Joe Garofoli on Sen. FEINSTEIN’s return to the Senate
Joe, Senator Feinstein is back in Washington. It appears that everyone involved is saying the right things. Nancy Pelosi told the Chronicles she's glad to have her back. Senator Alex Padilla praised her return. Even Rokana, who had called for her resignation, expressed hope that she will be able to fulfill her duties. That's the reaction publicly. Are things to your knowledge as Rosie behind the scenes? They're rosier today because as on Thursday, Feinstein attended the Judiciary Committee meeting and she helped break the gridlock and got the three judges that had been in judicial purgatory, confirmation purgatory confirmed.
That's what she's there to do. She's the Democrats. They just want her, they need her vote right now. They don't need her to be barnstorming the state or doing anything along those lines. They need a vote and that's what they got. In your story for the Chronicle, breaking the news of her return, you referred to a source in communication with Senator Feinstein's family who expressed that the family is concerned about her health holding up. Do you think that those around her are actually hoping she resigns and are there reasons for concern about her continuing health? Well, she alluded to those herself when she returned to the Capitol.
She said her doctor said that she should be on a lighter workload. She still has problems with her balance and her vision. But yes, there are concerns within the family about her. She is 89 years old. She is, you know, she has the shingles. Usually, if you still have the shingles after three months, those symptoms are going to be with you for a long time, if permanently perhaps. That's the concern.
She did manage to get out. She managed that they were concerned about her flight, but she made it and she does look frail. We all saw the images of her. She's in a wheelchair. That said, there are two other senators for various reasons in wheelchairs as well. But, you know, we're going to have to get used to the sight of Diane Feinstein in a wheelchair and looking very frail for at least the foreseeable future. And you referenced the fact that Senator Feinstein is 89 years old.
Health scares at that age are not uncommon. She was able to fend off these calls for her resignation, but should she have another health episode that takes her away from the U.S. Senate between now and the end of her term? Do you think that the calls for her resignation will be stronger? Well, the people who were making those calls, particularly in the activist community, the progressive activist community, are watching her. You know, they spoke to them for a story we did in the Chronicle this week and they said, well, they're happy to see her return, happy to see her voting again. They're not going to, they're not rescinding their calls for her to resign. They are going to be watching to make sure that she continues to vote and continues to vote in the way that they'd like to, of course.
But so the heaters not off of her at all. She completed her votes in the judiciary committee on Thursday. There's not going to be another vote until early next week. And all eyes are on her. But don't expect her to bow to any outside pressure. I was talking to folks who have worked with her and have known her for 30 years. There is no one who can tell her what to do or to try and say, hey, it's time.
Not after the career that she's had, 50 years in politics, the pioneering stuff that she's done. She feels a sense of obligation to be there, to fill out her term. And that term, as we know, goes through the end of 2024. So we have a long time ahead of us here. But don't expect Diane Feinstein to back down just because some people are talking about it on Twitter or some activist groups of center of petition. That's just not in her DNA. Yeah.
All right, Joe Garifroli, always good to speak with you, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you.
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