Feinstein: Trump 'can be a good president'

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY JOSH DELK - 08/30/17 09:53 AM EDT

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said late Tuesday that President Trump could "be a good president" and that he "can learn and change."

The Democratic senator's comments reportedly "shocked" the crowd in San Francisco.

"The question is whether he can learn and change," Feinstein said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "If so, I believe he can be a good president." She also said that Trump will have to "forget himself enough and have the type of empathy and direction the country needs."

Feinstein added that there "there are things that can be done" if he does not move in that direction.




Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/348515-feinstein-trump-can-be-a-good-president

---

[Zoonart]

1. Put down the pipe, Diane.

[Hortensis]

114. Insulting, a bunch? Why on earth would anyone on DU assume she meant this

and not bother to read a word further? There are other forums where knee-jerk insults and hostility to our party's most visible and distinguished members, including of course Ms. Feinstein, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. Clinton, Ms. Harris, as well as others, are applauded.

[RhodeIslandOne]

138. It was a dumb statement

None of the things she's asking for are possible. The man is an idiot.

[Hortensis]

150. Exactly. What fool needs a sarcasm balloon over Feinstein's head to understand that?

Only her enemies, and they'd just ignore that also and insist on twisting her statement. The Republicans, the Kochistas, and as it happens the Russians, are trying to destroy her, and the rest of the democratic party leadership, as an extremely important move in defeating us. That is what this is about.

[maryallen]

161. No, Sen. Feinstein, he could not ....

Not today, not tomorrow, Not Ever could Donald Trump become a good president and I cannot believe you would suggest it. Trump does not have one qualification that recommends him for the job. His intellect is sub-par; he does not read for pleasure or work; he refuses briefing papers longer than one page long;and his aides indicate that he loses his concentration even with talented orators. He is like an egotistical child incapable of empathy.

[Hortensis]

162. She's on the Senate intelligence and judiciary committees and you're pretending

there is anything at all you might be able to tell her about Trump, Washington, the planet? Maybe set aside whatever this is arising from long enough to remember she not only sees all the classified material but has to deal with that buffoons personally? Maybe permanently?

George Will happened to be speaking about Rump when he described him as someone who doesn't know what it is to know something.

[onetexan]

142. my thoughts exactly

WTH is she smoking?

[ehrnst]

157. Whatever it is that has people not getting that she's being Ironic. (nt)

[FreepFryer]

2. Of which country? (n/t)

[rusty fender]

94. Trumpistan

[madaboutharry]

3. Wrong Dianne.

She thought the same about Bush. She sometimes forgets that she is a democratic senator from California.

[ehrnst]

13. Did you even read the statement?

IF he becomes an empathetic person, then he "will be" a good president. We know the chances of that.

And then she said if he didn't become a good president, then there were "actions that could be taken."

She essentially trolling the people who say, "give him a chance" with the fact that he hasn't been a good president.

[global1]

72. Actions Can Be Taken Against NK Too....nt (sarcasm)

[Plucketeer]

81. OK - let's be honest here

No - wait - we can't. If we're honest about this, we'll get our post removed at the very least!

[ehrnst]

4. Headline is misleading - out of context

She said IF he can learn and change, he can be a good president, however, if he doesn't, "there are things that can be done."

The conditions are left out of the headline. It's like saying, "The property damage in Houston won't get any worse than it is, IF the weather suddenly reverses course immediately, and the sun comes out."

[dalton99a]

6. It's an impossible if

[skypilot]

9. That's a huge IF.

There a just far too many things he'd have to learn and have to change. And that's IF he's not as deranged as he seems to be. His derangement seems a lot more certain than any capacity for change on his part.

[area51]

112. +1 n/t

[FreepFryer]

12. Or, more accurately, "IF storms worked differently." (n/t)

[CanonRay]

17. That ship sailed

He hasn't learned shit in 8 months

[RhodeIslandOne]

139. He is an idiot

Becoming a nice guy will not change the fact he has the IQ of a can of ham salad.

[sprinkleeninow]

145. Didja mean 'spam'? Made me laugh! n/t

[sprinkleeninow]

146. (Off topic.) Remind me to ask you something. 😊

[JI7]

5. Time to retire

[ananda]

7. Okaayyy

I guess a toxic lungwort *could* be a good president.

But I wouldn't bet money on it.

