Pelosi is smart and has the experience to lead. Democrats would be foolish not to utilize her talents.
6
What I find so interesting about this letter is that the (largely male) authors of said letter are challenging Nancy Pelosi from the RIGHT, not the left.
When the mood of the country and the Democratic Party is moving more leftward, these challengers would insist that the House leadership be firmly planted in the center-right.
Even more telling, they haven't got someone in mind to replace Pelosi, just running around and crying that they want someone 'different'. Their main argument seems to be that she's a lightning rod for the Republicans.
And your point would be? And Democrat in the Speaker's Chair will be a lightning rod for the Republicans. Why not have someone with experience and steel, like Nancy Pelosi?
Not to mention that the Speaker of the House is third in line of Presidential succession. Things being what they are, that's not a bad thing, in my book.
5
So...who are the 16 who signed the anti-Pelosi letter? They are not named or listed by the reporter, nor is the text of the letter given (or even a link to it)...so how am I as a citizen and Democrat supposed to contact the letter-signers to tell them what I think? This is a very unhelpful piece of journalism, stirring controversy without offering options for engagement.
5
The Democrats should stick together like glue and keep their hostility under the rug. Nancy Pelosi is okay even if she isn’t perfect in the eyes of some juveniles. We need her.
5
Doesn't this seem eerily familiar? Anointing someone because .... ?
2
In 2007 Nancy Pelosi was elected Speaker of the House, the first and only woman ever elected to this role. This made her the most powerful woman in Washington as well as one of the most powerful people in Washington. AND THE ATTACKS BEGAN!!! There are an awful lot of men in Washington who don't seem to want to share power with a woman. What had she done to deserve such vicious attacks from the first? The only thing I can see is she was known as a liberal from California, and a woman. Later she helped spearhead the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) through Congress, thus giving us affordable healthcare for people with pre-conditions. And that's when the attacks by Republicans intensified. With Tea Party Republicans, Pelosi became the poster person to hate.
IMHO: Now, the Bernie Sanders progressives blame Pelosi and establishment Democrats on Bernie's defeat, forgetting the fact that Bernie Sanders had never been a Democrat , only became a Democrat in 2008, to again not be a Democrat now. It is the infrastructure of the Democratic Party that organizes and funds Congressional and local elections around the country. It is experience that learns lessons on how to win. And it is experience that passes laws. Pelosi may not be perfect, but she seems to be the most capable person to lead and find funding for the Democrats. And instead of eating their own, Democrats need to support their own, because it seems to work successfully for Republicans.
11
@Peggy Ledbetter
Correction: Bernie Sanders only became a Democrat in 2016, not 2008, and went back to being an Independent in 2017. Same concept, different years.
4
Most of those opposing Pelosi are white men. The new Democratic Congress was elected on the strength of woman and POC. The leadership should reflect the base that got us there. Of the top five leadership roles,at least three should be woman and at least two should be a POC. There is plenty of talent and experience to choose from within these ranks.
5
Instead of opposing Pelosi, the rebels should be proposing. Proposing common sense solutions to widely perceived problems of Americans. Pelosi can think, and she will consider their proposals. Will the rebs calm down and replace ideology and self importance with good draft legislation??
4
If these rebels have some good policy ideas, Pelosi will listen to them. And Pelosi knows she is a “transitional” figure. So the rebels should watch and learn from a pro, because they will be in the director’s hot seat very soon.
23
Nancy drives Republicans crazy, need I say more? Payback is in order.
4
Some of the new Democrats-elect may have needed to disrespect Ms. Pelosi in order to be elected. Now that they will enter office, they need to consider more carefully what they are doing. I don't see anyone else with her power and ability right now. They need to back her and back someone to take over from her in two years, so that person can get the training needed.
2
78 years old, reminds me of the Soviet Union with its gerontocratia. If the democratic party want’s to be the party of the Left it has to choose people from the left, not Republican light.
1
To understate it, i'm no fan of Seth Moulton. And as much as i'd love to see the back of the geriatric triumverate at the top of the House leadership, i'm not itching to see Dem leadership replaced by Seth's Army. But if he helps to loosen the death grip Pelosi and Co. have on the House, i'm all for it.
I remain unconvinced of the meme that Pelosi is the best you've got and is at the top of her game. Even a clutch of reliable Dem party cheerleader journalists seem to be aghast at the sheer idiocy of her first proposed rule when she becomes Speaker. Namely, one that will make their own alleged agenda impossible to pass. Which may well be the point.
See Eric Levitz -
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/pelosi-mulls-super-majority-rule-for-tax-hikes-on-bottom-80.html
Michael Tomasky -
https://www.thedailybeast.com/pelosi-the-democrats-master-counter-hasnt-found-the-votes-she-needs-to-return-as-speaker?
finally, the seeds of sanity are sown in the democratic party.
Real Progressives need to be cautious here. Seth Moulton, Tim Ryan and Kurt Shrader, 3 out of the hashtag "five white guys"....all of their campaigns and victories have been bankrolled by those who work against expanding social security, are against Medicare For All and all will gladly vote to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits.
