A recent poll of voters in California show a vast majority feel Senate Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is no longer fit to serve in light of her failing health.
The Berkley IGS poll found 67 percent of Californians agree with the statement that “Feinstein’s latest illness underlines the fact that she is no longer fit to continue serving in the U.S. Senate.”
Almost 45% said Feinstein should resign from the Senate as a solution. 27% said she should be allowed to leave on her own terms. 31% said they are withholding judgement or undecided.
Interestingly, the poll notes that more Democrat voters support Feinstein’s resignation than Republican voters. That is likely due to the fact that California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) would then be able to appoint a new person to fill her seat.
Aside from her potential need to resign, over half of voters agreed with the statement, “Feinstein’s health problems are creating serious problems for the Democratic Party’s ability to get judicial nominees confirmed and get important legislation approved.”
Only 20% disagreed with that statement.
Politicians Jump to Feinstein’s Defense
A majority of voters also disagreed with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s suggestion that calls for Feinstein’s resignation are rooted in sexism.
“I don’t know what political agendas are at work that are going after Senator Feinstein in that way,” she said to ABC News. “I’ve never seen them go after a man who was sick in the senate in that way.”
She’s not the only one who rushed to Feinstein’s defense.
Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown said, “All of those people raising all those questions should be far more respectful of the more than 40 years of quality service provided to the voters of this state by Dianne Feinstein.”
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Feinstein missed 60 votes, including 25 judicial appointments, while she was away recovering from complications due to shingles.
She has announced she will not be seeking reelection.
Promote her to the DNC DCCC DSCC