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Oh Really

this balanced and centrist thinking because ....????

we really need to bend over and compromise our party away?

she knows the hammer is about to fall?

She's a bit like McCain, mavericky from the other side

[ehrnst]

33. No, it was a snarky comment, masqurading as centrist

She was saying that he's not a good president and wouldn't be unless he "forgets himself" and then throws a veiled threat.

It's like saying, "If he changes parties, he could be a good president."

[awesomerwb1]

10. Seriously Feinstein?

Yeah, a racist, corrupted, misogynistic, narcissistic POS "can be a good president".

Is she working for Breitfart now?

We need another strong Democratic woman to replace her next year. (I'm a guy and I want more women in government pronto!)

[ehrnst]

18. Reading something prior to commenting on it is helpful.

Here it is again:

"The question is whether he can learn and change," Feinstein said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "If so, I believe he can be a good president." She also said that Trump will have to "forget himself enough and have the type of empathy and direction the country needs."

Feinstein added that there "there are things that can be done" if he does not move in that direction.

She's saying he's not a good president, and would only be one "IF" he can forget himself and have empathy.

And she states that there are actions that will be taken if he doesn't become a good president, which she just stated that he won't unless he becomes a different person.

Is that clearer?

[ehrnst]

54. Are you going to flick boogers now? (nt)

[awesomerwb1]

58. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me!

Seeing that you're sooo busy replying to anyone mildly critical of Feinstein.

Quick, there's a couple of posts you haven't replied to yet!! Off you go now. Off you go.

[ehrnst]

61. Thanks for the permission! (nt)

[awesomerwb1]

62. You're welcome.

Now don't let me keep you from replying to dozens more in your lovely passive aggressive style.

Feinstein out!

[ehrnst]

64. I see someone learned a new term! Passive aggressive!

Look at you!

[woundedkarma]

57. Nope. n/t

[RhodeIslandOne]

141. I read it

The man is a fucking simpleton, he could become the most empathetic person of all time and he'd still be fucking whale shit.

[frogmarch]

11. WTF nt

[ehrnst]

20. Reading the post will tell you WTF she actually said, because the headline doesn't. (nt)

[CanonRay]

14. With all due respect madame Senator

You, are an idiot. Time for retirement

[ehrnst]

22. Another person who didn't read past the misleading headline but comments anyway. (nt)

[CanonRay]

63. Actually, I did read it.

She's still an idiot. She thinks it might be possible for Trump to change? He's shown he's incapable. I accept your apology.

[ehrnst]

82. Actually, no she doesn't think he can change. That was the point.

Last edited Thu Aug 31, 2017, 09:44 AM - Edit history (2)

She said he would need to "forget himself" in order to become a good president.

[FreepFryer]

155. +1 (n/t)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. IF he can learn and change.

Right. And if my aunt had wheels she'd be a pastry cart.

[Orrex]

16. Short of immediately reverting to the mass of diarrhea from which he was formed...

There is nothing Trump can do to become a good president.

[ehrnst]

21. Exactly. (nt)

[Ray Bruns]

19. What is wrong with the democrats. No he can't change.

Where have you been for the last 8 months, under a rock? Trump will never change. He is incapable of it. Trump can no more change than a zebra change its stripes. He is a narcissistic, misogynistic, sociopathic, con man. There will be no pivot. Why can't people get it through there thick heads? Stop this wishing against all the evidence that somehow he will become "presidential".

[ehrnst]

24. Um... that's what she's saying

She basically says that unless he becomes another person that he won't become a good president.

You seem to be missing the snark.

[Kleveland]

23. Fuck the politically correct rhetoric Diane!

Give me a break!

He is mentally abhorrent, and will never change.

Period!

He needs to go away, far, far away.

Along with his whole clan of self interested haters.

They are systematically destroying everything thing that this country was founded upon.

[ehrnst]

26. Actually reading the post will show you that it was snark.

It's like saying, "He could be a good president if he switched parties."

Read it again.

[NRaleighLiberal]

25. even reading the article, this shows a fundamental lack of understanding on her part

he is 71. He is exhibiting exactly the behavior he always has.

He Cannot...will not...change. Mostly, Can Not. The best predictor of future behavior in humans is to look at past behavior.

This really is a fundamentally wrong approach by a leading Democrat and only harms our cause.

