The Life of Dianne Feinstein

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a comprehensive account of the life and career of Dianne Feinstein. It charts her early days and her rise in the political arena.

Outline:
Early Life
The In-Between Years
Campaigning for the Senate
Senator Feinstein
Accomplishments
Feinstein on Key Issues
Projections

From the Paper:

"Essential to understanding the political rollercoaster that is the career of Dianne Feinstein, is a familiarity with her early family life. Born to Leon and Betty Goldman on June 22, 1933, Dianne grew up a privileged child. She and her two sisters "attended private schools, wore expensive clothes, were indulged with riding, tennis, and piano lessons, and were treated to white-gloved teas and luncheons at fine hotels and restaurants in fashionable Union Square" (Roberts 9). Dianne's father was a nationally renowned surgeon, who broke through barriers of anti-semitism to become one of the first Jewish Professors at the University of San Francisco Medical School. Kind and compassionate, yet determined and strong-willed, Dianne accredits much of her political success to her relationship with her father - "My father had a will of iron...he instilled in me the will to never be satisfied (Feinstein). Dianne's relationship with her mother also affected her political career, but in a less desirable way. Beneath the frilly dresses, behind the perfect smile, Dianne was a troubled child. Her mother constantly indulged in drinking binges and consumed large amounts of pain-killers. Betty would often have fits of rage, beating Dianne and her sisters and calling them lewd names like "little kike" and "little jew" (Roberts 16). Growing up in such contradicting worlds, a happy and picturesque public life, but a sad and dysfunctional family life, led Dianne to learn the art of compartmentalizing. She carried this art into her political career. While she emanates a persona of strength and confidence in the political world, privately she combats feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Reflecting on her experiences as a campaigner, Dianne was once quoted saying "I may grumble that I want to quit and I may want to quit....but I don't quit. I'm a far more confident person today that I was [during my youth]. But I never feel that I do as well or as much as I should. I give a speech and I always have a feeling of inadequacy" (Feinstein). Instilling in her strength and determination, yet fear and self-doubt, Feinstein's family life served to mold her in ways that will undoubtedly last until the end of her political career."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brody, Seymour S. Jewish Virtual Library. 1996. 24 Apr. 2004 <http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/biography/DFeinstein.html>.
• Feinstein, Dianne. Personal Statements.
• Krikorian, Greg. CNN. 18 July 2000. 24 Apr. 2004 <http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/07/18/latimes.campbell/>.
• Official Website Of Senator Dianne Feinstein. 24 Apr. 2004 <http://feinstein.senate.gov/>.
• Roberts, Jerry. Dianne Feinstein: Never Let Them See You Cry. New York: HarperCollins, 1994.

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