Gail -
Please don't adopt the same ageist rhetoric. " the Democrats in the House aren’t all enthusiastic.. they want a leader who’s younger, more open to new ideas. You do have to admit the Democratic leadership is looking a little … non-fresh. Pelosi turns 78 this month."
You're saying that all older people are not open to new ideas. Base your criticism on her record, or even the amount of years of service. But don't, don't, don't criticize her simply for being 78 years old. Read this in your own paper: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/04/opinion/sunday/youre-how-old-well-be-...
P. S. at 73 - are you, Gail, getting a little stale? I don't think so, so please consider your criticism carefully in the future.
48
The USA has always had a strong woman to hate. For a child in the South, in the 1930's and 40's Eleanor Roosevelt was a prime target of ridicule and hate. As a child we would make faces and bear our teeth to emulate what we thought of as an ugly woman with buck teeth. Of course the hate was generated by her support of Negros in their struggle for dignity and equality.
In fallow periods, when there was not an agreed upon national female to denigrate, lesser stars would fill in the gap.
Fast forward to Jane Fonda. Well, you may be old enough to remember her.
The rise of Hilary as the most disdained came shortly after she entered the White House.
A Republican cousin of mine whose adherence to the dirty party transcend his own morals said to me eight years ago after we argued," Well, Gus, whatever our disagreements, there is one thing we can agree on: We've got to get rid of Nancy Pelosi."
"No," I said. That is not something we can agree on. You despise her because she is strong, because she is effective, and because she puts all the weak, crooked, ineffectual leaders of your party to shame. "
Hang in there Nancy!
70
The Democrats are mired in the Queen Elizabeth dilemma: H. Clinton, Pelosi, Ginsburg. Time for new people!
15
I think Republican attacks on Pelosi are entirely related to gender. To see for yourself, just go to the Fox News website from time to time. You'll see story after story about Hillary (the criminal), Elizabeth Warren (who lied about being a Native American), Susan Rice (who colluded with the Clintons), and, of course, Pelosi (who wants to force her far-left agenda down Americans' throats).
Attacks on powerful women and blacks are the red meat Fox News throws into the piranha tank to keep the Republican base frothy with rage. They're not about quibbles over public policy.
63
Dont be so sure the GOP will lose the majoirity
20
Here comes Sat nite live!
Will all the misogynistic men who loathe strong women pls raise their hands?
13
Pelosi has been demeaned and denigrated as was Hillary, and for the same reasons: both are fierce and fiery women warriors. Same goes for Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Maxine Waters, Kamala Harris, and Dianne Feinstein. The GOP prefer their two timing adulterers, molesters, and regular law breakers as long as they are white males.
60
“And why is it that the only one being pressured to leave is a woman?” demanded one of Pelosi’s friends."
Hey,I want Schumer gone IF he cant rally the troops either! He's akin to Pelosi in my book. Pops his head of his rabbit hole,the ducks back in...repeat.
"The ideal solution...might be for Pelosi to come back with a new message."
Novel idea and one that deserves serious consideration. Not just by Pelosi, but the whole of the party. They can certainly gather votes for being anti-Trump, but there has to be more. There MUST BE policy. There must a view of a future path that is not all identity politics, and fosters both growth for all Americans, and a little nationalism. (its possible to have nationalism without the racism!)
"...there’s that election in November. Right now, it seems as if nothing can save the Republican majority."
Oh wanna bet? There is plenty of time for the Dems to screw this up and lose the "fervor". Plenty of time for a scandal on the Dems side. And plenty more time for HRC to keep calling Trump voters, and by extension Repub leaning independents, miscreants. Never count the Dems out of screwing things up!
The Dems need to innovate, or they will die come this fall. They need to focus on the youth vote, sane immigration reform, sane fixes to whats left of the ACA, income inequality. They need to point out the damages Trumps appointments are doing, not just to their depts/agencies, but also our democracy.
The Dems need to play serious hard ball.
26
I like her, however blah, blah. Such garbage. I like her and will continue to support her. Democratic Party members, get rid of doily democrats.
11
When attacking the minority leader in the US House of Representatives is all you've got in your campaign quiver of talking points, you do not hold a winning hand, as Rick Saccone now knows.
33
Gail, I take issue with "historically unique". Long before the Republican hit machine cast Nancy Pelosi as the "Wicked Witch of the West", they Hillary Clinton as the "Wicked Witch of the East". After singing "Ding Dong" at inauguration, all eyes turned to the west.
17
Time to move on.
5
Republicans don’t like smart, tough Democratic women. They are doing to Pelosi what they did to Mrs Clinton.
37
Ever since she was first elected Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has been framed by the Republican Party as a crazy lefty form San Francisco who is a socialist, radical communist, hate monger and for some on the religious right , the devil incarnate. Fox News and Rush Limbaugh have led the charge that Nancy Pelosi wants to over through our government and destroy our way of life.
When I speak with my conservative friends they are surprised to hear that this evil woman is in many ways the all American woman . Nancy Pelosi is a Christian, attended Catholic schools, married an investment banker, was a stay at home mother raising her children and entered politics at age forty as a volunteer knocking on doors and handing out flyers for Democrats in her area.
Nancy Pelosi and her husband are CAPITALISTS having acquired much wealth as investors. Yes, they have been living the American dream.
28
How about Rep. Adam Schiff (CA) as a replacement for Nancy Pelosi? He's articulate, serious, and at the heart of the Trump-Russia collusion investigation.
11
Clearly it's time for Pelosi to step down, along with the rest of the geriatric crew.
But please stop pushing Joe Crowley of Queens upon us. He's a political boss of the old, and worst, kind.
10
Nancy Pelosi is getting the Hilary treatment because a) she’s tough, effective and smart and b) she’s a woman. In Republican America women can be attack dogs (Blackburn, Losch, Coulter, et. al.) they just can’t be the boss.
32
Paul Ryan is not half as bad as Mitch McConnell
5
Republicans attack Pelosi because she is effective at her job. She stopped (some of) Bush’s excesses, enabled Obamacare and is fighting against the Dotard-in-Chief.
Keep Pelosi as Leader.
29
The anti Nancy Pelosi thing is the same as the anti Hilary thing. Conservative
Media tells the listeners that she is bad, evil, corrupt,whatever. So those sheep
buy it. Then insecure democrats start to buy it. When one asked what exactly is wrong with Nancy Pelosi they have no answer, sameas with Hilary.
35
Change for the sake of change is useless, but to have Ms.P retire for age is ridiculous.
Is she senile? No. Does she act in an ageism manner? No.
And, what's more important, who is her replacement?
Come up with a youngster(HA!) who is as qualified...who?
Get off her back AND ALLOW HER TO DO HER JOB.
31
Attention Democrats: Would you puh-lease go after McConnell and Ryan with the same venom that Trumpists (aka Republicans) go after Pelosi?
42
"And Now, the Nancy Pelosi Drama
She stars in more ads that auto insurance."
Huh?
3
Once again, Republicans guide the discussion topics. Fine. Getting the ACA passed- by ignoring the need for a single-payer health care system. Fund raising instead of leading a constant drum beat for overturning Citizens United. Compromising- standing with those kids for gun control legislation while applauding the Penn Democrat winner who loves his guns, oh and is against (but only personally, you understand) abortion. Standing for hours in high heels for DAACA kids- after they were thrown under the bus (or, literally, in the buses) because it didn’t “look” good for a gov’t shutdown over (as the Republican talking point again led the issue) illegals. Never mind, their being blameless. And never mind that she should have taken off those spike heels and thrown them down as a symbol of Trumpian sexist caricatures. Maybe next time, don a stringy blond wig to go with those heels.
The Democrat Party seems to have learned absolutely nothing from the last election. It’s ideas, stupid. What does a majority in either House or Senate matter if when the votes are counted- those middle of the roaders cave again and again. Third parties are rare, but are looking better and better. Trump must be laughing - and we get 8 years of this incompetent. Thanks.
10
Democrats cant allow the Republicans set the terms for how the Democratic Party manages itself. If Nancy Pelosi leaves they will just start trashing her replacement the same way they trashed Pelosi. Right-wing media trash her, lie about her and scapegoat her and Republican voters mindlessly consume these lies without thinking twice. It would be nice if you had a politician who didn't act castrated and actually defended her record rather than cowardly slinking away and allowing the Republicans rule the opposing party. We should be calling for the Republicans to get rid of McConnell who put his party above country back in 2016 and wouldn't even allow Obama to appoint a Supreme Court justice.
13
Pelosi is stale but Ryan is rotten.
6
" a voodoo-priestess puppy-killer " you are the BEST Gail Collins!
7
Well of course you don't get to the real issue. And I wonder why.
And of course all the comments here miss the point also.
It's simply that the wealthy and corporations are buying off Pelosi and the rest of them and the money keeps moving upward. Inclusive capitalism is dead and hasn't been around for decades and the military-industrial-media complex control everything and other democratic institutions are also collapsing. That's why we have our wonderful president causing more and more chaos and spend more and more $$$$$ on weapons and climate change becomes more and more obvious by the day.
And you are worried about Nancy Pelosi?
7
Let's see: Nancy Pelosi is 77 and therefore her age is a problem? But Joe Biden is 75 and he is contemplating a run for the presidency, a move encouraged by numerous Democrats.
The current covey of Republicans practice sexism and misogyny openly (see attacks on health care for women as well as attacks on teachers).
Democrats: look in the mirror. Do a little ageism check. Pelosi is clearly capable of much; she may be the strongest leader of anyone in the House or the Senate.
10
Do you think it is time for Pelosi to go??? I don’t understand why she was kept in place after last year’s loss. She could be a drag in the midterm.
Lamb ditched her in order to win. It doesn’t look good if many candidates have to do the same to win the midterm elections.
This country is going through a very dangerous time as Russia is winning the cyberwar. At this moment we are extremely vulnerable: with a president that is a horrible leader and without a good unifier oposition leader.
It is really scary that the story on Russian’s ability to control our power grid and water supply is not a major news than Stormy Daniel ( which i do understand has serious development) but the vulnerability of our country to Russia could be the major threat to this country, more so than North Korea.
Russia cyberwar can make the US a captive nation without sovereignty.
While it is inspiring to see the resurgence of local democrat leaders, it is concerning that we have a vaccum at the National level.
At the global stage, China might become a safer leader than Russia. Africa is already more aligned to China than to the US. Who will be next? Could Europe and Latin America be the next to go under China’s wing? China is sounding more appealing than Russia these days.
The US needs smart leadership. Where is it?
4
It is time for a new voice - President Obama had that voice.
3
I enjoy the 'Republicans self-immolate' option when it comes to the Honorable Congresswoman. Any of her quips get this on alt-Media, where Paul Ryan's reception is more 'meh.'
Go Nancy! you should have a press conference every week.
5
The hatred for Nancy Pelosi is brazen misogyny. Democrats' giving in to it is pure cowardice. The NYT published a story just yesterday about gender bias when it comes to Americans' perception of leadership. As a female Democrat, I refuse to forgive any of this
15
What no mention of McConnell? he makes dracula seem like fesh blood.
But seriously, ageism is out of place in politics.
5
Sexism combined with Ageism pure and simple..... some of the gyrations that folks are going through in the comment section here are painful - “damaged brand” ? no one would frame Mitch McConnell that way
12
The pundit Gail quoted in the article says the negative drumbeat against Pelosi "might be related to her gender." Ya think?!?! The same slime factory, built and operated by the Republican Party, Russia, Fox News/Rupert Murdoch, and the Koch bros, that spent decades and billions smearing Hillary is now free to fully concentrate on harming Pelosi, the next-most powerful woman in government who is not a judge. The extreme, evangelical, back-to-the-50's right has had an obvious, focused anti-woman campaign going on since Reagan and the Equal Rights Amendment. You might not adore Pelosi or hardcore fundraising and party politics, but if you say you support women's rights and women's issues you should not be willing to throw this hardworking, effective female crusader for progressive policies under the bus.
16
The far right hates Nancy Pelosi so much that I know she's the right woman for the job.
9
The Democrats are the ones who need to do this, electing any Republican is electing a Trump enabler, clome and trailor to this country.
2
With stalled legislation and this country becoming a mess ,do something humane, "do the right thing"; get McCabe his DUE retirement. Two days short, for a law enforcement officer to be fired and denied his early pension is just plain bully, petty.
Show me, a lifetime Democrat that you Nancy, still have the backbone to be our leader. Although this gentleman was in an elite position, it doesn't make it right for what really is an attack on the working class. 2 days, 2days, we're talking 2 days. Heck, if McCabe was such a bad man, he could have done a worker's compensation stumble down the stairs on Friday, which would have put him in a protected status, by government labor laws.
C'mon Nancy, get this FBI patriot PAYED!
5
Wait. Conor Lamb was a Pelosi liberal? I thought Paul-I-don’t-know-why-they-think-i’m-honest Ryan said that the PA-18 election was between two conservatives???
So, which is it lying Republicans: a Pelosi liberal or a conservative? You can’t be on both sides of the same claim... party of Trump!
I must confess, I’m no Pelosi fan. But (1) she knew how to count votes (and spineless no-longer-boy-wonder Ryan can’t); (2) it gives me great pleasure that Republicans scare their kids to eat their peas and greens by scaring them of Nancy Pelosi...
Guess who’s tough and strong, now?
Not Trump or his party of old white men worshipping tough guy Putin...
6
She's a smart woman. She got us Obamacare. She has won already.
9
Tired of people vilifying Nancy. The same old misogyny again and again. Nancy can move legislation and hold a caucus. Local elections are key - they two can exist. The NYTimes false equivalency machine has been hard at work this past week.
10
Never underestimate the Democrats' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
6
Misogyny remains the go to Republican dog whistle.
Trump's message is brazen contempt for women, viewing them only as sex toys. Even Ivanka is "a fine piece of...[rhymes with crass]."
So GOP strategists easily exploit male fear and loathing of women, which is also a basic tenet of Evangelicals. It's rooted in the Genesis creation myth of Eve's defiance of god and man. Because women are weak and gullible, the serpent chose her and not Adam. Eve's Original Sin is why all women must be punished and subjugated.
Attitudinal research on abortion indicates that men who report failed relationships with women tend to be anti-abortion whereas men with positive experience of women are strongly pro-choice. With America's divorce rate hovering between 30 to 40% annually, Republican calculation that men without women will respond to anti-woman dog whistles is on target.
That's why a lot of voters found it easy to detest Hillary as the evil scheming woman of GOP's 20 year smear campaign.
Sans Hillary, the same Republican template of latent misogyny now targets Pelosi.
It's regretful that Democratic young bloods -- who hail a creaky and ineffectual male senator from Vermont -- swallow GOP's spiked kool aid about Pelosi. Her horrific crimes are age and gender.
She is destined for history as one of America's great political figures.
It was never Obamacare but in reality Nancycare. She's the line in the sand Republicans fear crossing.
Nancy Pelosi, now more than ever.
10
She's got one the highest, if not THE highest, rates of used-the-wrong-word in the entire Congress. She should hang it up.
3
"more ads THAN auto insurance??"
My dream: Democrats take the House and Senate in 2018
Pelosi is voted Speaker of the House
Trump and Pence are impeached
Nancy Pelosi becomes first woman president
9
Back when Bush/Cheney were about to invade Iraq, I snoozed into a deep nap while watching a CNN news clip about Cheney having gone hunting on a Texas ranch and having accidentally fired his shotgun that put a few shells into a fellow hunter. And I dreamed, what if Cheney and Bush were hunting on Bush's ranch and Cheney sneezed and his shotgun went off blowing a hole in Bush who, as he was falling, managed to squeeze the trigger on his shotgun and blow Cheney's head clean off. Timing being everything, it just happened that Nancy Pelosi was majority header in the House at that time with the passing of Bush/Cheney as she became President. Just think, no Iraq War, no Republican recession, no gun nuts terrorizing our country. Think I'll keep snoozing.
4
M-I-s-o-g-y-n-y
She's a woman....and she's an older woman. Plain and simple and overtly visibleamd disgusting and unacceptable by both sides. In the era of #metoo, I expect better for a distinguished public servant who has never done anything wrong.
10
Where are the real men who have the guts to stand up and say, Pelosi has done a fantastic job, she is my idol and role model? To be a successful Congressman, I wnat to be just like her?
Yes I am talking to you, Tim Ryan from Ohio (as Gail would say.)
And we need a few plus 60’s too to maintain age diversity. As thrilled as I am with Lamb’s win in PA18, the last thing we need is a Dem majority of young handsome white male ex military.
C’mon guys, if I can stand up for Conor, you can stand up for Nancy!
5
Look, I'm a big Gail Collins fan, but this column is a snoozer. NP is a known commodity - a really effective dem party leader. The fact the GOP attacks her confirms this. We know all this.
Is it time for a younger replacement? Maybe, but that'll happen when there is someone who can perform better - for the party. There will always be exceptions like Penn 18.
The truth is, and my point for commenting, I feel cheated out of a, what I've come to enjoy as a savory delicious Gail Collins column on Saturday AM in pulp as I receive it. This column was... just... not compelling, and not good use of my time.
4
It would be nice to see SF Bay Area Representatives who can voice their own opinions. These elected Member sign a “I will vote as Nancy says” as part of their oath of office.
We can use some fissures in the monolithic voting block. The opportunity to vote their conscious on the Penninsula? Anna, Jackie and Zoe are superglued to Nancy unable voice opinions that’s differ from the party line.
Time to rattle the cage.
1
Nancy Pelosi is a good bet to be the living incarnation of the Goddess. Or it might be Beyonce. I'm not sure. Let's keep both of them, just because.
3
There's no reason for the average citizen to be all that concerned about this congressional race. The only prize is a long-term prize. Both parties undermined a bipartisn change for DACA legislation. Both parties are monsters. The Democrats are still represented by Hillary, who has become an absolutely monsterous, racist, anti-male, treasonoust, elitist jerk. She's a good representative for the Democrats.
Only long-term goals matter: 12-year term limits on both the House and the Senate; end of super pacs, end of the second ammendent, an overhaul of our voting system (to ranked choice), etc...
It is time for a constitutional convention. Several ammendments are necessary to make any difference at all. This election season doesn't matter to me. I'm not voting no matter what anyone says or what happens. All candidates belonging to one of the 2 parties are rotten apples.
Does it really matter to the Right if Pelosi retires or steps back from a leadership position?
Hillary Clinton is still a full-time Republican/Fox News obsession and she hasn't held a government position since 2013.
To Republicans, Hillary, Nancy, and now Elizabeth, are demonic symbols that will live on long beyond political defeat or retirement.
A Hannity fever dream Mount Rushmore of women who persist.
6
Pelosi is a knowledgeable, seasoned politician who understands her job and does it!! How many of those do you see any more? -- Hang in there, Nancy! There is no substitute for competence and accomplishment! (And, yes, disparaging active, accomplished old ladies is actually misogynist!)
6
Why do Republicans always have to have a female liberal bogeyman?
8
Nancy Pelosi for President! 2020 ! Go Nancy!
4
The next 2 years are pivotal to the United States of America.
1. The GOP must lose its control of Congress.
2. The Democrats must return to unequivocally representing the working middle classes of America. By and large, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are beholden to Silicon Valley and Wall Street -- while pandering to the welfare state and practicing identity politics. This is a very tired & hypocritical Clinton strategy which must be swept from the Democratic Party.
3. Nancy Pelosi is Hillary Clinton lite. Nancy . . . it's NOT about you ! Check your ego and for the sake of our country (remember . . . that's why you originally went into politics ?), leave the stage. The lights are being flashed. It's time to go.
1
Right, just another bossy woman.
Not really a fan of Pelosi, but the Dem's are stuck in a time warp that is missing an opportunity.
Stormy is actually a mild forecast of the weather on 5th Avenue.
Unfortunately, the Pelosi- and Hillary-baiting continues because, for whatever reason (add your own interpretation here) LARGE numbers of men (and some women) absolutely hate, or at least constantly demean, WOMEN. I saw this play out almost constantly at a private rifle and gun range in North Carolina. Disparaging women became sort of a sport, itself, by those strutting gun-on-the-hip cowboy wannabes. Mommy issues, anyone????
7
She's the absolute worst.
6
Time to retire....
1
Old insecure men, always find an enemy in an effective woman.
9
Rep. Linda Sanchez is a die hard Dodgers fan. What more needs to be said.
Keep delusional Pelosi in charge of Dems. It guarantees 8 years of Trump. Go Nancy go!!!
5
Republicans have show the ability to demonize Democrats, full stop. If the Democrat happens to be a woman, she is immediately either the Wicked Witch of the West or the Gorgon.
Until the Democrats can figure out a propaganda strategy to counter this, it will continue.
104
FOX news has demonized Nancy like Hillary. They can't handle strong intelligent women. The women on FOX are no more than a pretty face reading the promoter and saying what they are told say.
2
This woman gets more ridiculous every day. How do the Dems support her so blindly? It's amusing when they claim criticism of her is "sexist".
4
Pelosi is being scapegoated by some Dems for the Republican incompetence in the House. As a minority leader, she has been doggedly doing the best anyone can do in these circumstances.
The Dems better stop trying to sabotage themselves by being divisive and rally around this amazing woman - if only just for their own sake of winning Congress.
The Republicans are going to work hard to exploit any divisiveness, fuelled by the fact that they seem to be bothered by this brilliant, successful female politician, simply by the fact that she is just that, a brilliant, successful female politician.
4
It’s not like voting for a Republican solves any “Pelosi Issues.” When I vote, I’m choosing between lowering my medical insurance rates – and not having my insurance dropped, or not; increasing the minimum wage, or not; saving my Social Security income, or not; saving my Medicare, or not; saving the environment or not. If you vote for a Republican congressperson because “I’m not sure if I like Nancy Pelosi or not;” you’re drinking the Republican cool aid.
8
Demonizing Nancy Pelosi is completely logical if you’re a Republican politician.
Republicans have spent generations perfecting their sense of victimhood, and nothing makes them feel as deliciously victimized as being led by people they consider their inferiors.
The G.O.P. is mostly male, so having a woman in a position of power is offensive to them – just ask Hillary Clinton.
Republicans are usually white, so having to defer to a person of color is unacceptable – just ask Barack Obama.
Republican politicians love being personally affronted by someone uppity in a high office, because they think it makes rallying their voter base easier.
Maybe it does.
2
Hilary Clinton's failed campaign should put to rest the the idea that there is no such thing as bad publicity. It's also a bad idea to allow a sharp cookie like Karl Rove to hand-pick the so called 'presumptive nominee' for the democrats and then proceed, for years, to have her slandered, investigated, Fox-Newsed until even her own mother might question her fitness. It's a defensive reaction and a losing proposition to allow republicans to set the table , chose the issues that democrats should run on. Who would have thought that Trump the Unfit would defeat Clinton the Good and Ready? Not even Himself. And it may happen again if we don't wake up.
1
Please note that the new magic word by the GOP to describe any Democrat is "Liberal." During the Presidential campaign, the GOP called any Democrat a "Socialist". Going further back to the McCarthy days, the word by the right wing GOP was "Communist".
This all kind of leaves us with the question as to what word can the GOP dream up to replace "Liberal"? Perhaps, "Progressive".
1
Nancy Pelosi is being trashed in the same manner as Hilary Clinton. So what do they have in common? They’re women? They’re SUCCESSFUL and POWERFUL women, and many in our culture—men and women—are not able to deal with it. Well, tough! Nancy Pelosi earned her place as Speaker because she is a force of nature.
4
Although I believe that it is time for a younger generation of Democrats to take charge of the party, the demonization of Pelosi is bizarre. It is very reminiscent of their unrelenting attacks on Hillary Clinton. Conservatives seem to need some evil force to campaign against, rather than ever talk about what they believe in or intend to do.
I guess if your sole political philosophy is giving the 99%'s money to the 1% it is best to shift your base's focus to something else. It has certainly worked in the past but maybe the genie is now out of the bottle. We can only hope.
2
It hurts me to say but I agree with Conor Lamb that the Democrats must choose another leader. She has definitely done an outstanding job on preserving democratic principles but times are changing changing very very fast. We are energized by young intelligent candidates such as Lamb and John Beto O Rourke. I was disappointed that she did not step aside and allow Perez to become minor whip. And this is from an old old Democrat who knows that there are many young intelligent forceful women and men that will appeal to the independents and the millennials that red that Pelosi should be replaced.
6
Wait, no mention of San Francisco? It's not just that she's a woman, she's a woman from San Francisco. The place 'fly over country' hates even worse than New York.
3
Nancy Pelosi has become a lightning rod for the Republicans. She has been unfairly smeared by the Republicans and it seems to have worked to a degree, particularly for voters who are not politically engaged.This coming election is so important particularly because the voters are so much more engaged than in the past. Who knows what the political climate will be like in 2 1/2 years. Ms Pelosi should step down and except the praise for all the good work she has done. This would remove one large stumbling block to having a responsible Democrat majority back in the House
1
Yes NOW would be a good time for the Democratic party to reinvent itself.
Lamb won because he didn't tow the same tired line. Pelosi is not the problem but she can't run from the fact that she is part of the culture that is the problem.
Lets ask what is good for America not the DNC. The Democrats have an amazing moment for a transformational political shift. No sitting president since Abe has been more despised than djt, (he ain't no Abe!). Midterms are all about presidential report cards, and djt mark's are Unprepared, Absent, and Failing.
