Sen. Feinstein: A Role Model for the Senate

Sara Fried — June 26, 2013 – 2:04 pm | Democrats Comments (0) Add a comment

Yesterday, The Washington Post profiled Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and reported on how she is admired by her colleagues. Senator Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and is one of the most senior members on Judiciary and Appropriations, is also the first woman to be the oldest member of the Senate. Her colleagues heaped praise on her for her leadership:

“Even her political adversaries say she remains more engaged in the minutiae of her job than many of her younger counterparts.

‘I always think if I’m half as prepared and energetic as Senator Feinstein, I’m doing okay,” says Sen. Claire McCaskill. The Missouri Democrat calls Feinstein “the ideal of what a senator should be.’

‘Role model’ is the one part of her new status that Feinstein embraces. ‘That is the biggest compliment,’ she says.”

Several of her colleagues reiterated this admiration of Senator Feinstein’s hard work. Senators Olympia Snowe, Saxby Chambliss, and Barbara Boxer all said “she does her homework.”

Her staff and colleagues extolled her for her work ethic and commitment, and described her as vastly knowledgeable about every issue she works on. The Washington Post described the thoroughness with which she works on issues: “To this day, Feinstein enters no forum- be it a hearing with top military brass or a one-on-one with a low-level staffer - without excruciatingly detailed preparation.” Former Senator Olympia Snowe said “You knew that she always came to her conclusions based on real knowledge and understanding, not in a partisan way.”

Senator Chambliss particularly emphasized the work she has done as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and he “credits her with helping to smooth over the once-strained relationship between the Senate and House intelligence committees. The bipartisan leaders now meet regularly to talk about how to speak with one voice on tricky issues - a change from the past. ‘We couldn’t afford that - the world has become too dangerous a place on intelligence issues,’ he says. She has proven herself to be an incredibly effective leader in the Senate.

Senator Feinstein’s preparedness, thoughtfulness, and her capable leadership have made her a respected “role model” in the Senate - a well-deserved title.

 

Comments

There are no comments for this entry