(PresidentialInsider.com)- According to a recent article in the New York Times, California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein’s cognitive decline and memory lapses are an “open secret” in Washington DC.
The Times alleges that on Capitol Hill, everybody is well aware that the 88-year-old senator has short-term memory problems. On some days, her lapses in memory “are ignorable,” but on other occasions, it has been a cause of concern for those who work with her.
Feinstein may begin meetings engaged and prepared, but as time wears on, she often forgets what was discussed, according to sources who spoke to the Times.
The sources who expressed concern did so only anonymously.
The Times article also rehashes a recent report from the San Francisco Chronicle which cited anonymous Democrat lawmakers who recounted interactions with Feinstein when her memory slipped the tracks, including having to answer the same questions multiple times in one conversation. These anonymous colleagues told the Chronicle that Feinstein is no longer fit to serve.
However, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the worries over Feinstein’s cognitive health were ridiculous, telling the San Francisco Chronicle recently that she hadn’t noticed any decline in Feinstein’s memory.
Well, what else is Nancy going to say? She’s 82 and has cognitive issues of her own.
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who isn’t an octogenarian, also dismissed the concerns over Feinstein.
Last month, outgoing White House press secretary Jen Psaki avoided a reporter’s question about whether the president still has confidence in Feinstein, only saying that Feinstein is a “longtime friend” and someone Biden has “long enjoyed” working with.
But what else is Jen Psaki going to say? She may have spent over a year avoiding the issue, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t painfully aware that her boss has cognitive issues of his own. The White House can’t risk placing any focus on Feinstein’s problems as it would invariably direct focus on Biden’s mental decline as well.
Sources told the New York Times that ultimately, the only people who could encourage Dianne Feinstein to retire are her family members. According to a spokesman for the California senator, Feinstein has no plans to retire before her term ends in 2024.