But he won because he was different than "politics as usual". The Democrats need a new playbook and QB. Tim Ryan, or Brian Higgans, can bring the party back to middle America. They speak to/with the working class. The new Agenda should be heavy on reform, Constitutional reform. At least 3 big amendments are needed: Campaign Finance(transparency/limits), Redistricting(increase # of competitive districts), Term Limits(limit consecutive terms). Democracy needs a tune up. But the message must be carried by a new generation to sell it to a new generation
4
I saw Nancy being interviewed on CNN or MSNBC a couple or three months ago and I remember her as rambling and spouting semicoherent bromides and thinking to myself oh jeez. And about how old is she? Didn't think about her being a woman. Then Ryan came on and I thought about Judgement at Nuremberg and how he'd be cast if they remade it.
1
Republicans are again using the deep-seated, retrograde sexism of their rabid base. I'd say shame on them, but they have no shame.
And that is even more dangerous than their policies, because when politicians decide they don't care what they people think anymore, they start feeling free to kill protestors and others who get in their way.
1
“David Barker, a government professor at American University, thinks the Republican effort to portray Pelosi as an uber-villain “may be unique, historically speaking.” And the reason, Barker adds, has to be “at least partially related to gender.”
Next thing you know Barker will be telling you that GOP villainization of Pres. Obama was related to race.
2
The idea that the opposition to Pelosi is gender based or even partially is exactly what a crackpot egghead academic would suggest. Those people, like the main stream media, are obessed by gender, race, and sexual orientation. You really wonder what is wrong with them. They need to join the 21st century.
Dems are over celebrating Lamb's win. He ran as a DINO (Democrat in name only) He's anti abortion, pro gun rights, etc...
3
"David Barker, a government professor at American University, thinks the Republican effort to portray Pelosi as an uber-villain “may be unique, historically speaking.”
-- no -- it's the same thing republicans have been doing to hillary clinton for years -- and very successfully --
1
In public life, there is a time to shine and a time to disappear. Pelosi has done many admirable things. But she is on over her "sell by date." Hillary really was in the same situation, because the public wanted change and they are quoting old nostrums. The GOP will invent negative propaganda about any Democrat - tav and spend Tip O'Neil and the Big Dig - which seems to work well now that its finished. Nancy, good bye and we appreciate your hard-work. Nobody stays forever,
2
My Republican friends vilify Nancy Pelosi in the most nauseating unrepeatable terms. And yet when I ask them why they feel that way about her they can't articulate specific reasons for their hatred. I think the reason they hate her is because she is effective. And she's a tireless fighter for Democratic principles like getting affordable health care for all Americans. Let's not get rid of our effective leaders because Republicans don't like them. Democrats need to stop being self defeating and stop being afraid of the nasty Republicans.
2
Liberal and progressive Democrats tend to fool themselves into thinking that politics isn't a dirty business of deal-making, compromise and fund-raising. In a perfect world maybe it wouldn't be. The world we've got makes it easy to trash Nancy Pelosi, or at least demand that the herd put her out to pasture.
If she's smart, and we know she is, she will find a way to open up the process to new energy and new ideas, how ever old the messenger.
2
Nancy Pelosi has demonstrated that illegal immigration are her priority. She didn’t stand up and speak for jobs, or healthcare, the opioid crisis, or even citizens. Nancy Pelosi stood up for illegal immigrants. When people show you who they are, believe them.
3
Democrats ought not to fold on Pelosi. I'm glad Lamb won because it's a seat, and bad news for Trump is good news for the country. But I don't like the way Lamb did it. And I don't like it when younger Democrats opportunistically throw her under the bus, especially when they're trying to thread some creepy purple-state, blue-dog needle. New blood, and passing the torch? I'm all for it - as soon as they've demonstrated that they're fit to shine her shoes.
And I didn't know that thing about the CBC elders, digging in their heels on committee-seat term limits. Shame on them, because we can reasonably expect that turnover would, on balance, tend to favor women and minorities.
BTW, if not for gerrymandering and the accursed electoral college, we wouldn't need to thread needles. We could just be the majority in a putative democracy, which we are. We should elect people who will commit to fixing the system, and who are willing to stand up there and say it.
5
As George Washington showed so many years ago, wise leaders know when it is time to step aside for new leadership. I hope that Nancy Pelosi takes note.
4
Nancy and Gail, the GOP reps have been taught - since the early 1990’s - that fear and hate should be used to drive their voters to the polls. That old Contract With America - that dog whistle from rush Limbaugh etc etc
If Pelosi wasn’t a woman from San Francisco there would be some other reason. Like being a Sanders socialist democrat. Or a green alien. Or anything not Anglo Saxon.
The Party of No is a philosophy of exclusion and eventually they will become extinct. But it will take the loss of old white male voters by and large to end their run.
4
To even speak of her age is disgusting to me because of the 70 year old fossil in the white house. There are many reasons why older people can do a job effectively, e.g., wisdom, character, experience, steadfastness, work ethic, etc. Downsides are physical failings, resistance to new ideas, stubbornness, changing moods often, etc. Females hold up a lot better than most men. So back off the ageism.
3
The single most important thing the Dem Party needs to get through its head is that you MUST run and support centrists like Lamb in many districts around the country. Without liberals from California and New York sniping in the wings. The achievable goal at this point in our history is to have a sensible modestly liberal majority in the House-even if that majority includes a few "yellow-dog Republicans" for want of a better term. That would be a huge improvement over what we've been living with. A doctrinally "pure" minority is still a minority. It appears that the Dem national committee is getting this message and the coastal liberals should shut their traps and let the process proceed.
2
Hopefully our esteemed Attorney General can't find a way to fire her 26 hours before her retirment
2
Republicans spend untold millions slamming Pelosi and Lamb has the good sense to simply announce he would support someone else to be speaker. Poof, that enormous investment in defaming a single person disappears. That’s smart politics, something democrats have not practiced in years. If the democrats play stupid again and fail to take the House in November, then Paul Ryan will be speaker, Mueller will be fired, every Trumpian will receive a pardon, and Social Security and Medicare will get the ax. How important is Pelosi in the face of this?
1
Gail, the bottom line is this. For older folks like Pelosi and you and us, if we don’t listen to our kids who are the future of this planet, we will be essentially repeating the same mistakes made by humans thoughout history. These kids are tired of the games adults play, with their lives.
You essentially silenced these kids, by you I don’t mean you personally. But columnists like you. You ridiculed them, when they were activated during the democratic primaries, you dismissed them as juveniles. But you see, they are not blind anymore and they know how rigged our system is.
These kids give us hope. If Pelosi of the country continue to act deaf and blind..our youth will not stand still. You can fool them once twice but not thrice..
3
At some point in time, senior citizens (and that includes me) must accept that we cannot perform as we once did. Whereas I once championed the toughest obstacle course the USMC could dish out, I'd be foolish to think I can still do 300 squat thrusts before breakfast. And so should Pelosi, Schumer and Feinstein. They've proven woefully inept when dealing with the R spin machine. They're an albatross that served us well, but modern technology leaves them as an anachronism. When the NYT presented a photo of Schumer writing his speech using pencil and paper, he confessed that technology has left him behind. That's akin to a Marine w/o his M16.
For the sake of the planet and our country, PLEASE step aside and find more Conor Lambs who can relate to the Parkland kids and millennials.
She is obviously a Witch, so the solution is a ( very ) old fashioned witch dunking. Weight her down, but instead of stones, use gold bars, to signify campaign contributions. If she sinks, she's innocent, but drowns. If she floats, she a witch. Burning is called for. Televise the entire process, pay per view would be tremendous. The moaning about Pelosi is due to her effectiveness, with a very large serving of Misogyny. Compare her past performance as Leader to that of Ryan. That Ayn Rand fanboy is the definition of craven and clueless. And by the way, I'll wager anyone that she outlasts Trump. He is one hissy fit away from collapse. Or one Mueller away from the Big House. Just saying.
5
Poor Nancy Pelosi, she is soooo mistreated. No one has ever attacked a male congressional leader the way they attack her. Gingrich, Wright, Delay, Ryan, Reid, McConnell--they have all been treated with kid gloves. Yeah, in Bizarro world. Politics ain't been bag, and frankly the problems with Pelosi have nothing to with her gender. Democrats are fawning all over Conor Lamb, and with some justification; his type of politician probably represents the best hope for the Democrats. Yet, if you follow Mr. Collins' logic, you must conclude that Conor Lamb is some sort of sexist for opposing Pelosi. So which is it. Is Lamb the Democratic Party's future or a sexist bigot or both?
4
Up front liberals tout equality of the sexes, but inside many of their heads the remnants of prejudice persist: sexism is still there, even more ingrained than racial prejudice. How do I know this ? By the choice of words and looks (you know, the rolled eyes) when a man, conservative or liberal, expresses disdain for some act taken by a woman of power - from his wife to the chancellor of Germany. What do the pollsters say ?
2
There are a lot of "women of the country" who voted for Trump. A remark like this shows just how arrogant and hidebound Pelosi can be. If her leadership is so "effective," why have the Democrats lost so many House seats in the last four elections? She's got too many blinders and the Democrats' image is that of a party led by dinosaurs. Time for some fresh air.
3
Let us see how the mid term elections turn out. If it is not victory night for the Democrats then like the head of a party in England she should resign her role as House minority leader.
If the Democrats win the House let her stay until 2020.
The Republican ads demonizing her are for Republicans not to swing independents or wavering Democrats. It is very unsettling to Republicans to have a woman in a leadership role as it was for them to have a Black man as POTUS.
1
What the Republican attack-machine is doing to Nancy Pelosi should surprise no one after the hatchet-job they pulled on Hillary Clinton (with some help from their Russian friends).
In any case, who would expect anything different from a party that has turned into a personality cult around Donald Trump, and has no political ideas outside of how to enrich themselves at taxpayer's expense? Nancy Pelosi isn't the only problem here.
4
Dare we hope that GOP messaging is starting to wear thin? Pennsylvania showed us the Dems can still win even though they are treasonous, hate the country and hate God. Will trump supporters grow tired of being immersed in constant negativity towards anyone who is slightly different from themselves?
Reading these comments, I'm surprised that people are not acknowledging Pelosi's deep flaws. Yes, she is a skilled backroom dealmaker. But she is absolutely terrible at delivering messages to the American people. After the passage of the Republicans' tax bill that gave $1000 in tax cuts to regular Americans and millions of dollars in cuts to the top 1%, she described the $1000 as "crumbs". As a Democrat who finds the Republican tax bill reprehensible, I know what she's getting at and I agree with her--but her comment came off as out of touch to average Americans who see $1000 as much more than crumbs. In speaking about the tax cuts, she didn't focus enough on just how unequal the benefits were, and how they demonstrated how little Republicans care about the working-class voters who make up Trump's base. THAT was the message she should have delivered.
And earlier, back in November when commenting on the numerous sexual harassment allegations against Congressman John Conyers, Pelosi called Conyers an "icon" who "had done a great deal to protect women", and, when asked if she believed the accusers, she neglected to answer. She seemed to be unwilling to condemn sexual harassment when it was perpetrated by a member of her own party.
Now that Obama is gone, Democrats need a strong messenger to take his place, and that person is not Nancy Pelosi. I think that she should step down after these midterms and pass the torch to a Democrat with new ideas.
2
Donald Trump is waging a war on Race, ethnicity, religion and women. When he says "Make America Great Again" we all know what he means.
As a white American male I often have thought that Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton were "shrill" and hard to take. Thanks to Donald Trump, the Republican Party and my Mother, I recognize I have been conditioned. Nancy Pelosi isn't perfect neither was Hillary Clinton. However when we objectively compare them to Donald Trump and Paul Ryan, they are both head and shoulders better for this country and the entire world.
When asked the question would I ever want Nancy Pelosi to be speaker of the House the question has to be answered knowing that Paul Ryan is the Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi like Hillary Clinton isn't running against herself. They both had an opponent. By any objective measure they are both head and shoulders better than the alternative.
4
Nancy Pelosi has her job, and her position for as long as she wants them. She's a wildly successful candidate in her own races and sends a lot of money down-ballot. The new kids will just have to wait their turn. And no whining.
4
“And why is it that the only one being pressured to leave is a woman?” demanded one of Pelosi’s friends."
This is not about her being a woman. It is about her being too old, too much in bed with Silicon Valley corporates, and most importantly, it's about her lack of telegenic presence. As a lifelong Democrat, it offends me that the face of the party, and not just Pelosi, but the whole geriatric leadership around her, are a bunch of old people who look like "ninnies". There are plenty of smart, tough, telegenic men and women in the Dem Party, but you wouldn't know it based on leadership and their rapacious grip on the power and prestige that comes with their roles. Out, out, out! I say. Let the next gen have at it.
4
Nothing like poor sentence structure.
The Fix
How long has the Democratic Party held both house of congress? Ask that question and you will win every argument for her removal.
3
Nancy Pelosi has worn out her welcome period. She is an embarrassment to the Democratic Party and she should resign and enjoy her grandchildren for the ten to twelve years she mostly likely has left on this earth.
2
I remember a photo of Nancy Pelosi riding in the convertible car of her father, the Mayor of Baltimore as a young child. It seems she has been in politics too long. Growing up with it, and now for decades in the House. The Democrats should think of someone less steeped in being political.
2
Pelosi gets the job done. She deserves enormous credit. The opposition would just love to see her kicked out . Don't do them any favors. However, when she gets the gavel from Paul Ryan, she should quickly turn it over to a younger democrat.
1
Ms. Pelosi is bright and tirelessly effective in her role as a House minority leader. She-and most other Congressional Democrats- shouldn't be the voice of local elections, something Fox News contrived and promoted obviously to aid their GOP allies. This scares the bezeejusus out weak candidates who take the bait and fall into a dark hole of having to defend themselves against someone they don't know. Good candidates like Mr. Lamb and Senator Doug Jones know their home turf and deftly handled such red herrings by following the Tip O'Neil Rule: Politics is in the neighborhood, it's one-on-one with like-minded folks. It ain't rocket science. If you are going to run anywhere in America as a Democrat, get a little tougher, fight back and for goodness sake, don't allow the GOP/Fox News team to define you. Think about wrapping lover boy Trump and Stormy around their necks.
3
Nothing unique or even unusual about the GOP's treatment of Pelosi. They generally run on demonization & hatred.
2
There are multiple things here.
1) a lesson from 2016 is constant negative ads turns off voters, and turned them off to Clinton. The DCCC and their pet, overpaid consultants need to learn this--and they take their lead from Pelosi who never changes.
2) Since Jimmy Carter, GOP strategists have picked a leading Dem as a boogieman/woman and hammered on that. Before Pelosi, it was HRC, and before her, Obama.
3) It is becoming clear that Pelosi is detested by much of the Dem voters. She lacks charisma, and has led the House to defeat after defeat since 2010. She predicted Dems would win the House in 2016 and was blatantly wrong. Her ability as a backroom player isn't equaled in her public performance.
4) Pelosi is clearly tone-deaf to the rank and file. The DCCC is now known to be putting its thumb on the scale for Pelosi supporters, tapping big donors, and said consultants. Her reaction to The Resistance and Indivisible has been out of touch.
5) Pelosi gets the heat because she's the leader, but Hoyer isn't any better loved.
6) Pelosi doesn't recognize, at least publicly, the issues her own party has with her and her years of ineffective leadership. If Dems win in November it will be DESPITE her, her team, and the DCCC.
7) Last, and MOST importantly, Pelosi has harshly opposed impeachment, both of George W. Bush, and now, of the greatest miscreant ever to hold office: Trump. Impeachment, more than gun control and abortion, is becoming the Democratic acid test.
4
Democrats always eat their young (or in pelosi's case their old). They had rather be pure than stick together. How about this for one? We avoided a much worse recession in 2008 because pelosi and others helped pass the stimulus. Or she helped pass the lily Ledbetter act? There are a gazillion more examples
2
Republican hate for Nancy is about sexism. She is fearsome to allot of men and some women. She's smart, speaks out, understands government, is for health care for all, and fights the people's fights in the House. I don't care if she's an inspiring speaker. Speaker Ryan is less inspiring because he talks double speak. It's what a person does and Nancy does the right thing most of the time.
Her being 78 is another question. Congress is bogged down in their endless and convoluted systems and there is always room for improvement. I think term limits on committee leadership jobs is a good idea. Everybody should be able to live with good change. Progressive change. At 78 it's harder to change, I know. I think the 'getting rid' of Paul Ryan is a great idea. Let's hope that whomever Democrat takes the job, if it's not Pelosi, has her knowledge, fire and concern for ordinary people.
B) Pelosi wins! Look, she would have been perfectly happy to have Lamb call her a voodoo-priestess puppy-killer if it got her another seat.
Actually, it got her nothing since the Congressional District is going away.
Lamb is really a Republican in sheep's clothing :)
After all, he has yet to denounce Trump.
3
Yes, sexism plays a huge part in the trash talk about Nancy. Nothing specific as others point out, and it ain't about age, just the fact that she is not a white male.
Holding the Dem's together is a lot like herding cats, and she has been very effective. She has been the foil to the libertarian, conservative, retrograde, greedy and grasping white men who are led, by the nose, by those Koch Bros and others. Liberals fight the conservative dogma that consists of "every man for himself", "buyer beware", 'trickle down" nonsense.
Give us a break all you anti-Pelosi trogs out there please.
3
Her “times up.” So it is for Hoyer and Clyburn.
They have been good and stalwart Democrats, but it’s time to turn the page. I’m sorry if they don’t like it, but this ain’t bean bag. In the age of television presentation being critically important, a geriatric face is not helpful, if not downright debilitating.
I am almost their age. I have voted Democratic my whole life. I supported Bernie AND Hillary in the last election. I want my party to change its leadership in Congress. For younger, fresher and vigorous progressives. Thank you for your service, Nancy et al.
2
Nancy Pelosi is supposed to be leader of Democratic Party. Yet her decision not to contest in some key elections in California is a disgrace. Last week NY Times had an excellent editorial pointing out the foolishness behind that kind of decisions. If Democrats won't win in November, it is because they didn't run! Nancy pelosi and her ilk should be blamed.
4
As a former San Franciscan and constituent of Nancy Pelosi, I can vouch for her hard, loyal work for both the Democratic party and San Francisco.
It's shocking to see other women including Gail the writer who is 72 criticize Nancy because she too old.
Without her work, Obamacare would not have been passed. She deserves the support of the Democratic party and all San Franciscans.
3
It's not just Nancy Pelosi. Other leading Democrats (Biden, Bernie...) are 70-something. The average age of the Supreme Court Justices is 70-something, with three over 80. The infant in the White House is 70-something, and plans to run for re-election.
More and more, our leaders in D.C. don't look like us, and don't understand us. It's not just that they're all so darn old. It's also that once they get elected, they stay for 30 or 40 years, growing closer to lobbyists than to their constituents.
And to top it off, they're so darn rich. If they're not multi-millionaires when they arrive, they soon will be. Nancy Pelosi's net worth is north of $100 million. And while it's no crime to be rich, a few more school teachers, nurses, and bus drivers could explain life in the real world to the plutocrats.
3
So many people hate, hate, hate Nancy Pelosi so I wanted to better understand why. I googled "Nancy Pelosi" and there it was on the trending site: "Nancy Pelosi house" is what people are interested in. Photos of her huge mansion, articles about the surrounding wall. Somehow we accepted the Kennedy wealth but still believed they advocated for the 'common folk'. But Pelosi has it harder...maybe because her demeanor is perceived as haughty. Nothing but fodder for Fox & Friends.
4
It’s ageism Nancy. You are 78 and old news. If I could, I would have retired you @72. You are out of step and believe in the old ways. We need energetic, new leadership. You are the old car that still runs, but your ownership is tired of you. There is some rust, a lot of dents and scuff marks that detract from your appearance that new paint won’t cure. The shocks and tires need replacement and the engine needs a re-build. Resign, and enjoy your retirement while strengthening the appeal of your party, the Democrats.
2
While Democrats have leadership drama starring the diverse likes of Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi in the Republican Party there are no comparable players.
Tim Scott, Ben Carson, Betsy Devos and Ivanka Trump? Seriously?
3
Though sexism is probably part of it with Pelosi, with her and Schumer the Democrats look like the old age party. The huge Millennial generation is just coming out to vote and is not particularly enamored of the oldsters who got them into a huge financial mess. Schumer insists on wearing his glasses halfway down his nose so he particularly looks old. Contacts, Chuck? Or Progressive eyeglasses? And their hidebound seniority system means that not only are they not developing younger committee chairpeople in Congress, they have no middle-aged person of note to even run for president. This underlaines that Democrats are expert at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I only hope that their candidates in tight distrcits and states this fall follow Conor Lamb's playbook and not Perlosi's and Schumer's.
Thanks to talking heads popping up out of the bunkers at Fox News and other alt-right fortifications, Nancy Pelosi has truly become "a political meme for the opposition," with her name used as a weapon the way "Hillary Clinton" was used so effectively in the 2016 election. Democrats running this year in solid red congressional districts will in fact have to follow Conor Lamb's lead and in a calm, quiet manner simply tell voters that they won't support her elevation to Speaker in the next Congress. And that's a fact.
5
As the last election demonstrated, people want change. It has nothing to do with being a woman. But Hillary was a recycled candidate with a ton of baggage dating back to her years as First Lady. Nancy Pelosi has been in that position for too long. She was part of the cabal that kept Bernie from being the candidate and therefore helped put Trump in the White House. Proof that there should be term limits, as there are for the Presidency itself. And for good reason.
9
Although I disagree with almost all of what Ms. Pelosi says and with her politics, I am truly saddened to see her struggling for words and thoughts in all of her public appearances. The right thing for the Democrats is to arrange for her to retire in dignity, before she has a complete breakdown.
7
When are the Democrats going to start to counter the Republicans in the elections. The Democrats always play "nice, nice", while the Republicans will do anything to win the elections, regardless of morality, ethics, and lies!
5
So, here’s my question. If Nancy Pelosi (and Chuck Schumer, for that matter) are so good at their jobs, why has my Democratic Party languished in the political gutter for so long? Yes, we had a President recently for two terms, but that was in spite of Congressional support that was weak at best. Actually, can we remember Congressional Democrats avoiding Obama during midterm elections?
The Democratic Party needs new blood. Pelosi and Schumer do not offer it, nor do they speak for the Party with a voice that inspires anyone. I give Pelosi all the credit and respect she has earned as a prodigious backroom player, but she should no longer be the face of the Democratic Congress.
Let’s face it. The Democrats have no one ready to take up the mantle. But we can’t keep waiting for Trump to implode or explode. Our Party needs someone to stand up and deliver a clear statement of Democratic values and plans. I hope Nancy gets re-elected and continues her essential work as a fundraiser and organizer. But the Party needs a frontman or frontwoman who is pushing the future of the Party.
16
This all comes back to partisan politics. Republican and Democrat leaders want to convince us that what is good for their respective parties is good for “The American People.” The upshot is that in the main, the system is the system is the system. We can wail all we want about how politics works but I don't look for major changes in that system anytime soon. Being a woman, notwithstanding, Pelosi has moved through the chairs. She's paid her dues. She's not going to relinquish her status just because. That's not how it works in the hallowed halls. And, a newbie like Conor Lamb may not like Pelosi all that much, which might get him a pass when it comes to voting for his party's leader, but too much of that anti-Pelosi stuff will remand him to being his caucus's dishwasher. Then the good people of Pennsylvania will find out just how effective he really is.
1
"Republican effort to portray Pelosi as an uber-villain, 'may be unique, historically speaking.'" That is, if you don't count Republican and Sanders' efforts to portray Hillary Clinton as an uber-villain. So let's forget about Hillary Clinton and say that Pelosi is unique.
But they're both women, so they're not that unique. It could happen to any woman, "at least partially."
4
There is no possibility that any replacement of Pelosi will be "less likely to become a political meme for the opposition." It is the nature of the job, but also the nature of the right-wing smear machine. And while the haters do pander to sexism in an insidious way, remember what the swift-boaters did to war hero John Kerry.
I can see merit in wanting younger leadership to lead us into the future, but I too remember Pelosi's critical and primary role in the historic victory of Obamacare. The Democrats need to counter the attacks as Republicans frame a false narrative. My only argument with Pelosi is her failure to hit back. But as long as she's willing to lead, I'm happy to cheer her on.
9
Having myself called for Pelosi to make way for younger Democrats to lead in other NYT comments, I am impressed by the lauding her direct constituents are expressing here.
The question is not how well she represents her district and her commitment to just causes - the question now is how well she can truly serve as a coalescing force under a greater tent for her party. And here she continues to exhibit a blind spot to the needs and concerns of Middle America, even after Trump's ascension makes urgently clear this is a political imperative.
I wish Pelosi had taken to the House floor to talk for eight hours why her party's positions are the better choice for Middle American workers. The Democrats need new leadership that on a national scale brings strength from the inside out.
6
The attack on Nancy Pelosi is based on a hatred of women in power, simple. For the same reason that many men in the GOP attacked Hilary Clinton: she is a woman. Ms Pelosi's worst offense: her support of the ACA, anathema to the GOP.