5
Many of the people signing this letter aren't progressives. Nancy Pelosi needs time to show the new guys how to do her job before they can take over. And the old guys who are challenging her are certainly not progressive.
https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/wall-street-leading-attack-pelosi-steny-hoyer-real-barrier-progressive-agenda?src=newsletter1098057
3
If the "young guns" are smart they will work WITH Nancy Pelosi and develop a united, viable Democratic platform to trounce the Republicans and The moon Dotard in 2020.
Yes, Pelosi is old, but far from stupid or incapable. Her experience is invaluable and Trump is desperately afraid of her, for good reason. She can take him on in all of his sociopathic glory. What she needs is SUPPORT and unison. A melding of diverse ideas and views into a coherent platform that will benefit the greatest number of Americans (healthcare, infrastructure, education, rational and sane governance and taxation, truth and transparency) is our salvation. NOW IS THE TIME to show everyone that this is possible and that the skepticism of Washington need not be permanent. FACTS and ACTIONS matter. Even the most died-in-the-wool brain dead Trumplican cannot deny the corruption and incompetence of this Administration. Democrats will never have a better chance to compare what is righteous to this perverted swamp.
Pelosi is not stupid and she is experienced enough a politician to understand that compromise is essential in governance - her future, and ours, depends upon it. She will work with any good ideas that the Republicans might have (not a big give) and trash the garbage that they have inflicted upon us.
Choose your fights carefully and wisely; our future and that do our children depends upon your maturity.
6
Good luck to our democratic Reps. Just because the media asked the question "will you support" Nancy Pelosi if elected...do you really think that is WHY you were elected?? There were many other factors leading to the democratic win. If Donald Trump is found guilty of a crime, follow the law and proceed with impeachment, but if not, please try to work with him to get things done. I think she can do it. She is TUFF as nails and from what I've seen the only one who can get into the ring with this president. She is smart! Who started this idea?? You can all be voted out of office next time around so please be careful in how you proceed.
1
Congresswoman Rice and the forward looking group needs to continue the fight for middle America and the values of our Democratic Party; Pelosi and the radical left are more interested in illegal immigrants than they are about FDR Democrats.
They can not win without those of us who continue to cherish the values of JFK and FDR.
Fool us once.
1
There's a surprise. Thirteen ambitious men, not known as progressives, hijack the "message" of the election. The message, in case two of my local congressman didn't get it, is that the electorate is embracing a more progressive path. Not the republican lite path brought to us by the Clintons and embraced by them. The electorate is embracing a more diverse path, not the male dominated, testosterone driven path on display with this lot. And the electorate is embracing a path guided and influenced by more women, not fewer. There's no question that this election delivered a message of change. Just not the one this group is trying to peddle. Nancy Pelosi is demonized by the right because she's a smart, effective negotiator and whip. They envy her. And they want to neutralize the Dems by eliminating her as a threat. And this bunch of bozos wants to help the GOP, so they can help themselves. Disgraceful. And stupid. None of them are immune to primary challenges. And if they're progressive enough, and embrace the real message of change, their primary challengers will have people like me to support them.
3
The status quo is Donald Trump. We can't afford to lose Pelosi--it's like dumping Lancelot in the middle of a fight with the bad guy.
3
Foolishness from newly elected and some incumbent -mostly men-Representatives. Cravings for a "change" gave us Trump. There is no ONE in House better than Pelosi who can handle the crisis brought on by Trump and the GOP.
3
Enthusiasm needs experience.
2
What good are connections, knowledge and experience that are consistently failing? Every autocrat in history has ridiculed their opponents as lacking all the same. Take a chance on change like a good Democrat, like when we elected Obama
With all due respect, this just isn’t a story worth worrying about. And, no, Dems by and large aren’t seeing a groundswell of dynamic change required by the progressive wing. I do see one particular 29 year old hot head from a Brooklyn district making a big stink and this perhaps that has caught the eye of NYT reporters and Stephen Colbert. She’s making rookie mistakes already and will soon be taught a few good lessons in gamesmanship.
Focus on limiting trumps egregious power and show the GOP the back side of the palm instead.
1
Democrats eating their own.
2
Get rid of her. No one is entitled to be the speaker any more than anyone is entitled to anything else in this country. She's become a liability to Democrats and to changing this country for the better. She had her chance, and we ended up with Obamacare, which was a political compromise forged in hell, a cruel lie to countless Americans who thought that the D's would enact true health care reform, not put more lipstick on a pig that does nothing to address the underlying issues that make health care unaffordable for so many people. And don't blame the GOP. Pelosi crowed about ACA when it was enacted--she owns it.
Really, she's proven the worst kind of insider politician, deaf to the needs and wants of anyone aside from her narrow cadre of out-of-touch partisan fools. There are better alternatives, surely, there must be better alternatives.
3
Democrats: Eager to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again. Just when Democrats need to unite and push a strong agenda.... Can't help but to suspect this is another covert Jill Stein-type ploy to siphon votes and sabotage Democratic leadership. It's telling that none of these 16 has the guts to stick their necks out and attempt to claim that brass ring.
