I'm curious -- how many of you would vote for Cindy to replace Feinstein?

[BigBearJohn]

what are her chances of taking Feinstein's seat in the senate?

[neverevergivein]

1. She has NO chance

but I would vote for her (cindy)

[movonne]

4. Let see how this filibuster comes out, if we should win it then with

all this energy maybe we could swing it for her..who knows..

[Maru Kitteh]

2. Not me. I've been disappointed with Fienstien but I'm no fan of loose

cannons in office either. Cindy's a little scatter-shot and unfocused. A great lady who did something very important but not exactly someone I think could be relied upon long term to be good for the progressive cause.

[demosincebirth]

10. I also share you sentiments.

[xiamiam]

20. cindy is about conviction...i am sick of feinstein...and she is my senator

never know how shes gonna vote....or how she will be influenced and whle she is savvy, she is no contest with Boxer....and I for one, am sick of politics as usual...I'm sick of how the game is supposed to be played...I'm sick of the good ol boys setting the rules about a million years ago..and now everyone is supposed to follow in that bullshit...i would vote for Cindy...because she's fresh...and naive...and hopeful...and speaks truth to power...and hasnt been groomed by her parents to continue in the family business...politics...her heart is in the right place and I for one think she would get the votes of all the young people who are losing their friends and brothers in this war..and shes a woman...with the vulnerability of a woman and not the reptilian skin of a politician...if she wants to run for senate, so be it...at this point, I think she would win..we're a bunch of kooks here in calif anywy..right?...i wouldnt wish it on her though..I'd rather see her attend conferences throughout the world promoting peace and attempting to build bridges...i think she would be more effective in that role...the world can relate to a mother ..and Cindy has proven that she is definitely a mother of Casey and humanity..dont trash her...before Cindy..and right on her heels Katrina, I was ready to give up...I thought I woudld never hear honest news again..and while its still bad, Cindy lit a spark...demanded Americans question and protest and have a backbone...yep, Id vote for almost anyone who would sleep in a ditch to stop a war...

[earth mom]

43. Great post! I feel the same! eom

[faithnotgreed]

86. well said - hope you get the chance to get her in office

and get rid of feinstein
i love senator boxer and would support her in any role she chose but feinstein - no thanks
she has changed for the worse over the years and i would love to hear the honest fierce language (and not political speak) that cindy would bring

no she isnt experienced but she does tell the truth (from what ive heard anyway)

[yurbud]

57. scatter-shot and unfocused? She's working on one issue and speaks

with conviction and clarity.

She arguably pushed the anti-war movement into the mainstream.

I cannot think of a comparable acheivement for Feinstein.

[Dr Fate]

69. Well, I would not say it that way, but I agree- no Senate run yet.

She should run for congress or state rep- lets see how she does.

[laugle]

93. Oh please.....we have a moron for president and

Sonny Bono's wife the former waitress in congress.

I'm sooooo sick of Washington establishment people, lawyers and rich fat cats.

I remember Difi well when she inadvertently became mayor of S.F. due to the murder of George Moscone. Hell, I don't think she would have ever become mayor if not for that unfortunate set of circumstances.

But look how far she has come. Amazing what money can buy.

I think it would be a refreshing change to have a real person in congress, who identifies with the ordinary working people.

I'm 53 and have never seen our congress sooooo screwed up and corupt. So let's just keep re-electing the same old rotten, safe people, right....wrong!!

After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results......

[Selatius]

3. She's a darling for the anti-war crowd, but most folks are moderate

I don't think they'll vote for somebody many would probably label "shrill" over somebody with name recognition and a record like Diane Feinstein, even if they are not satisfied with her record.

I'm not saying that the middle doesn't like Cindy. Most folks disapprove of Bush's handling of the disasterous war in Iraq. What I am saying is that perhaps they want somebody who has a clear, cogent plan on getting out of the clusterfuck.

The problem is the party is divided over withdrawing quickly or withdrawing in a methodical fashion over several months or even years. That's the killer detail.

[shance]

30. What makes being anti-war anything other than SENSIBLE??

Its not liberal. It's not moderate. And if it were to be anything, anti-war could probably be defined as 'conservative' if people actually thought about it.

It's simply common sense.

The media uses liberal, conservative and moderate to divide Americans. Its time to tell them to f*** off.

[Selatius]

33. I'm not saying it's anything but sensible, but the devil is in the details

There's still quite a lot of fighting over whether we should withdraw quickly or withdraw over time. The Party has NOT yet come to a consensus on that.

[shance]

53. Who gives a damn what the party thinks? What do the Iraqis and the troops

think?

What do Americans think?

What do a group of rich boys in starched shirts and blackberries know about the smell of death, charred bodies and having no clean water to drink and not knowing if you will ever see your wife and kids again.

How insane is it that we have bullies with bombs and nothing between the ears for leaders.

We have to get over the fear and be adults and say God damnit, ENOUGH MURDER AND NEEDLESS DEATH SO YOU FUCKERS CAN PROFIT!!!