The GOP and Mr Trump represent a cancer which is destroying America with the help of the Mercers and the Kochs. These people have enough money to work to destroy the very fabric of America for their own profit, as evidence in an article in today's NYT regarding data collected by a previously unknown group in an attempt, blatant, to influence the 2016 election. This is nothing short of fascism.
20
It would be refreshing to see Congressional aspirants, male or female, willing to live on a Congressional salary & the accompanying benefits.The US Senate provides a pension after only one term in office!
I suppose the prevailing feeling throughout the public sphere is that a plebe without the necessary monetary accumulation would be incapable of dealing with donors & lobbyists & would be labeled as an isolated idealogue. Sad.
2
On this issue I am with Conor. If you've been in leadership for a decade and could not get much done it is time to hand off the baton. Power is so corrupting. We see it in Mitch McConnell and now Paul Ryan. Clinging to their failed majority until it collapses all while average Americans suffer. All of the leaders need to go and make way for the next generation.
7
Pelosi has lots of defenders here and she deserves them. I lived in her district for years before relocating to SoCal for work and thought she was an effective representative long before she was Speaker/leader.
However, this 60-something, feminist thinks it's time for new leadership on the Dem side and I'll include Hoyer and Clybourn in that call as well -- Schumer too. Their sell-by date has passed. I know this because so it with my own these days. It doesn't appear to me that Dems have done a good job at mentoring the leadership of the next generation. Why can't the current triumvirate embrace a role as a collective eminence grise to a new crowd.
It seems to me that one of the messages of the teens from Margery Stoneham Douglas is that there is a younger generation out there who are ready to have new conversations and lead in new ways. Why shouldn't Dems harness the energy of the 30s-40s-(and even)50s somethings in the House who can take up the fight for a new generation. Over the last 30+ years that I've taught at the university level, I've seen hundreds of young women and men ready for leadership, full of great ideas, passion and commitment to solving problems. Inclusivity is second nature to them. Not even someone who was in the first graduating class I taught in the 1980s is 'old' enough to lead in the House if s/he's a Democratic. That's a real shame and a generation of good ideas lost.
17
So true. We need fresh ideas and fresh relationships. It is hard to create compromise between relationships with so much baggage.
2
As I was watching news coverage of the National School Walkout the other day, there were the kids, all energized, all passionate, all taking a stand against guns and the violence they must endure in classrooms across the country. They were massed at the podium in front of the Capitol, speaking clearly, resolutely, demanding action and accountability. And then...
...I noticed Nancy Pelosi right there at the mic by their side, in the picture. It was a deflating moment for me. That's my issue with Pelosi. It's not that she isn't a mega-politician, resilient, able to usher in crucial legislation. It's that (and I'm sorry to say this) she comes with an "image" that doesn't fit the times. I don't feel inspired with Pelosi (and not because she's a woman) like I did when listening to the young people in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting and the Walkout. I don't feel hopeful seeing her at the podium. It brings back all the wrong imagery, the lapses of integrity I've seen over the past decades, from politics to Wall Street, of persistent problems that don't go away because of corporate loopholes and lobbyists, amplified now by my disgust at what's going on in the White House.
We can hardly elect young people and fresh voices to Congress these days because of so much money in politics and the lack of term limits. When we give these young people the chance to speak, the Old Guard, including Speaker Pelosi, needs to get out of the picture and step aside.
12
Anyone who's been in the Congress for more than 12 years has been there too long. We need term limits.
14
Nancy Pelosi needs to realize that she is a liability to any Democratic candidate in her current position, whether that is fair is not the issue. I am on Linkedin but have no contacts for the same reason, I am an efficient and loyal individual but have social qualities that makes my association a liability to others, my best use is in support roles.
6
It does not seem coincidental that those who vilified Hillary Clinton are now turning their guns on Nancy Pelosi -- a powerful woman is an anathema to these people and their "liberalism" is nothing more than occupying the position they do instead of a man...
34
It has nothing to do with her gender, it has everything to do with things like her endorsement of Dan Lipinski in Illinois' 3rd district and her bringing pressure to bear on the DCCC to support his re-election. He is an anti-abortion, anti-LGBT, anti-Obamacare "democrat." The "anathema" is her working to allow that kind of thinking back into the Congress. Her goal seems to be to regain the speakership, integrity be damned.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/nancy-pelosi-just-endorsed-...
2
It is time the Democrats stood up for their own and took pride in their accomplishments. The Republicans will find someone to attack regardless of who assumes leadership in the Democratic Party. So let them attack. It should be the job of Democrats to defend.
Nancy Pelosi helped President Obama expand health care to millions, she helped him reign in the excesses of the financial services industry, she fought for the stimulus package which was responsible for the country's amazing recovery from the financial disaster of 2008, she fought for equal pay for women and supported President Obama in his foreign policy initiatives and efforts to combat climate change. That seems like a pretty good record for the Speaker of the House. It is one that deserves to be supported and admired, and yet there are some Democrats who would toss her under the bus just because the radical right have declared her and the "Demon Du Jour."
Democrats should stand up and defend their own leaders as strongly as they must defend and promote their progressive agenda.
41
Nothing against Pelosi. No doubt she is an effective fund raiser and knows how control he caucus and produce votes. However, it seems obvious the Dems should be seriously grooming younger members to assume leadership and to become effective candidates. At least from the outside it does not appear that is happening. The Obama administration did good things, most importantly saving the country from spiraling into depression after Republicans drove us off a cliff. They failed miserably at the P.R. Campaign they should have mounted to sell and inform the public of what was being done.
The GOP has become the party of grievance, victimhood and fear. Therefore, they need to imagine monsters. These include Pelosi, the deep state, MS-13, immigrants in general, and Hilary Clinton. But the only charge they can level at Pelosi is that she's a liberal. She's not a liar, she tends to keep her word after negotiations, she hasn't threaten to take anyone's guns away or put coal workers out of work, and for some reason, no one suspects her of enslaving children under a pizza parlor. If Democrats want to run against her, and if they want to, through normal process, replace her as leader, that's their right. But there's no reason based on her performance to do so.
32
Fox News uses women and minorities as scapegoats for unemployment and underemployment. They blamed Hillary for everything and now that she is gone they blame Nancy Pelosi for everything. Next up for hysterical blame is Elizabeth Warren and then Kamila Harris. It really pains me to say this but if Democrats are going to win races they will have leave the men the in charge
Hopefully America has got the memo that every vote matters and complacency is not an option.
Vote in every election and don’t vote third party.
14
In any country in the world, any leader will step down after four consecutive humiliating loses.
Not Pelosi.
She has a delusional divine right to become Speaker again.
When is enough is enough?
We can’t afford to lose the November election mainly or partly because of her toxic image. Our future as a country is at stake.
She must leave. Or the whole Dems caucus should vote her out.
NOW. Not next month. NOW
9
The Pelosi "toxic image" is an invention of the GOP-alt right and is promoted on FOX and by Rush, Alan Jones, et al. They've do this because she's been extraordinarily EFFECTIVE!
Oh, and she's a woman, who according to them doesn't know her place which is three steps behind them and only speaks when asked to, by men.
3
Hey Gail! Did you read the article in your own paper about when asked to draw a leader, people draw a man? Women as leaders intimidate people and so they get demonized like Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi.
So who do we get instead? GW Bush because you can have a beer with him and Trump because a billionaire ( if he really is one) understands the common man?
I’ll take a strong woman as my leader, and hope as Eleanore Roosevelt said, that they have the hide of a rhinoceros.
32
So at some point someone will yell out "Lock her up"! Worked once. I ask all you anti-Pelosi people out there: What exactly has she done wrong? You hated the ACA she gambled her political future on. Until you figured out you loved it. She has opposed the Republican effort to undo everything Democrats hold dear: taking care of the poor, assuring everyone has decent health care, making sure industry doesn't destroy the environment, making sure big business doesn't profit by hurting consumers. And so on. You all hate her so much because you have been convinced that she is standing in the way of your perceived promised land. Well after your tax cut has been taken away. After you see your health care premiums rise. After there is a huge oil spill off the US coast. After another Enron (remember Enron?). After you pass yet another destitute homeless person begging in the street. After you watch the immigrant neighbor who has lived next door to you for 20 years being hauled off his front lawn? After all that and you stop and look in the mirror and say "How far up the ladder have I really climbed?", ask yourself the following question "Who suffered and will continue to suffer so you can have a second piece of pie with your after dinner coffee?" Won't be those above you. After you get to that point, then saying "Maybe Pelosi was right all along on these other things" may just be too late. I doubt Conor Lamb has the backbone to stand up to what Pelosi has faced.
21
I agree that Ms. Pelosi is a strong and capable congressional leader, and seems like a person with integrity and intelligence. I also agree that she has been unfairly demonized.
I have, however, felt for years that she is an ineffective spokesperson for the Democrats. She is really not good in front of a camera. In a just world this wouldn't be a factor, but it is. I think the Democrats would benefit from having a much more effective spokesperson, and Ms. Pelosi could use her skills out of the limelight (and without as much of a target on her back).
4
The “ideal solution” is for Nancy Pelosi to resign. Gail Collins conveniently ignores the polls that show that Pelosi is the most despised person in America — not Donald Trump, not Paul Ryan. She not only personally cost the Georgia special election last year, she lost the House several elections ago and has failed to win it back each time! The only reason Pelosi didn’t destroy Lamb’s candidacy was because he RENOUNCED her! When you know the only way moderate Democratic candidates can win House seats is by RENOUNCING Pelosi, you can only conclude that Collins is more interested in seeing Pelosi keep her leadership position than she is in seeing the Democrats win back the House.
I’m not.
4
And you never wondered why the republicans have spent so much time and money trying to get the Democrats to dump Pelosi?
Because SHE'S EXTRAORDINARILY EFFECTIVE!
1
Unless someone pays close attention, the only image they have of Pelosi is (cue the music from Psycho) a woman who isn't a riveting public speaker, but who has had maybe a little too much work done and comes across (horrors again, for a woman!) as strident. She may have to yield to a someone else, but to me nothing speaks more to her effectiveness than the unrelenting focus of those whose policies she opposes. After all, if she weren't so relentless herself, why would they be so intent on creating a negative image of her to get her out of the way?
7
This gay, senior, long time Democrat, Hillary supporter since the nineties, is no ageist or sexist but yes believes it is time for Pelosi to go. It is long past time for the Democrats to bring on a new wave of folks and ideas. Pelosi lost the house last time for her autocratic ways. It was not OK to gain health care at the expense of everything else on our agenda. She was totally wrong on that. Schumer also has not proven to be effective at all either. If they win back the House and Senate, it won’t be because of them but because of Trump and Ryan. And please no Bernie, Russian bot, Sanders. There is a reason Putin supported him. Time to move on Democrats. It’s the teenagers that may finally get things done on gun control in this Country, not the old guard. We need that enthusiasm in our leaders too. Hooray for new faces no matter their age or sex.
5
The republicans have "weaponized" the word Pelosi such that the "average" voter may not understand the "why" but they certainly associate it with something negative. You can't explain it away because it's propaganda, not fact. It's the childhood equivalent of "cooties."
3
Look, I’m pretty much as left as the next lefty, but Nancy needs to go—for the good of the party and the good of the country. It’s time.
10
In fairness, the GOP didn’t even offer that. They were writing their version in secret or rather their lobbyists were. Our GOP Senator couldn’t properly address anything other than that he was trying to get rid of our healthcare for Trump’s totally fabricated lie about “cheaper and better. Day One”. Right.
1
“We have to pass this bill to see what’s in it”, in her comments on Obamacare. That’s how I will always remember the ‘hard working’ Nancy Pelosi.
2
Nancy and nearly silent Chuck helped stumpy slither in through miscalculations, and have been ineffective at countering a vile G.O.P.
Truth is I often think Chuck likes stumpy.
But who, among Dems, can replace them? Are there any giants of the centrist variety, or is everyone determined to drown under the weight of Roe (leave it to the states) and trans (leave it to the states) rights?
The horrors of the G.O.P. should not blind us to the egregious flaws of the Dems.... nor can they escape blame. Not by a long shot!
2
Whatever the reasons Ms. Collins was hired for, I am sure they did not include being hopelessly predictable, and proselytizing on behalf of the Democratic Party. Understand her sympathy for Ms. Pelosi, a senior citizen, Dem. fundraiser and Congresswoman, but Conor Lamb really did make her a centerpiece of his campaign, relic of an era soon to be by gone.Few notice that Mr. Lamb, now Congressman Lamb stood for many of the same things as Trump: gun rights and tariffs. He stole a page out of the Republican playbook while running on the Democratic Party ticket. But back to Pelosi. It is never a good thing to look down your nose at others, condescendingly say that we had to pass ACA before endeavoring to understand it! She also violates her own standards of responsible conduct. She traveled to that climate change symposium in Copenhagen a few years back in a private jet at public expense--Don't do as I do but do as I say-- and commutes weekly to her c.d. in SF also in a private jet at taxpayer expense.When I read ho-hum articles like this, it really makes me wish that Safire, Baker and others were still with us. Ms. Collins lost her sense of humor day she left Newsday, where she was very funny and spiritual!
2
If Pelosi goes the Republicans will just find another "demon". If Pelosi wasn't so good in her job the Republicans wouldn't be attacking her.
Why not keep Pelosi, replace Hoyer and Clyburn with some young talent?
5
She's tough, she's smart, she is likable. She and Hillary Clinton are both rock stars, the Republicans recognize this and that is why they attack them so harshly. She ain't a spring chicken but still has what it takes - 4 more years!!
6
The GOP are masters of demonizing ... back to the 'swift boaters', the Roosevelt haters. And, as Collins says, much of the GOP hatred of her is sexist (and perhaps also that she's not a WASP). But even if the Dems were to replace her with a male WASP, the GOP would find a way to smear him, because they are geniuses at that.
6
Pe lo si
(noun)
1) An understated leader (ex. He rose from the ranks without fanfare to be a pelosi of the people.)
2) A soft-spoken statesman (ex. She is a pelosi among boisterous politicians.)
3) A non-attention seeking effective worker (ex. Others claim credit, but he is a pelosi making the business profitable.)
(verb)
1) To solve problems (ex. We were all stymied by the disagreement until he pelosied it.)
2) To raise funds (ex. The Boy Scout Troop was ready to fold until she pelosied the needed resources.)
3) To lend a helping hand (ex. She pelosied the young man's career and now he is successful and pelosying others who can use help.)
The Honorable Ms. Pelosi comes from the D'Alesandro family that dedicated itself to public service. She deserves the respect of all people, not just Democrats. She may not be a spring chicken, but she is wise, has heart and vision for a better America. The young can learn from her leadership.
Sadly, Republicans do the only thing they know how to do: character assassination. Destroy anyone who objects to their ideology of greed, sham religion, sham patriotism, shameless opportunism. So they try to make Congresswoman Pelosi into a liability.
Quickly. Lamb doesn't meet all Democrats expectations. But so what! He and every other Democrat, of all stripes, stand head and shoulder above every Republican. Republicans have set the bar so low that Murphy, my dog, would be a better legislator.
Go Lamb! Stay open to learning. Become a pelosi.
8
Thank you, Gail Collins, for the line; "And as a fund-raiser, she’s a veritable vacuum cleaner." In fact the whole article is this wonderful mix of satire and fact.
2
If Mrs Pelosi is a burden for November 2018, she should step aside. Hoyer and Clyburn should also step aside and let a younger crowd take over. By the way, I am no spring rooster either.
2
So let's see... our president is an unapologetic misogynist with a track record of treating women based on his assessment of their physical appearance and willingness to get down on their knees in front of him, his approval rating among Republicans is in the high 80's, and the Republican members of congress have mounted a sustained campaign to keep him in office...
...but the widespread Republican hatred for Nancy Pelosi is not because of her gender.
Also, the Republican campaign against Barack Obama, led by good ol' boy Mitch McConnell, had nothing to do with him being black.
Because in our country, women and minorities are held in equal esteem.
7
I have nothing against Nancy and believe she has done the best she can. That said since she is such a hot issue maybe she should step aside and give the GOP one less point to hammer on.
2
I am proud that Nancy Pelosi represents San Francisco and the values of San Franciscans.
If you don’t like it, find a better candidate & vote for her instead. If you don’t like the idea of Pelosi as speaker again, find the votes & win against her.
Asking her to step away of her own accord, like she owes you something, is offensive.
6
"She sounds as if she wants to stay. “I wouldn’t give that up lightly,” she said of her job. “Nor do the women of the country want me to.”
But the Democrats in the House aren’t all enthusiastic. Some have been saying they want a leader who’s younger, more open to new ideas, less likely to become a political meme for the opposition. “I do think it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation,” said Representative Linda Sánchez, 49, in a recent TV interview." Time for the old guard to go. They have not helped us win seats, instead, we've lost a thousand seats in the federal and state legislative bodies by playing by the old rules. Newer Dem candidates, like Beto O'Rourke in Texas, is only taking small donations from real people, NO PAC MONEY, and has a real plan for jobs and job retraining, expanding the ACA to become Medicare for All (he supports Bernie's plan), and fixing our decrepit infrastructure, especially since it was on the news tonight that Russia has penetrated our electrical and water systems and can shut them down whenever they feel like it. #Bluewave2018
She has been wholly admirable as a leader, reportedly working non-stop to keep in touch with all her members. I would be fine with her as Speaker (again). However, she has become a punching bag for the right. It would be better for the Democrats in the midterms if she gracefully withdrew as leader. She deserves a rest. Then it would be easier to make Ryan and the other craven Republicans the target.
5
Yes she is a hard worker. But she must take much of the blame for Trumps election. while the Republicans focused on their base the Democrats ignored theirs.
2
Pelosi lives in a 100 million dollar personal wealth bubble, brags about how she brings in loads of the very Wall Street and Hollywood cash that has caused the Democrats to drift away from their working and middle class base - and has managed to help lead the Democratic Party to its lowest point in decades. She's more than twice as old as the average voter and lives in DC and San Francisco. There's a good argument to be made that she's entirely out of touch.
But it's her gender that is the problem.
I heard the same thing about Clinton.
It wasn't Clinton's support for the Iraq war and other military misadventures, her Walmart board membership, her opposition to a 15 dollar minimum wage, her obsession with identity politics over economics, her opposition to free public college, her sucking up to bankers, et al. that caused Democrats to sigh in resignation... no, it was her gender.
If you really buy that argument - that women are attacked just because of their gender - then the answer is simple. Don't support women for public office.
If women are ineffective, whatever the reason, fair or unfair, then they shouldn't be there.
But I don't actually think that Pelosi or Clinton's gender is or was their problem.
Further, excusing their real weaknesses behind a claim of sexism does no one, especially not Democrats, any favors.
Pelosi should resign.
And the next Democratic leader should be too young to collect social security.
Please.
8
Gender plays a part in the persistent denigration of Pelosi, but her effectiveness and political skill for bringing the herd together and accomplishing matters is more the reason. As my wife once pointed out, her male counterparts are quite aware that she'll take away their key and privilege to the men's restroom and forced to a distant toilet and latrine if they don't play well within their own party.
3
It’s not only about Nansy Pelosi. It’s all team behind her. She did it well in 2003- 2007 and she will always. She is 78 and capable. We need more women like her. She was the first woman, the first Californian, and the first Italian- American to lead a major party in Congress.
2
I can testify about the ubervillian status as the wife of a Republican who each day gets at least 6 pieces of "conservative" mail. Pelosi is definitely treated as the bogeyman, with a terrible picture of her in the return address area and "stop Pelosi" featured in bold type. However, I can also attest that Hillary Clinton held the ubervillian position for many years along with Pelosi. When she was Secretary of State, and getting acccolades from many Republicans (remember that?), she disappeared from the mailings but was back as soon as she began her second presidential run.
4
I agree. I monitor several right-wing sites where she is painted as a Satan worshipper. Although Republicans nominally claim to support women in public office, much of their objection to Pelosi is done to appeal to their elderly supporters. With the GOP, it's largely about fear and with the elderly, it is about opposing minorities and women in positions of power.
3
I think the Republicans learned propaganda lessons years ago and use it more effectively than Republicans. I also wonder whether the bulk rates make any money for the US Postal service. Certainly hope so.
Pelosi will become the majority leader again because there is no new young blood in the Democratic Party to challenge her. The Democrats need to attract, elect and develop young politicians if they want to lead in Congress. The old guard won't live forever.
2
And no “young” ideas that aren’t old worn out ideas like give aways, eg Sanders.
Nancy Pelosi has done a good job in many respects, but I cannot forgive her for replacing Jane Harman, another very smart, capable, more attractive, female Representative from California whom Pelosi considered a political rival, as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee when we were getting too deeply involved in the Middle East. Pelosi replaced Harman, who was doing an outstanding job and attracting a great deal of respectful attention, with a mediocre male as head of that crucially important Committee, simply for petty personal political reasons.
1
Pelosi is a bad actor, a vicious partisan democrat bent on destroying Trump and his agenda. She is why Trump is President now. Her hate filled brand of politics has destroyed her party.
1
If only. Destroying Trump’s ideas, which change daily and are just headline bait, is what will save our democracy.
2
Wow, you can tell Pelosi has been in Washington, DC a very long time. She has mastered .(“I don’t think it’s because I’m a woman. It’s because I’m an effective leader”) the sound bite. Clever with words if lacking in accomplishments in many years. Fund raising, today, is not quite as important as votes, which is her weak suit. The loss of over One Thousand previously held democrats in all levels of government is a fact she is expert at ignoring or dismissing. No small talent. Her once stunning power is gone and all that survives is her unquenchable vanity. See does not see the forest for the trees. Her outlook is dated. The country is looking for a different kind of mind set and leadership. When you serve in government, a privilege not a right, you should not expect any special treatment or preferences. And when the writing is on the wall saying it is time to go, find the courage to move on.
3
If Nancy Pelosi is a hair shirt to Republicans, she's doing something right.
As Speaker (2007-2011) she got the Affordable Care Act through the House without a single Republican vote. Those haters of the ACA can thank her for their health plans. The only thing Paul Ryan has accomplished is to transfer wealth from "we, the People" to the one percent. Ms. Pelosi may be tiresome, but she is tireless. Agreed, Democrats need a new voice, a fresh message. I't's encouraging that newly-minted Conor Lamb (D-PA) said he won't skip rope for Ms. Pelosi--it shows some backbone--something that Democrats haven't had in some time. But the Madame ex-Speaker knows her way around and that counts for a very great deal. For all of his bristling show of independence, Mr. Lamb has some learning to do.
A cynic might opine that Ms. Pelosi's only virtue is that, unlike Ryan, she isn't beholden to the Donor Class (Koch Bottles, Mercers, e.g.) and she can groom a successor while allowing a (hopefully) new class of Representatives to be seated next January. With Mr. Lamb in mind, are flexibility and backbone mutually exclusive?
I think the answer to your quiz is (B). Republicans self-immolate (C), allowing (B) to come to pass. Ms. Pelosi isn't doing anything to bring (C) about. Ryan, his soul sold to special interests (B) is doing a splendid job of that all by himself. Young Mr. Lamb might be better served in studying how Ryan lost his way (or his mind).
4
Pelosi needs to go. She has been there too long and is a lightening rod. Put up a Democratic Paul Ryan--this fight is a white male on white male fight. So, put one fromt he midwest in the ring. Go to Connell country and find your guy. Don't make this urban coast vs. rural everywere else, male vs. female, white vs. everyone else. Get to the ideas and force the Republican hand--this fight isn't about what I've listed. It is about comment decency, humanity, and the right to live a respectable life with a respectable income and benefits.
1
If Nancy Pelosi were such a terrible leader than she wouldn't keep being reelected by her party. This woman single handedly holds her party together and delivers the votes needed to pass or block legislation as needed. Can anyone on the GOP side claim such effectiveness. The GOP can't even reason with factions of their own party let alone hold them together and deliver meaningful legislation. Other than tax cuts the GOP hasn't done anything other than say no.
The complaints about Nancy Pelosi smack of ageism and sexism. Men don't like powerful women they can't control. If Democrats do replace her they should do it with another woman just to irritate the GOP.
7
It took botched jobs from both Pelosi and Obama to allow the Russians to get away with hacking the 2016 election. I do not care about the gender of the new leader of the House for the Dems but I do NOT think that leader should be Ms Pelosi. I love fire in candidates and a strong will to be tenacious. I prefer lots of smarts and a full view of present actions while I frown of the idea of not having a clue. As shown by the hackers, Ms Pelosi is of the latter group. As an old man who wants many more women in politics, I do not think Ms Pelosi is the best Dem House leader, by far.
This is nonsense. Steele went to the FBI and the FBI under Comey’s direction did nothing. Blame Comey and the Republican dominated FBI for this.
1
Rep. Pelosi displays two bad habits ala Senator Clinton. First, and perhaps because it is because they are tired, when people don't support what they want it is because, as Ms. Clinton recently described of the heartland of America, they are: ignorant or don't earn a lot or racist or sexist - "clingers" is another term.
Not that those in opposition might:
- be concerned about key issues, and as a political leader I will work to understand and find common ground;
- have different priorities, and without compromising my core values I will accept that different priorities are okay and seek to find fair compromises;
- etc
The lack of strength to be a leader comes through too often.
Further, Rep Pelosi has painted herself into the role of a partisan attacker too often to revert from jester to queen.