2
I am afraid that if we lose Pelosi we will lose in 2020. She has the right message: keep to your talking points on jobs and healthcare and don’t take Trump’s bait. When asked about Planned Parenthood she said “Planned Parenthood is in our DNA but not in our talking points.” That is smart. This country is NOT a majority of progressives, and we need moderate Republicans to win. Get in, and then make the changes we need going forward. Why lose someone so experienced and effective at this point? Democrats, we need to unite.
4
Perhaps unless you live in Utah, you have little awareness of what it means to be a Democrat in a conservative state. For Ben McAdam's, his position opposing Nancy Pelosi is very well placed and is likely one of the primary reasons he may be elected from Utah to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat. Even my stepfather to my surprise, who passed away earlier this year, voted for Donald Trump in 2016 because he didn't trust Nancy Pelosi and thought she lied too much. It's also a possibility that with Nancy Pelosi continuing on as Speaker of the House may be a huge factor in dragging the Democratic Party down in the Presidential election year unless she herself undergoes some fundamental changes in her policies and direction that she presents as the Democratic Party.
1
If it were up to me, I'd pick Barbara Lee! I'm biased, as she represents my district, but she has been in Congress since 1990 & has consistently been a progressive voice, even being the lone vote of 435 to NOT enact aggression after the 9/11 attacks. There are a few petitions floating around supporting her to make a move for House Speaker. I wonder if this group of 16 mostly white guys would support a MORE progressive candidate than Pelosi, which I think is what the House needs.
3
@J Chrysanthemum
I'm all in.
My new congressman is on that list. His win was a shocker in this bright red state. He was beat about the head and shoulders with ads tying him to Pelosi during the lead-up to the election. He said he would not vote for Pelosi and won the support of most of the mayors of the barrier islands because of that promise. I personally support and admire Pelosi but Joe Cunningham is between a rock and a hard place. The Republicans here are closely watching what Cunningham will do.
Their argument would be more convincing if they had any ideas and people who were actually running. As it is it just seems like an attack on an older woman. Why does that sound so familiar?
5
The only change I am interested is stopping Trump's agenda, getting rid of as many Republicans in congress as possible, and defeating Trump in 2020. I don't like Pelosi but she has the experience and political clout to get the Democrat agenda through. Remember, without her there would be no Obamacare.
This is no time to have Democrats fighting each other.
Keep her to 2020.
1
Why is it the Democrats always seem so eager to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? Had we not just won the House, I might agree, but nothing succeeds like success. Pelosi led us to victory only a couple of weeks ago. She deserves our support, not our scorn. Sure, now that we finally have a chance to win this country back from the clutches of the GOP wrecking ball, by all means, let's start pointing fingers at each other and showing the rest of the world that we are not in synch, and have no idea what we're doing. Yes, by all means, let's shoot ourselves in both feet before the race even begins. Being a Democrat is like being a New York Mets fan, I swear.
1
I'm with those who realize that the anti-Pelosi business is typical Republican undercutting. They would vilify anyone who had her position. They vilified Harry Reid, and now that he is gone from the Senate, it's Chuck Schumer's turn. If Nancy Pelosi is replaced not only will they chortle at their success in getting rid of her, they will start another 'anti' campaign against the new Speaker.
Nancy Pelosi is an excellent Democratic leader and makes the Republican opposition quake in their shoes. Let's stop this nonsense. It only gives the goppers what they want.
2
We have to wonder if these people recognize--really--Pelosi as she is: The single most effective legislator in The History of the United States.
Doesn't that recommend her leadership in any transition?
Let's not get arrogant. Let's not take the dictation of fear from Republicans.
2
Nothing will remain unchanged forever. However, let's not emulate the Republican effort at repealing "Obamacare:" First we end it, then we try to figure out what to replace it with... Luckily we had the brave last days of Senator John McCain, with one more chance to be the maverick.
Contrary to the popular mantra, change is not good. Change can be confusing, and often unsettled, misunderstood and a bit chaotic, with some adverse unintended consequences. That's acceptable, if the change represents a step forward that accomplishes something enough improved to more than compensate for those deficits. Sometimes that's the case, sometimes not. What will replace Obamacare? Who will replace Nancy Pelosi? Or, as President Obama used to ask, "And then what?"
If we have a better leader, let him/her advance, hopefully with some help from Nancy Pelosi. If all this is just hot air, posturing, pandering and egotism, go find something helpful to do. There are certainly plenty of opportunities.
Agree with those who think Pelosi is too valuable to ditch now but I notice so many comments about her “training” an “apprentice” for a couple of years as if her talents are easily transferable. It’s like suggesting that LBJ train an apprentice to be as skilled and persuadable a legislator as he was. Just because a woman has such talents does not mean they are so easily transferable. We are not talking about working on an assembly line here.
3
I admire Ms Pelosi and Hillary a lot. They are old school for sure. If they could figure out how to embrace the new blood, it might be a powerful alliance. It would help if the new blood could also embrace the old school. The Tea Party galvanized support for conservatism.
