California Gov. Gavin Newsom will name Laphonza Butler, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, to fill the vacant U.S.
I understand why Lee is so incensed that Newsom isn’t putting her in the seat (which would basically guarantee her winning in 2024), but honestly why is she running for a six year Senate term in her late seventies?
It’s American brain rot. We devote our lives to our jobs to the exclusion of everything else; family, friends, hobbies, personal projects, etc. If other jobs were as easy and fulfilling as being a Senator no one would retire.
I’m more willing to forgive members of the house running despite their old age than I am senators.
Representatives only serve two years, so they’re making a shorter commitment. It’s substantially easier for someone to think they can keep doing something for another two years than it is for them to think they can do it for another six years. Especially on health matters. But also, individual representatives are simply just less important. In our current political environment, an individual senator leaving office is going to be a huge disruption for any balance of power that’s less than 54-46, with another critical point reached at the 60-40 balance. In the house it won’t matter for any caucus that’s ahead by ~5+ seats. Even in today’s razor close house, it was elected as 222-213 seats — a nine seat gap.
There’s a decent number of older representatives out there. I wouldn’t have minded Lee sticking around there for a bit longer. The only real issue with older representatives is that by staying in office they block the pipeline for new blood and building a bench for future offices. Running for senate in her late 70s is ridiculous though, especially for a first term.
For Pelosi specifically, I’d put it at 50-50 odds that she retires shortly after the 2024 election. If it wasn’t for her personal feud with Hoyer I’d put it at near-certain. When she decides to retire, I expect she’ll stick around for one last campaign solely because it will improve her ability to fundraise for the DCCC. She’s a team player through and through.
While I agree in the lesser of two evils kind of way, meaning its better than they are in the House rather than Senate or President, I still think it is pretty shameful. If they just can’t let go of politics it is time to go back home to city and state legislative bodies.
Still, it is wonderful to read an actually well-stated view point in this post. Seems that most of the thread has devolved to name calling and verbal diarrhea.
The irony is that it very well could have been a disadvantage for her to get picked. The incumbent advantage isn’t really a thing for people appointed to the seat, and she’d be stuck doing Senate things for the next year instead of campaigning.
You “understand” why Barbara Lee is incensed the Governor of California isn’t picking one of three candidates running for a Senate seat in 2024 to assume that seat immediately, and then run as an incumbent? hahahahahaha what
I understand why Lee is so incensed that Newsom isn’t putting her in the seat (which would basically guarantee her winning in 2024), but honestly why is she running for a six year Senate term in her late seventies?
She wants to be the next Diane Feinstein.
Nancy’s running for re-election as well. These old fogies just won’t step down.
Major props to Mitt for enjoying the later years of his life.
It’s American brain rot. We devote our lives to our jobs to the exclusion of everything else; family, friends, hobbies, personal projects, etc. If other jobs were as easy and fulfilling as being a Senator no one would retire.
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lol you think younger people will be any different?
This is American, not generational.
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I think they’re going to turn into ecofascists. Solar panels, electric cars, border walls, eugenics, and genocide.
I’m more willing to forgive members of the house running despite their old age than I am senators.
Representatives only serve two years, so they’re making a shorter commitment. It’s substantially easier for someone to think they can keep doing something for another two years than it is for them to think they can do it for another six years. Especially on health matters. But also, individual representatives are simply just less important. In our current political environment, an individual senator leaving office is going to be a huge disruption for any balance of power that’s less than 54-46, with another critical point reached at the 60-40 balance. In the house it won’t matter for any caucus that’s ahead by ~5+ seats. Even in today’s razor close house, it was elected as 222-213 seats — a nine seat gap.
There’s a decent number of older representatives out there. I wouldn’t have minded Lee sticking around there for a bit longer. The only real issue with older representatives is that by staying in office they block the pipeline for new blood and building a bench for future offices. Running for senate in her late 70s is ridiculous though, especially for a first term.
For Pelosi specifically, I’d put it at 50-50 odds that she retires shortly after the 2024 election. If it wasn’t for her personal feud with Hoyer I’d put it at near-certain. When she decides to retire, I expect she’ll stick around for one last campaign solely because it will improve her ability to fundraise for the DCCC. She’s a team player through and through.
While I agree in the lesser of two evils kind of way, meaning its better than they are in the House rather than Senate or President, I still think it is pretty shameful. If they just can’t let go of politics it is time to go back home to city and state legislative bodies.
Still, it is wonderful to read an actually well-stated view point in this post. Seems that most of the thread has devolved to name calling and verbal diarrhea.
Have an upvote for some quality content!
Because these people are addicted to power
It can also be simple egotistical narcissism, not that that’s any better.
I did not know she was in her 70s 😳
Yeah see that’s why I think ages of candidates should be listed on the ballot.
The irony is that it very well could have been a disadvantage for her to get picked. The incumbent advantage isn’t really a thing for people appointed to the seat, and she’d be stuck doing Senate things for the next year instead of campaigning.
You “understand” why Barbara Lee is incensed the Governor of California isn’t picking one of three candidates running for a Senate seat in 2024 to assume that seat immediately, and then run as an incumbent? hahahahahaha what
I understand but don’t agree with it.
She wants the seat without having to win an actual election. What power hungry person wouldn’t?