A second habit, again shared by the Clintons is the too rarely inspected self-enrichment that occurs among the political elite. Politics seems less and less about the public good that as a pathway to personal fortune.
There is large group of emerging leaders who should be given the chance to see if they can step up to better leadership.
2
This is all very unfortunate. Nancy Pelosi is an outstanding public servant and was a strong Speaker - she is eminently qualified to be the next Speaker, and if our politics were in any way normal, that would be the end of the story. However, the Republicans are experts at shamelessly creating villains and sowing discord to win elections - John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi are some obvious examples. Most voters who are shallow enough to vote against Pelosi because big money Republicans and Fox News ridicule her, will vote R anyway. Furthermore, Republicans will not change their ads one bit if she were to step down - they'll just pretend that she'll be the Speaker if the Dems win.
Might it help slightly, if the presumed Democratic Speaker was an unknown going into the election? - maybe. Potentially this could swing a few seats, but a few seats might determine if there will be any check on the incompetent and dangerous Trump regime for the next 2 years. Unfortunately the stakes are just too high to risk it. I'm not happy about it, but in the end I think the best move is for Nancy to take one for the country and pass the torch.
2
We need new younger leadership - things are not working as they stand right now. Not unspired by current democratic leadership. We need SCRAPPY positive but forceful leadership. Dems cant seem to get their act together and offer wimpy responses to what is an assault in our country’s democratic process in every arm if government. TRUMP IS A LIAR, A THIEF, A MONEY LAUNDERER, yet he got elected. Shows absolute failure on the part of Democratic Party that he won. No excuse at all so the democrats need to get together and put a plan together and win elections and get stuff done instead of wimpering in the corner.
2
Gail, Pelosi has her strengths but does not show that she understands the need for a new winning formula in today's US.You need look no further than her 8 hour Dreamer filibuster.Doubling down on issues like social justice and climate change will not help Democrats in 2018 or 2020.
2
Forget about gender. The assumption that a person in their 50s, 60s, 70s is too old to do the job is ludicrous. Nancy Pelosi may be 78 but she's hardly out of touch with the current culture. Experience matters no matter your gender or workplace.
2
Not necessarily
Republicans hate Pelosi because she is effective and great at her job. She makes GOP legislators like Ryan look like hacks--not hard, because they are! Let's elect a Democratic House, let Pelosi do her job, and let's get some work done in Congress. It has been a long dry spell with effectively nothing getting done except Republican theft and destruction.
3
Nancy Pelosi is terrific. She is the most underrated House leader in my memory. BUT ...
She and her aged fellow-leaders should step down, if not now then after the November elections. If Democrats take the House & want to be sweet, they could let her be "Speaker for a Day" -- as in that maudlin old teevee show "Queen for a Day," a show Pelosi is old enough to remember.
(Maybe they could give Pelosi a washer & dryer as a going-away present. I recall the Queens for a Day -- all of whom had suffered some heart-rending setback -- often got washing machines to cheer them up. There is nothing more uplifting than watching the kids' rompers spin around behind the window of a Bendix.)
The new Democratic leadership should be young, vibrant, & smart, which is everything this President* is not. Let Americans see who Democrats are, not who they were. And I say this as an old girl myself.
2
The washer and dryer part is pretty sexist...now if you suggested Ryan retire and get the laundry done I could support that whole heartedly.
1
As a liberal Democrat I think a character like Trump is our disgraceful president because of Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. They need to go. They both have made enough money to retire lavishly. Please go and leave us alone.
3
Gail, in her sixties, is writing about too old politicians like Pelosi needing to be replaced. Women are their own worst enemies and hold each other up more than men ever have.
How effective Pelosi performs is all that matters!
3
There is little doubt that the Republican leadership have difficulty when dealing with smart, competent women and have unfairly portrayed Nancy Pelosi whenever they can. That’s on them. Choosing the next generation of leadership for the Democrats in the Congress, when it’s time, is on us. Ms. Pelosi has demonstrated an almost unbelievable level of personal sacrifice for the good of our party, and even more importantly, the good of our Country. IF she determines that, for any reason, that she is the ‘real’ obstacle to THAT, you will see her pass the baton of leadership faster than any other man who has been in her position in our history. THAT’s what REAL leaders do. Watch, and learn America. Watch, and learn.
2
The "folks" in that Pennsylvania district reported that their major concern was affordable healthcare. If so, then they should thank Nancy Pelosi because she pushed Obama over the finish line with the ACA when Obama was weakening and about to give up.
Of course those "folks" in that Pennsylvania district hated the ACA before they realized that they loved it. Maybe it will be the same way with their feelings for Nancy.
4
Being young(er) is no guarantee of competency. All it means is that you may live longer than the person you want to replace. Let these people chomping at the bit for leadership show some first. Get it the old fashioned way, earn it.
Frankly, we have had too many neophytes in Washington and it has not gone well. W. had limited experience as a governor of a state whose legislature meets every two years for 180 days. Obama had only been in the Senate for some of one term. Trump is totally inexperienced, arrogant, and a walking "disaster" and so are most of the members of his cabinet. Kennedy, Roosevelt, and Johnson all had long resumes in public office. I want people who can find not only the restroom but also know where the bodies are buried.
The government, especially the federal one, is not a game for newcomers. Do you think a 40-something McConnell would be as skilled a tactician? "It takes an old cat to catch an old rat."
1
Now it may well be that Conor Lamb, like Republicans, really has a problem with Pelosi either because she is too liberal, too old or too woman. Or was he just pandering to Republicans for their votes? If the latter, then shame on him for Pelosi has racked up a list of legislative accomplishments that all Democrats should be proud of and defend.
1
He wasn’t pandering. He spoke to the needs of his voters. If he follows through as opposed to lying like Trump, it’s all you could hope for.
2
It's time for a change. Why are we holding on to a leader who inspires hatred on the other side? Things like Obamacare fail because they're done unilaterally. We need a new Democratic leader who isn't so divisive. Whether or not she deserves it is irrelevant, we're talking about the fate of an entire nation. Nancy Pelosi is going to be just fine.
New minority leader\January Speaker please.
1
There was constant talk of Trump becoming more Presidential. It never happened. His selfish mean spirited nature remains at the forefront in the Oval office. Now the conversation should be about Nancy Pelosi's intent to do what is best for her own Party. There is no question that she will be a useful foil for Republicans seeking to stay in Congress. During her tenure she had many admirable accomplishments. But will she now demonstrate she possesses the same egotistical characteristics that Trump displays every day. It is time for her to step down to allow her Party to definitively regain control of the House, so that Mueller's final report will lead to the impeachment of the demogue who currently resides there. Yes, Nancy it is that important.
"Less than inspiring?" I am a flaming liberal and I am repulsed by Pelosi as a spokesman and as a warrior. The Dems would be well served to keep her hidden in the war room where she may be great. But then I feel the same about all four of the House and Senate leadership, both Parties. Even Paul Ryan whom you have to pay attention to to be repulsed.
3
Sadly the Leader's tenure has to be reviewed by performance, and results. Using her sex, one way or another, seems hard for most to set aside. But one should, and review the results of her efforts to unite the Democratic Party, not just in the House, but in the DNC. Since the passage of AHCA the Democratic party, led from DC, has not only been in a backslide, but has failed to take advantage of golden opportunities to win many elections, nationally, statewide, and locally. Under her leadership, the Executive Office was lost to Donald Trump. The House maintains a Republican Majority. The Senate became a Republican majority. Governors, and state legislatures, have swung into the Republican column. And now, with the benefit of having a Trump as the symbol of the Republican party, Dems are settling for wins that are so ridiculously close, one must examine them, with the realization that they could have easily swung the other way, and try and find out why. The approach that the Democrats are taking now, led by Pelosi, Schumer, and the DNC, one of waiting for a populist uprising, and laying back, adding nothing to the effort, is scandalous. Yet , Pelosi leads this method, leading the "don't impeach Trump" movement", believing the longer he can stay in office , the better it will be for democrats who run for office. One must ask, as a sitting leader of the minority party in the house, how can one not act? How will she ever correct all the damage being done by Republicans.
Democrats will win Congressional elections if they focus on the Main Street economy, and jobs that pay a living wage, and healthcare. Democrats will win Senate elections by the same strategy.
Immigration is a wedge issue and highly emotional (that's what makes a wedge issue, after all), and when Democratic candidates go there they open themselves to Republican attacks that play on the negative emotions of anti-immigrant voters.
Pelosi lives in a district that is more favorable to immigration. She can talk about it and win in her district. But she's hurting the Democratic party if she makes immigration a central issue. And if she does, she's getting sucked into a Republican trap, which is to specify the issue of debate. An old, old ploy.
Jobs, the local economy, healthcare, Social Security and Medicare, on the other hand, are issues that bring voters together.
3
Someone posted:
In the last presidential election Democrats lost to the very worst candidate in modern history while running perhaps the most qualified in history for the duties of office.
The Hillary supporters are delusion. Compare her qualifications with those of FDR, GHW Bush, T. Roosevelt, Eisenhower, the founding fathers presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and other presidents. Hillary is far far far from the most qualified.
3
Nancy Pelosi has been one of the most productive Speaker of the House. She, with Obama led House passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in early 2009 to create and save millions of American jobs, provide relief for American families, and provide a tax cut to 95 percent of working Americans. Remember the financial debacle of 2007-2008 that was world wide?
She achieved passage of historic health insurance reform legislation in the House which establishes a Patients’ Bill of Rights and will provide insurance for tens of millions more Americans while lowering health care costs over the long term. Unfortunately was bombed by Trump.
Pelosi also led the Congress in passing strong Wall Street reforms to rein in big banks and protect consumers as well as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. Unfortunately, also bombed by Trump.
Also, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to restore the ability of women and all workers to access our judicial system to fight pay discrimination; legislation to provide health care for 11 million American children; national service legislation; and hate crimes legislation. In late 2010, Pelosi led the Congress in passing child nutrition and food safety legislation as well as repealing the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. And, the list goes on....You don't throw a jewel away in the trash.
3
“As an uber-villain “may be unique, historically speaking.” And the reason, Barker adds, has to be “at least partially related to gender.”
That, of course is absolute nonsense. Newt Gingrich was at least as reviled by the left as Pelosi is by the right these days, and used as an election foil to a similar, if not greater extent.
But I didn’t think it was due to his gender. And the same, of course goes for Pelosi (who represents my district).
Today it's all about "brands". Decades of Republican attacks have tarnished Pelosi's brand. Remember how they turned John Kerry into a coward whose war wounds were "only scratches"? This is what they do.
So what should Democrats do now? I think they should stay with Pelosi. Getting rid of her would please her critics and weaken Democratic House effectiveness. Getting rid of her would win few converts from the other side.They would hate her replacement with equal venom. So why do it?
2
"So, what about Nancy Pelosi?"
O.k. Up front, yes a big part is her gender and no surprise here.
Whether or not she should remain Minority Leader of the house is surely one of the last issues to be addressed.
This see, hear, speak no evil GOP and the man who would be king Donald John, are systematically taking over our nation. They are grouping for issues for the battle of midterm elections is ramping up. What have the republicans accomplished so far? A fraudulent tax bill, that's it.
They continue to hold hostage the majority of seats in the senate and house. The long list of issues that impact the quality of life, the general well-being of We the Majority is nothing but a chaotic, self-serving mess.
The destruction they hold the power to continue to perpetuate nationally and on a global scale has got stop. Yes, many questions regarding our system of governing have risen out of this mess and we have a lot to fix.
A caution. The sands of the hour glass is running out. I believe, I know that it is imperative that we take back the majority of both senate and house.Here lies the only hope, the only realistic opportunity We the People have of taking back our democracy, casting our vote. Strip Donald John of his power that feed his delusional ego that calls itself king.
1
The Republicans can't stand Nancy Pelosi.
They despised Harry Reid.
They viscerally didn't like Al Gore and to this day defame him about Global Warming.
The Republicans howl in unison every time Hillary Clinton makes a peep.
The Republicans lost their minds with Barack Obama.
Maybe it doesn't matter who the Democrats have as leaders, the Republicans won't like them. At some point, the Democrats are going to have to just pick an effective leader and quit worrying about what the Republicans say.
4
Pelosi is a great mind, an efficient politician. I’m working on an elections related project and unfortunately she’s become the de facto republican punching bag. This is about saving the country from the right. The thing to do is to find a new face that defeats the persona Pelosi has been rendered into. I saw this coming with Hillary Clinton back in 2014. Just saying.
Dear Hilary and Nancy,
Thank you for your service. The country has gone in a different direction. Please enjoy a long and healthy retirement.
"The country has gone in a different direction..."
Sorry -- You call this a direction???
1
It's ironic, given the Democratic Party's 30 year lurch to the right, that the Republicans constantly portray Ms. Pelosi as an out of touch liberal. But it isn't sexism: they constantly misportrayed Harry Reid the same way, and the only reason they don't do that now to the Senator from Wall Street is that he's so clearly one of their own.
But, Nancy, it DOES seem that you have become a handicap for your party, that the mindless sheep view you in strictly partisan terms and the activists see you as a pragmatist unable to advocate for an agenda unattractive to the big money donors. So, as unfair as it might be, and as much as we respect you and all you've done, maybe it would make things easier for swing district candidates if you would step aside.
I, too, believe we have to have some shakeups in the Democratic leadership - some strong, idealistic, and charismatic candidates must be out there somewhere. The Democrats are not going to be successful on a national level if they don't get going soon. I have soured on donating to the party because it feels like my hard earned money is likely just being used to fund the party bureaucracy and business as usual.
That said, it really galls me to see a great and tireless worker like Pelosi be smeared by the republican lie machine, so much so that many Democrats have turned on her as well. They've used the same tactics that they used on Hilary Clinton -unremitting lies, exaggerations, and gender hating.
2
Character assassination is one of the many dirty-trick tactics in the Republicans' arsenal, which include the deliberate exploitation of wedge issues, voter ignorance, voter prejudices and voter anger, choreographed political circuses, phony outrage, etc., all of which are components of their grand divide and conquer strategy to con and turn voter against voter.
Demonizing Pelosi and Clinton is gender-based, but Republicans have also demonized Obama, and the word "liberal." They will demonize anyone and anything they can, whatever works, using focus-groups to come up with emotionally powerful disingenuous negative memes and then repeat them over and over ad infinitum in a coordinated campaign by Republican politicians in public, talking heads on Fox, and in floods of TV attacks ads financed by floods of money from their wealthy patrons.
Such tactics work so well because Republicans have no scruples or shame and will do whatever they can get away with, while Democrats believe in playing fair and won't stoop to such tactics.
However Democrats should not fail to defend themselves, should not allow the Republicans to dominate the news cycle, frame the public debate, and let their 24/7 dissemination of propaganda go unanswered. Democrats must take on the Republicans, stand toe to toe, fight back, call them on their lies in real time, and not wait to take to the field only in the final moments of the game at election time .
2
The Nancy Pelosi drama instigated by the GOP works because they know the Democratic weak spots. And Democrats fall in line every single time with eating their own. There is no Democratic Block. We all shuffle around in our little tribes sniping at each other. The Bernie Bros are still upset and would probably vote GOP just to stick it to another establishment Democrat. The Democrats have weak leadership with no party message(s) to gather the people.
Nancy Pelosi demonization works because the party is never focused. We are too often willing to throw someone under the proverbial bus for wishy washy reasons from lack of purity of stance or acquiescence to the du jour issue. Remember what Sen. Gillibrand did to Sen. Franken and we haven't heard a peep from her since. She's the one who should be going after Trump, not Stormy, after her holier than thou antics.
Pelosi is experienced, effective, smart, tough as nails and represents her district completely. I hope she is passing her knowledge on to other Democratic women.
The problem for her is caused by a weak party that does not know how to back its members. It has been said often that Democrats are like cats and try herding them into one group!
2
It is not just their nasty advertising blitz - the GOP has used talk radio for a decade or more to denigrate and vilify Pelosi, in much the way they spent decades vilifying Hillary Clinton. We know that facts don’t matter to the GOP; otherwise we would not have Trump. Democrats, and Pelosi, must decide whether to leave this target on their chests or to change leadership, unfair as that may be.
Seventy eight is too old to properly represent the majority of the country. Each generation should own its own government, hers is past. And the same should be said of Hillary, Bernie and Donald.
3
Conor Lamb in no way represents a victory for progressives. He's clearly on the wrong side of women's interests with his stand on against abortion despite the known adverse social consequences of making abortion completely illegal. So opposition to Pelosi might be a nice fit. Beyond that he's worse than a do-nothing on climate change with his promotion of shale gas for jobs, despite the crucially damaging stray methane emissions that implies, and his love of guns doesn't seem prepared to address the absurdly large inventory of over 260 million weapons in private hands in the US. About all Lamb represents is a way for hard line Republicans to refute Trump, even as Trump is merely a symptom of deeper problems. He's about as useful as a bandaid over a cut on a cholera patient.
Most voters did not know who Pelosi was until the Republicans ran these adds. Pelosi has always come across to me as s work horse not a show horse
The same can’t be said about Paul Ryan. In any case the question should be who can get the changes made in this country that is needed.
Age maybe a factor but I doubt it
Look at who was forward thinking as Presidential nominees in 2016
The only one with Progessive ideas was Bernie Sanders and he is in his 70’s.
Please let’s stop with the ageism and get the best and brightest to run.
That could be a Parkland graduate or an AARP member
Open minds everyone
1
"The ideal solution ... might be for Pelosi to come back with a new message."
Actually, maybe she should come back with some wins? She's lost the House, what, the last 4 elections in a row? Anyone else would have been toast long ago.
Republican attacks on Pelosi are effective, partly because she is a woman and a leader, and shameful. But there's another Republican technique that we are likely to see more and more that I consider to be especially cute. I can remember up to less than a week ago when Republicans, for example Ryan, were singing out and putting up billboards that Lamb would be another voice in Pelosi's "liberal choir". When the election results came out, they whined that Lamb won because he strongly opposed Pelosi. They wouldn't be doing this unless it worked well on the Republican base, which sadly is an angry mindless mob. But they should still be condemned for it, to drive home to those who are wavering just what the GOP has become.
2
There is one day in your life when you see on the mirror your eternal face. For Nancy Pelosi, that was the day when she dragged the Affordable Care Act to the finish line. She knew that she would be demonized for the rest of her career, but she chose to save lives. Nancy may be denied the speakership by her ungrateful colleagues, but she should know that there are many people out there who feel for her the same love they feel for a close relative. In the end, that's the only thing that counts.
2
Pelosi is the new Hillary. It’s as simple as that. The Republicans need a woman to demonize. They are next setting their sites on Maxine Waters. This isn’t rocket science.
3
Nancy Pelosi is the caricature of the liberal democrat: a white, super-rich San Francisco based party leader who lectures others on issues of race, income equality and environmental issues. For republicans she is the gift that keeps on giving. Democratic candidates like Conor Lamb understand she is the ultimate albatross and smartly run away from her.
3
Nobody understands keeping 78-years old Mrs Pelosi as a frontrunner. Nobody understood the Democratic party's choice of Hillary as a candidate in the first place.
At least not here in Europe.
Now we have to live with the consequences.
1
RE: “And why is it that the only one being pressured to leave is a woman?” demanded one of Pelosi’s friends. Well, probably because she’s on top.
No not probably but certainly because she is top. So many claims of "sexism" are made up as in this case.
1
"a leader.....less likely to become a political meme for the opposition."
Of all the idiotic reasons to replace a Democratic leader, hoping for an endorsement from the other party has to top the list.
The opposition hates Pelosi because she is effective and she is a woman. The opposition hates anyone who is effective. The GOP especially hates women. The women of the extreme right hate their own gender. Many Republicans still seethe at the name Hillary and she cannot hurt them anymore.
Good grief, where to begin debunking this ridiculous article fawning and swooning over Pelosi. "Effective leader?" She has been at the helm of the Democratic ship called the Titanic. All she's done is rearranged the chairs on the deck as the ship has been slowly sinking. Her infamous Meet the Nation interview where the host asks her what is she going to differently after the Democratic Party has been wiped out at every level of government, and she responds "I don't think voters want a new direction". Hey Gail, she's an effective leader? Pelosi is a lightning rod because she embodies everything that is wrong with our corrupted political system- bought-and-paid-for-politicians who will vote in their mega donors interests instead of their constituent's. And Pelosi is a master at doling out the cash to keep the lobbyist-to-consultant-to-politician gravy train going. She's a relic of a system that needs to be retired.
3
I'm sorry for alot of them it's time to retire. At 78 you aren't as sharp as you were at 50 or 60 . After a while it's not about what's good for the country it's all about themselves.
1
I love Gail -- my favorite columnist -- and agree 1000% that Nancy Pelosi has been a tremendous & groundbreaking leader and that she still has much to contribute. However, at 78, it is indeed time for Nancy, Steny, and all of the old Guard to pass that torch. Rightly or wrongly -- and to quote JFK again, "Life isn't fair," -- she has become the lightning rod for opposition, even to moderate Democratic candidates, by a large share of the electorate. Dems need new faces and new leaders if they are going to overcome the present stranglehold of our government by the GOP. Nancy needs to put the good of the party and the country ahead of herself -- it is sheer hubris for her and the rest of the Old (literally) Guard to hang on at the age of 78.
No mention of Pelosi being a gazillioaire? She's worth not just millions but hundreds of millions of dollars. That by itself puts her in a bubble within the bubble most of the house of representatives are already in.
It's for that reason she is so conservative. Yes, she pushed for the ACA but that was a Romney (Republican) idea to get poor people to pay for their healthcare. And, the Republicans used the ACA as a cudgel to win, EVERYTHING!
How, can she call herself an "effective leader," when the Democrats lost EVERYTHING in government? Name one thing Pelosi has been effective at other then moving the Democrats to the right. It doesn't work!
Democrats cannot win by not being Trump, they have to be FOR something. Pelosi is not for medicare for all, she's not for reducing the military budget, she's not for reducing drug prices or free tuition.
If it was twenty years ago she would be simply a very, "effective," mainstream Republican.
6
Nancy Pelosi has served America with moments of utter brilliance. Her work during the darkest days of the economic crisis played a huge role in stemming the rolling damage that seemed to have no brakes. Her efforts on the ACA were impressive. And no doubt she has many other accomplishments.
Are the attack on her affective? Yes. Pelosi is the poster child for the GOP. Amazingly, with such a long political career, all the dirt they can throw at her comes down to her support of FDR like positions. For a politician today, having no dirt other than your work and philosophy is a really big thing.
That said, it is time for the Democratic Party to take the center and replacing her with a younger voice wouldn’t hurt. Not because anyone else wouldn’t be attacked in adds (they would) and not because the right will stop attacking Pelosi (judging by how they chase Clinton into her political grave, why stop attacking Pelosi with so much marketing already invested on her).
The fact is that the GOP’s focus on polarization at all costs needs to be addressed head on and the Democrats are the only adults in the room on this one. We the people, as a nation, are our very best when united in vision as much as possible. That is most certainly not the vision of this President and sadly, his party is willing to go scorched earth in their goose-step support. Frankly, I didn’t see that coming and hoped for better respect from GOP lawmakers. They sold out and are the real villains, not Pelosi.
14
Thank you for writing this and pointing out that so many of the Privileged White Male demographic cannot tolerate a competent, effective woman. Maybe Conor Lamb had to denounce Nancy Pelosi in order to win, maybe not. But, with this issue, as with so many issues, Democrats weakly buy into the Republican line. Instead of meekly following Nancy Pelosi as they are accused, they are meekly following the Republican stance. What's wrong with candidates' saying, "I think for myself and I support Nancy Pelosi because she's an effective leader"? Yes, new blood is needed, but an effective leader should not be discarded solely because of longevity (and gender; the replacements mentioned are white males).
11
How long has the Democratic Party held both house of congress? Ask that question and you will win every argument for her removal. Is there not another woman who could do the job?
1
The Democrats will be lucky to get a majority this November, considering that their only message at the moment is to oppose Trump. The I'm-not-Trump message worked well for Hillary, but not well enough. There are an awful lot of Congressional districts in the USA , and they've been heavily gerrymandered. The Dems will have to work very hard, and very smart, to pull this off. If they don't, then it may be time for a leadership change.
8
“Nor do the women of the country want me to.”
first off i’m really tired of women politicians thinking they speak for ALL the women in the country. If she believes this, she is seriously out of touch.
Second, part of being a great and effective leader is to bring the next generation along. Their success will reflect on your ability to identify and nurture talent. There is no evidence that this is happening in the Democratic Party. It’s time for the health of the party to hear some fresh voices.
22
amen. She’s 78 years old. If Gail Collins and Maureen Dowd don’t understand that Clinton fatigue, Bush fatigue and Pelosi fatigue are real, then Dems deserve what they will get. Most companie require their leaders to retire at 65. For a good reason. Time to turn the page and seek fresh ideas.
Perhaps Pelosi should stay very involved but be more in the background so she is not so much of a lightning rod and a target. Personalities, even more than merit, play a large role in politics. That's how Ronald Reagan got elected - he was an actor. Surely every candidate has some actors who are better than others but the really effective people operate behind the scenes.