[ehrnst]

28. She's being snarky. She may as well have said, "If he was to become a Democrat..."

as for him to "forget himself."

She's saying he's not a good president, and won't be if he doesn't change who he is.

Then she throws a veiled threat.

[NRaleighLiberal]

35. even that snark is not helpful because it gets picked up by media. there are better

more direct ways - such as "donald trump will never be a good president because...."

Most of our Democratic leaders play hands that are simply too weak, in my view.

[ehrnst]

43. So you agree the headline is misleading. And the Hill is not exactly progressive media. (nt)

[NRaleighLiberal]

44. no, I don't think the headline was misleading because that is what she said.

And it doesn't matter what kind of media it is - words matter, and our leaders must be more careful which words they use.

It all just makes me realize that there is right and left....but also the game of politics - us and them. We are not part of their club.

And yes, I am very cynical these days. And very pissed off.

[ehrnst]

48. Right, and Obama actually said, "You didn't build that."

And we know how that was spun to mean something it didn't.

[NRaleighLiberal]

52. Understood. Your OP is valuable for creating a pretty vigorous discussion!

And discussion is exactly what DU is for - I realize I am really hard on all of our party's leaders right now, because we are not nearly as good at playing "their" game - we are not as "mean". But I think with all that is at stake, it is time to play a far stronger hand.

have a great day.

[sprinkleeninow]

100. Democrats in public service must choose their words CAREFULLY! eom

[muriel_volestrangler]

123. No, there's no snark in it at all. You can watch the video

There's an excerpt at the link, and also the whole thing, if you want any context (but I don't think the context changes anything) - the first quotes come from 55:25. The bit about Democrats making more noise is from 1:03:45.

She really means it. She hopes he can 'learn', and thinks that is both possible and good enough. She says "we have to have some patience", and that the problem is his "feeling for himself" - ignoring the racism of his supporters that got him elected, or the greed of the entire Republican party. There are far more problems to Trump than just his narcissism. Tauscher says he's missing his "heart and soul", but Feinstein says she won't say that because she wants to gets bills through, and she has to "work with people".

It's pathetic. She rolls over, and says "oooh, call yourself a compassionate conservative, Mr. Trump, and everything will be fine".

"A veiled threat?" Oh, what bollocks. What on earth have you read or heard in that that made you think of a threat?

[sprinkleeninow]

98. I agree that this is a wrong approach by a

figurehead Democrat.

Her statement contains a subliminal message that the neanderthals could/would misinterpret/twist to read that she thinks given a chance, he could serve effectively.
Which is a huge load of crap.

[SweetieD]

109. They already are. I saw this posted by some conservative type on Facebook.

[sprinkleeninow]

118. There ya go. I rest my case. eom

[sprinkleeninow]

120. Clarifying--Load of crap being directed at

the bogus imposter, not at Sen. Feinstein's remarks.

[mahina]

27. She also just said the Arapaio pardon was stupid.

Agreed.

[Dustlawyer]

29. and monkeys will fly out of my butt!

[ehrnst]

53. That's the point she was making. (nt)

[edhopper]

30. Ray and Kleveland

you got it right. Enough with the subtle and mannered remarks.
Trump is a narcissistic sociopath and needs to be called out.
Not coaxed into being a good man he is incapable of being.

[ehrnst]

42. You really think that she was serious? She called him a bad president that

wouldn't be a good one until he essentially changed who he was, then threw a veiled threat.

It's like saying, "Well, if Hurricanes would just change the way that they form, then coastal cities will have no future threat of damage from Hurricanes."

And someone quotes: "Ernst says that "coastal cities will have no future threat of damage from Hurricanes" as the headline.

[edhopper]

73. we aren't morons,

we get that. I said she was too subtle and mannered.
Chiding him with a soft remark.
It's no longer time for that.
Outrage at his Presidency is the only worthwhile reaction now.
Saying he could be a good man if he changed is worthless.

[ehrnst]

87. Many here seem to think that she actually thinks he can become a "good president"

When she backhanded that he isn't now, and that he would have to "forget himself" and "have empathy" in order to do so.

So, no, they aren't morons, but I think that there are many ready to pile on Pelosi, just like right wingers did on Obama when conservative press said that "Obama told business leaders that they didn't build their businesses!!!!"

