Feinstein rises -- but faces a tough choice

[depakid]

Oh please, oh please....

With a Democrat returning to the White House, California's senior senator is in a top position (and characteristically butting heads with her party). But she might leave it all to run for governor.

As Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats celebrate their political ascendancy, Dianne Feinstein is front and center. And that is not always a welcome thing for members of her own party. In recent days Feinstein has sent an unmistakable signal to the president-elect and the rest of Washington: California's senior senator will not be taken for granted or hew to the party line simply because that might seem proper at the rosy dawn of a new Democratic era.

"I think people expect me to do what I think is the right thing," Feinstein said in an interview in her Capitol Hill office. "I've been here now for 16 years, and there's no sense in staying if I can't express my view, if I just have to go along."

At age 75, facing perhaps the last big political decision of her decades-long career, Feinstein finds herself in a familiar place: crosswise with members of her own party and enveloped in a swirl of will-she-or-won't-she speculation about mounting another run for governor. he choice is not easy. Feinstein has long dreamed of holding the state's top job, and if she runs in 2010, she would be the instant front-runner. But running, and winning, would mean walking away from the chairmanship of the Senate Intelligence Committee -- a job never before held by a woman -- and giving up more clout than she has ever enjoyed on Capitol Hill.

Feinstein insists that the looming decision has nothing to do with her recent clashes. And those who know her well agree that she is following a path set long ago. After all, the former San Francisco mayor marked her first headline appearance at a state Democratic Party convention nearly 20 years ago by thumbing her nose at liberals and drawing a shower of boos for embracing the death penalty.

More: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-feinstein17-2009jan17,0,1425807.story

[Thrill]

1. RUN for Governor PLEASE

There are several California House Reps who would be great replacements

[grannie4peace]

2. she needs to, she's been involved in some seedy dealings

that may come back to haunt her.

[CreekDog]

3. Among family here in the Bay Area, we agree that Dianne would do less damage as Gov. than Senator

Though I think she would be a better governor than Gavin Newsom.

[depakid]

5. I'd hoped that she'd have taken this opportunity last go round.

California might have been in less of a fix if she had....

[derby378]

4. Don't let the door hit you where natural selection split you

Feinstein has been altogether too chummy with the Bush administration. I say good riddance.

[EFerrari]

6. The party will be split about whether to support her or Newsom.

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Now I don't live in California, but....

I would think my fellow West Coasters would prefer a DEMOCRAT in the governors mansion after 6 years of Herr Gropenator.