Following a Monday CNN report that Feinstein's prolonged sick leave has delayed President Joe Biden's judicial picks, calls for the senator's resignation rang out from prominent liberal outlets including the New Republic and Pod Save America. Late Wednesday afternoon, progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) became the first Democrat to call for Feinstein's resignation, noting that "it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties."

While the elderly senator's resignation could help clear the Biden administration's nomination backlog, California political analysts say it would put Newsom in a political minefield.

"The trouble with California politics is that you have Democratic constituency groups all thinking they're entitled to seats," Claremont Institute senior fellow Steven Hayward told the Washington Free Beacon. "With any choice [Newsom] makes, he'll upset some people. And if he's thinking about running for president, that puts him in a tough spot."

The governor has already promised to name a black woman to the Senate should Feinstein resign, which would confine his choice among declared candidates to Rep. Barbara Lee (D.), the least popular politician in a race that includes several of her Democratic colleagues. Choosing Lee over more popular candidates, such as Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, could anger prominent Democratic donors. According to Hayward, it would be "politically hazardous" for Newsom to pick among the declared candidates.

Source: Washington Free Beacon