Let the Washington leaders go fight Iraq.

Troops sit it out and let these distinguished Washington leaders show you how its done.

[Selatius]

61. The Party IS the people, the rank-and-file

Not every Democratic voter would agree we should withdraw immediately, and then there are those who say we should. Which direction the party takes is largely dependent upon who wins the struggle.

[shance]

66. Really "Comrade".? How Sovietish of you to say that we don't exist.

Come on Selatious. Wake up.

If they are the "people", then do tell, are we potted plants?

We are the ones who PAY THEIR SALARY Selatius.

We are also the ones who are paying for this illegal, unjustified, totally unwarranted war that is nothing more than a killing spree in OUR name mind you, and not to mention we pay for everything else that allows Washington DC to thrive at our expense.

We are also the ones to live under such laws.

Do you or do you not believe in Democracy and the power of the citizen?

If you don't you must be out of touch or a person who is living off the taxpayer tab yourself and sees not the big picture how all of us will go down in the Titanic if we dont ALL start rowing.

[Selatius]

76. OK, point to me where I say that "we don't exist."

If I had my way, the war would never have happened.

If they are the "people", then do tell, are we potted plants?

No, you are "people," too. I would like to see those troops withdrawn ASAP, but I'm not the only one who can decide. There are other Democrats, not just the leadership, who would argue that we should stay for as long as it takes to get the Iraqi military up to date and then withdraw. For them, if that means another five or ten years, it's acceptable to them. If you have an issue with me, then you're barking up the wrong tree, and your questions would best be queried with those who support such a policy.

We are the ones who PAY THEIR SALARY Selatius.

We are also the ones who are paying for this illegal, unjustified, totally unwarranted war that is nothing more than a killing spree in OUR name mind you, and not to mention we pay for everything else that allows Washington DC to thrive at our expense.

Gee, I guess I was born yesterday. I didn't know this shit was happening in my name. I mean, wow. I've been living under a damn rock since the day I was born. :sarcasm:

Do you or do you not believe in Democracy and the power of the citizen?

If you don't you must be out of touch or a person who is living off the taxpayer tab yourself and sees not the big picture how all of us will go down in the Titanic if we dont ALL start rowing.

Wake the hell up, buddy. I am not the one you should be angry about. I call it as I see it, and I'm telling you whether you like it or not that there are Democrats who disagree that we should pull out ASAP. That's not a statement of opinion. That's a statement of fact, an observation. If that fact pisses you off, then you shouldn't be dumping your fucking rage on me.

Also, who the hell are you to question my commitment to democracy? I am an advocate of democracy, and the fact of the matter is that this republic in its current form doesn't have enough democracy. Anybody who thinks the winner-take-all two-party system is adequate to represent the people is living in an illusion. If anything, by questioning my commitment to democracy and describing me as "Sovietish," you've done nothing but red-bait me.

I am a libertarian socialist, not some authoritarian, and people with my ideas fought and died against Stalinist thugs in the past. We fought for the liberation of the people from the tyranny of corporate capitalism, and here you are attacking me, and many of us on the "far left" fought for the votes on the ground in Ohio on Nov. 2nd. Thanks for your fucking gratitude. That really means a lot. I've been red-baited and called a communist by plenty of people on the right, but I shouldn't be surprised to see such attacks come from a fellow Democrat. (I assume you are a registered Democrat)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm reporting you for redbaiting.

[laugle]

95. Kudos.......number 2....you go girl/guy!!!n/t

[laugle]

94. Kudos to you.....well said.....n/t

[Mark5]

105. Completely Agree

She is easily (made up word) polirizeable...:p

[H2O Man]

5. Though I am not

from that neck of the woods, and couldn't vote in that contest if push did ever come to shove .... it is worth remembering that one of the most important things in elections is "name recognition." Cindy would, in fact, have an outside chance. Things can change rapidly in Iraq, and her chances could increase. If she were to run as a democrat, I'd sure as hell contribute $$$$.

[jbfam4]

6. I told Feinstein that I could no longer support her

due to her vote for the war. I couldn't vote for Cindy either.

[guidod]

70. I said the same and

feel the same.

[OKNancy]

7. I was thinking about Obama and now your Feinstein

post...and I think about how I would get down on the ground and literally weep if I had either one of those fine people as my Senator. Instead I have perhaps the two biggest asses in the Senate
( Inhofe and Coburn) If I could vote for either of those women, it would be a luxury.

[tlsmith1963]

8. Cindy *Should* Get Into Politics

It would give her a way to make her son's death more meaningful. If she can bring about change, it will definitely make his death more meaningful. I don't know if she really has a chance to win, but this could be a way to get some good out of her situation.

Tammy

[Cleita]

9. I would if she's the only person running against DiFi.

I'm tired of cautious politicians worrying if their bread is going to be buttered on the right side. I think Cindy might be good to shake up the fossils in the Senate.

Personally though, I think she should start in the House of Representatives, if she wants a place in politics. I think more gets done there too.