1
Nancy Pelosi is the right person for the job of House Speaker during this 2-year period; however, I would be happy to see younger candidates vie for the other leadership roles. She has the experience, the drive and determination to continue to whip the dems into shape to get the Dem agenda passed in 2019. Do not disrespect the leader of the House. She is in line for president should trump and pence get removed from office. There is no one better prepared to assume the presidency at this time.
2
Two important questions:
1. When people like Ryan and Moulton go on and on about the need for "fresh faces" and "new leadership" without specifying what they want that new leadership to do, why should I believe that they are motivated by anything other than personal ambition? Is Pelosi's ambition somehow less worthy than theirs?
2. Why do so many people say that sticking with Pelosi would be "playing into the Republicans' hands" because they have demonized Pelosi for so long? Does anyone seriously believe that they wouldn't treat a new Democratic leader exactly the same way?
5
These are “Third Way” Types that are at best nominal Democrats with close ties to large financial interests.
I would invite them to feel free to join the Republican caucus and stop pretending to be Democrats.
3
Democrats can spend the next two years fighting among themselves, or they can hit the ground running as they are prepared to do now, with a highly effective leader in Nancy Pelosi and the momentum generated in the recent successful campaign. I agree with the group of 16 that change is needed, and Pelosi should create new opportunities for up-and-coming progressive voices in the caucus to build the pipeline, and then step aside in two years. Let's not change horses midstream. The 2020 campaign started the minute the last polls closed on Nov. 6. There's no time to waste--we will be voting again before we know it.
8
Can't speak to everyone on the list but in Oregon Kurt Shrader is widely understood to be a closet Republican who does not switch parties because it serves Republicans to have a higher chance of winning elections as a Democrat. More likely this is an attempt by Republicans to induce conflict in Democratic ranks even before the next session starts. Democrats need a new generation of leaders not because Nancy Pelosi is inept but they need to prepare for the next 20-30 years both within Congress and in national electoral politics.
5
The representatives opposing Pelosi are more conservative than she is. That's not what the Democratic Party needs.
The new Speaker needs to be in tune with the progressive stance of the majority of Democrats by advocating for Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, taxing the rich and corporations, a carbon tax to slow climate change, tuition free colleges and trade schools. Pelosi is ambivalent about too many of those issues.
But a "centrist" Democrat like Tim Ryan would be worse for the issues that Democrats should support than Pelosi is.
The Bernie Sanders / Ocasio-Cortez wing of the Democratic representatives should extract concessions from Pelosi to pursue the progressive items, above, in exchange for their support of Pelosi. If Pelosi demurs, then a vigorous search for a truly progressive leader should begin.
It's definitely time to replace Steny Hoyer with someone younger and more progressive.
3
Here they go again! The Dems are always shooting them selves in the foot. It's ill begotten moves like this anti Pelosi business that's going to snuff out the so called 'blue wave' before it's even had a chance to settle in. There's a time and and a place for leadership review ... but it's not now!
15
The House does not need new leadership.
Most attacks on Representative Pelosi are pure, unadulterated ageism coupled with misogyny.
Pelosi has been an extremely effective House Speaker and Minority Leader. She is extremely smart and knowledgeable, and works tirelessly.
The arguments for her opponents are the same arguments we heard for Trump over Secretary of State Clinton: let’s take the less experienced person for the sake of change, regardless of whether change is for better or decidedly worse.
The most absurd arguments are those that say replace her because she has been vilified by Republicans. That is their stock in trade, and they will do far worse to her successor as she provides them no ammunition.
No, been there and done that.
Re-elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. We need to bring back sanity and experience to Washington DC to battle this Kremlin-backed, incompetent self-serving menace in the White House.
8
The Democratic Party is dying. It has abandoned the ordinary,working class people of this country. It Leadership stinks to high heaven. It has corrupted the primary process so that we cannot express our voices. Pelosi and her "Leadership Team" are captive of those special interest that have "contributed" to Pelosi's fund raising.
Radical change is needed to sweep the corruption away and to challenge those people who went for Trump to return to a real Democratic Party.
8
Leader worship is a powerful emotion. Whether it’s an old general or an old football coach, the public loves them, win or lose, and they are next to impossible to get rid of. In truth, Nancy Pelosi presided over the greatest political debacle in American history. Ten years ago the Dems were in complete control of every branch of American government, the Presidency, Congress, a majority of governorships. This was all sacrificed on the altar of Obamacare, surely the most hated law in American history and the great legislative achievement of Nancy Pelosi.
The takeaway from this nightmare should have been that forcing people to buy insurance they do not want, cannot afford, and then cannot afford to use once they have is probably not the best way to win elections. Instead, Ms. Pelosi and the Dem leadership blame fake news, Fox News, GOP lies, Facebook, and the Russians for our current plight. They need to be replaced, all of them, not because they are old and have been there forever but because they are incompetent. Let them choose their successors if that will help get rid of them, but they all need to go, now.
1
There will be no change in the country until we get corporate money out of politics.
Now consider Pelosi. She raised 186 million dollars from corporations, and she's never knocked on a door in her life.
Without changing the entire Democratic Leadership the party will have no integrity. No one will turn out to vote for an over-the-hill party focused on corporate donations.
Without turnout you cannot win. This is the lesson of the midterms.