12
I’m sorry but dramatically losing control of the house in 2010 doesn’t look terribly effective to me. Also considering how flawed the ACA is I can’t consider her dragging it anywhere a good thing. Nancy Pelosi is good for fund raising and effective leadership within her caucus. That doesn’t make her good for the country anymore than Ryan. The Democratic Party leadership in general has stayed on for too long making the same mistakes and compromises that helped create the disastrous ascendancy of the republicans across the country. That is effectiveness I for one can do without. We need leadership with the vision and will to create opportunities nationwide, not just in traditional liberal strongholds. I agree on one point, that leadership turnover should not be based on scurrilous attacks on Pelosi, or about her alone. The baby boomers (I’m one) need to give others room to grow if the Democratic Party is to have a nationwide future.
30
It is disheartening to see so many Democrats allow Republican propaganda to taint their view of Speaker Palosi, just as they did to Hillary Clinton. Whenever the GOP launches one of its coordinated organized smear campaigns against a Democratic leader it should be seen as vindication of that leader's effectiveness.
41
My worry with Ms. Pelosi's leadership is centred around her increasingly cringeworthy public appearances. Often appearing a bit flustered and confused, she retreats into disjointed repetition of disjointed talking points and "our values." It isn't a confidence inspiring spokesperson for a government in waiting. Let those in her district decide her electoral future, this is about the leadership of the Democratic Party.
15
I thoroughly agree. Ms Pelosi is probably a very good woman but adopts a perplexing aloofness that is perennially unbecoming to the “Party of the People.” As to her fundraising, what good is all that money if we always lose?
13
It is gratifying to see the younger generation take matters in their own hand. This is their future.
Lamb needs to go out and energize the 18 -40 year olds to become active. It makes me sad to see people die for the privilege to vote in other countries. A lot of people in this country squander that opportunity .
A lot of the staff I work with are in that age group, when I asked if they voted. Many of them did not.
I certainly believe Nancy Pelosi no longer represent the democratic party. One case in point is the 8 hour speech devoted to DACA. I don't see her spending 8 hours to promote free college education for our young. They are the future, their success determined the future of this country.
The next generation will pay for our retirement, if they are not successful, we are doomed. 8 hours on DACA, you wondered why the American population is do disenfranchise.
7
Most young people heartily support DACA recipients; they are their friends, classmates, and co-workers.
16
Please define most, you certainly don't speak for us.....
2
In 2016 I had the pleasure and duty to spend a full day touring six of the top Republican senatorial leadership around historic heritage sites. My initial and lasting impression was how old they seemed and were. But for one at 65 all were over 71.
At 69 myself then I was thinking about my coming retirement. Of course I recognized that we shared a perspective that we had earned our places of power and that it would be a waste of the experience, networks, and deep knowledge built up over a career not to continue our jobs. But over the course of my career I had witnessed too many who hung onto power into even senility and never mentored successors or planned a transition.
This is the underlying crux of complaint against Pelosi and rationale for her to step down. Watch her on a newscast and see if you don't agree. Shame on her (and Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn) if they haven't groomed their successors!
31
There is a quandary that is part and parcel of being a "representative." Does one, as a person elected by and whose salary is paid by, taxes levied on everyone in this country in the performance of his duties follow: A) the wishes (instructions/demands?) of his constituents; B) the party line to improve his chances of remaining in a desirable committee position or move to a more prestigious one; C) his conscience?
Choice "C" assumes, of course, that said individual possesses a moral compass, a quality much in short supply in the hallowed halls of Congress (we won't bring the White House into this part of the discussion) of recent decades.
Choice "A" can be handled by quite literally anyone who can follow instructions blindly, unquestioningly and with or without malice aforethought.
Choice "B" becomes, then, the default path taken by the greater portion of the "Honorables" clogging the halls of the Capitol Building.
The "Statesman" has become an extinct species. There certainly are no candidates for this accolade among the current members of either house or Congress. That includes Pelosi, McConnell, Ryan, and my own august senator, John Cornyn. (As for Ted Cruz, I will vote for him only under the condition he serves his next term in Huntsville. In solitary.)
I say, leave Conor Lamb alone. Let him prove his bona fides and let the chips fall where they will come November.
3
There comes a time when even a highly effective legislator, such as Pelosi, needs to step down, in order to breathe new life into a party at the precipice of regaining control of Congress. Pelosi will always be tethered to Hillary, and that's an albatross on the party. We can take a lesson from Conor Lamb's victory. Distancing oneself from Pelosi was successful, and the way to more Democratic victories lies in its ability to take a more centrist posture on issues. Trump's alt-right sits at 30 percent. The far-left liberals balance that out on the other side. It's the 40 percent in the middle that will determine the political future of this country. Democrats are off to a good start, with victories in Republican dominant areas of Virginia, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. They now have the momentum. They can't blow it by continuing to espouse out of the mainstream hard left dogma.
10
Republicans believe you can make something true by just saying it enough times. By the way, Hitler believed that also.
They have tired to make the term "liberal" evil,
Doesn't it mean "tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others"
Nancy Pelosi is a liberal as are most of the ideas expressed in our constitution.
22
I am an independent. Gail is right, Pelosi is competent and effective. But, for the good of her party, she should graciously make room for the younger generation of Dems. She can still guide them with her skills and connections.
This country urgently needs to be rescued from Trump ! Somehow, I don't think the GOP is going to help the Dems do it.
16
Pelosi is correct: the GOP wants her out because she’s effective. The remarkable thing about this is that the GOP can even recognize “effective” when it’s right in front of their eyes.
60
Pelosi is not inspiring. Sure she is a woman, and has huge donations (always with strings attached) sewn up. Politics itself looked at realistically is thoroughly disheartening. But it is all we have.
The old system of target marketing, bigger and better with each new technology, slices and dices us into individual voting preferences according to our age gender, religion, profession, and geography (coast or flyover.) And these geniuses tell us what to think and whom to vote for. This is hugely expensive.
So any ideas we may have as individuals must be negotiated with the 1%, and they have their own ideas.
7
If you require "inspiration," buy a Hallmark card. I want an effective politician who can stop Trump.
1
If the Democrats are again given the chance to lead the House, they need a leader who speaks to the aspirations of Americans and what they want from their government? If that person is liberal lioness 78-year-old Rep. Nancy Pelosi from California or, e.g., 37-year old retired US Army Major and Iraq combat veteran Rep. Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii, I think in this impatient and unpredictable age, the party needs someone who rolls up their sleeves and goes to work every day to produce concrete results. Who reaches across the aisle where there are common interests (like criminal justice reform) but who is not afraid to take a stand in the face of intransigent opposition to policies that benefit the public, but who is capable of making the case to the American people in a way that assures them this Congress represents their interests, not just the interests of those with the money to buy a Congress.
21
Agree 100% but the GOP will not accept an out-stretched hand across the aisle but continue to demonize Dems. They are intransigent and dont know the meaning of compromise.
6
This article is Much more complex than the reality. If the democrats want to govern they have to win. Connor Lamb demonstrated how the democrats can win at the local level (House of Representatives). Nancy Pelosi is irrelevant unless democrats have a majority in the House. Who ever leads the house the democrats have to have the majority.
25
CBH - yes, but at the same time no. Lamb is a good candidate for his location and this exact moment. In another place,under differing circumstances...a different candidate is needed. So its crucial the Dems seek candidates that better fit their place and time. Not that the candidate aligns to the party leaders/elites. Not worry if the candidate is gonna tow the still unspecific Party Line.
The problem I had with the PA election, was how the Dems distanced themselves from Lamb, because of his (non-)threatening position on Pelosi. Win first, then deal with any future votes about who holds what position.
If Pelosi is so good, so talented she can weather a small storm. If not, so be it. Its about the Party, and gaining back seats.
BUT first its about winning at the local levels.
3
Unfortunately, after Lamb’s denouncement of Pelosi, every Dem House candidate in Nov will be asked their position on her leadership. Many may agree with Lamb, and if they win things will get really uncomfortable for the leadership come Jan 2019.
9
March 14, 2018 was the day when high school students took the lead on gun control and a Millennial won an upset special election by running a smart campaign aimed at his district. What became crystal clear to me is that Pelosi, Hoyer, and Clyburn all need to step aside for the next generation of leaders. Country and party should take precedence over power, ego, and longevity.
27
Thanks, Gail Collins, for recalling Nancy Pelosi’s role in the Affordable Care Act. She is a strong woman, wily tactician and pretty unflappable. I agree that she probably doesn’t give two hoots whether Conor Lamb supports her or not. She’s just glad he won and she’ll deal with her nomination as House Speaker (it’s coming) on another day. She keeps her perspective and her head above water so she can see what’s coming.
66
Nancy Pelosi faces the same problem Hilary Clinton faced--she has been around a long time. She is an easy target. It may not be right, certainly not fair, but there it is.
Truth is, "San Francisco" carries a radical connotation in the midwest. And, why not? The place is different from communities in lots of parts of America. I'm reminded of my trip to the northwest during the OJ Simpson trial, an escape from my So Cal enclave--a place where OJ was the topic of conversation 24/7. The topic of OJ came up during a chance encounter with a local. He stated, "Oh, we don't care about that up here. That's your people's problem." It was a refreshing and simple response to the oppressive news cycle.
The current anti-Pelosi societal mood reminds me of another news cycle past that collapsed on itself--the Presidential election of 2000. The best America could offer up that year were two sons of privilege and political aristocracy--Bush vs Gore. Same deal. No one cared about those candidates outside the industry of politics. Bush beat Gore because he was more likable. It was that simple. He was the lesser of two evils, no matter how much money was spent on policy statements and clever propaganda. Bush's face was fresher than Gore's.
I can't say Hilary isn't likable, because many voters adore her, but her "unlikable" attributes have certainly been burnished by the GOP over the past 24 years. Nancy Pelosi faces the same problem. San Francisco. Rich husband. Been around a long time.
36
if i remember correctly Bush didn't beat Gore the supreme court selected him!
Speaker Pelosi won me over when, during the 2009 swearing-in of new members, she called all the Representatives' children to the front of the chamber and spoke, "These children and all the children of our country are the reason we work so hard at what we do."
And I well remember that when Nancy Pelosi led a Democratically-controlled House, it was a House that worked. Now? Not so much. In fact, rarely, and when it does, the House works for the very rich.
90
Worked???
As an independent.
I guess it depends on which side of the political fence you are on. On high average these political parties for their "agendas" instead of working for America since the around the 2000.
That is just my opinion.
1
I like Nancy Pelosdi. I respect her and her dedication, but it is clearly time for new blood. American's voted for change and got a disaster. These people were so desperate for change that many still support their decision because they still believe that change is still needed. We need more Conor Lambs.
From what we are seeing with the youth movement spawned by the Parkland shootings, the young will have impact for change. Nancy Pelosi could use her many years of experience to support and guide a new group coming into our political corp. Experience is 100 % necessary, but sometimes it is needed in a supporting role rather than a leading role.
Let's put country over party and try to get out of this mess that we are in.
37
It makes sense to step aside on your own terms and while you have considerable popularity.You will be remembered for your accomplishments and unique talents.Stubbornly hang in there and you will be a source of irritation and someone younger and ambitious will replace you.Politics is unique in encouraging the aged to continue because of their committee seniority and their name recognition.Nancy, you have been a great role model for women, but it is time to step aside for a new leader, possibly also a woman!
10
Why don't we stop talking about personalities and start talking about issues that count to average independent Americans and how we can solve their problems.
38
Ms. Pelosi knows politics is a very rough business. She has, as a woman, succeeded in that business (and raised six children, by the way) and I thank her. But it's time to relinquish her power to someone younger.
The Boomers, in general, have to let go. We need younger people leading us. I am 66. I'm a Boomer. And I think it's time for her to go. Everything comes to an end, Nancy, even your desire to be Speaker again. Can't you mentor/help the next generation of leaders instead of hogging it all?
31
Perfectly said -- and I am a proud, 69-year-old, lifelong (moderately conservative) Democrat. Thank you very much for your service Nancy Pelosi, but it's time to let go and make way for a new generation of Democrats.
16
I'm 66 too and you nailed it. It's time for us geezers to get off the stage.
1
Oh please. Nancy Pelosi standing for 8 hours in stilettos to protect illegal immigrants? Supporting Sanctuary policies? I have no respect whatsoever. I am not a Republican or Democrat or a right wing, just a regular middle aged American appalled at what is happening in our country. Not a big fan of President Trump but at least he has the guts to address hard social issues with concern for America and Americans - putting Americans first for once. All that fund raising is part of the problem (on both sides). If the money fund-raised for media coverage and messaging was put to real use, we could solve a lot of problems.
11
alex: You should be appalled. Appalled at the indecency of this morally, ethically and intellectually unfit President and his cast of clowns. What you call "guts" is the uncontrollable incompetence of a man without humanity or compassion. He thinks only of himself, not the American people. He will not solve problems, only create more of them with his bigotry, immorality and lies. You should be ashamed at the indecency he has displayed and the scorn we are now in the eyes of the world. He is eroding our democracy and made a joke out of our country.
2
Wow, those guts were on full display when he kowtowed to the nra. Front and center when he tweets a firing instead of having the guts to do it in person. The only guts this guy has are the ones he fills with cheeseburgers.
3
Rep Pelosi is not as bad as the Republicans paint her but she needs to put the country before the party before herself. Like it or not, even without the Republican attacks, she is putting herself before the party before the country.
If she has fund raising prowess, she can still share it. If she has clout, she can still share it. If she can pull different factions of the party together, there is no reason she couldn't do so without a title.
Nelson Mandela didn't need a title to be influential or to stop Winnie Mandela from power grabbing or tribal tripping. Quite on the contrary, truly great power brokers know the power behind the throne is the seat of power. Sadly, that shows how provincial Ms Pelosi is. This is not an attack on her or her democratic credentials. Between her and Speaker Ryan, she wins it hands down. But sometimes you promote others so the party can be energized. A sense of mission. A sense of renewal. She should know but she know listen
9
Please DO NOT equate Mandela with Pelosi! Bad analogy!
1
The Republicans I know here in Central NY don't hate Nancy Pelosi as much as they hate Hillary Clinton, but they do respond to ads linking her to any Democrat who runs. In a way, it's not about her; it's a shorthand way of saying they want Republicans to control Congress.
In another way, it is very much about her and all the ways Democrats are characterized as being the enemy of these moral, upstanding, righteous citizens who want nothing more than shrivel the safety net for others. I think it's time for her to go primarily because so many have been conditioned to respond negatively to the mention of her name.
17
Somehow, I don't think it's a winning strategy to let a rival political party's hatreds determine it's leadership.
2
No. No way to treat an effective leader. Counter ads that tell like it is have long been missing like, "Pelosi is an effective WOMAN leader. That's why the Republicans don't want her."
3
Undoubtedly, much of the Republican hatred of Pelosi is gender based, and much is because she is a rich San Franciscan. While I respect her, it is time for new leadership. Too much is at stake to give the Republicans such an easy target. She can fund raise and strategize from behind the scenes.
25
After the last election she should have resigned.
11
Pelosi is a damaged brand. Republicans have been painting her with huge negatives since 2006. That is 12 years of negative branding and it has left her unfairly but realistically political poison in much of the country. I have seen reasonable independent voters just reject a position only because she champions it. It is time for new blood and an end to the seniority system. We need to copy the R’s, six years as a committee head and you move on to another assignment. Democrats must stop being the tenure party.
28
But she's such a charmer. Go Nancy! 2020!
1
Republicans via Fox News did the same thing with Hillary Clinton. A steady stream, years, of negative comments and coverage; each sound bite usually immediately followed by another negative, outrageous story (police officer killed, child expelled for praying) to further deepen the negative emotion & association of "bad" with the name of the person. They're now preemptively doing it with Kamala Harris.
Personally, I'd love to see Tim Ryan of Ohio in leadership.
2
Time for a change.
Listen, it's all about effectiveness.
I like Pelosi, I think she does a fine job, but she is another Hillary- A target for the media, for right wing politicians, for anyone with an axe to grind.
30 years of hatred and smears by right wing media has transformed her into a monster that Republicans now use to win elections.
Let's get someone young and new in that job. Someone that can't be used by Republicans as a villain.
Pelosi should get that, and voluntarily step down.
20
How long has the Democratic Party held both house of congress? As that question and you will every argument for her removal.
6
I agree with her on issues as I did with Hillary Clinton, but they’re not going to bring the Democrats back like Connor Lamb did. Time for a change.
By her not acknowledging this and stepping down is telling. Sorry, but we need to win before acid rain starts to drop again.
22
So mrs Pelosi should smile more - good grief! Let’s not forget the South Carolina Republican joe Wilson who shouted “you lie” during President Obama’s state of the union speech. Something that had never happened in our county’s history. The gop love to attack, degrade, demean etc and they are excellent at it, aside from gerrymandering and voter suppression. Huckabee is not one to talk about smiling with her ever present scowl. But if I had to lie for a living I wouldn’t smile either.
27
I always wished she had done more than give him a stern look when he did that. All this lady-like behaviour has not been effective against the junk yard dog attacks of the Republicans. When the junk yard dog gnaws at your throat, you shouldn't be worrying about what PETA will do if you fight back against the dog.
3
If Dems win back the House, Pelosi would not be Speaker. What the Dems and country need is younger, vibrant, energetic, strong generation.
Pelosi should step back and become an elder-statesperson. With experience and judgement, she could fulfill an important advisor role. As Speaker, she would be just plain toxic.
23
“Maybe she could follow the Republican lead and impose term limits on committee leadership jobs, giving junior members a chance to shine.”
Democrats taking a cue from Republicans? Is the sun freezing up?
If Nancy Pelosi retires, she can still work behind the scenes tactically and with fund raising – with what she does best.
The fundamental problem is that as we get older, we feel as though we are more important. After all, we have survived all these years and have ever more wisdom to bestow on a younger and less-seasoned generation. And what public figure relishes leaving the limelight? This is innately a human problem that infects all of us.
Perhaps we need to install a political Carrousel in the Capitol Rotunda, including implanted biophysical life-clock crystals and (non)partisan sand(wo)men to enforce the rules.
Who else will regulate us? Voters? Then get out and vote, sandpeople, because so far, Pelosi has won. You don't like democracy?
5
The Democrats lost in 2016 because they lost the Midwest. They will never retake the Presidency again if they don’t recapture America’s geographic middle. Keeping Schumer and Pelosi in the two leadership positions, each representing the blue coasts, was folly. The party’s leadership might not be enthusiastic about the people who occupy the geographic middle, but without winning over a big chunk of them, they are dooming the party to perpetual minority status. The decision to keep Pelosi and Schumer in power rather than elevating younger leaders representing a region they critically need, after a catastrophic election defeat simply reinforced the message that the party doesn’t care about the Wal-Mart working class. Pelosi and Schumer need to go, sooner, rather than later.
22
There is a problem with choosing leaders from the heartland: elections. We had leadership from the middle of the country, Tom Daschle for one, but they can't keep their seats. Not having a leader re-elected causes turmoil in the House or Senate. The middle is RED and they elect Republicans. They don't seem to yearn all that much for local politicians in federal leadership.
6
I don't have any insights into who would be a good replacement for Pelosi (except somebody a lot younger and anybody who is not Nancy), but I love Amy Klobuchar in the Senate. She's the face we need going forward. Smart, former DA, speaks very well and one can listen to her without running from the TV, she is charming, affable, friendly - but I bet she can be as tough as nails, too.
Schumer and Pelosi. Why do they want to hang around after the 'fresh' date? The country is at stake. We need them to go and we need them to help those who come after.
This country is in dire straits. We need a very strong Democratic leadership going forward. I thank both Nancy and Chuck. And now I'm waving 'goodbye'.
4
You will never win back the middle with coastal leadership. It is true that the Democratic party has decayed in the middle west, but much of the responsibility falls on the party leadership for neglecting the concerns of the people who live there for so long. In 2008, Obama poured tons of resources into states like Ohio and had to build his own get out the vote campaigns there to secure a win. Hillary’s efforts in Ohio were anemic, and the result was not just a Trump victory, but a complete erasure of elected Democratic officials in wide swaths of the state. The Dems can keep choosing leaders in “safe” blue coast regions, and what they will end up is secure, steady leadership in a permanent minority party.
8
In truth the average American - including the many who can't be bothered to vote - has no idea who Nancy Pelosi is or what she does.
It is the constant poisonous "murmurings" and accusations over the years from Fox News and other right-wing organizations that have established Pelosi has some sort of "'wicked witch."
Pelosi is an elected representative who has had significant accomplishments but - like all of us - is imperfect. But somehow she is singled out as completely responsible for all that goes wrong.
28
Pelosi chose to seek a leadership position, a position that for fours years put her second in line of succession to the Presidency. For twelve of the last sixteen years she's been the Minority Leader.
Stand high and you attract lightning; I'm sure Pelosi understands this.
Throw in the fact that she's the first woman to ever hold either position and that she's smart and extremely competent and she stands even a bit higher. She's an existential threat to the "ole boys club" (and a large number of insecure males in this country).
I'm sure she understands this as well.
2
I love it when politicians love to hate an older female political leader. It provides an opportunity to remind them of their mothers, in a nice way of course.
Imagine how much joy will the president derive from a return of his favorite Chuck & Nancy political duo.
11
I’m a life-long Democrat, 49 year old female from Seattle with moderate to liberal views depending on the issue. Enthusiastic Hillary supporter. But I don’t care how much money Pelosi has raised, she needs to go. If she is as good a tactician as she likes to take credit for, she would have bowed out months ago. She is a negative weight on the party and should make way for new blood. I’m appalled at her ego.
11
That's a good point - that if she is as good a tactician as her reputation in Democratic circles then she should know she is now a liability and must depart the leadership. She can be Mentor To The Next Leaders. She can help them, she can train them. But at 78? And being such a target for R's?
I hope her staff are reading these comments. We Dems need to save the country. Nothing less is at stake. To do that, she needs to go.
3
Were you not appalled at Hillary's ego for not bowing out after the discovery of her private server? The Dems would have the presidency were it not for "It's my turn" Hillary whose ego is even bigger than Donald Trump's.
"Pelosi doesn’t really love the idea that the Republicans’ hatred is about sexism. 'I don’t think it’s because I’m a woman. It’s because I’m an effective leader,' she said in a phone interview."
"She sounds as if she wants to stay. 'I wouldn’t give that up lightly,' she said of her job. 'Nor do the women of the country want me to.'”
Ah, you can't try to play both sides of the street like that, Nancy Pelosi. That might be a reason some want change at the top of the D politburo. Like me.
5
Nancy Pelosi got health care for all the people who hate her; the health care that Trump is working hard to get rid of. So of course they hate her and love Trump. It makes perfect sense.
26
The world is unfair, it's true. She got them health care, they hate her. But that's the way it is. I don't see the Sea of Red ever changing their extreme negativity towards her. The Republicans did this on purpose, to demonize her. It's worked. Yep. Unfair. Very. But she has to go.
1
They will similarly attack the next leader. IT has nothing to do with Pelosi and everything to do with an attack strategy. It certainly worked with Hillary.
21
She doesn't support medicare for all. Get rid of her. Bring in Bernie. Besides, between her and her dad, isn't 100 years of Pelosi politics enough?
4
Bernie is not going to help the Democrats, regardless of his all or nothing supporters. I found out I was a moderate Democrat instead of the liberal I thought I was, because of Bernie.
10
Let's talk about that when Bernie joins the Democratic Party. And didn't I read that his son is going into politics? Come on....
Bernie is 100 years himself. Enough of the sexist nonsense.
Start with term-limiting congressional chairs. The idea that the old can lock out the young(er) leaders (shame on the CBC!) is abhorrent and counterproductive. Creating internal walls to protect existing leadership is NOT a good selling point for the party...or any other entity, for that matter.
5
I find it hilarious that "progressive" Democrats want to kick Nancy to the curb because of her age but can't get over their adoration for St. Bernie Sanders, who's approximately the same age. He's the man they want to be their presidential nominee, which would put him in his 80's in the unlikely event that he won a general election. The sexism that prevailed over both Hillary Clinton and now Mrs. Pelosi is so thick you can cut it with a knife. It's stunning that 53% of white women voted for Donald Trump. After 227 years we still don't have our first female president. My allegedly liberal state has never elected a female governor and took until 2012 to elect its first female senator, Elizabeth Warren. It's a toss-up between which is worse in this country---racism or sexism.
47
Progressives don't dislike Pelosi because she's old; give it up with that strawman. We dislike her because she isn't progressive; she's a corporatist. We want a return to the New Deal; Pelosi (and Schumer and Feinstein) doesn't offer that.
bingo! throw in Ageism as well
Gail, I think you are missing something. There are a lot of people who can be manipulated by using a women as a figure of fear and hate. Think the witches. Think about the basically powerless Marie Antoinette who was blamed by the people of France for everything that went wrong. Think about Hillary Clinton. Don't underestimate the power of this kind of hate to unite.
505
If you're referring to the Salem witches, it was the young women who went about terrorizing others. And not to equate HRC to the aforementioned but even those of us who voted for Clinton did so reluctantly--the better of two lousy choices. Yes, Marie Antoinette was scapegoated, but are we really supposed to pity a Hapsburg princess? Sympathy is in short supply. Do we really want to waste it on the consort of France's last absolute monarch?
Sure women are often used as figures to hate: so too are men--gays, geeks, Irish (Happy St. Patty's Day!), etc. The abuser focuses on them being second-rate versions of manliness rather than not manly. Women like HRC, Nancy Pelosi, et al are absolutely deserving of criticism and blame for the mess this country is in today. They simply don't deserve more than their male counterparts, which is often the case. But by all means, blame them and throw them out. And replace them with someone better. I don't really care whether their replacements are women or men.