[laugle]

96. Thanks for my laugh of the night......."Cindy would shake up

the fossils." That's a great line!!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

I'm All For What Cindy Has Done But Don't Think She's Anywhere Near Senate

material right now. She would have to keep up on the scene for years and develop her political skills far more to even be a consideration.

I'm proud of Cindy and how she has spoken out. I'm in awe of how her efforts helped spark the anti-war movement. I feel for her loss and respect her for her continued efforts. This doesn't make her a viable candidate, however.

[Nicole]

32. Well said

I agree with you 100%.

I'm not in Ca but if I were, I would not vote for Cindy.

[Booster]

37. I totally agree. We owe Cindy a lot, but I don't think I'd vote for

her right now. Maybe after she's been in some lower office for awhile.

[FormerDittoHead]

56. Exactly. Run for congress first. We need more of them too!

Unless she's got deep pockets, a run just for a congressional primary would be excellent experience for her.

[MadHound]

60. And what, exactly, is "Senate Material"?

Learning how to compromise on everything so much that your core values disappear in the wind? How to spend all of your free time raising cash for your next campaign, and thus selling yourself out to the highest bidder? Learning how to become so politically cautious that you wind up voting for an illegal, immoral war simply because it is conventional wisdom that it is a wise political move? How to vote for a piece of legislation that has done the most damage to our civil liberties ever in our history, because it is the "patriotic" thing to do?

Sorry, but if this is "Senate Material", and judging from our current crop of Senators it is, then give me Sheehan, or any other unpolished, passionate liberal any time. Because our current crop of
"Senate Material" has sold their constituents, and this very country, down the river time and again.

[xiamiam]

65. Bravo...and THAT is how the majority of us feel...by and for the people

is the most exploited and biggest lie handed to the American people by their supposed representatives...

[laugle]

98. You just described Diane Frankenstein to a tee!! n/t

[laugle]

97. Your post made me laugh......I couldn't help but

think, gee.....Bush is not exactly what I would call "presidential material."

Here's another.....remember the old fossil....Strom Thurmond....they had to wake him up every time he had to vote. LOL

And talk about congressional material...Mary Bono....the former waitress married to Sonny!! Now there's real great material if you want a rubber stamp!!!

And why is it that when a member of congress dies, his wife takes his place. This congress is just the worst!!!

[Crazy Dave]

11. I'm not big on gimmick candidates, like Ah-nold

Everybody thinks, oh yeah, what a great thing, he/she will get lots of votes, etc. What they find out later is that they elected someone un-qualified, who knows nothing about politics, knows nothing about economics, education, etc. So any progress made by other democrats over the years is wiped out in one term which is typically all these gimmick candidates usually serve and it's then, when it's time to clean up the mess, people realize that all they elected was someone that just ran their mouth off in front of a camera and said "cool stuff".
I support her as a grieving mother who is against the war but she will do no good for education, health care, crime, jobs, etc. as she would not be taken seriously in Washington, DC at all.

Power without progress is useless.

[John Q. Citizen]

12. Cindy is more effective as a potential candidate than as an actual

candidate.

I don't vote in CA.

[DianeG5385]

13. No Never

Feinstein is a good Senator.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Let me think. A pro-war activist vs a pandering sell out.

Gosh, what a choice.

I'd rather fry my earlobes than vote for DiFi for anything.

Conversely, I'd wade through mud, blood, or shit to vote for Cindy for anything.

[GrumpyGreg]

25. A pro war activist?

[Warren Stupidity]

15. Of course I would vote for her.

Yeah I've read all the posts about how she isn't up to snuff. We collectively are so full of it. Half the problem is that Washington is full of assholes who are 'up to snuff'. I take that back. 99% of the problem is that Washington is full of assholes who are up to snuff.

Yeah lets keep putting the same elitist corrupt assholes back into power and then complain that they keep acting in their own self interest. By all means lets not put common ordinary folks in Washington to represent common ordinary folks, after all they might act in the best interest of common ordinary folks, and then where would we be?

Besides Cindy shook hands and chatted with HUGO CHAVEZ and we all KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS (wink wink nudge nudge.)

[Hippo_Tron]

16. Cindy has name recognition which would be needed to beat DiFi

And the left tends to get out the vote for the primaries.

Personally I think that there just might be enough people against the war in California to vote for her in the general election. What I worry about is her having to run for re-election in six years when Iraq is hopefully just a distant memory.

[AZBlue]

17. No way. Wouldn't vote for her and she has no chance.

[chaumont58]

18. She has two chances, slim and none.

I don't know who advised her to do this, but it is a bad idea. I've got my problems with DiFi, but she ain't going to be beat, not in a primary, not in a general election.
Those that tell Missus Sheehan that she could win are smoking the wrong dope.

[LWolf]

19. It's not my choice anymore,

having left California last spring after 38 years of life there. If it were, I'd be looking for someone to replace Feinstein, but not Cindy. Part of her strength comes, imo, from speaking outside the system. I like her right where she is. I'm sure the beautiful golden state has plenty of strong progressives to challenge Feinstein.