3
@Fourteen
Apparently a batch of Dem donors signed a letter in support of Pelosi, saying that if she doesn't get elected Speaker, they'll take their ball and go home. Best reason i can think of to get rid of her, we might eventually end up with a Speaker who works for the rest of us instead of the big donors.
@Fourteen,
The entire top leadership, Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn needs to be replaced.
Like an old fighter past his prime, wants just one more chance.
4
I concur that the Democratic house needs new leadership - not just Ms. Polosi, but the whole top leadership of old white people. But now is not the time to take that leap!
In lieu of Ms. P stepping down, why doesn't the house find and elect an assistant Speaker and let Ms. P train a new leader. I'm sure Ms. P can easily do that and make it a win-win for everyone who voted to flip the house. Yes, new ideas are needed. Let's start with one that is viable.
2
This type of agitation is not unusual within the Democratic Party for we are a fractious, independent, opinionated bunch. However, a gaggle of white guys trying to leapfrog into leadership by vilifying the most effective Democratic politician we have is not only stupid, it is traitorous. Their sexism and ageism are on full display. I voted fully expecting Nancy Pelosi to be the Speaker of the House, and looking forward to her showing the effective leadership she has always shown. She runs a tight ship and raises tons of money for Democratic candidates. If these guys (and 2 women) are successful in their cynical attempt to block her, they should fully expect to be opposed for reelection in 2020 and will struggle to raise funds. I, for one, will not forget them colluding with Republicans to take her down. Instead of being the heroes they apparently think they are, their names will be mud!
3
The white male viewpoint is amply represented and has been for centuries. We don't need white men to tell us when it's time for change. We already are aware.
4
Nancy is both our best punch and best counter-punch. We need to strengthen her hand, not weaken it. 2020 is a mere two years a way. Let's stay the course so we can oust the republican enablers of this pretender-to-the-office of the presidency - i.e., THROW THE BUMS OUT! After 2020 she can retire with the dignity and honor that she deserves.
5
Democrats, please listen to this request from an independent who is essentially center-left, but also still misses the now-extinct RINO types who had the ability as Republicans to actively work with Democrats on the business of the country.
1 - PLEASE don't poison the Democrats with a toxic group akin to the Republican's "Freedom Caucus". The founding fathers made the government inefficient enough without adding that in.
2 - PLEASE Democrat leadership, adopt a smart thing the Republicans did - rotate charmanships and other leadership roles frequently enough so many in your party can lead, rather than just a few who hang on tight.
2
By the logic in these comments Hillary Clinton is still the most qualified presidential candidate and should run again in 2020! Anyone who thinks differently is, white, male and wrong!
4
@CAPT OBVIOUS
Don't hold your breath. It seems that the Clintons' moneygrab/2020 campaign launch stadium tour is having trouble getting tails in seats.
Maybe this would be a good place to remind the ultra-protected class sensitive young staff at the New York Times, who on every other issue are champions of the protected class, be they women, minorities, LGBTQ, or whomever else, that there is an Age Discrimination Employment Act and numerous other U.S., state and local laws and ordinances that are supposed to prevent discrimination on the basis of age, and protect older people as a class.
The minute you put pen to paper to write this article and decided to publish every party's age as supposedly pertinent information for the reader on this fight, you showed exactly where you stand as clearly as Ms. Hyde-Smith did with her comments.
When these freshmen congresspeople take office in January, be they as young as the media darling Alexandria Ocassio-Cortez or not, they will be expected to uphold all of the laws in this country, not just the ones that young people like. I expect all 435 congresspeople to act maturely and respect others regardless of age, or I will bow out of supporting the next "Blue Wave" on grounds that it engages in pure primal bigotry. A word to the wise is sufficient.
4
The self-destructive Dems are at it again. They simply can't stand their own success. First, the new congress wanted to investigate everything Trump. Now it wants to become the Dem/Socialist party - out with the old, in with the haters.
I always thought that the Dems didn't want to govern. They really wanted to complain.
The Repubs will enjoy the blood-letting. The country won't.
1
Hard to believe these 16 democrats can be so stupid. They are falling directly into Trump/Putin's plan to sow discord and distrust in american institutions and not incidently, in the democratic party. The news of dems fighting amongst themselves must be making Don/Vlad giddy with delight.
Continue on this misguided path and you can count on 45's reelection. I'll start crying now...
4
I worry that the Republicans and unwitting Democrats are doing to Nancy Pelosi what they did to Hilary Clinton. Misogyny is alive and well in the US.
3
Socialism now!
1
I am of two minds: Ms Pelosi has served us well. She championed the Affordable Care Act; raised more money for the Democratic Party than anyone else and she knows how to get things done. On the other hand, I know that it is time to turn control over to the next generation and to act as a mentor. This last statement applies to all of the senior Democratic posts.
1
@Judith,
Democratic party was wiped out under Pelosi and yes she gave us the Affordable healthcare bill but without the public option; this is why we are still fighting the 2010 war with the Republicans.