[edhopper]

92. okay

Last edited Wed Aug 30, 2017, 02:56 PM - Edit history (1)

but I didn't.
I fully understood her remarks and found them wanting.
The time for sly backhanded talk in the face of fascism is long gone.

[ehrnst]

110. And if she was to call him a facist? What would that accomplish,

especially since Dems have pointed out all the namecalling that the GOP did to Obama, as defense for calling him what he is.

The backhanded insult is something she's done before, and her constituents seem to like it.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/06/09/nancy-pelosi-trump-needs-sleep-and-shes-worried-his-fitness/102673648/

[muriel_volestrangler]

124. Since you keep mentioning Nancy Pelosi, I guess you've only barely skimmed the article

since it's about Dianne Feinstein, not Nancy Pelosi. This would explain why you're talking about 'snark' as well, when Feinstein seems completely straightforward and sincere when she says he might learn and then he'd be an OK president, and people need patience.

[ehrnst]

125. Yes, I understand that.

And like Pelosi, I think people think that she is serious, and like Pelosi, she is a woman "past her prime" that many think should just go away.

She's capable of snark, even though she's an old broad.

I also know that she's not Obama, if you're wondering about the post about Obama's saying that "You didn't build that" got misrepresented.

[SCVDem]

31. Time to retire!

Dumps delusions are contagious.

[Bleacher Creature]

32. That's an absurd statement.

He has no capacity to learn, and less to change. He's not wired that way.

It's like saying that I could win a weightlifting competition if I got new arms. In theory, that's an accurate statement. In reality, it's not a reasonable possibility.

[ehrnst]

37. Exactly. It's impossible for him to do the thing she said will make him "a good president."(nt)

[El Mimbreno]

34. Leapards can't change their spots...

Because they don't have spots, they have rosettes. Damned if I can figure out what trump has, but his lifetime of idle privilege makes him unable to change. So, "there are things that can be done" .

[Hulk Smash II]

36. California can do a lot better than this nitwit.

Primary time!

[ehrnst]

39. You don't get snark, do you? (nt)

[Plucketeer]

74. There's a difference between

"snark" and a dumb statement.

[ehrnst]

84. She "concern trolls" him a lot. This is just another way of trolling him. (nt)

Last edited Wed Aug 30, 2017, 06:26 PM - Edit history (2)

[Plucketeer]

91. Ain't buyin' it

I'd love to see her start a new career, but stand-up comedienne wouldn't be a good choice. It was the literal interpretation of stupid statements that got us into this mess. Throwing MORE stupid - however it was meant to come across - just feeds the lingering ashes of idiocy.
Of course, you're free (here) to prop up your perforated theory. We were all so confident that Donald John Dunce could never ascend to the throne. Power of positive thinking an' all that.

[sprinkleeninow]

102. Diane should quit 'concern trolling' the fraudulent. eom

[ehrnst]

131. So, tell us what should she be doing instead? (nt)

[sprinkleeninow]

144. I posited above thread that the, shall we call them the

deplorables (as they are coined), could/would interpret/twist her comments into an 180° flip of what she 'really' said.

They twist EVERYTHING! TWISTED!

What should she do? Stick to serious business. ALL those who represent 'us' in the Party of Democrats.

The juvenile deliquent in the Peoples' House shows his level with twitlering and trollering and b.s.

You got me going. I don't mind Sen. Feinstein and appreciate any beneficent work she has done/is doing.

I'm just so weary of nonsense. That's all.

Heard earlier from a dear heart in Houston that he and his have been spared so far. Right smack in the middle of horrendous residential flooding. I still have grave concern.

[still_one]

66. Are you from California? Frankly, her comment had a lot of qualifiers which aren't going to happen

with trump. I recall an opposite an similar reaction when someone, whose name eludes me at this moment, said that supporters
are not deplorable, and NO qualifiers were added with that statement

[Oneironaut]

38. He could be, but he won't be.

He's too arrogant. He thinks he knows everything. He won't listen to anybody. He's the worst type of idiot - the type that thinks he's the smartest and everybody else is stupid.

[ehrnst]

40. That's exactly what she's saying. (nt)

[notKeith]

41. Stop with the Republican Framing, dammit.

"The question is whether he can learn and change," Feinstein said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "If so, I believe he can be a good president." She also said that Trump will have to "forget himself enough and have the type of empathy and direction the country needs."

