This seems too clever by half for me. It is some anonymous "confidant". Newsom hasn't even said he will pick Lee, but instead a "black woman". I don't see why a more likely explanation is that Feinstein is just stubborn. Has anyone heard her interviews lately?
All these parties are far too close and friendly for me to believe this rumor. In any case for those wanting Lee, I have bad news for you- appointed senators tend to be caretakers they don't have the incumbency advantage of elected senators.
Sure I don't doubt Pelosi wants Schiff to win, but I don't know how anyone listens to Feinstein and thinks she herself isn't the main reason she isn't stepping down.
I think she is medically unfit, but I don't think that's in conflict with thinking she is stubborn about acknowledging that.