Why won't elected officials hang their hats up after a few years in public office and call it a day? It's because age is a game to be played in congressional politics, from committee chairs to the highest leadership positions in the party. Members, historically speaking, spend most of their lives reaching the highest positions of power. And because of such, they are destined that some title will give them a sense of purpose in their political careers.
As Robert Caro briefly wrote in his first volume in the series about LBJ, "There was only one way to become one of the rulers of the House: to wait. And, the harshest fact of all about Congress, even waiting was no guarantee."
This elite bubble, per se, has come to be informally known as the millionaires club, and having to retire means giving up an elite way of life that only the elderly in power seem to never give up, no matter how frail they become. It's no wonder reelection rates continue to be high, as much as 94%.
Take into account 90-year-old Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA), who has been absent from the Senate for months due to illness. Having returned to Washington in a wheelchair, many staffers privately knew her health was in decline due to memory loss but did not wish to express her state publicly. And to this day, staffers continue to surround her, forming "a human barrier between her and the press corps, with one staffer pushing her wheelchair while others shout at photographers to move out of the way," wrote Kent Nishimura for the Los Angeles Times.
And it should not surprise anyone that Democratic higher-ups, especially in California party circles, will protect their own, no questions asked. One would think it is a conflict of interest, but rules for thee don't apply to me in this bureaucratic city.
"One member of this protective bubble is Nancy Corinne Prowda, Rep. Nancy Pelosi's eldest daughter, who was first observed by the San Francisco Chronicle's Shira Stein. Since Feinstein returned to Washington, I've found myself regularly watching as Prowda runs interference and shields the senator from reporters, sometimes placing herself between them."
Her team is devoted to keeping her away from the press, taking avenues and other pathways to curb the embarrassment of a public appearance. But sometimes, things don't always go as planned.
Recently in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, the Golden State Senator had to be reminded to vote "Aye" by Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), "Just say aye." To which Feinstein responded, "Pardon me?" "Aye," Murray swiftly said again. Before you know it, Feinstein went on a 15-second tangent telling members how she would be a "Yes" vote. "It provides $823B, that's an increase from $26B from the Department of Defense, and it funds priorities submitted," soon interrupted by a committee staff member about current whereabouts and told by Murray once again to "Just say aye." Realizing, Feinstein gleefully cast her vote in support, saying, "Aye."
It also bears mentioning here that if you look at the video of the encounter, it seems that her staff member, seated behind her a few seats away, was hesitant and frantic about properly addressing Feinstein before rapidly approaching.
In a typical defense approach, an article by NBC News stated that a spokesperson from Feinstein's office said, "Thursday's markup 'was a little chaotic' as members work to wrap up government funding bills before they leave for a six-week break, with senators' constantly switching back and forth between statements, votes and debate and the order of bills.' 'The senator was preoccupied, didn't realize debate had just ended and a vote was called,' the spokesperson continued. 'She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote, and then cast her vote.'"
Pelosi and her establishment Democrats are eerie about Feinstein calling it quits because they want to help her continue her term, despite her public announcement not to run for reelection. Because if Feinstein retires, Gov. Newsom (D-CA) will appoint Rep. Barabra Boxer (D-CA), a prominent female African-American, to take over. Instead, they are eager to help out none other than Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for Senate, who has been previously reported via the book, Unchecked: The Untold Story Behind Congress's Botched Impeachments of Donald Trump, by authors Rachael Bade, and Karoun Demirjian, to become extremely close to Pelosi in political circles.
Follow the money, and Schiff has raised an eye-watering cash-on-hand war chest of $29.5M, more than any presidential campaign, and has been leading the rest of the pack of those running for Senate in 2024.
In addition, Pelosi, age 83, has made a new name for herself in House Democratic circles; since the phrase Madam Speaker wasn't enough, her colleagues in the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee voted to give her the title "Speaker Emerita," There was even a House bill, H.Res.1495, that was destined to name the Cannon House Office building caucus room as the "Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room." Talk about ego.
On the other side of the aisle, earlier on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), age 81, froze during a press conference while discussing the progress of the National Defense Authorization Act. Sen Barrasso (R-WY), a practicing physician, asked, "You OK, Mitch?" and asked if he wanted to return to the office. Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the second-highest-ranking Republican in the Senate, soon took over the press conference while McConnell was escorted aside by his Republican colleagues.
McConnell, who later appeared back, also made a witty remark that he was sandbagged after speaking to President Biden on the phone. “The president called to check on me. I told him I got sandbagged,” he told the reporters. It goes without mentioning that while McConnell has publicly stated he's back to work, some have speculated about concerns over his health due to past instances, including a fall earlier this year.
Staff members, especially those in leadership positions, may say how great of a place it is to work there, all in the midst of hoping to further boost their career endeavors, let alone in political consulting.
For example, two former Mitch McConnell staffers are hosts of the popular Ruthless podcast: Josh Holmes, who served as Chief of Staff, and Michael Duncan, who served in digital communications. The two also happen to run a political public relations firm called Calvary. Holmes serves as President and Founding Partner, while Duncan serves as Founding Partner. It is worth acknowledging that John Ashbrook, another Founding Partner, also served in McConnell's campaign and was formerly Staff Director of the Senate Republican Communications Center.
As Paul Bedard for the Washington Examiner described, "It is said that the best bosses are those who foster a positive workplace and hand out a few compliments and 'thank yous' to staffers. Certainly, that's why Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has one of most dedicated and loyal staff on Capitol Hill. While he may appear gruff to outsiders, those close to him describe him as a father figure and head coach."
In a suitable summary by former aide Don Stewart to former C-SPAN anchor Steve Scully, "You never really leave the McTeam. You are always on the team."
On the flip side, Pod Save America, aka the "Pod Save Bros," is led by a group of former Obama staffers: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor. Favreau served as Obama's speechwriter from 2005-2013, Lovett was another former speechwriter, and Vietor was involved in foreign policy and national security. All three are co-founders of Crooked Media.
In sum, what does this all entail? The short answer is that it's worth being close to power because the longer a politician stays in office, they’re the gift that keeps on giving.
Reminds one of emperor palpatine in star wars. A bunch of aging tin pot despots desperately clinging to power because thats the only thing they have in the miserable worthless lives. They’ve spent decades mulcting the taxpayer, conniving, conspiring against and stealing from the American people and they are addicted to it.