This is bullshit. So, you're ignoring the racist legal shit he was involved with in the 70s? The Trump U scam? The Russian money? The non-stop river of lies?

Jesus H Christ, Feinstein - what is wrong with you?

[ehrnst]

47. She's saying he's a bad president and will be until he changes who he is. Then threatens him.

We all know he won't change - his supporters absolutely think that.

[world wide wally]

45. The ONLY way Trump can change is

If he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve...and that is pretty unlikely.

[ehrnst]

50. Exactly. (nt)

[BeyondGeography]

46. Retire already

Boxer wasn't an idiot, but her retirement was a good thing as it cleared the way for Kamala Harris. Too many Dems hang on for too long. Get out of the way, Senator.

[ehrnst]

49. Not getting the irony in her statement, are you? (nt)

[BeyondGeography]

56. There is no point in being cute about Trump

And Feinstein's reputation for playing footsie with neocons precedes her.

Sorry your defense of her here isn't going better.

[ehrnst]

85. Sounds like you have decided that nothing she does is good. (nt)

[ehrnst]

89. So tell me how she "plays footsie" with Neocons.

[Javaman]

55. this is the basic failure of normal people make when dealing with a psychopath...

They have this unfounded belief that psychopaths can reform and change.

psychopaths can't. they can't me made or forced to feel. Period.

there is no changing for tRump.

what you see is what we got.

[ehrnst]

59. No, she doesn't believe that he can change. That statement was ironic, and she followed it with

threat.

[ehrnst]

60. Just like "Obama told business leaders that they didn't build their businesses!" (nt)

[airmid]

67. Hell...Trump hardly rates as human.

[LenaBaby61]

75. Hell...Trump hardly rates as human.

+1,000

[ehrnst]

68. Oh. look - Pelosi wants him to get more sleep, like that's going to make him "fit for office" !!!!

Primary her!! Wanting him to get more sleep, like she's "worried" that he's unfit for office!! We KNOW that he's unfit for office, lady! Stop talking like he is!!!

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Friday that President Trump "needs sleep" and she is "worried about his fitness" for office.

The California Democrat made the comments at her weekly news conference in response to questions from reporters about Trump's tweets firing back at former FBI James Comey for Comey's testimony Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Pelosi said no one at the White House appears to be "brave enough" to tell the president that his tweets are "beneath the dignity of the office you serve."

She also wondered about Trump's fitness for office.

"The president's fitness for office is something that has been called into question," she said. "I'm very worried about his fitness."

She said she doesn't know if anyone in the White House "has the courage" to try to make Trump be more disciplined about his actions and tweets.

"It's too bad because he needs work, and he needs sleep," Pelosi said.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/06/09/nancy-pelosi-trump-needs-sleep-and-shes-worried-his-fitness/102673648/

[MBS]

69. ?HUH? No, Diane, he can't learn and change.

If there were ever a hopeless case - a dangerously hopeless case - Trump is it.
And no chance that he will ever "forget himself" or develop anything even close to empathy.

Ordinarily, I am by temperament and philosophical conviction an optimist.
But I see NO hope for Trump.
The only hope for our country is to remove Trump from office.
I agree with a poster (I think on DU) who wrote a few weeks ago:
every day that Trump is in office, our country is in danger.

[ehrnst]

88. That's what she was saying in a backhanded way.

We all know he won't change, and that's one reason his supporters love him. She's trolling them, too.

[MBS]

97. You're right (I hope!)

The headline of the article was definitely misleading- it omitted that all-important IF.

She's pretty savvy, and, among other issues, knows way too much about the Russia Thing (her ashen face at a news conference - last year, I think - told me everything I needed to know about the seriousness of the situation) to be bamboozled by anything he says or does.

If she's playing games with him, fingers crossed she is victorious.

[ehrnst]

104. Yes, she's done this before, and she's no fool.

Unlike what many on this thread seem to think.

[FreepFryer]

156. Senatorial culture is hard for most people to understand. This was damning with faint praise. (n/t)

[usaf-vet]

70. WHAT !! ??

SERIOUSLY !! ??

[njhoneybadger]

71. Nah, She jumped the shark, time To go bye bye

[ehrnst]

107. No, she's concern trolling. But if you're here to bash

Democratic leaders, you won't be here long.