[laugle]

99. Plenty of progressives....yea where are they?

[seabeyond]

21. NO she doesnt seem to be a democrat. would have to know her

politics before even considering her a little. what i have heard from her thus far, i dont feel she represents democratic voice

[Auntie Bush]

35. Thank goodness!

[seabeyond]

40. it is unpopular to be a democrat on a democratic board

has my world flipped upside down. now not being a democrat myself, i know it is a challenge to totally understand what it is to be a democrat. but.... i would at least, the very least think that liking democrats is at least a given.... being democrat.

[saltpoint]

22. Love Cindy Sheehan but Feinstein is the most popular politician in

California and would crush her in a primary race, filibuster or no.

Feinstein is popular and politically agile. I'd love to see her be more like Senator Boxer, but absent that, I'd still vote for her over Sheehan. The GOP would shred Sheehan to tiny pieces. I would hate to give the Republicans even one more seat in the Senate. They have handled the seats they have so poorly already.

[Steve A Play]

34. You must not live here

I'm one of her constituents. I can't speak for the rest of the state but here in northern Santa Cruz County the only one we want to get rid of more than her is Arnold.

Steven P. :kick:

[saltpoint]

38. I've been her constituent also and while I am not hogwild about her,

she remains the most popular politican in the state of California. She is extremely well-connected throughout the state.

[Steve A Play]

42. Do you have a link to that?

You must have been gone for quite a while. :)

"she remains the most popular politician in the state of California"

We obviously can't be talking about the same person. :crazy:

Are you trying to tell me about how the people around me think and feel about Diane Feinstein? Do you really believe she's in any way near as popular as Barbara Boxer? She's running about neck and neck with Arnie in my neck of the woods! :rofl:

You forgot your :sarcasm: tag!

[saltpoint]

44. Steve. I've lived in California for 3 of the last 7 years.

I reassert my comment that she remains by far the most popular politician in California. She has a big fat well-connected Rolodex and doesn't hesitate to use it.

I am NOT trying to tell you or your neighbors how to vote. I am suggesting that you read the LA Times, the Bay Area Reporter, The San Francisco Guardian, and newspapers generally from Oakland, Sacramento, and Bakersfield.

Republicans like her in significant numbers to assure her continual streak of statewide victories.

My own preference, also by FAR, is for Senator Boxer. That is not to say that I think Cindy Sheehan has a ghost of a chance to successfully challenge Dianne Feinstein.

Phone up the Republican Party HQ and ask them if they consider Feinstein beatable in any statewide race.

__
edit: spellin'

[Steve A Play]

51. I read all of the above and then some

You're making the claim, back it up with facts. Produce a link.

I've lived here for 16 of the past 16 years. I'm politically active in my town, county and state. I meet every wednesday with anywhere from 50 - 150 other politically active people who have come out each and every week for anti war demonstrations that take place in a nearby town. (Felton, Hwy. 9 at Graham Hill Road) There are at least 7 such weekly demonstrations in the north part of Santa Cruz County alone. (Santa Cruz, Pacific Ave. at the Clock tower is the largest) Thank MoveOn.org and Cindy Sheehan for that. The people that show up for these weekly demonstrations are the people who actually work the campaigns, work at the polls, show up at the "town hall" meetings with our representatives and generally are active in our community.

Here's last weeks e-mail,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As always, the vigil Wednesday 5:30 is a go unless it's raining at 5:15. This week looks likely to be dry.

Special Event Reminder: Stop Corruption Petition Drive this Saturday , January 28, at our home:
XXXX Fall Creek Dr.
Felton
335-XXXX
at 11:00 am. Stop by for a quick orientation and to pick up your petitions, signs and handouts and then spread out through the valley to collect names.

Bring an extra clipboard and pens if you can. If not we have them.
Spend as much or little time as your can collecting signatures throughout the weekend then drop them back off at our house.

Hope to see you at either the vigil or Saturday at the Petition event, OR BOTH!

Francine and Bill

Hope to see you Saturday!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These are the people who will turn off the game, get out of their lounge chairs, and get out the vote come November. Not a one of them has anything 'nice' to say about DiFi, and they haven't for the last several years. Go ahead and fool yourself if you want to, but if you move back to my neighborhood one of my friends or I will be the people going door to door during the next election and it won't be to re-elect Feinstein! She's done in Santa Cruz County!

You ever stop to think that maybe it would be better to have people run because they believe in ideals rather than because they have a knowledge of how to take an active part in the culture of corruption that is Washington?

Steven P. :kick:

[saltpoint]

54. My reading of newspapers and political bulletins covers this point already

but for your benefit I will provide a few links and quotations from each:

1. www.dkosopedia.com/inex.php/Dianne_Feinstein

"After a narrow loss to Pete Wilson in the 1990 California gubernatorial race, Feinstein won his old Senate seat in 1992, her 5,505,780 vote total being the highest for any senator in US history. 2 years later she was reelected to her first full term. In 2000, she was floated around as a possible running mate for Democratic Presidential nominee Al Gore. She also faced what was touted as a difficult foe, moderate Republican Tom Campbell. She won with 56% of the vote. By 2003 polls showed her to be the most popular politician in California. During the recall fiasco, Democrats begged her to run for governor (they had also begged her in 1998), but due to her own bitter recall memories, she chose not to plunge into such a high-profile race. Although she is over 70 years old, she remains energetic and is eager to run for a third full term in 2006."

2. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/134051_calif07.html

"One player this won't include is Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the state's most popular politician."

3. www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/ insider/archives/000511.html

" ... Feinstein is easily the most popular politician in California."

4. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-senate25jan25,0,1043921.story?coll=la-headlines-california

"With his announcement, Mountjoy becomes the first seasoned Republican to enter the Senate race — little more than four months before the primary.
The reasons others have stayed out are many: Feinstein is California's most popular elected official, according to polls, and she has raised at least $6.9 million to seek a fourth term. She is well-known to most voters, the state has tilted strongly toward Democrats for more than a decade, and the national political climate has soured for Republicans in recent months."

"I bet the house on Feinstein," said Thad Kousser, an assistant political science professor at UC San Diego who cited those factors and others.

____
Steven, please note again that I am an ardent fan of, and frequent volunteer for, Senator Boxer. I am dismayed at Feinstein's too-cautious stance on several issues. Further, I do not dispute her unpopularity in your neck of the woods. But for some years now she has been the nearly untouchable U.S. Senator and the state's most popular elected official. No one else is close.

I support Cindy Sheehan and honor her commitment to citizenship and democracy. If you'd read my previous posts, among the 6000-plus are several which praise that notion generally and Cindy Sheehan specifically. This is not to say I believe Sheehan has a chance against Dianne Feinstein in a primary, and I predict Sheehan would lose by landslide proportions to a halfway strong GOP candidate in the general election.

[xiamiam]

39. yep..thats how i feel and everyone i know feels...in s cruz as well

[ISUGRADIA]

62. Yeah, that's why a month out from the filing deadline

she has no real primary opposition and a sacrificial lamb opponent Republican for November in Mountjoy. Yes, she's that unpopular statewide.

If Sheehan pulls a last minute campaign she get 25% tops then DiFi cruises to a November landslide.

[GRLMGC]

116. Not all of California is Santa Cruz

You all seem to forget that there are several other counties in the state that are more conservative and Feinstein is popular there. I don't particularly care for her but I'm not gonna assume that she's totally unpopular because of how people feel about her in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara. That would be self-centered.

[Steve A Play]

118. I could care less about "other counties"

I'm voting for my representative, not theirs! If DiFi is what they will settle for as a "representative" then that's their right and their problem. You want to fix the Democratic party? Start by demanding better candidates with spines who will represent democratic ideals. You like the way things are and the representation you've been getting for years now? Keep doing what you've been doing.

I'm sorry, call me self centered, but some things are non negotiable when it comes to who I'll give my vote to. A representative who ignores the will of the majority of those they represent is useless and they will not get my vote. A representative who votes to curtail my rights for my own protection will not get my vote. A representative that will willingly give up their power to the executive branch controlled by the opposition party will not get my vote.

If you want candidates like DiFi, Joe Lieberman, and Jerry Springer, fine. That's up to you. Just keep accepting who they offer you. It's your right.

Just don't act too surprised or pissed off at those of us who've had enough and are actively working to change things. It's our right too, for now. Use it or lose it. :)

Steven P. :kick:

[GRLMGC]

119. Nobody said you couldn't

Do what you want but when the fact is that she is a popular democrat and in the state and you say that's not true because of what you witness in Santa Cruz, then you're not basing it on facts. Try and get another candidate, its your right. Don't assume everybody thinks like you because you're entrenched in a liberal paradise when most are not.

[fooj]

82. I'm not so sure about the popular part...

she's my senator and "popular" wouldn't be an adjective that immediately comes to mind.

Peace.

[saltpoint]

91. But the original poster was asking for responses to Sheehan's

chances against an incumbent U.S. Senator.

From a recent FIELD POLL -- California-based, non-partisan, November 2005:

==

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who will be up for re-election next year, is heavily favored by voters in her re-election bid. The current poll finds that by a 56% to 37% margin, voters support her serving another term. When matched against businessman Bill Mundell, a possible Republican challenger, Feinstein is running comfortably ahead 61% to 30%.

==

Feinstein is not my favorite Senator. I'm a Boxer fan myself. But the cold reality is that DiFi is going to be re-elected to the Senate whether Cindy Sheehan runs in the primary or not.

[laugle]

100. She is popular in the Senate not in her state.

Does it bother you that her husband is making millions off the war with his contracts.

Did you know that she just moved into a 23 million dollar home in Pacifice Heights. Talk about blood money!!

She's sicking......

[saltpoint]

104. A review of the original post will show that BigBear John was asking in

part whether Cindy Sheehan could unseat Senator Feinstein.