4
President Trump has now come out publicly to try to enforce the Non Disclosure Agreement that porn star Stormy Daniels was paid to enter into.
He says she owes 20 million dollars under the terms of her "agreement" to keep quiet.
Think about that. Let that settle in for a minute.
He is acknowledging that people, lawyers, acting in his behalf, sought and received such an agreement, by saying that she violated it. He knew it happened. It happened just weeks before the election. This hush money.
Think slowly and carefully about this.
The GOP candidate for President of the United States of America knowingly allowed his representatives to offer hush money to a porn star to keep quiet about the affair they had just months after his wife gave birth to their son - in order to be able to be elected President. He bribed her. Whether or not she took it is inconsequential.
He does not acknowledge and apologize for the affair and the attempt to pay money to cover it up - but seeks to go after the woman involved and enforce his "agreement" with her to keep these facts from his wife and children and the public.
Just as Trump always tries to blame the messenger, not the message, he assumes we will all think that the real issue is Stormy Daniel's violation of the NDA, not the fact that it was needed in the first place.
Just like asserting that the real villain in Watergate was Deep Throat, not President Nixon.
So Nancy Pelosi, in the GOP alternative universe, is the evil one?
30
I love her. Period, full stop. Because of Nancy Pelosi, my adult son obtained health insurance. Thank you, Representative Pelosi. You are a hero in our House.
456
I agree with you. And that is the main reason why Republicans vilify her. My favorite fantasy is that the Dems win both the House and the Senate, impeach and convict Trump and Pence (Pence for being an obstruction of justice fellow traveller), and Pelosi becomes President. An effective leader and the first female President. My idea of nirvana!
7
Please don't allow Mrs. Pelosi to claim credit for the Democratic majority that emerges in the House after the November elections. We still remember how she sunk Bernie.
1
It isn't just Pelosi who sunk Bernie. It was the entire DNC helped by Hillary's campaign, her bff Wasserman Schultz, and all the Third Way, corporate Dems. Give the Third Way the highway. They are toxic, arrogant, and completely out-of-touch.
I actually think Pelosi is the best of the bunch. She, at least, wasn't swooning when Trump was "nice" to them. Schumer was had by Trump over DACA and health care, and he enjoyed the ride completely. How can a man from NYC not know a con when he encounters it? Especially from someone who is famous for being a cheat and comes from his own backyard?
1
Bernie is not a democrat. End of discussion.
The systematic demonization of Nancy Pelosi is one of the most effective and underhanded strategies that Republicans have ever deployed. They’ve made her out to be a radical-liberal gorgon, an absolute avatar of the most extreme left, when in reality she’s a pragmatic and efficient leader, capable of intelligent compromise, who happens to be female and is therefore an easier target.
But it’s unnecessary for every house member with a “D” following their name to swear absolute and unconditional fealty to Pelosi. It’s sufficient that they vote according to their beliefs but, when the chips are down, accept the leader selected by their fellow Democrats. To put it bluntly, we need a majority in the House. The ability to introduce legislation, control committees, exercise oversight — all of these things hinge on holding a majority position, and we need them to reverse Trump’s misrule.
428
It seems to me that the current anti- woman campaign by the gop may be patterned after the recent presidential election campaign. It’s not so much about the individual unless that candidate just happens to be a woman. Yeah, a very enlightened group, the gop.
7
Just who are the young dems ready and able to become leader of the Democratic Party in 2018? Who has demonstrated the same capacities/abilities and can achieve the consensus to lead a "big tent" Democratic Party?
10
The reality is the Democrats have lost the Presidency, the House, the Senate, and the majority of the States.
If that doesn’t tell you that there is something fundamentally wrong with the Democratic strategy and leadership, nothing will.
A few recent wins in an environment where we have an immortal, unethical, and incompetent leader doesn’t hid the gaping cracks in the Democratic Party.
7
Um.....the Republicans cheat? Gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc. Republicans cheat.
1
Pelosi is actually a good politician who cares about what is best for the average American. She is vilified regularly by the GOP because a smart, powerful woman always terrifies them . Just ask Hillary.
20
Nancy Pelosi is a lot of things.
First and foremost she is very smart.
As such, she knows that optics are often, and in her case, more important than reality.
She knows that every day she remains the face of the Democratic Party, she invites scorn and contempt from virtually all of the voters 'on the other side' that are convinced that she is Satan's spawn: the same people we are 'supposed' to be attempting to win over to 'our' side.
Stepping aside would be selfless.
She is incapable of doing that to serve the greater good.
Hillary Clinton suffered from the same malady.
4
Unfortunately, personality does penetrate in politics. Trump's persona is wearing thin but sadly so is Nancy's. Her effectiveness behind the scenes is legend but when she steps in front of the camera she frequently appears wobbly and soft. Trump on the other hand is a behind the scenes disaster and an in front of the camera joke - but ever the showman. Donald will quack very loudly and deceptively. It's not about politics when you can just entertain the unthinking audience. You'll win them over every time.... and they'll want an encore. Sad.
80
We should all understand by now that no matter who is in a position of Democratic Party leadership, the person will be vilified by the Right. When all you bring to the game is to frighten and divide voters and demonize the opposition, that is what you do. So, Nancy or no Nancy, there will be a Democratic Party “villain.” Democrats have to ignore the nonsense and stay on message.
12
Goes both ways and that is the sad thing.
"Democrats have to ignore the nonsense and stay on message."
Exactly what is that message?
A major reason the "Republicans attempted to turn the whole campaign into a Pelosi referendum" was because voters were not buying the idea that the tax cut--to enrich the well-heeled even more--signed into law by Trump was a reason to support the Republican candidate. There was no positive reason for supporting the Republican, so the GOP pulled out what they thought was a reliable negative prop, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, for defeating Democrats.They do not have anything positive that is persuasive to voters.
9
Pelosi is a distraction. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect from risking their base, and the susceptible few viewing their attack ads, realizing that, while Republicans claim Pelosi is vile and dastardly, the Republicans themselves have done nothing, nothing at all, to support the working class and middle class people they are trying to persuade. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect attention from the 80+% of their "tax reform" that goes to the 1%. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect from the continuing carnage of gun violence that continues without any attempt to slow it, due to Republican's intransigence about gun control Republican's complicit obesiance to the NRA. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect from how their militancy in "fighting terrorism" has eroded and degraded American's civil liberties while killing thousands of US soldiers, and yielded only illusory 'victories' that slip away as soon as the US tries to move out. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect from the vacuity and ineffectiveness of their own policies, their failure at governance, and their inability to solve any problems at all. Republicans attack Pelosi to deflect from the worthlessness of their leadership, the moral and Constitutional seditiousness of McConnell, the lying duplicity and venality of Ryan, and the complete and utter degradation of Trump. Next to almost any Republican politician, Pelosi looks strong and solid by comparison. They attack her because she reveals them entirely.
353
If Al Franken can resign without a fight for the good of the party, then surely Nancy can step aside and let someone else take over.
7
The Democrats should run local races as much as possible. If Nancy Pelosi is their best attack,
its a sad day for Republicans.
BUT
it is important to note that a claim that Russia did not get access to our voting, collation and reporting systems, and manipulate our votes is laughable. People really believe this lie?
I don't know these olden days approach to modern Russia cyber warfare.
Old and decentralized software are pretty easy to hack. Please retire older people from cyber security, and move them into other professions. omg.
The Dems have far more to worry about than the "smoke covered" permitted wins inspecial elections. Russia will clean them out if they do nothing to get paper ballots for the mid-terms.
These 'wins' by Democrats are strategically permitted... And I am not wearing a foil hat.
Its just plain reading of the Russian way of hacking and changing outcomes.
They get wins using careful strategy for outcomes.
And the polls are not wrong by mistake either. It is the Russian way.
3
There needs to be such an overwhelming blue tsunami wave in November that the Russians can't rig it. If it's close? Easy peasy to change. But overwhelming? I don't think they could do it.
I know they changed the voter registration rolls in Florida. My daughter was denied, saying she hadn't registered. Yep. She had. And so had several friends. But none of them were allowed to vote. I KNOW there was infiltration by the Russians. And it is very scary to know Trump will not protect us, nor will the R's
1
Excuse me!
Nancy Pelosi is a HERO of our country!
She is effective, persuasive, diligent, and bright..very bright.
Precisely why some of our fellow Americans who live in the interior of the USA, drink Wild Turkey, like to “go huntin” and believe a women is “property” are afraid of her dislike her intensely and denigrate her (and frankly, all women.)
I eagerly look forward to her future term as Speaker of the House and third in line for the Presidency!
400
Nancy Pelosi loses. And the Democrats lose.
Why?
Because like Gail Collins and many of the comments on this board, they miss the point. Republicans don’t demonize Nancy Pelosi because of her gender, or her age, or her competence. They demonize her because of her POLITICS. What many commentators on this board think are her accomplishments, including the ACA, are exactly what republicans hate. Pelosi is the personal embodiment of the tax, tax, tax, --redistribute, redistribute, redistribute, anti-free enterprise, far left socialist wing of the democratic machine. A fried who came here at a young age from Hungary sums it up: “I lived in a communist country and I will never vote for a democrat like Pelosi”.
In the last jobs report, more than 800,000 people joined the labor force – it was the largest one month labor pool rise since 1983. Those are 800,000 people who wouldn’t have jobs without the Republican economy. Those are the people Pelosi would like to keep unemployed and dependent on her government handouts. That is why Republicans demonize Pelosi – her politics.
30
Also, at the same time the people in her district who are economically fortunate to afford the sky rocketing housing prices are enabling hardships of those less fortunate who must either move or offset their housing costs by eliminating other spending.
I am curious if Nancy Pelosi’s husband’s business has benefited from these rising housing costs, which would be like icing on a cake that is made with subpar ingredients but at inflated prices, which fools the public as the best bakery in town.
What republican economy? The current good economy is a result of reforms enacted by President Obama!
20
800000? You exaggerate, a GOP habit.
8
I like Nancy and Chuck (Schumer). They have experience; they're smart, savvy, and know how the system works. I suggest that we keep them on, especially because the Repubs hate them. Everybody hates Ted Cruz, but he ain't leaving; he's just begun to drive us all bananas.
I know ageism exists -- both for and against all ages. We can always find something to criticize, eh? Most importantly, if her constituents vote in large numbers for her, she deserves the job, right? I just want to vote out my guys: Congressman Matt MAGA Gaetz and Senator Marco I-love-the-NRA Rubio.
265
I saw a sign in western PA last summer that read “Pelosi wants to cut your Social Security check - Trump won’t let her”.
Fake news? Just the second part. Pelosi supported Obama’s proposal for chained-CPI cuts to SS cost of living increases.
Pelosi needs to go.
4
So interesting to read the initial, predictable misogynistic comments on a smart woman who has served her constituents well, and advocated for health care across the country, beyond her district.
I am thinking tonight of her colleague, Louise Slaughter, who passed this morning. These “elderly” women have worked tirelessly and energetically in Congress for a common good.
Where are the accomplishments of the brilliant others we are overlooking?
7
Taking my money to give to the lazy and irresponible is not "a common good."
If Mueller's investigation implicates the President, the Vice-President and the Speaker of the House Ryan (assuming he would be reelected) in a conspiracy with the Russians and those Republicans are removed from office by impeachment in 2019, Nancy Pelosi, as Speaker of the House, would become the next President of the United States.
3
"Right now, it seems as if nothing can save the Republican majority. Not even promising to get rid of Paul Ryan. Although it probably wouldn’t hurt."
Be careful what you wish for. Ryan's "wingman" is Kevin McCarthy and a gift to the country he is NOT. Anti-Choice, Anti-LBGT, Anti-Union, Anti-ACA - in other words, a centre-left citizen's worst nightmare and a God-send for the Ultra-Right. McCarthy started out Pro-Choice but found that the GOP ladder had added a rung, one that ruled out abortion on any grounds. McC adapted, as he also he did on denying same-sex couples pension and benefit rights. He was a champion of the Trump tax cut, the slaughter of Medicaid and Medicare and the privatisation of Social Security. In other words, McC is the perfect pawn for Right Wing causes and a poster boy for the Koch Bros/Prince/Theil/Ricketts/Mercer corporate hostile takeover and replacement of American Democracy with Corporate Theocratic Fascism. There is only one way to prevent the advancement of McC and his poisonous GOP agenda: VOTE OUT GOP REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS and return control of the House to Dems and Independents. (Dual citizenship - US and Canada - so yes, I care.)
8
Time time for Ms. Pelosi to slip quietly into the role of elder stateswoman who will mentor the influx of incoming democratic freshmen and freshwomen. They will certainly need to learn the ropes on hardball, back room politicking, and Ms. Pelosi would be as good as anyone to have in newcomers’ corners.
119
Nancy Pelosi has a favorable rating of 29%. The republicans have used the "Big Lie" successfully to demonize her. The democrats should elect new leadership to prevent the republicans from using "Nancy Pelosi" against all democrats in 2018. Steny Hoyer is 78 and James Clyburn is 77. They should retire from their leadership positions and support the next generation of democratic leaders.
1
Are you willing to bet on a 'fresh face" in need of mentoring to act as a foil to Trump? We can do that when we are in a period of national unity and peace, not while there are multiple threats on all sides. You don't let your teenager take the wheel of the car during a hurricane.
2
Pelosi’s a “veritable vacuum cleaner.” A vacuum cleaner and term limits are what Congress needs.
3
Term limits are a bad idea. We have them in Michigan and all it leads to is a lack of institutional knowledge, accountability, and political job hopping. Want to limit a politicians time in office? Get active, vote in primaries, and vote in general elections. Term limits are a seemingly simple solution to a complex problem that only produces unintended consequences.
1
For the love of God, can someone tell me why she is always vilified? Or is it the age old we can’t have a woman in positions of power? Name me one thing she’s done that is worse than our sitting president.
21
Pelosi is a pro who has seen it all and survived. Who better to help block the Trump madness when the Dems take the house?
I don't want any "new" Democrat collaborating with Trump and the GOP, not after it has destroyed health care, stolen a Supreme Court seat, and gifted tax cuts to greedy billionaires.
471
Maybe Nancy should just resign. Steny and James Clyburn take a back seat. They are too old. They are in their late 70’s. They can still raise $ and give advice but for the peoples sake resign from leadership.
1
So we have an eminently qualified woman versus a man who believes the economy should be managed by a 60 year old work of fiction.
this is starting to sound familiar.
Nancy Pelosi was an excellent Speaker of the House. In fact, if my memory isn't failing she was one of the most effective anyone could remember.
It's not the Speakership that bothers me. It's the proximity to the Presidency in this volatile lunatic cycle in which we now live.
That said, is there anyone in the House more qualified?
And as to age, come on. The whole idea of the system is to put someone in charge who has seen it all. How is that a bad thing and when did we get to the spot where we think people of experience are useless and we should have teenagers making all of the decisions?
31
Nancy Pelosi has done an excellent job as Speaker of the House, but there's a time for everyone to know when to exit the stage. There are many younger Democrats who deserve a chance moving up the ladder. Pelosi should weigh her pluses against her minuses with the electorate. The Democrats can't risk losing another election.
2
How long has the Democratic Party held both house of congress with her in charge? Are there not any other woman who could do the job?
2
We can say that Lamb won despite Pelosi. But the Democratic party is guilty of letting long-timers continue to keep rising stars from rising.
A political party that doesn't keep itself renewed by promoting and advancing promising political talent will drive out good people.
Look, I like Pelosi personally and admire her ability to both get things done and raise money. But we simply need a new speaker--someone in their 40s, possibly 50s. I understand there are plenty of candidates.
I hope Dems see the light on Pelosi come November. She's too easy to demonize, and not inspiring enough to transmit a message of energy and optimism that recent Democratic victors like Doug Jones and Conor Lamb successfully displayed.
And God knows we need some optimism these days.
28
Not all people in their 70’s are too old and neither are all people in their 40’s and 50’s are wise or smart. Take Paul Ryan for instance. He is a disgrace
We need to keep an open mind regarding age both young and old. I agree we need new blood. Especially in Congress. And while we are at it in the White House as well. Think of the mix of ages in the White House and they are all a mess.
3
There are many DACA recipients that would disagree with you.
1
I wouldn't hold my breathe waiting for Pelosi to become speaker again. The Democrats have a lot of hurdles to get over between now and November, Pelosi is the least of them, if they are to take back the House.
5
Current information says the opposite: it's the Republicans who will get slammed in Nov., Pelosi or no Pelosi, but why intrude on your fantasy world?
Another comedian!
Hurdles? It’s the Kochs who are spending stupid $ furiously to save their greedy handouts
And it’s not working
Here comes the tsunami!
The point that's left out in this column is that Trump did all he could to get his supporters to beat Lamb, a Democrat; he even went to local events to urge them with all his passion to keep the House seat for the GOP. The claims that it was a vote against Pelosi is covering up a decisive vote AGAINST Trump and FOR a Democrat.
62
In the last presidential election Democrats lost to the very worst candidate in modern history while running perhaps the most qualified in history for the duties of office. This should tell Dems something about how elections are won or lost. Qualifications don't inspire turnout, politicians need to be able to communicate with the voters and convince them they care about issues and the actual voters more than power.
Pelosi may be a fine leader of the house when she's leading the house, but when speaking to the American people she does not communicate deep passion for the issues as much as for the fight.
This isn't to say she doesn't care, just that she is not a good communicator through media for Democrat ideals. What the house needs is two separate offices, a spokesperson for the house and the person behind the scenes that cracks the whip. Or someone who has the talent to do both.
18
I'll hold back on the optimism for now. There is far too much that can happen between now and November for the Dems to start planning the party.
19
There is something to be said for longstanding leadership to recognize the importance of bringing in and promoting less experienced leadership. Otherwise leadership atrophies and the system fails.
A lot of it has to do with power, perks and self-aggrandizement in whatever form. I would hope Ms. Pelosi is smarter and wiser.
4
She should be the behind the scenes fundraiser and emeritus adviser for the up and coming. She is a horrible in-front-of-the-camera spokesperson/interviewee/'leader' -- do what she does and share the wealth, both figuratively and literally.
There comes a time when elders provide their wisdom to the newer leaders and doers. Stay out of the limelight. Stop taking the focus away from what's best for the party and the nation.
Thank you for your service, now move aside.
8
Hey Democrats-- what's the message? "A Better Deal", being anti-Trump? Mediocre democrats, whoever they are, can look just great compared to Trump. That's one of worst effects of Trump and his Courtiers. We're relieved to get someone not as bad.
The Dems compete with GOP, hustling the mega donors, while asking for the votes of We the People. . This makes it harder to offer specific solutions to our problems -- health care for all, jobs, infrastructure, fair taxes, relief from college loans.
It's not good enough to just be better than the rw party holding our 3 branches and most states.
Let our media columnists talk about campaign finance, and how it affects policies that affect our lives, instead of ignoring it. It's obvious that columnists and TV cable love to focus on drama and personalities. We need better.
8
Ms. Pelosi is a hero. She is a smart, brilliant, effective public servant who has the backbone to stick to her principles. Being “senior” is not a reason to step aside; arguing otherwise is merely evidence of an unsavory stereotype.
The Republicans want to villain-ize her precisely because she is so effective. Why else would they be going after her?
And the Democrats who speak out publicly against her should first tell us what they’ve accomplished in Congress to make them qualified to make their claims.
35
And I see you do not list her many accomplishments. All I see is her taking 5 minutes to answer 1 question as though she can’t get the words out. How is that effective?
4
"Being "senior is not a reason to step aside", but it is a reason to let younger aspirants a chance to move up. The Democrats can't risk losing another election. Mme Pelosi must step aside!
@SCOTT: Agree that being a senior does not make one less effective in politics. If you have heard of Gen. De Gaulle, how he returned to power in France when he was almost 70, founded a new political system called the Fifth Republic and settled the Algerian drama once and for all by pulling French forces out, making peace with the FLN and granting amnesty to OAS terrorists who had been fighting a last ditch effort to keep Algeria French. Amnesty which De Gaulle granted to OAS sharpshooters, some of whom tried to kill him for his alleged betrayal of his mandate. It was called in French "une grace amnistisante!"But I digress.Pelosi has not remained true to herself. While campaigning against the carbon footprint and on behalf of Climate Change Accord, she tools around in a private jet at public expense, once a week I hear between D,C. and her Congressional district in SF. Very expensive for us taxpayers. While proselytizing for ACA, she exempted more than a hundred businesses in her c.d. from having to comply. Don't do as I do, but do as I say!
1
Nancy Pelosi has been my representative since 1987 except for a period when redistricting move the lines a few blocks and I was in a neighboring district. Like most of her constituents who have commented her, I am proud of her and way she has served us and the nation. Most of the criticisms I have read here are not legitimate as they are coming from GOP activists and concern trolls. They have turned her into a villainous cartoon figure that in no way resembles the real person. It only weakens the Democrats when they buy into the strategy of those who attack her. It is why Dems have a hard time winning even when they are in the majority. It is their biggest weakness just as the GOP has an advantage of rarely attacking one of their own no matter how bad they are at their job.
Anyone that that her critics from her own side of the aisle push into replacing her will be attacked and turned into a cartoon villain in just the same way no matter if they are 'fresh' and young. One of the most successful tactics of GOP operatives and dirty tricksters into turn every virtue into a vice.
If the Democrats don't see this, they will lose races they could have won if they had stood up for their best and most competent leaders. Lamb said what he had to say to win a close race. Minority Leader Pelosi is a realist and is aware of how she has been falsely maligned and portrayed by her opponents. She can outwit and outplay and outlast them all but only if Dems stop being easily cowed.
46
If Nancy Pelosi was such an "effective leader" as she claims, Donald Trump would not be in the White House. Her House is in Republican hands and the party she helps lead has been throughly out-competed. The Democrats who are having any success, like Connor Lamb, are essentially running campaigns that pretend she doesn't exist and take great pains to make sure the national Democratic Party stays as far away from them publicly as possible while they run for office.
Put simply, she is the face of a sullied brand and the head coach of a failed team. She needs to move on for the good of the enterprise, so others can rise up into leadership positions.
9
Bravo! The House and Senate resemble Jurassic Park! Anyone with sense should acknowledge when it's time to leave the scene.
Ms Pelosi has been a terrible Speaker, a worse minority leader, and, in general, a prisoner of a identity and politics. Frankly, her persona is just about indistinguishable from that of the late Joan Rivers, and her positions on military preparedness, identity politics, and trade prevent her from rejuvenating the Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson core that’s broad enough to sustain a Democratic majority.
Over the years, including several assignments to legislative liaison duty, I’ve seen effective legislative leadership from both parties. Ms Pelosi, like Messrs Gingrich and Ryan are at the bottom of the pack.
6
To decide we need a younger speaker of the house sounds much like we need a woman speaker of the house. Ageism, sexism. What's wrong with older people? More years of wisdom.
8
What's wrong with younger people to thing the "problem" is older people? What's wrong with our society to think the "problem" is older people? We have been manipulated by media to believe that younger newer cooler more-like-me is ever so much better. People need to get their heads out of commercialized easy media and think for themselves for once. We have allowed ourselves to become a herd, a pack, an individuated sub-culture defined by the media we chose to do our thinking for us, which, of course, means whoever either owns the media or buys ads in that media... all the democracy money can buy.
3
Geez! I realized when I was 70 that it was time to go. There's nothing shameful about admitting that it's time to move over at let a younger generation move up. Do we really want our political system represented by geriatrics?
And for that you wonder why the Dems are in trouble?
Democrats have to face how media (and especially social media) is affecting the average voter. In an ideal world people on both sides of the isle would congratulate Ms. Pelosi on her tremendous legislative accomplishments in spite of, and because of her gender. She is a fierce patriot. That would be rational. However, those who control Republicans are neither rational, nor political. Their party seems to be an economic arm of some of Wall Street and lots of domestic and foreign gazillionaires. Dems need to market to that reality and take back the dialogue with an emotional message. Stay or go, Pelosi needs to do this. Pelosi, more than anyone, should understand the grave importance of the 2018 and 2020 elections. If fresh white male faces are needed in the media, than so be it. If Pelosi is the new replacement "dog whistle" (for poor HRC), then she must do what is needed to win the fight. A women in power is still toxic in too many parts of the nation thanks to Fox News and gas lighting. Lose on principle, or win back the nation? The fight is far from over.
5
Are those the only choices?
When going gets tough, the tough get going. Pelosi is tough. I donate money to her campaign because she is effective, liberal, and doesn't let the GOP trolls get to her.
If you look back at the 2014 political campaigns, many democrats distanced themselves from Obama. Would I have dumped Obama just because the GOP vilified him? No Way.
15
Age should not be a factor if she is doing her job, which she is. She must be doing something right to be demonized by the right so much. If anything she is not left leaning enough. I have always liked her. And her daughter makes some neat documentaries.
If anyone really needs to go it's Schumer .. Senator Useless
5
I don't really know who to blame the Democrats on. My instinct is to go after Wasserman of yore and Pelosi of forever.