[riversedge]

76. Sorry D. but Trump has had his chances! ""The question is whether he can learn and change,"NOPE

[Eugene]

77. The operative word here is "IF."

The original SF Chronicle article is useful to providing context:

Feinstein surprises SF crowd by expressing hope for Trump

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Feinstein-surprises-SF-crowd-by-expressing-hope-12160141.php

______________________________________________________________________

I'll give the Senator the benefit of the doubt for trying to be the good statesperson, but I think Trump is incorrigible.

[Freethinker65]

78. And Feinstein 'can be a good' Senator, if she would just disregard her personal financial holdings..

...enough to have the type of empathy and direction the country needs.


To her credit, at least we have seen the 'good' in the Senator in the past. We have yet to see any good from Trump that does not benefit Trump.

[ehrnst]

90. What about her "financial holdings" is suspect?

I haven't heard about that.

[SHRED]

79. LOL

She's funny.

[MFM008]

80. Doesn't she see the Russia

Intel????

[ehrnst]

86. She's concern trolling. She doesn't think he will change at all. That's why she said

"if" he changes who he is "then" he will be a good president. Which is saying that he's not, and we all know that he won't change. His supporters count on him not changing. She's trolling them as well.

[FakeNoose]

103. Yes she knew everything as soon as Obama did - before the election

Feinstein is on that committee and she has security clearance.

That's why her statement doesn't make sense. Maybe she's trying to give Cheeto a false sense of security?

[ehrnst]

106. I think that it's trolling him and his supporters.

They don't want him to "change" or "forget himself" or get any snowflake "empathy."

She's underlining that, and the fact that "he could become" a "good president," meaning that he isn't currently.

[The_Casual_Observer]

83. If anything trump is going to move in the opposite direction.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

93. This is precisely what's wrong with the Democratic Leadership.

They deal in improbable what-ifs, rather than recognizing how things really are. And her statement makes it clear she simply does not understand how many people will be badly hurt -- are already being badly hurt -- by his actions.

[NRaleighLiberal]

99. THIS!!!!

[ehrnst]

126. You took what she said literally, instead of ironically...

When her comments are saying that he's "not" a good president, and by "forgetting himself" he would become a good president.

And you know that he campaigned on not "changing" once he was in office....

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

147. Somehow it doesn't come across as irony.

It comes across as utter cluelessness on her part.

[ehrnst]

154. Some people don't get it without a sarcasm icon below it, I guess. (nt)

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

158. I'll concede that.

And as I didn't actually listen to Feinstein say that, so I don't know her tone of voice (which is often very helpful and exactly why the various icons got invented), but I don't think I've seen anything that indicates she really did intend that statement ironically. And quite frankly, there is nothing at all in her statement that indicates anything other than a straightforward statement, no irony or sarcasm intended.

Not to mention various fellow politicians are taking her to task on this.

[ehrnst]

160. There is some opportunism there. And she did clarify her statements. (nt)

[J_William_Ryan]

95. No,

he can't.

Trump is still wrong on the issues and pursues the same failed rightwing agenda.

Unless "learn and change" means Trump abandons the failed, wrongheaded conservative agenda.

[Wordilocks]

96. Weak sauce Democrats

Why do they always bend over???

[ehrnst]

108. You think she was being serious?

You missed the whole backhanded insult?

If he "needs to forget himself" and gain "empathy" in order to "become" a "good president" then she's saying that he isn't a good president, he thinks only of himself, and has no empathy.

She's also trolling his supporters, who voted for him because he doesn't have that "snowflake" empathy, and wouldn't change once he's in office.

[yardwork]

101. The article completely misrepresents what she said.

This is very poor reporting.

[AlexSFCA]

105. good for her

Diane is on the intel committee so she is fully aware that trump is absolutely not going to be impeached. She is the most gutsy dem senator of all and for that I immensely respect her. She never puts party above people and does a good job at waking up the freaking echo chamber that our party has become.

She also realizes that repubs are likely to increase their majorities post 2018. She wants to work for american people regardless of president, you can't just wish him away; elections have consequences.

All we do now is talking trump which will cost us 2018 and 2020 because we are just amplifying him, he feeds on media. He is the most popular man in the world based on coverage.

Don't forget that Obama said that trump would be a pragmatic president who will eventually learn how to be president. And Hillary said that the best days of America are still to come.