I maintain that Feinstein's popularity -- not to mention her money -- would make Sheehan's task a doomed commitment.

State-wide polls conducted in California -- and I've cited one in this thread above -- the very reliable FIELD poll, which is San Francisco-based -- reinforce the strong popularity of Dianne Feinstein. Various politicos of both parties and editorial observers almost uniformly agree that she is the state's most popular politician.

Your post asks if I like Feinstein. That's not the question I'm trying to respond to, although I've covered that also, had you bothered to read the entire thread.

[laugle]

112. I read quite a bit and there is no need to

get sarcastic.

It just makes me crazy when people continue to perpetuate this notion of Difi being "UNTOUCHABLE," weather true or not.

I think it hurts our party a great deal. For 35 years, I, like many others have voted for the "safe" democratic candidate and have seen what that does, i.e., lousy people who don't really work for the people.
This is why I have come to the conclusion that if we don't begin to weed out the bad ones and run better people against them, we are doomed to the same kind of congress we have now.

Think of it this way, if Cindy runs and at least gives Difi one hell of a scare in the primary, maybe it will light a fire under her butt and show her that she is not so safe. Maybe then she will have to make a real effort to work for all of us.

But if we continue to have this defeatist attitute and play it way to safe we are doomed. This is why we should support other candidates who are willing to run.

Remember Mr. Hackett in Ohio running against the Republican candidate, they didn't think he had a chance in the staunch Republican district, but he almost beat him. I would like to see more of that.

After all, I think you will agree that we need to work on our own party as well, to win in 06/08.

As far as her popularity, I think it is sad that intelligent people feel the need to vote based on that, although I do understand it.

[saltpoint]

113. Paul Hackett ran a strong race against Jean Schmidt but even a piss-poor

candidate like Schmidt beat him. That Ohio district is huge, stretching I believe from Portsmouth on the WV border all the way to Cincinnati. The demographic in Cincinnati alone is extremely John Birch-like and unlikely to produce a Democratic victory unless the GOP candidate is intemperate and divisive, which Jean Schmidt certainly is. She was the former president of that area's Right to Life organization.

You are loyal to Cindy Sheehan and I find that admirable. But your point of view is based on what we already agree on, namely that Bush's Iraq War is built on lies and is administered immorally. Sheehan captures the spirit of that deep and abiding objection. I felt it before I ever knew who she was.

My point however stands. Sheehan probably will not challenge Feinstein. I would like someone to take on DiFi, but there is not at the moment a prominent-enough Democrat in California to knock her off. Boxer is sensational and she liked the flowers I sent her after she stood up in the Senate to challenge the results of the 2004 election, but I think she is the only one who could make a strong go of it. Cindy Sheehan is a lovely soul and I love her to death but her challenging Feinstein is not necessarily a moral undertaking any more than you and I already agreed on the points she conveys before we ever knew who she was.

Making distinctions about various senators' re-election postures does not "hurt" the party. It strengthens dialogue inasmuch as any one person can contribute, including you, including me.

National Democrats are at last getting the message that Bush is vulnerable on many key points and they will likely hammer those points home in the 2006 elections.

[xiamiam]

23. delete

[im10ashus]

24. That would be a question best suited for the CA forum, yes?

[Disturbed]

26. I would vote for Ms. Sheehan if....

she was a candidate for the Green Party. ;0)

[im10ashus]

41. But you live in California, which was my point.

Asking if I would vote for her in a run against DiFi is a moot point. I live in NY and thus it is a non-issue (or should be) with me. :shrug:

[gardenista]

27. Nope. But I would vote for a serious Democratic contender

against Feinstein.

[saltpoint]

47. I second that notion, mgdecombe. Well-put and timely, too. -- n/t

[Steve A Play]

28. Bye Bye Di Fi!

She got my vote before to be my representative and she has voted for everything I stand against and against everything I stand for. Screw her! Cindy would get my vote hands down. :)

Fool me once....

Steven P.

[shance]

29. Now there's a bumper sticker.

"BYE BYE DI FI!"

[UTUSN]

31. Curious?------ no. n/t

[DerekG]

36. I'd vote for any anti-war lefty who'd challenge hawkish Democrats

I hope someone steps to the fore and challenges my worthless senator, Madame Clinton (whom I not-so-affectionately refer to as Magog).

[radio4progressives]

45. Sheehan over a War Profiteer and Corporate Shill? That's a No Brainer

I'd vote for Cindy in a heart beat, you bet your sweet ass.

She would stand on PRINCIPLE for the PEOPLE, and when are YOU people ever going to figure this out?

Unless you're well to do White Guy - Feinstein is your friend,

but if you're a working class person, Feinstein is your enemy.

When the freaking Corporate Shills that make up a large party of our party, are finally ousted, and we real people, who KNOW HOW TO FIGHT instinctly, (because they've had to all their lives) that's when this party will become something to be proud of again, and likewise will WIN elections handily by REAL PEOPLE, not these the priviledge class who are anything but real people.

