Butler to Succeed Trailblazing Senator
Trailblazing Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away after a decades-long career of public service. Feinstein got her start in San Francisco politics and was the first woman to serve as mayor. In 1992, she was elected to the U.S. Senate from California in the so-called ‘Year of the Woman.’ In a statement, President Biden called Feinstein ‘a historic figure,’ and lauded her contributions on issues such national security, the environment, gun safety, and 0n civil liberties. Feinstein previously announced that she would not seek reelection amid persistent concerns about her health.
Whose death did Feinstein report in 1978?
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: CQP_Lecture_Spark_PPT_Butler to Succeed Trailblazing Senator
Videos
News Articles
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazer in U.S. politics and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, dies at 90
NBC News
9/29/23
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dianne-feinstein-rcna18010
I met Dianne Feinstein at the 1984 DNC convention. Since then, she’s changed politics for women
USA Today
9/29/23
Feinstein’s death poses two big questions for US Senate Democrats
Reuters
9/29/23
California Gov. Newsom will pick Feinstein’s replacement. He pledged in past to choose a Black woman
Associated Press
9/29/23
Newsom’s says his ‘incredible’ pick for Senate can run if she wants
Politico
10/2/23
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/02/newsoms-pick-for-senate-can-run-if-she-wants-00119561
Newsom picks Laphonza Butler, political ally and power player, to replace Feinstein
Cal Matters
10/2/23
https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/laphonza-butler-senate-newsom/
What to know about Laphonza Butler, Emily’s List head replacing Sen. Feinstein
Axios
10/2/23
https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/laphonza-butler-bio-dianne-feinstein-replacement
California Gov. Newsom will appoint Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat
CNN
10/2/23
https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/01/politics/laphonza-butler-dianne-feinstein-successor/index.html
Assessment
Writing: Explain the importance of Senator Feinstein’s making her mark with issues not typically associated with female politicians. On what issues did Feinstein have the most influence during her tenure in the U.S. Senate?
Debate: Was it appropriate for Governor Newsom to make any promises about who he would appoint to the U.S. Senate?
Poll: Did Senator Feinstein tarnish her legacy by staying in office too long?
Short Answer: How will the extra special election necessary because of Senator Feinstein’s passing complicate the senate campaign in California?
News Quiz
True/False
Senator Feinstein authored the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. (T/F)
Republicans have indicated they will not block the naming of a new chair to the Judiciary Committee to replace Senator Feinstein. (T/F)
Senator Feinstein was the oldest and longest serving woman senator at the time of her death. (T/F)
Multiple Choice
Dianne Feinstein was portrayed in which feature film about San Francisco politics?
- All the President’s Men
- Bulworth
- Milk
- Vice
How many votes did Dianne Feinstein receive in the 2012 senate election?
- 1.67 million
- 3.25 million
- 5.7 million
- 7.86 million
Why was Senator Feinstein criticized during the confirmation hearings for future Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett?
- for supporting the conservative jurist
- for embracing Senator Lindsay Graham and praising his handling of the hearings
- for giving credence to unfounded accusations against the judge
- for taking political donations from conservative groups supporting Judge Barrett
