While the broadcast networks have largely turned a blind eye to the reported “rapidly deteriorating” mental state of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA), the pressure has been turned up for them to report something after some of her Democratic colleagues have made public pleas for her to resign after being absent for two months as she reportedly recovers from shingles. But while CBS Mornings and NBC’s Today show ran segments on Thursday regarding the calls for her to resign, ABC’s Good Morning America kept their viewers in the dark.
Instead of covering this sore spot for Democrats, ABC preferred to boast about two controversial Tennessee Democrats being reinstated to their seats in the state legislature. Good Morning America also hyped the latest drama from the British royal family.
On CBS however, correspondent Scott MacFarlane took a breather from his January 6 obsession and seemingly decided to see how many times he could say the word “pivotal” to describe Feinstein and her work:
In a narrowly divided U.S. Senate, Diane Feinstein is a pivotal vote at a pivotal moment. She's the oldest U.S. senator and has been absent now for two months as she recovers from shingles.
In a statement last night, she said her return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications. And also, in a rare request, she asked Senate Democratic leaders to temporarily fill her seat on the pivotal Senate Judiciary Committee.
“That panel's work confirming federal judges has been partially stalled in her absence,” he admitted before sharing criticism from her progressive colleagues. “But over the past 24 hours, some House Democrats, including California's Ro Khanna, have urged her to step down ahead of the 2024 elections, saying Feinstein ‘can no longer fulfill her duties,’” he reported.
Meanwhile, on NBC, they tried to play nice while giving voice to the progressive wing trying to show Feinstein the door. “Meantime, calls are growing louder for longtime Senator Diane Feinstein to step down, some from members of her own party. The groundbreaking lawmaker absent from Washington for nearly two months due to illness,” announced co-anchor Hoda Kotb.
Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles emphasized how Feinstein’s absence was holding up the Democratic Party’s agenda:
Senator Diane Feinstein insists that she has no plans to step down, but overnight she did ask to be temporarily replaced on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. And some of her fellow Democrats are worried that her extended absence is standing in the way of important work that needs to be done here in Washington … Senator Diane Feinstein has not cast a vote in the U.S. Senate since early February.
Nobles came close to revealing the Senator’s reported deteriorating mental condition when he noted that, “The 89-year-old Feinstein already facing questions about her health and mental stamina, announced last month she would not seek re-election in 2024 but promised to finish her term.”
In a possible attempt to massage the criticism, Nobles touted Feinstein as “a trailblazing Democratic icon.” “But Feinstein has caught the ire of some progressives unhappy with her handling of confirmation of conservative justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who replaced liberal lion Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” he added.
In an apparent attempt to help viewers swallow the possibility of Feinstein being forced out, Nobles concluded by saying that California Governor Gavin Newsom “has said he would appoint a black woman to the job.”
ABC’s refusal to highlight Democratic infighting over Senator Feinstein was made possible because of lucrative sponsorships from Macy’s and Verizon. Their contact information is linked.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Mornings
April 13, 2023
8:15:25 a.m. EasternTONY DOKOUPIL: There are new questions today about the health and future of California Senator Diane Feinstein. 89 years old, the Democrat has been absent from the Senate from the Senate business – from all Senate business, rather, recovering from illness. And now, some of her fellow Democrats claim that she can no longer do her job and she should quit.
Scott MacFarlane is on Capitol Hill for us. Scott, this is a talker. Good morning.
SCOTT MACFARLANE: Tony, in a narrowly divided U.S. Senate, Diane Feinstein is a pivotal vote at a pivotal moment. She's the oldest U.S. senator and has been absent now two months as she recovers from shingles.
In a statement last night, she said her return to Washington has been delayed due to continued complications. And also, in a rare request, she asked Senate Democratic leaders to temporarily fill her seat on the pivotal Senate Judiciary Committee. That panel's work confirming federal judges has been partially stalled in her absence. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last night said he would do so.
But over the past 24 hours, some House Democrats, including California's Ro Khanna, have urged her to step down ahead of the 2024 elections, saying Feinstein “can no longer fulfill her duties.” Her office announced she will not run for re-election next year but says she will be back here when doctors determine it's safe for her to resume traveling. Gayle.
GAYLE KING: All right, Scott, thank you very much.
NBC’s Today
April 13, 2023
8:16:15 a.m. EasternHODA KOTB: Meantime, calls are growing louder for longtime Senator Diane Feinstein to step down, some from members of her own party. The groundbreaking lawmaker absent from Washington for nearly two months due to illness. NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles has the details. Hey, Ryan. Good morning.
RYAN NOBLES: Hoda, good morning. Senator Diane Feinstein insists that she has no plans to step down, but overnight she did ask to be temporarily replaced on the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee. And some of her fellow Democrats are worried that her extended absence is standing in the way of important work that needs to be done here in Washington.
[Cuts to video]
Senator Diane Feinstein has not cast a vote in the U.S. Senate since early February. The California Democrat was hospitalized with shingles, and despite being released has not been well enough to fly back to Washington. “I intend to return as soon as possible once my medical team advises that it's safe for me to travel,” she promised in a statement last night.
But just how soon that may be remains unclear. And now some Democrats are calling for her to step aside. “It's time for Senator Feinstein to resign,” tweeting California Congressman Ro Khanna, adding, “We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty While she's had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties.”
The 89-year-old Feinstein already facing questions about her health and mental stamina, announced last month she would not seek re-election in 2024 but promised to finish her term. The new calls for her to step down are in part because of her role on the Judiciary Committee. More than a dozen Biden judicial nominations have been stalled waiting for her to return.
In a statement, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s spokesperson said the leader will ask the Senate to, quote, “allow another Democratic senator to temporarily serve on the judiciary committee.” A move that Republicans will likely stand in the way of.
Meanwhile, Feinstein isn't the only senator to have recently faced health struggles. Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was absent from the Senate multiple weeks last month after falling and being treated for a concussion. And Democratic Senator John Fetterman was out for more than a month after checking himself into the hospital to receive treatment for clinical depression.
Feinstein, a trailblazing Semocratic icon, was the first woman to serve in the Senate. But Feinstein has caught the ire of some progressives unhappy with her handling of confirmation of conservative justice, Amy Coney Barrett, who replaced liberal lion Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN (D-CA): This has been one of the best set of hearings that I’ve participated in.
[Cuts back to live]
NOBLES: Now, if Feinstein were to step down, Governor Gavin Newsom would appoint her replacement. Newsom, also a Democrat, has said he would appoint a black woman to the job.