[bemildred]

46. I will vote for pretty much any primary challenger to Feinstein. nt

[Cascadian]

48. If I was a California voter, I would vote for Sheehan.

The hell with Dianne! I never liked her and she is in league with people like Condi Rice. She needs to move aside as well as other Vichy Democrats or those who won't stand and fight the Neocons.


John

[RB TexLa]

49. NO and no chance

[sproutster]

50. Cindy makes me nervous. She seems like she can be led and she is

loving the spotlight.

No offense if I'm wrong - I guess the point is I don't know much about her, I have no idea where she would go with power. She has already diluted some of her message by bringing Clinton into it. While it may or may not be true - strictly speaking. She has given people something completely different to focus on.

[libertypirate]

52. I would vote for a hampster before I would ever vote for Feinstein

her family has financial interest in the war. I don't care who you are; if your business benifits by lies used to kill you are not acting lawfully you are not acting like an American. The presnut has reminded us many times that he wants us to believe we are a nation of laws.

[Douglas Carpenter]

55. yes I definitely think she should run

It would be an uphill fight to put it mildly. If Feinstein wins the primary which would frankly be likely, one can still vote for her in the general election. But a Sheehan race can highlight the issues of the war and progressive issues generally

Progressives frequently complain about prominent Democrats being timid. It is about time that progressives get over their timidity also

[GoldenOldie]

58. Cindy Sheehan obtaining her political experience the hard way.

As with the female Democrat Rep (sorry can't remember her name) from Long Island, NY, who had never had an interest in politics and her profession had been as a registered nurse until that fateful day her husband was gunned down and her only son was severely wounded along with numerous other passengers while riding the Long Island Railway to work in NYC by some crazy wacko. This wife/mother/nurse, experienced not only the judicial system, the health care system, the gun lobby, etc., etc., etc. As with Cindy, what she experienced by going through her grief and heartache gave her strength and along the way they have gained an education that no top-10 Universities could give them.

Cindy has obtained her own political education the hard way. Instead of sitting home in deep depression and grief, she has chosen to do something about it. From her initial simple request that her son's Commander-in-Chief tell her why her son died, she asks the question that millions of Americans. She has gone from 1-grief stricken mother sitting beside her sister in camp chairs along a country road in Texas, to traveling the world meeting and talking with world leaders. Cindy has become more of an international diplomat than the Commander-in-Chief who is incapable of talking to others that he and his staff cannot control.

Those that question Cindy's ability and right to run for Representative, Senator, or any public office that she chooses apparently do not look at many of the fools who now sit in our houses of government. Sonny Bono's wife was elected as a US Rep simply because the good citizens of Palm Springs, loved Sonny and felt sorry for his wife's loss.....a reward to a grieving widow. Ms. Bono only experience was as a young acting starlet, mother of very young toddlers and the wife of Sonny Bono. Years after his death Ms. Bono still holds a seat in the US House yet you never hear of her and rarely get to view her.

Cindy Sheehan has taken her grief and is using the pent up emotions to move her forward to action. In doing so others who have had the opportunity to follow her traveled road and see, hear of her on-going education would be happy to participate in her graduation.

[The Stranger]

59. YES, CLEAN HOUSE OF THE DINOS AND WAR PROFITEERS.

[SaveElmer]

63. Absolutely not...

Cindy has lost all credibility IMO...and though Feinstein sometimes does not vote the way I would like here to, she is a reliable Democratic vote on most issues.

[AngryAmish]

64. She must lead us

the Senate is only the first step. We must start the cleansing of our politics and nation.

[kevinbgoode]

67. NO

and NO again.

[Dr Fate]

68. Feinstein showed some guts with her Alito vote.

Today is a better day to thank her than all this.

Hey- I love Cindy- I'm just saying- why are we talking about replacing Diane Feinstein all of a sudden?

Shouldnt Sheehan start with Congress or State-Rep or somthing?

[sandnsea]

71. Let Will Pitt advise her

And ONLY Will Pitt, and then yeah, she'd have a shot. I don't know who is telling her to meet with Chavez and wander in the land of the lefty lost, but it's damned bad advise. And a real shame. She had a shot at making an enormous impact.

[fujiyama]

72. I wouldn't be crazy about either

I sympathized with Sheehans's cause, but I view her recent statements as somewhat ridiculous. She seems like a loose cannon. I also don't believe she would make a good candidate and don't believe she'd win a state wide election. I would recommend her running for a local office first and then consider a senate run later.

Feinstein however has been terrible on many recent votes. She's a corporate sell out. I don't trust her or her war profiteering husband.

[Crunchy Frog]

73. I would if I lived in California.

I don't though, so I'm guessing my position is not particularly relevant.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

74. Chances ZERO; unqualified; hasnt been in one single action movie.

[rucky]

102. But she can Kick Ass

that should at least earn her a spot in the House

:shrug:

[Raine]

75. No way

would I vote for her. Zero chance she take the seat, Californians will not go for two liberal women Senators. Feinstein's moderate stance allows Boxer to be more liberal, two liberals just ain't going to happen here.

