(Headline USA) Former Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., claimed this week that her former colleague Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is “doing real damage to her legacy” by refusing to retire.
During an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday, McCaskill referenced reports that Feinstein, 90, has given her daughter power of attorney over her—a common precautionary practice for older people as a safeguard for making medical and financial decisions should they be incapacitated.
“This whole story makes me incredibly sad,” McCaskill said. “This is doing some real damage to her legacy, which is extraordinary as a United States senator.”
McCaskill compared Feinstein to the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., who she said became a “kind of caricature of what he former was [sic],” with his staff, eventually having to lift “his hand up” during votes in Congress due to his advanced age.
Feinstein’s staff has been reportedly running the show for the California Democrat for years, but a recent incident highlighted just how hands-on they’ve become.
During a simple procedural vote on the Senate floor this month, Feinstein appeared confused and had to be directed by her aide to “just say aye” when it was her turn to vote.
Feinstein announced earlier this year that she does not plan to seek reelection after her term is up next year—prompting a free-for-all race to replace her that currently includes 27 declared candidates, 18 of whom are Democrats.
Several Democrats have called on her to resign immediately, citing her extended absences from the chamber as proof that she is no longer capable of handling her responsibilities.
However, Democratic leadership, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have been quick to defend Feinstein, likely because Feinstein remaining in office allows Pelosi and other top Democrats to hand-select her successor, whereas California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be able to make an appointment to her seat if she left before the election.
McCaskill has tried desperately to cozy up to the Democratic establishment after being ousted from the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Just last month, she tried to write off allegations of corruption against President Joe Biden by claiming Republicans were attacking him “for loving his son.”
