Feinstein Considers 2010 Bid for Governor

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) is looking at a run for California governor in 2010, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

“I can’t say that since this [convention] started I haven’t thought about it, because I have,” Feinstein told the newspaper. “I want to see how close to 60 votes we can get in the Senate, what the committee structure is, and how best I can use my time.”

Feinstein, 75, is the chairwoman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the second-ranking Democrat on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.

She suggested that she could wait to decide on the race, unlike other possible candidates, such as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D), who have less experience.

“I have run statewide four times now,” she said. “I have a base. It’s up and down the state. The state is so big. I think candidates misjudge California. They think they can get in a bus and go around and see enough people. You can’t. You need to be known. You need to raise the money. You need to have a combination of campaign organization, support and programs.”

She added: “This isn’t 2010. I don’t need to build an organization to run. I don’t need to do an exploratory committee to run. That is all out there if I want to do it. Therefore, at the appropriate time, I will make a decision.”