The moment California Democrat Sen. Diane Feinstein hugged South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Feinstein’s stock plunged for the left. Calls went out for her to be kicked off the judiciary committee and others wanted her completely canceled.

How dare she embrace someone on the other side of the aisle? Doesn’t she know we’re trying to achieve unity by domination here?

According to Politico, the 87-year-old Feinstein was too nice to the other side and as such, is going to step down as top Democrat on the judiciary committee. Her statement makes it sound like she’s voluntarily doing this, however, the reaction to her actions during the Amy Coney Barrett hearings give us clues that she was volun-told:

“After serving as the lead Democrat on the Judiciary Committee for four years, I will not seek the chairmanship or ranking member position in the next Congress,” the California Democrat said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to serve as a senior Democrat on the Judiciary, Intelligence, Appropriations and Rules committees as we work with the Biden administration.”

…

Members of her own party had expressed concern before Barrett’s hearing that the 87-year-old wouldn’t be aggressive enough. Her approach to the battle over filling the seat left by the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg soon confirmed many Democrats’ fears, particularly after she praised Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) for his handling of the process and gave him a hug at the conclusion.

The long and short of it is that it’s highly likely that Feinstein is looked at as being too soft on Republicans and, should Democrats win the Senate when the dust settles in Georgia, they want someone a bit more willing to go on the offensive in terms of appointing judges just like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did during the Trump administration.

According to the Washington Post, on deck for Feinstein’s spot is Dick Durbin:

Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) is next in line for the top judiciary spot after Feinstein. Durbin is also the Senate Democratic whip, which is the No. 2 position in the caucus and comes with its own security detail.

In a statement Monday night, Durbin thanked Feinstein for her “distinguished leadership on the Judiciary Committee during turbulent years” and announced that he intends to seek the top Democratic spot on the panel.

“I have served on the Committee for 22 years, and I am its most senior member who does not currently serve atop another Senate Committee,” Durbin said. “We have to roll up our sleeves and get to work on undoing the damage of the last four years and protecting fundamental civil and human rights.”

Let’s hope the race in Georgia goes the way of the Republicans so we can continue to be spared the Democrat’s judicial “wisdom.” One thing is for sure, the next Democrat in line won’t be dumb enough to be nice to the other side.