But really I blame Karl Rove. Sure we can argue that the Democratic leadership is weak, the candidates uninspiring, the party out of touch with the districts they need to represent. But we can blame Rove for the districts, and the whole concerted effort to subjugate the country into a one party system from town council to President.
The GOP went on a single minded quest to take state houses, draw up favorable districts, push rules that made voting more difficult, physically in some case, economically in others.
Pelosi is fighting the uphill battle to remain relevant in a landscape carefully nurtured to exclude the interests of about half the nation.
I don't really like Pelosi either: like most successful politicians she talks out of both sides of her mouth, and has a marked lack of sincerity in what she says. But few can do better. The Democrats have to figure out how to recover from Rove's scorched earth before they can move forward.
9
No doubt Rove would be proud of your criticism.
It would be stupid to pressure an effective leader to retire just to please the Republicans. We need the Democrats as strong as possible. Yes we need up and coming talent but we also need experienced legislators at a time when our democratic institutions are in real danger. A congressional leader who can pass ambitious legislation and keep a party united is not something to take for granted these days.
6
A huge progressive flaw is wanting everyone to be perfect and whining when they aren't. Look at the other side and what they will tolerate in their public servants in order to get the job done. And that is why, despite holding positions the vast majority of citizens endorse, Democrats can barely beat Republicans whose policies are anti-American and only favor businessmen: because they won't hold their noses and vote for someone who only agrees with them on 90% of what they believe. Nancy Pelosi is demonized because she is not afraid of the Republicans. That said, I would like to see some new people at the top if they can get things done, especially the upcoming impeachments.
4
Money is real, bad craving for humans. Power is a real, bad craving. Whether Democrat or Republican, you can see how politicians get caught up in the seduction of money and power. Who isn't a millionaire and wanting to be on tv? (yes, even Bernie Sanders has two houses)
We've watched billionaires, corporate boards, hedge-funds, etc. & their lobbyists and lawyers take over government. The rich won. Money rules. That's the game now.
The average American is not engaged politically. They are not informed. They are not good citizens; good people, yes, but not good citizens.
The teachers I worked besides for 15 years were some of the best people I've ever met. They were totally devoted to their students & our school. We were a true community that cared for each other and stood together in good times & bad. Our average workweek was probably 50 hours; I know mine was. As one teacher told me apologetically, she felt she'd neglected her kids because of how much she put into her job.
But, these teachers did nothing to fight for smaller classes, smaller overall numbers, more planning periods, limited number of preps, keeping the school attendance below 3000 (bigger schools do not work as well).
Nothing. Not even dealing with underfunded pensions.
We focus to narrowly. The gun people, the anti-abortion people; so easy to talk of only one or two issues. That's not good citizenship.
Good citizens care & are engaged; not selfish, greedy, vain, bullying, hateful,etc. The anti-Trump.
4
Sanders is the only not-millionaire in the Senate!
I’m so tired of people assuming young politicians are the only ones with fresh ideas. I’m 26. Most people my age share the same stale ideas as Pelosi and other centrist democrats. I don’t care if you’re 99 years old - run with bold ideas and you will win.
18
For the last two or three years I've followed politics on a daily basis. I admit I know very little about Nancy Pelosi other than she is a punching bag for the Republicans. Perhaps she has an amazing record. I don't know.
What I do know is she stammers when she speaks and presents as someone turning 78 who is past their prime. This is not about being a female Speaker of the House. This is about stepping aside when it's clear she is a liability to the party. If Hillary had truly cared about the country first she would have deferred to Bernie Sanders. For months he regularly trounced Trump in polls asking who they would vote for if Trump and Sanders were the candidates. Sanders had virtually nothing nefarious to attack. Hillary was aware of the many landmines she would face in a race against Trump.
Hillary should have stepped aside. She didn't and look what's happening to democracy. Nancy Pelosi may well be a wonderful person with a strong record. Nevertheless, in a close race for president, Pelosi could swing the pendulum to the Republicans. Our country simply cannot tolerate the threat of Republicans continuing to put their party and themselves before the country they were elected to represent.
4
Nancy Pelosi is a refreshing contrast with Donald Trump.
Whereas Trump is hopelessly needy, Pelosi depersonalizes politics.
Ms. Pelosi is quoted here as saying that she doesn't believe bad feeling against her comes from being a woman (although that might be a bit optimistic. It's a pretty big coincidence that Conor Lamb distanced himself sharply from her and that Hillary Clinton also got poor support in the same district).
And last year, when Democrats lost a Congressional race in a very red district, after a surprisingly competitive showing, there was talk of Ms. Pelosi falling on her sword for it. She dusted herself off, got back to work, and continues looking ahead, rather than back. Trump's name has become toxic, yet he, on the other hand, always finds some excuse or fall guy. His ego surpasses any wish for legislative success.
Nancy Pelosi has spoken of translating her managerial techniques as a mother to her political leadership. But Trump threatens, taunts and mocks. His bullying isn't as strong as her guiding.
Yes, Ms. Pelosi has a long political career, which inevitably brings ups and downs. But she knows how to play the long game. Trump may be new to Washington, but he's stuck at amateur hour.
6
I like and admire Nancy Pelosi but it is time for new leadership, not because Republicans vilify her but because the Democrats need to do better at articulating why people should vote for them. They've done a terrible job at that in the last few years. As a Democrat, I won't give any money to the Party, donating to candidates directly, until they get their act together. They need leadership to do that.
5
Nancy Pelosi needs to go. This business about Pelosi criticism being anti-female is absurd. I'm female. I'm a democrat. I am so sick and tired of her and her relentless partisan poison. We need better quality leaders all around. We need leaders who can see beyond the behind the scenes games. Obviously fund raising is vital, but she's just soulless. In my opinion she's a big part of why Trump was able to elbow his way into government where he does not belong crying "drain the swamp." She just needs to go.
6
I’m a woman. I believe 78 year old NP should graciously move aside calling attention to the fact that she is doing it for the good of the country and that it’s time to renew the party. It’s not about gender. I wish Schumer would step aside every bit as much. At minimum he should ditch the arrogant look-down-his-nose-at-us glasses. Trump’s down, but Dems haven’t done anything to deserve to be up. Our own well thought out, purposeful shake up would be awesome! The time is now.
5
With all due respect, yes, this discussion about House Rep. Pelosi is about gender. I am struggling to think of an example where an “outspoken” female (versus the expected confident male voice) political leader in the US has garnered general praise versus ridicule and condemnation, accusations of ulterior motives and other menacing motivations. The microscopic scrutiny House Rep Pelosi has received is not evenly applied to her Congressional male counterparts or I would argue for female aspirants of higher office like the Presidency. One can argue Sen. Ryan has suffered from intermittent crises of no confidence in his leadership skills, but to my knowledge there have been no repeated calls for him to step down, or the same level of attacks of his abilities, unlike those made against Ms. Pelosi. Pelosi, as all political representatives (and humans) are not perfect, but once again, the female leader, particularly one that is assertive and powerful, is held to different standards. Nowhere is this double standard more glaring than the example of Trump’s assaults on women that were virtually dismissed, while attacks against Pelosi, and H. Clinton remain basically unchecked. To further the point, the same can be applied to the race-bias driving scrutiny and critique of President Obama, regardless of the accomplishments made under his Presidency. Shame on us.
588
Important to note who is being attacked constantly by the current US gov't. Female Congresspeople, especially of color, and an ex-candidate for the presidency. In the meantime, female Republicans support misogynists and perverts all too often. Will they ever change the Hastert Rule?
6
Boehner comes to mind...
1
As a woman and Democrat of roughly Pelosi's age, I think it is high time she leaves her role. One of the major troubles with the Democratic party is that young leaders are not coached, and give the chance, to lead. There is not enough innovative thinking. She's had her time. Who is she coaching and mentoring? Has she found new leaders who are not worth a fortune and can relate to ordinary folk? Change IS needed.
7
There is no doubt in my mind that Nancy Pelosi has been a strong leader and has contributed much to the past success of the Democratic party. But the time has come for a new face in that leadership position. I wish she would step down voluntarily and show her enthusiastic support for her replacement. However, indications are that she is holding on for dear life, so we're likely to have a divisive battle which could end up dividing the party and making the 2018 elections more difficult for Democratic candidates. Please, Nancy. For the greater good of the party step down from your leadership position.
5
Republicans make up roughly 26% of the electorate. If there was no such thing as gerrymandering, Rep. Pelosi would be Speaker of the House and the de facto leader of a super-majority. We wouldn't need N.P. Drama analyses.
17
Your statement assumes that the remaining 74% are Democrats, which is adamantly false.
Probably more than half of all voters today are "none of the above" -- swing voters -- who might vote Democrat one election and Republican the next.
Lots of registered Democrats LIKE MYSELF voted for Trump.
Oh and Democrats invented gerrymandering. What goes around, coms around.
Nancy Pelosi may be great but she is also a polarizing figure. She has had her time and her wins and her losses. We need term limits on all politicians. McCain, Hatch, Sanders, Pelosi and many others who should have retired gracefully and let new blood from all political parties have an opportunity to lead. Being in Congress should be a term limited service to our country, not a permanent job with way too much fund raising and money involved. I would like to see all these long term incumbents banned from Congress after their term limit is reached.
20
I could not agree more. Term limits are long overdue. There is no other way to break the old guard stranglehold on our nation than to shorten political careers. Our founding fathers never viewed politics as s life long career, yet here we are. This is not just an issue at the federal level but also for state and local governments as well.
11
The most powerful female democrat will perpetually be "polarizing" because she is the most powerful female democrat all but assuring cries of "She's a Witch!!!"
2
"Pelosi doesn’t really love the idea that the Republicans’ hatred is about sexism. “I don’t think it’s because I’m a woman. It’s because I’m an effective leader,” she said in a phone interview."
Trust me, it's because she's a highly successful and effective female leader, which, sadly, is unpopular with far too many females and males.
During her time as HR Speaker, the HR passed 359 pieces of legislation. The following term, under Boehner, they passed 11 bills.
Hopefully, the #MeToo movement is going to progress forward to cultural acceptance and promotion of talented, educated and effective female leaders at the top of all types of organizations, institutions, businesses, government, etc. with equal pay and benefits.
Gender bias and harassment is a global epidemic that has a long road ahead, but Nancy Pelosi exemplifies those rare pioneers who have persevered in the face of all odds and glass ceilings to rise to her level of prominence.
Believe me, she represents the very best of what women have to offer as political leaders. I thank her for her dedication, diligence, support of other women and support for all Americans in our current fight to preserve our democracy.
Yes, she represents me as much as she does her constituents in CA.
65
She is a deal maker and politically motivated to the core. NP is not someone that should be enshrined or praised. There are far better female examples i.e. Shirley Chisholm, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, etc...
ej: Thank you for your comment - well said! I do agree that there has been sexism in the dislike of Rep. Pelosi. The Republicans, as usual, have done a good job with their nasty smearing of the opposition. I've heard it from Republican friends and it has taken hold over the years. And we do have a long way ahead to provide qualified women a chance to shine and rise to high levels of government. It's shameful that we can't shed our paternalistic culture to allow this to happen.
It exists in Europe , in England and Germany for example, but not here. Until we free up from our macho culture, we will continue to lose women of ability and the talent to govern.
6
In my GA 06 district last year, Karen Handel (GOP) ran against Nancy Pelosi and "San Francisco values." Her ads included actors mimicking hippies with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The ads were offensive and divisive, but they worked for her. According to press reports, Handel recommended this approach to the GOP caucus - to run against Pelosi and San Francisco values. The dog whistle for "Pelosi" of course is not only anti-female, but anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-Obamacare. Yes, it's about Pelosi's gender, but do not overlook the metaphor of the underlying social fears Republicans always use to distort their opponents' positions.
71
I am conflicted on NP. She represents all that is good about our political system: smart, enterprising, tough, and photogenic. Flip it and she can represent man things bad too. Given that juxtaposition I still come down on the side she has been and asset and a gift. A woman who has served a couple of decades in congress without a whiff of personal scandal or financial indiscretion. For those two reasons alone I say keep her until a new star arises. Best part, I can say this since I don't live in Ca or her district so I don't have to make a voting decision. Oh and by the by, she is really nice in person.
52
Canada, France, New Zealand. Around the world there are charismatic people in their 30's that have been elected to run their countries. Good luck winning elections with someone who is "less than inspiring" and better at fund-raising than getting younger generations to the polls. Isn't "what the public thinks" that wins elections anyway?
The Democrat party establishment seems more concerned about defending their own than defeating the Republicans.
28
They can’t get to the polls but you want to put them in charge. Getting to the polls isn’t difficult.....particularly if you are young. The first step is voting
Nancy Pelosi didn't help Obama in those first 2 years when the Democrats controlled Congress. She resisted a better healthcare bill at that time. She wanted to send a message that she was as powerful as the president. She should go. A new, younger, more inspiring person is needed.
34
Nonsense, Obama was Played by Mitch McConnel and the Republicans, They Knew he could be had early when he disgared the Medicare for all single player Program that he Ran on !
1
For about the billionth time, Democrats did not control Congress for Obama's first two years in office. That's a myth. They had the fillibuster-proof 60 votes needed for control for only about 4 months. Ted Kennedy got sick and died. Al Franken wasn't seated for a while. Robert Byrd was out ill. The Democrats lost Kenedy's seat in the special election. You can read all about it here:
https://www.ohio.com/akron/pages/when-obama-had-total-control-of-congress
1
the most important thing is Pelosi not having to retire at at 78 from her job as minority leader, not a premature age to retire, even if she is a liability to the Democratic Party.
principle before common sense.
4
At age 78, I hope she has an extraordinary protegee or two waiting in the wings. Nobody escapes age.
Still, she's got some good years left, and is in some ways at a peak of her influence. Nobody should give up early either.
When age is an issue, remember that Reagan turned that around when he called it "youth and inexperience." There is an underlying truth to that, when those extra decades of experience bring knowledge to those who kept learning all the way.
It is not "because she is a woman." Democrats do their cause real disservice when they throw around insulting blame instead of listening to the concerns. Pelosi herself says so.
Pelosi is too conservative for my taste, and made some compromises I regret. However, I still support her, for the same reasons that I could not support Hillary, and that is obviously not because She is a woman.
Pelosi is effective. She is sincere. She is trying to do the best for others, even if I disagree with her on what is best. It is not with her always all about Nancy Pelosi.
For everyone like me who thinks her not progressive enough, there are attack ads run saying she is too much the flaming liberal. With effectiveness and sincerity, we can work those things out. We won't if we get mired in blame instead of listening and insight. It isn't because she is a woman. Get past that.
29
It may not have anything to do with the fact that she's a woman for you. It does for many other people, including too many Democrats.
Well, guess what.....she doesn’t have a protege waiting in the wings. And IMO, this a big problem for the Dems. When under the age of 50 can you name even as a potential national Dem figure? Name 1 and not some flash in the pan name like Lamb
1
I am grateful for Nancy's service. She was a dedicated proponent of President Obama's agenda and a good soldier; however, there comes a day when the older generations in our Congress owe it to their party to allow our younger elected officials flourish and take the reigns. Nancy, please step-down with honor and our thanks.
27
While I agree that the attacks on Pelosi are gendered because we have entered a period worldwide of a backlash at the prospect of women gaining real power politically, I still think she needs to be replaced. We need new leaders who can motivate new young voters, not to mentioned the old jaded ones. Because, same old same old apathy is too dangerous in the age of Trumpism.
The Dems must regain control of Congress and ultimately the White House if we are to save our democracy. And I’m not trying to be antagonist or offensive to Democrats or Republican voters, I truly believe it. And we all must put our country before party.
22
Nancy Pelosi has been the best Democrat to be President of the United States for almost 20 years now. She was a consistent voice for reason and compassion during the Bush presidency, and still is during today's so-called Trump presidency. That she just talked for 8 hours in a compelling speech on behalf of decency and Justice for the DACA children was not missed, and most of it a plea in their own words. Democrats who hold seats now need to rally around this remarkable woman. She has consistently stood up to the misogynists, who call themselves Republicans.
120
Some of the misogynists also call themselves Democrats. Misogyny is an equal opportunity character flaw.
2
The criticisms of Pelosi coming from inside the Democratic caucus are legitimate. She's a conservative who likes the status quo, not a progressive. It isn't her age that matters. The ACA was a Republican brainchild and it violated the Dems campaign promise of healthcare for all. It was passed knowing it would leave 50 million poor people across the nation to suffer, and suffer they have. The Democrats will not get the 80 million eligible voters who stayed home in November '16 to vote in November '18 if they don't have new and PROGRESSIVE ideas. It doesn't matter how old a US Representative is, nor their gender, it matters how the legislation will change the voters lives for the better. Incumbency and seniority simply aren't going to impress an electorate that was rightly just as cynical about Hillary as Trump.
26
Pure nonsense. If Nancy Pelosi had believed that some other universal health care bill could have made it through the House, she would have fought for it tooth and nail. The reality is that the support wasn't there and that had nothing to do with Nancy Pelosi. And if there is anyone who is NOT a conservative who likes the status quo, it's Nancy Pelosi. But, oh, it feels really good to claim that it's the "establishment" Dems who are letting down the progressives, doesn't it? Especially, if it's a woman.
3
Apparently the concept of compromise is secondary to political correctness.
All you have to do is look at the photo of Donald Trump and his committee on women's health care, 100% male, to know why Pelosi is so vilified. There are still a lot of men who think women can't make decisions about their own health care much less be in leadership positions.
526
And why can't Dems take back the messaging. Pelosi's "crumbs" labeling of the tax plan worked, it worked so well that Republicans stopped running ads in Pennsylvania touting the tax cut. Flip the script.
67
The Republicans ran several ads in which they criticized Pelosi--and Lamb--for saying that the tax cut would give "us" crumbs. They had to be among the dumbest ads I've ever seen. In one a single mother expressed her gratitude for any little bit that she would get. They also ran ads calling Lamb a "Pelosi liberal". Were the Democrats supposed to reject Lamb because of that? How many of them really cared about Nancy Pelosi? More stupidity.
3
If Pelosi was the Dem Rep from Iowa would she be such an easy target for the republican propaganda machine? I think not: it's the "west coast liberal elite" tag that sticks.
Bill Maher did a great closing segment tonight on Dems allowing Republicans to turn Pelosi into a campaign slogan, wherein he highlighted her actual legislative achievements: most impressive.
Is there no one Pelosi is mentoring who could take the reigns of Majority Leader without Pelosi retiring from the House and taking her hard earned skills and institutional knowledge with her? Can't the Dems have a "family" conversation about this without being on tv all the time airing it in public, to the joy of all republicans?
107
When the brave and eloquent and passionate kids took to the streets and lawns in front of the Capitol a couple of days ago, it was Nancy Pelosi who led Democratic Congressmen out into the crowd, impromptu, sans stages and sound systems, to address them and let them know they were being heard.
Nancy, Bernie and the other Democrats who spoke with - not just to - these kids, created a whole new generation of voters who know just which party is listening, and which bracaded themselves inside their offices, turning a deaf ear to the plight of these young new - and potential - party members. These kids will not forget.
The days of the GOP are numbered, they are imploding as we speak. They had all that power, and squandered it so badly taking care of themselves and their own narrow interests, pandering to Trump and his rabid base, making no attempt to create unity and bipartisanship - driving wedges and inflaming the worst impulses of their supporters.
The failure of the GOP to make any attempt to consider any input from the Democrats, the active exclusion of the minority party and the millions of Americans they represent, is bringing about their own demise - a sort of GOP Greek tragedy.
In a desperate attempt to hold onto the power they see inevitably waning, they attack liberals like Pelosi - but the electorate is seeing through that - thus Conor Lamb. And many more like him - and her - to follow.
2018. 2020.
238
Nancy Pelosi has been and is more than capable. I don't see the need for speculation. With Senior Moment playing his tweet-lin as Elephant Land burns, the Democratic leadership's only real 3rd rail is internal strife.
Stay the course, Nancy, Chuck, and Tom. Teamwork and hard work will sail this nation out of these dangerous waters. The 6th of November 2018 can't come soon enough for me.
65
I love Nancy. With age comes fabulous experience. We need strong
women in government. Women outlive men in this country.
166
Pelosi has been a great leader. There is absolutely no reason to get rid of her. But the democrats do need a leader for the 2018 election campaign - Obama needs to come back for that. Once the elections are over, Pelosi is still the perfect party leader in Congress.
58
Pelosi wins for now, but like Dianne Feinstein and other long-term Democrats, she's past her pull date. The Democratic party needs new faces, young blood, and ideas that excite a new generation of voters enough to bring them to the polls. Pelosi may call herself effective, and maybe she has been, given the times. But today's Democrats have nothing to boast about and much to bemoan. It's time to pass what's left of the torch to people who can rekindle the flame that once lighted the way toward a more just economy and a preference for humanity over profits.
25
Our leaders are not cartons of milk or cans of beans which have dates stamped only as 'best used by' dates. So much food as wasted because people don't use their senses to decide whether something can kept or thrown out. Food products do not have a predetermined date on which they suddenly spoil and people don' t have a predetermined date by which they should be determined too old to serve. The Democratic Party has plenty of fresh new faces and young blood but they lack experience and seasoning. Give them time to mature and learn from those who have made their mistakes so others don't have to. How many of them could stand on their feet and makes perfect sense speaking for 8 hours with passion and conviction? How many like Feinstein could take a day over to get a pacemaker and be back in committee hearings the next day fully prepared and asking the most incisive and probing questions of anyone in the room? I don't care how old they are as long as they are as sharp, capable, and mentally fit as they have proven themselves to be recently. They are exactly what we need more of.
59
Maybe we could give them participation trophies to get them to the polls....
Whenever I hear the drum beat of criticism against Nancy Pelosi, I am always struck by the fact there is nothing concrete in the criticism. No one ever cites one thing she did that was wrong.
The criticism just revolves around her age and longevity. As Gail points out, this same level of criticism is never pointed at a long serving male colleague.
The essence of Pelosi criticism comes down to ageism and sexism.
673
You may not agree that this was "wrong," but I thought it was wrong of her to issue an edict against taking any action against Bush-Cheney when she declared, "Impeachment is off the table!" and not because it was impossible, but because she chose not to pursue it. She has also said that America does not want single payer, universal health care coverage/"Medicare for All." She again has said that impeachment will not be discussed vis a vis Trump. So, if not treason and war-making under false pretenses (etc. etc.), what? And why would any true Democrat not fight for single payer/universal coverage? Her speaking style makes me nervous. One unrelated note: the loss of Louise Slaughter is a sad event, a loss to government, to decency and intelligent representation.
13
Sorry Annie, I don’t think 20 Republic Senators who would vote to Convict Trump in a Trial even if the House could muster a majority to Impeach. Same was true in 2009-2010.
5
I believe the criticism revolves almost entirely around her SEX. Many men hate women of power (and smarts.)
4
Nancy Pelosi deserves an enormous amount of credit for getting the ACA passed in Congress. I think she's awesome. Of course of there's sexism involved in the dislike. Anybody who is the mother of a boy can tell you that they go through a phase of resenting women as authority figures, and clearly some never outgrow that. Maybe it's part of their primitive alpha male makeup.
214
Kudos to Nancy Pelosi for representing her constituency. She deserves praise for her faithfulness to them. The issue is that as Speaker of the House or minority leader, her influence is vastly magnified. That’s precisely why her constituency loves her, their deepest blue views get more bang for the vote. And precisely why the rest of Democrats, let alone the country, which is not even close in blueness, feel bulldozed to the left by the vast OVERrepresentation of these positions. The fact that she is a great fundraiser (from her wealthy constituency, of course) adds further fuel to the fire and proof that she is in an echo chamber.
14
I saw a picture of Nancy Pelosi standing with a new generation of women running for public office. This is part of her outstanding legacy; to support, fundraise, and mentor talented leaders and to help them get elected to office. I'm sad that a campaign of personal attacks has been waged against Ms. Pelosi to vilify and distort her accomplishments over decades -- in a manner similar to the attacks on Sec. Clinton. Ms. Pelosi's wisdom and leadership is still needed and I hope she'll be strategic about the role she plays; leveraging her formidable skills to help run strong candidates to take back the House and the Senate.
416
Hindsight: On day one at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton announces to the crowd that she is stepping aside. She then nominates Joe Biden for president and Bernie Sanders for vice-president.
Foresight: In a few months, when the timing is right, Nancy Pelosi announces that she has no interest in the position of House Speaker. "If the Democrats take the House in November, I will nominate Adam Schiff [D-CA] to be our Speaker."
42
Adam Schiff certainly deserves it. The job should go to the best person for the position, not to whoever is next in line for it. Adam Schiff is intelligent, has high moral values and would do an outstanding job.
37
So Hillary was supposed to step aside for two OLDER men who'd both been in politics longer than her? Thanks for making your sexism abundantly clear!
1
Why should two of the best-prepared women of their generation in public life step aside in favor of more white men?
3
Pelosi is why I am sticking as an Independent. Until the Dem leadership changes, I can't go there. She is tiring to listen to, and stutters through most every speech. Way past her bedtime politically.
14
She may be tiring to listen to, but so is Donald Trump.
What I care about is if she is an effective leader and that she is - more so than Ryan (and Boehner before him), and the two in the Senate - McConnell and Schumer.
Both Boehner and Ryan needed Pelosi's help to keep spending bills on track because they weren't going to get it from the clowns in the so-called "Freedom Caucus."