1
All but 2 of the signers on the letter are men. Is that what is meant by real change? Been there, done that. I am certain that the constituents of the newly elected were voting against the Trump fiasco, not for Pelosi's removal. Let the needs of the people out weigh the power struggles,please. That is what the voters want!
1
All that's happening here is that these guys ran in fairly conservative districts and felt they had to promise to oppose Nancy Pelosi (that's what Democrats get for trying to act 'Republican Lite').
They'll vote against her in the first round so they can tell their constituents that they kept their promise. Then they will fall in line. Pelosi is going to win.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
1
@Justin,
Without the suburban vote that these Congressional Representatives bring to the Democratic Party, there would be no winning Democratic party.
Yes, people in middle America want increased minimum wages, healthcare and a check on Trump, but they do not want the Pelosi whining about illegal immigration.
@Justin
Seth Moulton's district went for Sanders in the 2016 primaries. Moulton was a Clinton superdelegate, his constituency was not overjoyed.
The leadership of the Democratic Party — the one that helped steer a slam-dunk presidential election to the abysmal victory of Donald Trump — has never more urgently needed an injection of youthful vigor and the intelligence of a generation that has come of age during the millennium. We need to give the generations we boomers have failed and saddled with enormous problems — from failing to combat climate change to investing in our almost irreversibly deterioriating infrastructure — a chance to better order their future and that of their children. Nancy Pelosi and, I would suggest, anyone over the age of 50, should bow out gracefully and stand aside for fresh young blood. During the primaries that lead up to the 2016 presidential election, a huge percentage of Democratic voters aged between 18 and 45 voted for the more progressive policy proposals of Senator Sanders. These are the young people who own the future, not my generation. Let them take over as soon as possible.
1
@Gerald,
Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn are too OLD to be boomers; they are the parents of and grandparents of boomers.
1
It is a huge mistake for the Democratic Party to campaign for change with 70 years old candidates. Hopefully, Democratic voters will choose a younger candidate in the 2020 primaries.
1
There go Democrats again..tearing themselves apart instead of unifying against a common adversary...Right after the House win is no time for in house disputes...Pelosi is the most experienced at what the Speaker does and she has demonstrated that convincingly...If, after a time, forces of change suggest her retirement from that position let that happen naturally, but not at this moment when Trump is gloating over Democratic infighting....Politics is a fight and displaying your weakness to your opponent is no way to win that fight.
2
Many in body, one in mind. The Democrats are pursuing the opposite and I suspect the "16" are dead set on triangulating and diffusing an incredible opportunity to showcase to the nation how fierce the Democrats are focused and determined. Instead, they have crosshairs on their feet.
1
So, they don't want Pelosi. Okay, who are they putting forward to run against her? No one, they haven't named one person they think is better and not one person has come forward to go up against her. What do they plan on doing, let the repubs have the speaker's chair?
3
This is not a time to change Pelosi as Speaker, this is a time for all hands on deck to check and balance the run-a-way Republican power grab. That's the change we voted for. Pelosi is the woman for the job right now. She is tough and effective. She is compassionate and progressive. She can stand up to the Republicans and knows what we can and need to do in the next two years. What are these "men" Ryan and his cabal, thinking!? Everyone who is not on board to save the democracy of the United States is on deck to be replaced by the voters who are wide awake now in the face of near-catastrophic loss of our freedoms, be it Republican or Democrat. Power and greed are out, and democracy is in.
3
I am tired of people (such as the signers of this letter) using the term "change" without mentioning the SPECIFIC change or changes they want to see.
This election--like every election--was about "change." But the change I was voting for had to do with containing and perhaps undoing the catastrophic damage that Trump et al. are inflicting on people in the U.S. and abroad--and especially on the planet. We are in an emergency situation, something like facing the Camp fire in California. What we need are Democrats who are skilled, experienced, and committed to protecting all of us and our terrestrial home, no matter what their sex, race, age, or sexual orientation. I am gay, and yes, it would be thrilling to have an openly gay person as Speaker of the House. But the flames are approaching, and this is not the time to worry about the make-up of the firefighters.
Change for the sake of change makes sense when you are planning the week's menu--not when you face a threat like the one posed by the current administration. Pelosi and the others should only be replaced if more effective fighters are available.
3
I don't see any new candidates that have the fortitude and/or audacity to flunk Trump. It'll take time for a rookie candidate to learn which pro and con Congressman is accessible. If Pelosi is replaced, I hope he/she have the wisdom to keep Pelosi around for advice.
1
I hope she runs and wins. She is experienced, has been around the goal post a couple of times and knows what to look out for......besides, the Republicans are afraid of her! We need her!
4
Trump won largely because of hatred for Hilary Clinton and Pelosi. She needs to put the country ahead of her ego and step aside so a more acceptable person can become Speaker.
2
The Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of 48 Democrats and Republicans -- the numbers will change in 2019 -- could be Pelosi's ticket to a win. They have proposed a set of rules changes to make the House more transparent and open to rank-and-file participation. That block of votes, including some Republicans, could make the difference. I'm surprised that the NY Times isn't including them as a factor.
3
I would like to see a story on that caucus. There is more we can agree on in this country, than disagree.
