Birds of a Feather: Pelosi Gives Surprise Endorsement

(UnitedVoice.com) – Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has lost her platform as House Speaker, but she’s still trying to stay relevant. Now, she’s stepped into the debate over the future of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who many Democrats expect to retire next year. Slippery as always, Pelosi’s making sure not to obviously take sides.

PELOSI endorses Schiff for Senate *if* Feinstein retires pic.twitter.com/yYB9YrdcG3

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 2, 2023

At 89, Feinstein is the oldest member of the Senate, and there’s growing concern about her ability to do the job. Although she hasn’t said anything about retiring, a faction of the Democratic Party is already gearing up to replace her, and a leading candidate for the nomination is Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA). Last week, Pelosi endorsed Schiff — but, careful not to alienate a potential ally, she also said that if Feinstein does run again “she has my whole-hearted support.”

The Left is eager to see Feinstein step down so they can put one of their own radical candidates forward to replace her. So far, three Democratic representatives — Katie Porter (D-CA), former Black Panther Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Bernie Sanders ally Ro Khanna (D-CA) — have been suggested, although only Porter and Schiff have formally announced a bid so far. However, Schiff would be the obvious candidate for Pelosi to back. He’s been in the House for 20 years and the two have worked closely together. He also took the lead in the 2020 impeachment attempt against former President Donald Trump, after Pelosi hand-picked him for the role.

On February 2, Pelosi praised Schiff, saying he’s “focused on strengthening our Democracy with justice” and building a fair economy. She claimed he’s always been ready to fight “extremist forces” when she asked him to, according to CNBC. Is she hoping that, if he makes it into the Senate, he’ll continue to do what she asks?

Pelosi was also full of praise for Feinstein, calling her record “remarkable” — but by endorsing Schiff, she’s made it clear that she expects the senator’s career to be over soon. Of course, many would say that, at 82, Pelosi is overdue for retirement herself.