Feinstein doesn't do trolling. She seems to be willing to become friendler to trump so you don't have to. She likely wants to minimize damage and make sure trump listens to what she has to say regarding policy instead of just dismissing it like the rest of dems.

If there is one thing we've learned about this 'president' is that he reponds to flattery. So there is a way to make him listen.

[WinkyDink]

111. What a damn dumb remark. Is DiFi completely insane? NK, Transgenders, neo-Nazis, undoing Obama, ...

TREASON.

Sickening interview.

[nancy1942]

113. Sorry to hear that. Is she ill?

[ehrnst]

128. No, just trolling him and his supporters. (nt)

[democrank]

115. No need to twist myself into a pretzel in order to approve of Feinstein's statement.

She should have said...."Trump will NEVER be a good president, not now, not ever"

[Doreen]

116. What rock from what planet did she crawel out from under

and come from?

[Bradical79]

117. Pandering

It's pandering to people who like to claim both sides are decisive. Basically saying that she's open to Trump being a good president if he changes his ways. Don't know that that is the smartest way to put it though at this time.

[ucrdem]

119. Let's call it positive reinforcement.

Bush-Cheney made a point of f#cking over Calif and getting Ahnold installed to continue the job. NY didn't fare so well either if you'll recall. So far Trump hasn't shown the same talent for psychopathy.

[pansypoo53219]

121. that is just stupid. even his trip did NOTHING. did eddie haskel change on beaver?

hitler was hitler. troll is troll.

[ehrnst]

133. That was her point.... (nt)

[kimbutgar]

122. She needs to be primaried

I live in California and have thought for years Feinstein is a corporate Dem who is so rich and out of touch. Retire a Diane.

[ehrnst]

130. Well, you have your opportunity at the ballot box. (nt)

[Warpy]

127. Either she wants something and is massaging his enormous ego

or she's in lala land and needs to be primaried because there is not the remotest possibility that anyone with the combination of his ignorance and his personality disorder "can" be a good president. He can't.

[Thrill]

129. LOL still waiting on Just one Republican Senator to say anything even close

To that nice about PBO or Clinton.

Gotta love Democrats

[ehrnst]

132. Yeah, irony is lost on so many. Let's abolish it. (nt)

[ehrnst]

134. Feinstein clarifies: 'Im under no illusion' Trump will change

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/348636-feinstein-im-under-no-illusion-that-trump-will-change

[muriel_volestrangler]

135. Inaccurate headline: she said "under no illusion that its likely to happen"

Odd that you complain a Hill headline with an accurate quote is 'misleading', but happily quote a later, inaccurate one.

[ehrnst]

136. Got me, I guess. I accurately copied the headline, and

am taking the heat, with no smarmy self justification.

And if I had changed the headline, particularly of a publication that has been blessed by the OP, I'm sure I would be called out as well.

I guess that the idea of rebutting something with the source that the person you are debating thinks is valid is so lame and old school.

You win!!!

[sprinkleeninow]

143. Then why trifle with speak such as this. no text

[xor]

140. I like the way she phrased because it's totally going to annoy Trump...

[sandensea]

148. The title leaves out too much context.

"The question is whether he can learn and change," she said. "If so, I believe he can be a good president." She also said that Trump will have to "forget himself enough and have the type of empathy and direction the country needs."

She's making it clear that this person is being completely obtuse and self-obsessed at the moment, and that he should fundamentally change for his own good - and the nation's.

Hard to argue with that.

[AgadorSparticus]

149. What she means to say is: TRUMP can be a good POTUS if he would just be someone else

BC Trump as himself is a HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE president

[SummerSnow]

151. He can't even be a good person

[raccoon]

152. I'm not saying a 71-year-old can't learn and change,

I'm not saying a 71-year-old can't learn and change, but they first have to want to.

I Imagine DT thinks he's perfect just the way he is.

[CentralMass]

153. No he can"t.

[clu]

159. tbh

I read some blurb about bannon wanting to raise taxes on some people. I hate to admit it but if he really did what *he* wanted to do, and not what his cabinet and lobbyists want, he may pull out a few surprises on us. heck he might implement a good idea by mistake and be lauded for it. but seriously what is the chance he won't detract from anything like that with a hundred more bad ideas.

she's being nice, whatever. what is her voting record? I remember reading some bad stuff but tbh i'm not sure