[cantstandbush]

77. I would. n/t

[meisje]

78. I'd consider a republican before cindy.

It would be a train wreck either way.

[Throd]

79. No chance at all

All the people who say "Everyone I know in Santa Cruz hates Di Fi" need to visit Fresno, or Temecula, or Modesto, or El Dorado County (where I live). Lots of Democrats there too, but not of the Bay Area/Santa Monica variety.

[oasis]

80. Cindy means well but she lacks legislative and diplomatic skills. If

and when the Democrats regain control, we'll need folks with experience in government.

[nadinbrzezinski]

81. I will vote for cindy in the prmaries

and if DiFi is still on the ballot in November my vote is going to a third party

[Hell Hath No Fury]

83. I haven't voted for her...

in the last two elections -- I voted for the GOP (it was a protest vote) and the Green candidates.

Being a San Franciscan, DiFi and I go w-a-y back. She got my vote once, and she was damn lucky.

[Der Blaue Engel]

84. Only in the primaries

If she were to run as a Green (which I rather expect she would), I'm sorry, no. Greens need to start strategizing with Dems (post-primaries) instead of fracturing the liberal vote.

[Freddie Stubbs]

85. Even Ms. Sheehan say she doesn't have a chcance

[rpgamerd00d]

87. No way. I dont vote for radicals, even radical Democrats.

[Billary2008]

88. Cindy is better NTIP

[saltpoint]

89. Just as an aside, I notice that sometimes (not always) it's women

who are most castigated by mainstream U.S. society when a national moral ambiguity is in conflict.

I was thinking of the nastiness visited upon Jane Fonda during the Viet Nam War (and since), and upon Joan Baez, and Vanessa Redgrave -- all for being perceptive, intelligent, willful female citizens who voiced discontent with the powers that be, women who were at once the child who yells out that the emporer is buck naked AND the sage woman who tries to lead the people out of darkness.

I understand that many males were also marginalized and attacked, but the women tended to get especially forceful criticism.

Cindy Sheehan wasn't famous to most Americans until her protest in Crawford. Once she became much more known, she is being kicked around and toyed with.

Along with several hundred people, I joined a candle-light vigil for Cindy Sheehan last summer as a gesture of support for her courage against Bush, who of course doesn't have the guts to speak with her.

But I think her chances against Senator Feinstein are poor and in a primary election, I believe the very popular (if overly cautious) Senator Feinstein would coast to an easy victory.

[radio4progressives]

106. Excellent observations... thank you for mentioning it..

I also see a correlation between what's happening with Cindy and what was done to Martin Luther King, (not making a comparison as to charachter or any other attribute) ...

the mantra by "well intentioned" people in the south who were supposedly sympathetic to the the horrors of racial hatred, bigotry, and injustice would at the same time smirch King's attempt to shine a spot light on these issues, would say things like, "he's an embarrassment"

"He's not helping the cause by speaking out in public" "he really should just be quite, he's making things worse"..

stuff like that i remember..

it bothers me a great deal to see "liberals" repeating the right wing mantra.

[saltpoint]

107. Another big-picture view, r4p, and damned well said, too.

Which is another point I want to take up with you here and now: you write beautifully. I don't know whether to thank your English teachers back in school days or just hug you for the command you have with sentences, but your viewpoint is enhanced by your keenness with the language.

And the way far other end of that scale of samples, we have President Bush, who can hardly put two sentences together.

[radio4progressives]

90. In a Heart Beat.... n/t

[Benfea]

92. I would vote for her, even over Feinstein, but....

…she does a heck of a lot more good as a concerned citizen than she ever could do in the cesspool we call congress.

[rucky]

101. She can start a mass movement, but I'm not sure she can legislate.

On the other hand, I trust her to fight for what's right. Can't say the same about Feinstein.

I'd have to go with Sheehan & keep my fingers crossed.

[Peter Frank]

103. No Friggin' way...

Cindy is fine in the world she knows; & so is feinstein.

[kick_them_hard]

108. No Brainer

Feinstein will win hands down.

[Radical Activist]

109. A moral voice for change v. More of the same capitulation

The choice is easy. Sheehan would actually make use of the Senate seat and do something meaningful.

[imlost]

110. I would vote for her.

I don't agree with everything she does or say, but I have admiration for her.
There is no way she can beat the money behind Feinstein.
Feinstein pisses me off a little too often.
She also voted for IWR and too me this was a huge mistake.
But then Cindy was also for the war until her son died,
But then at least she recognizes her mistake.
I guess for me it would better if it where someone else other then these two women.

[Nimrod2005]

111. Not me...

[nickshepDEM]

114. Ooooo, pick me! What is... Zero percent?

Id take Feinstein anyday of the week, twice on sunday.

[abex]

115. i'd vote for a dog over di-fi

[depakid]

117. I would if I still lived there

Feinstein should have run for governor- where she'd be a step closer to maybe making a run at the presidency- and where she'd do A LOT less harm.