Dianne Feinstein Calls On Bob Filner To Resign (VIDEO)

Democratic Senator Urges San Diego Mayor To Resign

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) called on embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner to resign Sunday, saying he lacked the "moral compass" to provide leadership.

During an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley, Feinstein was asked if Filner should step down amid allegations of sexual harassment.

"I think he should. Of all people, Bob Filner knows what public life is like," she said. "He served time in the House. Being the mayor of a big city, you're a role model for people. You're either inspirational to people or you aren't."

"It's a very tough job, and I don't think that somebody who is lacking a moral compass really sets a role model or really will provide the kind of leadership that San Diegans want," Feinstein added. "This is up to them. This kind of absence of a moral compass is subject to recall. I suspect there will be recalls, and the people will judge."

Pressed again on whether or not Filner should resign, Feinstein said, "he should make it easier and resign, that's right."

Seven women have publicly accused the San Diego mayor of sexual harassment, including his former communications director Irene McCormack Jackson, who filed a lawsuit against Filner last week. Other allegations have come from some of the city's more prominent figures, such as former Chief Operating Officer Veronica "Ronne" Froman and San Diego State University Dean Joyce Gattas.

Filner has resisted calls to resign, even though the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee voted 34-6 Thursday to ask him to step down. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), chair of the Democratic National Committee, also issued a statement urging Filner to resign, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said his behavior was "reprehensible" and "disrespectful to women."

Instead of leaving his post, the mayor pledged to undergo therapy at a rehab center for two weeks during a press conference Friday.

"Beginning on August 5, I will be entering a behavior counseling clinic to undergo two weeks of intensive therapy," Filner said. "The behavior I have engaged in over many years is wrong. I apologize to my staff, I apologize to the citizens and staff members who have supported me over the years, I apologize to the people of San Diego, and most of all, I apologize to the women I have offended."

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