By Tim Redmond
I think Randy Shaw is right that Dianne Feinstein won’t run for governor. I don’t think the prospect of her entering the race is having much of any impact on Gavin Newsom right now (except for the possibility that some donors will hold off to see if Feinstein, who they would fear snubbing, is a player or not).
But there’s another element to this: As long as Feinstein is talking about the race, her presence will probably keep some other candiates, especially other women, on the sidelines. If Feinstein has a favorite — her dear friend Rep. Ellen Tauscher?) — she might be able to hold someone like Jackie Speier, who clearly is interested in the job, out of the race for a while.
So there are games aplenty here.