Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) confirmed her husband, Richard Blum, is “interested” in holding an ambassador position in the Biden administration.
“Well, I think he’s interested,” Feinstein told CNN’s Manu Raju.
When asked if she believes her husband will get the position, she replied, “Don’t ask me that. I’m trying to stay away.”
Feinstein said “no, no, no” she is not involved in talks surrounding his potential appointment.
She was asked if she would leave the Senate early if her husband was given an overseas position. Feinstein answered, “No.”
Asked if she thought her husband would get the post, Feinstein said: "Don't ask me that. I'm trying to stay away."
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 17, 2021
Feinstein said "no, no, no" she's not involved in the discussions for his potential appointment. (Blum’s interest first reported by @jmartNYT)
And the 87-year-old veteran Democrat also said whatever happens with Blum would not affect her plans to serve out her term in full.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 17, 2021
"No," she said when asked if she would leave the Senate early if her husband got the nod.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) during a Monday interview if he would “nominate an African American woman” if Feinstein were to retire, as IJR reported.
“I have multiple names in mind. We have multiple names in mind — and the answer is yes,” Newsom said.
Feinstein responded to Newsom’s comments while speaking to reporter’s on Tuesday, as IJR reported.
“Please, we’re very good friends. I don’t think he meant that the way some people thought,” Feinstein said.
She argued reporters were “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Feinstein explained she is “absolutely” confident she can serve for the remainder of her term.
She added, “I think that’s pretty obvious.”
Newsom sought to clarify his comments during an appearance on “The View” on Tuesday.
The governor described the reasoning behind his response to whether he would nominate a Black woman.
Newsom said he was “asked just a point-blank question, if she ever did retire, would I, and I just answered it honestly and forthrightly. That said, I have no expectation that she’ll be stepping aside. Quite the contrary.”
