Political news, analysis, commentary and more about California and beyond

Although she just couldn’t bring herself to say the word “no,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein finally admitted, under interrogation by the Chronicle’s Carolyn Lochhead that it’s “very unlikely” she’ll run for governor.

Other things that are “very unlikely” include:

• The sun coming up in the west tomorrow.
• Barbara Boxer having a sudden growth spurt
• Arnold finding a spare $24 billion under the floor boards.

Feinstein said “she is tired of being asked everywhere she goes whether she will run.” But given a golden opportunity to ensure that this would never happen to her again, however, she couldn’t manage to spit it out.

Apparently determined to keep Calbuzz from saying “toldja!” (which, let’s face it, we’re way too gentlemanly to do) Princess Difi then forced the resourceful Lochhead to revert to old, cheap reporter tricks to shake it out of her: “When asked if it is fair to say a bid is ‘very unlikely,’ she said, ‘Correct.’”

Sheesh.

Playing coy apparently was the order of the day: after opining that the actual candidates for governor should put out specific plans to deal with the budget mess, Feinstein was asked if she had any advice on that score: “Yeah, I’ve got some thoughts,” she said, “but I’m not going to tell you.”

How civic-minded of you, Senator.