I am a bit peevish about all the wonderful things people are saying about Sen. Feinstein. On one hand, I get it. Hell, I voted for her every time she ran. I think she did an outstanding job for most of her career however the past few years she has been in bad health and she couldn’t give 100% to the job she was elected to do and there was little hope that her health would improve enough to change this circumstance. Instead of recognizing that it was time to go, she needlessly clung to power.

This is the only reason I can see for her continuing. Gavin Newsom, the California governor and a Democrat, would appoint her successor so there was no worry about turning the seat over to a Republican which would have been, at least, a reasonable concern in a divided Senate. Then, I can see holding onto her seat. So when she realized that she wasn’t up for the job any more, the right thing to do was to resign and make way for someone who could.

If she was unable or unwilling to surrender her seat, then people who care about her or colleagues who might influence her, should have interceded. There are all these excuses. Nobody wants to tell an esteemed colleague that her time has past and that she needs to retire. It would be a difficult conversation. I personally would hate to have such a conversation.

But, then, this is part of the vetting process called elections. People demonstrate their abilities and their positions and the public must decide which person can best represent their interests. One of the perennial abilities that candidates make is their ability to make difficult decisions. This is a fundamental part of the job description for people running for public office. So let me see you make difficult decisions.

Feinstein’s Democratic colleagues were remarkably mum when confronted with Feinstein’s fitness for her job. Which is disappointing. This was a difficult conversation yes but since there were very low stakes in the decision. There was going to be a Democratic replacement and there is a way to say Feinstein had done a fine job but isn’t up to the demands of such a position any more. Now, she may have ignored this advice but at least they would be on record at saying someone should be fit enough to continue in office.

By keeping their mouths shut, these titans of democracy don’t exactly leave me with the impression that they can make difficult decisions. This is concerning, particularly, since there are so many difficult decisions to make.