1
@Jane K, look up the group NoLabels on Facebook. They are the outside cheerleaders and publish a lot of the caucus goings-on.
Curious why the Times article doesn't actually link to the letter, or even quote from it? I am. Apparently Pelosi is too. She asked someone rhetorically: "Have you seen the letter?"
One thing the Times DOES tell us about the letter is that it doesn't name any possible alternative to Pelosi. That allows her to keep saying what she's been saying all along: "You can't beat Somebody with Nobody."
Maybe someone will eventually be named, but this "Anybody But Pelosi" campaign is looking pretty juvenile at the moment. I'm not surprised that Pelosi isn't taking it seriously.
6
So, who are the sixteen? Please, a list.
4
@Saba Montgomery From WaPo
"Of the letter’s signees, five are incoming House freshmen or hope to be. Two of them — Anthony Brindisi of New York and Ben McAdams of Utah — are in races in which The Associated Press has yet to call a winner.
...
Others signing were incumbents Jim Cooper of Tennessee; Bill Foster of Illinois; Brian Higgins of New York; Stephen Lynch and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts; Ed Perlmutter of Colorado; Tim Ryan of Ohio; Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Filemon Vela of Texas. Incoming freshmen were Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, Max Rose from New York and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey."
2
Leadership is being able to articulate a progressive vision that exceeds the limited mindset of the rest of the group, and then having the ability to convince others to follow. Pelosi, Schumer, Perez, etc. lack this vision. For them, compromise is a goal unto itself, in order to maintain a status quo and nothing more. The Democrats don’t just need “new” leadership, they need to find leaders, full stop. Right now they don’t have them.
7
Yes please! New leadership is probably a good idea.
3
Clearly Nancy Pelosi is seeking her final term. Forcing her out at this time is bad strategy for the House and the Democratic party. In terms of having Pelosi serve one more time the pros greatly outweigh the cons.
Solidarity should be the first goal of the Democratic caucus.
11
I’ve never understood the animus toward Pelosi expressed by conservatives. The demonization has never seemed to fit the person, a moderate, business-friendly neoliberal. Have these Democrats bought into the cartoon version of Pelosi? We need the Democrats to maintain solidarity and to start sendind some liberal economic populist bills to the Senate and Trump.
10
She’s a powerful woman, full stop. The old white guard hates that. Just like they hated Hilary.
1
I'm fine with new leadership -- it makes sense, after all. But nobody else has stepped up to the plate! She may not be the best person for the job, but she's the only one open to it, and there are worse options out there. Dems need to take a page out of the GOP playbook: Find a candidate and get in line behind that person, or get ready for two years of ineffectiveness.
3
She is a proven commodity!!!!
4
This infighting is ridiculous and damaging. Fight with Trump and the Republicans, not an experienced, successful, qualified woman who’s proven to be very good at her job. If Democrats don’t pass a sufficiently progressive agenda, it’s because the other party controls the Senate, White House, and Supreme Court.
And the clear sexism and racism fueling the opposition to Pelosi is disgusting.
Fresh faces are great. Get on the committees and work with/learn from effective reps like Pelosi.
10
Ageism, not racism. I typed too fast.
2
16 ain't enough guys. Try again next time.
2
With so much to do and so little time, this is not an issue that should be taking up time of the Democrat caucuses. Get on with policies and programs that are to benefit your employers, l we the people. Settle your squabbles and do some REAL work.
3
While I applaud the calls for 'new leadership', the gut feeling I cannot shake is one of foreboding. A challenge without a challenger, not only an unknown quantity but no quantity at all. Change for the sake of change generally leads to change for the worse. At a time when there are seriously powerful and experienced people leading the Republican party, throwing the House leadership into doubt and into the hands of someone less experienced would be equivalent to another Republican victory. As in business and industry, hire the most qualified and leave age discrimination out of it.
7
Tim Ryan, one of the few Democratic incumbents who won by a smaller margin in 2018 than he did in 2016, and in a district gerrymander by the GOP to be safe for democrats. Sounds vulnerable for a primary in 2020.
4
Nancy Pelosi will be the next Speaker of the House, and she will owe her election to Republican votes. Remember that President Trump promised her as many as she needed.
"Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, 79, is running to reclaim his former spot as majority leader, and Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, 78, is seeking to return to the No. 3 position as whip. Ms. Pelosi endorsed both Monday, confirming that she means to keep the longstanding top-three lineup."
This endorsement of the two deputies bothers me more than the challenge to Pelosi. She still is the most competent to lead during the party's transition but is making a big mistake endorsing Hoyer and Clyburn. These are the positions that could be updated by younger people that don't even need to be newbies. Just more progressive so those voices are heard and incorporated into the party's modernizing discussions.
Endorsing total leadership of really old people sends a terrible message. I am old so I can say that. I WANT to see new faces in the party leadership. Back to our inclusive way of being Democrats! Room for people to represent their own constituents. Some are more progressive than others.
We see how Republicans destroy their party when all are supposed to march in lockstep. Trump's way or the highway. No. Dems don't need that way of governing.