7
Wow, how nice to know that you make political decisions on the way someone speaks when giving a speech and not on what it is they stand for.
You sound like a perfect Trump voter. They showed a clip of him at one of his events recently and he was talking about how boring it would be if he were to act "presidential" and then did a little schtick of someone speaking in a fairly boring way and moving stiffly. Then he asked his audience if they didn't have fun at his events! They cheered, of course. Yeah, that's what we want in our leaders--clowns and entertainers. And that's what a sufficient number of Americans chose that we put one into the White House. Hope your happy that Trump keeps you amused and entertained when he speaks.
4
Nice to see you've made the decision, Marti. Sounds to me as if you're going to love that snappy guy Ryan. You'll probably never miss your Social Security or Medicare anyway, and I'm sure a wide-awake person such as you has already started loading up on insurance for your family in case they need long-term disability care or cancer medicine that Medicaid once helped with.
6
Pelosi is a top target by the GOP for the same reason that Hillary was- she's a woman who doesn't embrace 19th Century notions of femininity. Period. I wouldn't be averse to seeing her remove herself from the limelight in favor of a younger model, simply on the basis of over-familiarity. If she does so, however, she should be replaced by another woman who doesn't embrace 19th Century notions of femininity. Let's see the GOP hard-liners talk their way out of that one.
326
I care about her ability to wrangle votes and to strike deals that don't give away the family farm the way her younger, male counterpart in the Senate does. She is a pragmatist and more effective than most leaders in Congress. The right hates her because she is effective and seasoned enough to know the devil is in the details. She got concessions from Boehner every time he needed her help to pass a bill. The Republicans can't roll her, and they want someone they can.
Sure, being a woman is part of the way they attack her, but make no mistake about her abilities. They want her out the same way we want McConnell gone and for the same reason: bloody good at what they do.
Hint to the Democrats: don't fall for it. You are playing right into McConnell and the Koch's hand when you call for her to step down. She is effective like Tip O'Neil was. Leadership ability like that doesn't come often.
7
Stu, I always enjoy your comments, but for the life of me, I cannot grasp your concept of death by “over-familiarity”.
2
Pelosi needs to stay in place thru the Nov 2018 election. NOW is the yime for all good women to serve their country. Just like Ruth Ginsberg has stayed in place. I am a Pelosi fan. She's done a great job for the Democrats.
5
Thanks Gail Collins for not burking the issues. We owe Nancy Pelosi a lot, and she is very effective. But she is soooo hated among progressives and a range of people who can't get their heads around the need for pragmatism and compromise, and getting along with people who are different. So many people have decided she has too much money. So many make her a convenient scapegoat, and I'm not talking about Republicans.
I read that she had planned to retire but then Trump won and we needed her - according to her? Reality? Not sure.
This one is a rock and a hard place. Ideally, some appealing young person could take over. But there is no such thing as a saintly unambitious pol waiting in the wings. They all have issues. But who can actually do the job?
Waiting and hoping, that's me. We all need some wisdom, and that's mostly what we don't got.
72
PS. There are several people from her district in these comments, and they all speak highly of her. That is very interesting, and the rest of us should not be so quick to condemn, my opinion.
314
I am in her district. There is good reason why she keeps getting elected with very high percentages term after term. She is hard-working, savvy, diplomatic. extremely knowledgeable and competent. She represents one of the most highly-educated and cosmopolitan districts in the country with a high percentage of people who pay attention to world affairs, finance and economics. She has been a very effective legislator and leader.
Of course, she has been made an object of derision and hatred by the GOP propaganda machine. It was easier because she was a woman and because of the resentment of San Francisco as a strong liberal enclave. But what her critics miss is that the GOP propagandists would have done the same for any effective leader of the Dems. They will do the same to anyone who takes her place. One of the biggest weaknesses of the Democrats is the way they attack their own best leaders. Linda Sanchez has not a fraction of the competence of Speaker Pelosi and has more ambition than any other qualification. The same can be said for all her critics on the Democratic side of the aisle.
316
I admire Nancy Pelosi, but I think it's time for a change. Attitudes toward San Francisco are one of the reasons that's true. The success of the GOP propaganda machine is an even more significant reason.
I live in Upstate NY and many people here don't think as I do on most issues, but it's possible to find candidates who can be credible with the increasing number of unaffiliated voter.
A lot of people voted for DJT because they thought he was the lesser of two evils. It was a bad decision, but we will not move past this if we don't find good candidates who are rooted in their communities and who understand local problems and attitudes.
Nancy Pelosi has become a powerful tool to be used against these candidates. I've watched the ads and heard to comments people make. I think candidates who think they have to run against Pelosi are absolutely correct in their judgment.
Yes, the Republican propaganda machine will try to demonize new leadership, but it will take a while. This is not attacking Democratic leadership, it's just reality.
2
Democrats in DC aren't listening. Out here in flyover country we have to defend Pelosi in every race. Regardless of her accomplishments, she needs to realize we're ready for new leadership. Pelosi and Reid failed Obama for 8 years. Time for a new team.
30
I am sooooo tired of Democrats blaming other Democrats for what Republicans did. Time to wake up and get to work, and stop blaming your friends and allies. We've got trouble, real trouble, and we need to run the real villains out of town.
826
Oh, Charles, do you really think--really, really think--that if the Dems "got rid" of Pelosi that the Republicans wouldn't quickly find someone else to demonize? How about Elizabeth Warren? Think they wouldn't be able to stir up a lot of hatred for her? They are masters at finding targets to stir up their own base and, unfortunately, manage to have the Democrats indulge in a circular firing squad at the same time.
61
So defend her. I was upset with democrats who distanced themselves from Obama in 2014 instead of defending him. Both Obama and Pelosi have important accomplishments for the working class.
34
Nancy Pelosi has enjoyed rare success, such as getting the ACA passed, being a champion fundraiser, and being the first and only female Speaker of the House.
But she can look forward to being used in a tidal wave of attack ads for Republicans this fall.
She will turn 78 later this month.
Retirement: if not now, when?
21
How about when she is ready or no longer able to carry out her duties?
Yeah, the Republicans will use anything for a target. If Nancy Pelosi stepped down tomorrow they would find someone else to spew at. They still are using Obama and Hillary for gods sakes.
4
94.
"I wouldn’t give that up lightly," she said of her job. "Nor do the women of the country want me to."
And then, regarding the GOP's rabid hatred of her:"I don't think it's because I'm a woman. It's because I'm an effective leader."
On the one hand, Ms.Pelosi is using her gender to claim the vast support of American women, and on the other hand she's denying that her gender has anything to do with her unpopularity. It seems like she wants to have it both ways. She'll co-opt gender when convenient and scoff when it's not. (For example, when she's doing all that sausage-making with her fellow millionaires in Congress.)
Part of the reason for progressives' disenchantment with her is that when the Dems took back Congress in 2006, she said that impeachment of Bush for war crimes and torture was "off the table." The fear, based upon her own recent remarks, is that she'd pull a similar stunt to protect Trump if they win in 2018. Sure, it would take 2/3 of the Senate to convict him, but she could be the impetus. As some pundit on MSNBC said today, we can probably survive another three years of Trump. But the country can never survive another term of him. Neither can the rest of the world.
There's an arrogance about Ms. Pelosi that rubs people outside the Beltway the wrong way. I was a big fan myself, until she made that deal with Republicans at the height of the recession to end long-term unemployment insurance, and then cavalierly advised her caucus to "embrace the suck."
37
This is the kind of insidious back stabbing that is a big turnoff. Presidents of both parties when in power have made huge mistakes that have cost lives and harmed countless people. The point is that she works with both sides of the aisle when only a compromise would work.
3
We now know that the 9% of Obama voters who voted for Trump were motivated principally by race and gender. I believe the same is true for the 12% of Sanders voters who voted for Trump. Make no mistake. Republican demonization of Representative Pelosi is about gender, just as Republican demonization of Sec. Clinton was about gender.
In Pennsylvania attacking Mr. Lamb via Pelosi didn't work. Lamb promised to oppose Pelosi. Republican attempts to link Lamb and Pelosi didn't work. Sadly it probably made a difference that Lamb was male. On the other hand, voters did seem to care about Mr. Ryan and the very real and cruel legislation Ryan is promising including decimation of Social Security and Medicare.
421
Thank you so much for this comment and telling it like it is. Any Bernie Bro who did not pull for Clinton is no progressive, and any Green that did not in a state where it mattered is not either.
8
I am tired of Democrats blaming gender and race. These are factors, but they are not the major factors, and if Democrats keep believing that they will lose votes - because why persuade the sexist and racists that you have a cause?
Stop expecting voters to be perfect before you address their concerns.
1
This is a really hard one. I love Nancy Pelosi for who she is - strong, principled, determined, and caring. I feel she represents body and soul of what the Democratic Party is about and her ability to hold the floor whilst talking about dreamers for me brought all that to light. And there are the qualities insiders talk about which the average punter like me probably doesn't see or appreciate - she supports the cause with fund raising, knows how and when to pull the right levers, has the right contacts etc etc. Behind the scenes skills but vitally important.
When people talk about the advantages of youthful leadership part of it will inevitably be the the appeal of youth and we have seen that with the spirit and commitment coming from school students around the country dealing with gun violence these past few weeks. When the Parkland students took to the microphones it simply bowled me over. They said things so clearly, so passionately which frankly I've been waiting to hear from our leaders for years.
I don't get that same feeling when the Minority Leader speaks and therein is my internal conflict. I want it all - someone who knows the ropes but who can rally the public imagination. Am I being unrealistic?
96
"I want it all - someone who knows the ropes but who can rally the public imagination. Am I being unrealistic?"
Well as far as "the public imagination" about gun control has gone until apparently, now -- yeah you've been unrealistic. It took the students to start the juggernaut. A Democratic pol from San Francisco, female yet, with a target painted on her by the GOP, NRA and Fox couldn't be expected to move a mountain of citizen indifference and inertia.
2
Yes, you are. And I’m there with you. We should have such expectations but I’m convinced it’s a utopian reality.
2
Yes.
First, I want to say as a Bay Area native and as an avid supporter of Nancy Pelosi, I know that every congressional district throughout this nation is not deep, deep, and deeper blue like ours. And it is every candidate's responsibility to represent her or his constituents..their needs and philosophies. Districts, like people, are individualistic. And that needs to be respected and nurtured.
Re Ms Pelosi's role in the House, let it be said that she is highly effective. Just think of the work she did in joining the then Democratic majority to come on board in behalf of the ACA, aka Obamacare. She knows her Democrats and she knows how to rally them together to speak as one. Yes, she is getting up there in age. But I believe a lot of her "enemies" are such because she is a strong, strong Woman, with a capital W. If we regain the House (please, please, please) and if it is fair, there is nothing wrong with choosing another leader as long as she (or he) has the fortitude and political savvy that Representative Pelosi has shown time and time again.
516
What so good about Pelosi's fortitude and political saavy if we get such a 2nd rate system as "ACA, aka Obamacare?" Every other modern country has a superior system for generations already, at lower cost that covers all.
By contrast, ACA, Aka Obamacare supports high insurance/drug profits with our hard earned taxes, instead of the funds going to our care. Millions are left out of coverage, and the costs are still too much for many Americans to afford.
I'm tired of Democrats being defended from 'enemies' because she's a strong strong woman. Same with Hillary. We Americans deserve much better. The gender bias is such a great excuse.
But at least Pelosi did once mention in a speech the huge gap between CEO and average worker pay, a ratio that's increased over the years to a huge 350 to 1. But how can Dems fight against this, when they need CEO megadonations to run for office? They can't
Let's talk campaign finance reform. Won't find it in a gossipy Collins column.
14
Obamacare a second-rate solution? It was the BEST Pelosi and the Democrats could do. Hillary Clinton did everything she could to put through a single-payer system years earlier and Pelosi gladly admits that she and her friends have wanted a single-payer system for decades.
There are reasons the US hasn't been able to put through a single-payer healthcare system and they don't have anything to do with Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton.
52
@Meredith - Yes, it's true that the ACA is far from ideal and not what we should have in this country or what many, if not all, Democrats actually want. Nevertheless, it was a monumental achievement for Nancy Pelosi to manage to get at least that good a bill passed by the Democrats in the House. There have been efforts to get universal health care dating back to Teddy Roosevelt. Truman made a serious effort to provide universal health care during his administration, something which caused the AMA to spring into action and spend millions of dollars to mount a propaganda campaign to convince Americans, who initially favored the idea, that it would be the worst thing ever that could happen to freedom-loving people. Read the article, The Lie Factory, at the New Yorker to learn just what happened.
As for campaign finance reform, why don't you take the time to learn something about where Pelosi really stands instead of making stuff up? Since the late 90s, before she was in a leadership position and even before Citizens United, Pelosi has spoken repeatedly about campaign finance reform. She joined with other Democratic women representatives in calling for passage of campaign finance reform bills. She speaks publicly about it. She wrote a Washington Post op-ed with Representative John Sarbanes titled "Reversing the grievous error of Citizens United". And then no-nothings proceed to attack her instead of getting behind her efforts.
38
One certainly hopes she choses the time of her retirement well. What about just before the elections or so? Imagine the Republicans... They need somebody to run against. What are they going to do?
20
The Republicans will turn any Democrat into a cartoon character villain just as they did with Hillary and Nancy Pelosi. They did it to Obama, too. They will do it to anyone who is an effective, competent and does not hide from their liberal leanings.
So much of the criticism is from concern trolls pretending to be Dems or progressives. It not that hard to spot which are really from Dems and which ones are pretending to be Dems.
3
All the Republicans want to do is sow discord among the Democrats. We mustn't let them.
2
The Republicans have never found it difficult to choose a target and then lie, lie lie lie about that target and demonize that target. They will have no difficulty doing so after Nancy Pelosi is gone from the scene
4
If we ever get around to campaign finance and lobbyist pay-off reform we will no longer see those sorts of TV political propaganda videos. Contributions limited to affordable amounts, limited to one per voter per candidate in the district in which the candidate seeks office. Lobbyist bribery banned. Problem is what legislator would vote for reform that would take away the possibility of being another John McCain type millionaire, or being financed by the Koch brothers?
73
Nancy Pelosi is MY rep. She represents me and my views. Beautifully. She is still the only woman to hold the house speakership. She is tough and good at the back room deal. Men don’t like tough women who outsmart them. Tough cookies. I’m voting for her in 2018 and so will my neighbors. If she is not minority leader or speaker is not for voters to say- it is a Democratic Party thing. She’ll leave the house when she retires and not before. I am grateful for her service.
841
Hallelujah. She is my Speaker and she is strong, and as she grows older she sees more clearly what she can't leave undone any longer. There wasn't a stronger leader in a Democratic House for forty years before she came in, and I'd rather have someone in that position now who understands how few chances for real progress there may ever be again.
48
Me, too!
3
Pelosi is completely out of touch with what is required for the Dems to take back the House. She is filled with tired slogans and an agenda that may work on the coasts and the hard core liberal base but but does not in the middle of the country where those who would vote democratic are much more moderate. And, it’s hard to give credit to someone as an effective leader who, when passing socially altering legislation states that you have to pass it first then read it. That is what people remember. If the Dems think they can simply run against the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania ave they will be disappointed.
23
Why not expect to win over a president who has shown nothing but bluster and venality? Americans are smarter than that.
2
We know what worked in the center that you speak of. Racism, misogynism, anti-abortion, anti-environment, anti-climate change, anti-education and fact based decision making, bullying and making fun of the disable, attacking the press, pro-scam and pro-con and pro-lying and pro-coal pro-unregulated guns and blatant stupidity.
That is what it means to bet in touch with the middle of the country that elected Trump.
No thanks.
5
"That is what people remember. " That is what you remember. There was a Republican tax bill that no-one had read, remember that?
3
When we have dozens of fresh, young, Democratic candidates out on the hustings—candidates like Conor Lamb—fighting to find common ground among polarized voters, so the Dems can take back the House, it is beyond belief that Nancy Pelosi could make an 8-hour speech on the Dreamers, indelibly marking the Democratic Party as the party of immigrants, not the party of hard-pressed, hard-working Americans.
All the while knowing, as she must have, that immigration is the most fraught and divisive issue in this election cycle.
My only conclusion is that her power and position have gone to her head, and she’s indifferent to the consequences of her actions. Its time for her to go, and not only her, but the entire septugenarian and octogenarian upper echelon of Democrats in Congress. We need a younger generation to take the reins, unsaddled with their elders’ divisive, ideological baggage.
39
Its clear that that she can't give up power--a very bad sign.
11
It is precisely because Pelosi had the wit and wherewithal at her age to hold the floor for eight hours on behalf of the dreamers that she earns my respect and support. Age makes not difference if you have courage and commitment.
282
Whatever her past contributions, Nancy Pelosi has become a polarizing figure, at the very time when we must try to "de-polarize" at least parts of the electorate in order to take back the House.
She has become the symbol of coastal liberals, full of conceit, openly contemptuous of middle America, and fully oblivious to the harm they do.
Not only control of the House is at stake, but the very survival of democracy, itself. The longer she remains as leader, the more precarious become the Democrats' chances of success in November. No one person is indispensable. It is time for her to go, the sooner the better.
6
Nancy Pelosi represents her district just as they want her to do. The state had the same situation with Willie brown, he just kept winning his seat in the legislature, The GOP manages to get the term limits passed, turning the state government over to the lobbyists.
Many congress critters owe their seats to her, she has been one of their best fund raisers. The GOP animosity toward her is because she is effective. She does not sett the agenda, the Dem caucus does, she works to get it done. Voting in a younger leader would not change the agenda, it might even weaken it iit he/she does not have the experience to get it through.
Her age has noting to do with the programs she supports, she is from what may be the most liberal district in the country. As we see, the voting public has no idea what these leaders do, they just know the GOP does not like her..
Those steel workers owe a lot to her. She championed many laws they profited from. The USW peopleI worked with were a lot smarter than to vote for a Trumpanze. The GOP has to have a villain, a true left liberal, a pro abortion women's rights liberal, she fits the profile.
The antithesis of the conservative troglodytes, the Liberal the Koch brothers want to defeat.
630
Yes, thank you. Nancy Pelosi is a fine public servant. So what if she's polarizing?
She represents most of my views and those of her other constituents. When that ceases to be the case we find a replacement. It is the business of our district to decide, not the business of a bot somewhere else inside (or out) of our country. Those calling for her 'retirement' mostly cite her age or her more liberal stances and have no concrete complaints about her performance. They cannot/do not suggest any candidate of similar strength and experience as a replacement. Maybe the whole point is to gut the democratic party of all strong voices?
55
Nancy Pelosi is my representative in the House of Representatives. I feel pretty good about it! Gail is correct that she saved the Affordable Care Act practically single-handed. Thank you, Rep. Pelosi.
921
Republicans have found a winning propaganda tactic in turning formerly much-admired women into objects of scorn.
14
As a previously 'uninsurable', I should also chime in. Thank you, Nancy Pelosi.
9
“…making messy political bargains and fund-raising aren’t exactly celebrated skills”
For me, this was the convincing observation. These are clearly the most important modern skills (until the poorly-regulated Citizens United spending militia is disarmed). I had been convinced that Pelosi should step down because she was now a distracting meme. That quote in the antepenultimate paragraph explains both why some people want to reduce her to a meme and why she’s part of the solution to the problem of an inert legislature.
110
It's not just that the leaders aren't "fresh", or that they're female - or male. What's really not fresh is the message. Being tepidly "for workers", with few specifics, having for a party slogan "A Better Deal", being anti-Trump? What about universal healthcare, reducing the military budget and presence around the world, measures to tackle income inequality, college loan burdens, lack of decent jobs, lack of affordable housing?
It's pretty tough to be for other than the 1% having taken all that corporate cash, and one good sign is Lamb's victory in Pennsylvania - he took many small donations and no PAC money so - less beholden he'll be when he takes his seat. This needs to be the wave of the future. Lamb chose a wise path.
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When the average voter has a 3 nano second focus, how can anyone articulate meaningful nuanced policy discourses, and hope to leave an impression? Can't anyone grasp the fact that the problem is the electorate? When we had a thinking, caring, articulate President, he was only able to pass one defective, Republican spawned excuse for health care improvement ,during 8 years of crying in the wilderness, beseeching the public to support sane policy.
Lamb's path was to articulate no policies. Is this what the wave of the future looks like? If so, it is no more than a fading ripple preceding the end of democratic government.
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Right! Get rid of the Third Way Democrats like Schumer who allowed a bunch of his party members to vote to weaken Dodd-Frank. Wouldn't want to displease Wall Street, would we? What's a little economic meltdown and federal bail-out with no consequences when it's your donor class you save? They know who their constituency is and it isn't us.
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Hey Dems, what's the message. "A Better Deal", being anti-Trump? Mediocre democrats, whoever they are, can look just great compared to Trump. That's one of worst effects of Trump and his Courtiers. We're relieved to get someone not as bad.
The Dems compete with GOP, husltling the mega donors. This makes it harder to get specific for We the People --health care for all, jobs, infrastructure, fair taxes, relief from college loans. It's not good enough to just be better than the rw party holding our 3 branches and most states.
Gosh, I didn't know Lamb took many small donations and no PAC money. You mean that's possible? Let Democrats copy him--and publicize it well for voters.
And let the columists talk about it, instead of ignoring it.
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Gail, the issue with Ms. Pelosi is the same as with Tom Delay, who had the seniority to be Speaker if he had opted to put forward his name in nomination - he was smart enough (despite his numerous failings) to not do such a thing, realizing how polarizing he was, but he still exercised power otherwise.
There are no words to express how admirable Ms. Pelosi has been in her service to her district, her party, the House, and our country, but she is enough of a polarizing influence (durned Faux Noise Machina and the Russian bots) that she should strongly consider graciously stepping aside for the sake of her party, and her country.
And due to the situation over at 1600 Penn, considering the presidential order of succession, Dems must make sure whomever they might choose as Speaker is suitable to possibly be a heart-beat away from the Oval Office - which means that there are several other worthy Dems just behind Pelosi in leadership of the House, who should also be passed over in determining who the Speaker would be if Dems succeed in flipping the House in November.
Disclosure: as a 60+ guy, we are not casting aspersions, merely pointing out that Dems should approach possible selection of a Speaker with a seriousness of purpose which is the exact opposite of how GOP'ers selected Sarah Palin as a VP candidate.
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I will take Nancy Pelosi as president over Trump, Pence, Ryan, McConnell and anyone else presently in the line of succession in day of the week.
Although it is a consideration, it is a very unlikely situation, and should not determine the Speaker's position.
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Agreed. Ms. Pelosi is to be applauded for holding the line, as a politician's politician, against the fanatically-manufactured Tea Party republicans. But we don't hunger for politician's politicians. We're looking for politicians that inspire. Trump inspires negative behavior, of divide and conquer, Obama aspired to positive behavior, of cooperative inclusion. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are mensches fighting the fight in the hallways and cloakrooms of congress, but declaratively inspiring they are not. Someone who is would be is Richard Ojeda D-WV. People who can articulate a passionate defense of serious citizens demanding not just good governance, but adequate government for the challenges we will all face in the years ahead. The silent majority can no longer remain silent. #endminorityrule
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Nancy Pelosi is well qualified to be the speaker, as she was for a number of years. Of course, she is a target of the right-wing propaganda machine because she was such an effective representative and speaker. What many people who say she shouldn't be speaker again do not seem to understand is that any Democrat who becomes speaker will be vilified mercilessly by the propaganda machine and will become a lightning rod for for the right.
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Did I miss a Times obit and fail to contribute? Irresponsible me.
Every speech by Pelosi since January of 2009, when as our first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (but, oddly not since she was elected to that post by her caucus two years before), has been an unchained and vitriolic attack on her ideological adversaries. She has done more to divide us as a polity than anyone else for a century – even more than Harry Reid in the Senate, and that’s going some.
The people are fed up with frozen politics, and she could freeze the surface of the sun just by looking at it (in excellent pearls). The fact that House Dems can’t find someone more likely to be effective at bending the arc of excessively conservative legislation by reaching out and establishing relationships says much about why they’re so intractably immured in the political wilderness. If they want to emerge, the first thing they need to do is cashier her as House Minority Leader. Whether she “wins” her CA seat or not is immaterial.
But don’t think that Ms. Pelosi is the only one being pressured to leave (and not JUST because she isn’t “fresh”). Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn are one inch behind her. Dems seem to realize that since the run-up to the midterm elections in 2010, Democratic leadership has been a ball-and-chain on the party’s relevance to our collective governance.
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Gail needs to read the Times’s own analysis more intently. It, like widespread analysis even in the liberal MSM generally, projects that Dems will be disappointed in the midterms. Probably all it takes to get the “wave” killed formally is a very simple ad: “If Democrats win the House, Nancy Pelosi will be Speaker again.”
If Nancy wins, America loses.
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As one with original frozen political views, this is just ugly. You just raised Nancy Pelosi's stock quite a bit.
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Yeah, right: Democrats are irrelevant bah-blah-blah. Have you not noticed which party has been winning congressional elections lately- and in which areas of the country? The only thing that can likely save the GOP's hash this fall (in the House, if not also the Senate) is a clean bill of health for The Donald by the Mueller commission. I wouldn't bet the rent on it.
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