe]

100. RIP

[highplainsdem]

105. Rest in peace, Senator. And thank you.

[blogslug]

107. My utmost respect and gratitude

Rest in peace, dear lady.

[Hekate]

108. Cross gently, great one, and profound gratitude for your service to the nation. My Senator

[kimbutgar]

109. Rest in peace Senator Feinstein

I have vivid memories of her taking over as Mayor after Moscone Mayor was assassinated then Jonestown. She was there to comfort us San Franciscans during that brutal year of 1978.

[Polybius]

111. Horrendous news

I loved her so much. RIP.

[calimary]

113. And she "got outta Dodge" before the shit hit the fan.

She probably would have had plenty to say about this REPUBLICAN Shutdown that’s coming (at least as of this writing).

[crickets]

114. Thank you for all you did for our country, Senator Feinstein.

Pass peacefully to a rest well earned.

[jmowreader]

116. Rest in power, and a suggested replacement

Fiona Ma, the California State Treasurer.

Democratic as hell.

Asian woman so fits the gender and ethnicity criteria Governor Newsom wants.

Was Speaker pro Tempore of the California Assembly.

Holds degrees and certifications out any orifice you want: bachelor’s in Accounting, master’s in Taxation, MBA, and is a certified public accountant.

Plans to run for lieutenant governor rather than US Senator.

The masters in Taxation interests me a lot - it seems like such a good degree to have if you’re in Congress.

[housecat]

118. What a beautiful photo of her!

[littlemissmartypants]

121. It really is, isn't it. Thanks for the reply, housecat. ❤️

[k8conant]

123. May her memory be eternal!

[forgotmylogin]

125. ...

[LetMyPeopleVote]

128. Hillary Clinton on Dianne Feinstein.

Link to tweet

[electric_blue68]

129. 🕯️ RIP Sen Diane Feinstein. TY for your many efforts, and sucesses.

Wow, one of the rare days I didn't look at my email (where I saw the NYT headline about this, and how I found out) till just now. Nor had visited here at DU either.

[Richard D]

131. a life that mattered

[dlk]

133. Rest in peace, Senator

Feinstein was a trailblazer and accomplished much for all of us, especially women.