5
Competence, experience, judgement and leadership should be the prerequisites for Speaker. This is more true now than ever before. Gender, race, religion are not relevant. Pelosi is the best person for the job. The Dems will never put their majority to the best use with unexperienced leadership. The next two years are critical. Trump is dangerous and cagey. If the Dems fumble the promise of 2020 can turn to defeat all around. Trump does not need a majority of votes and the Senate will be a tough flip. The House could easily slip back to the GOP. New members of Congress should show some humility. Those who campaigned on overturning Pelosi has painted themselves into a corner. Congress is a short term and fundraising is an immediate challenge. They should figure out a way to be absent the day of the vote.
22
Presages the usual Democratic strategy to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Would the reformers name one thing Pelosi has done that is so bad, besides being older and a woman? Keeping the caucus together to pass the ACA and other legislation? Raising the money for a 35-40 seat wave? Being a target of Republican smears? Let the whippersnappers do 10% of what Pelosi has done for the Democratic Party before they open their Freedom Caucus wannabe yaps.
9
Rep Moulton is my congressional rep - and I have a message for him. Whom do you have to replace Rep Pelosi who has the institutional knowledge and experience that she has? Frankly I am surprised that in this day and age a bunch of predominantly white males has the audacity to think that they can win by forcing her out. White male privilege is it? You have lost my vote and I am pretty sure, the vote of many other women democrats in your district.
8
To paraphrase Yoda: This is why we fail.
We Democrats continue to demonstrate the innate ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and our lack of discipline is, quite frankly, embarrassing.
I think it well understood that our Congressional leadership is due to evolve but, as with natural selection, there will be that season. To suggest that season is now, given everything that's on our plates, indicates a profound lack of judgment or simple arrogance on the part this "gang of 16".
There is nothing to be gained through this internecine nonsense and you'd never see the GOP trying this stunt while working to consolidate power. Get a grip Dems. Please!
21
There's nothing Democratic politicians do better than cannibalize themselves. During these tough times, we need someone as wise and cutthroat as Nancy Pelosi. I'm really happy we won the House but if the name is the game is going to be ageism and sexism, forget it.
6
What did Emerson say about striking the king? Seems pretty foolish if your numbers don’t add up. Or is this a way for those in possibly competitive races in 2020 to appeal to independents and republicans?
4
Compromise, work together, or keep electing Trumps.
4
As with Sanders v. Clinton, the Times' political bias is overwhelming. The Democratic status quo establishment is broken and stands as the primary cause of Trumpism today. People are tired of corporate manipulation and the Times appears to not get the message. But alas, corporate profits come first.
3
Ms Pelosi is truly a historic figure. She's been an integral part of the leadership that diminished the Democratic Party's advocacy for working people, in the sense of diluting that party's opposition to our corporate coup d'etat, the real societal pathology underpinning the autocracy of Mr. Trump et al.
2
Our representatives need to realize the collective will of the people is what has made this country great. I do not discount the vision of our best representatives or business leaders. The people of this country will make or break any deal; they need to be heard and represented. Our leadership may get away with representing their own interests for awhile but there will always be a reckoning sooner or later......
A party that has gained the majority in the House, especally because of the support of younger voters, is to be led by the following three persons:
Pelosi, 78 years old, 31 years member of the House;
Hoyer 79 years old, 37 years member of the House;
Clyburn 78 years old, 25 years member of the House.
You really expect some high energy and lots of new ideas from these golden oldies, right?
Totally ridiculous. These people hang onto their positions because they think they are indispensable. They are not. If they would be wise old men or women, they would know that they have to leave the field and let younger people take over.
I am a healthy 71 year old, but I know that the world does not belong to me and my generation. It is up to the younger generations to determine the way forward.
10
Unlike many, I admire Mrs. Pelosi. She's brilliant and has had a stellar career. BUT...she has a huge bullseye on her. Democrats MUST bring in new leadership!
Mrs. Pelosi, please graciously pass on the baton. Time for new leadership ma'am.
5
I truly believe the democratic party needs to move past Nancy Pelosi. She represents the rich and her husband made a lot of money with her connections. So she is no different the republicans. Until there is truly a social economic representation of the country in congress. You will still have the Nancy Pelosi or the Mitch McConnell
1
Hard to imagine that the ages of the top three leaders of the House are 78,79,& 78. What enormous egos they must have to believe no one else can fill their spots. The leaders have done the party a great disservice by not term limiting the leadership & preparing “younger”(less than 70 yrs!) members to replace them. Wait till you see the ages of the committee chairs listed!
7
Trump and his GOP followers long demonized Nancy Pelosi. Then, after the election, they stepped back, realizing the best tactic would be to let the Democrats squabble among themselves.
Nancy Pelosi has proven to be a brilliant strategist. She is a bit too moderate for my taste. Nonetheless, I admire and support her. Democrats shouldn't let the Trump extremists undermine our party's leadership.
7
Nancy Pelosi is not the problem - Trump and his minions are the problem.
Democrats need to be united whether for Congresswoman Pelosi or someone else and to keep their eye focused on winning back the White House in 2020.
10
I think Pelosi has been great. Her opposition isn’t coming from the left.
It would be wise for the Democratic Party to groom the next generation of leaders for an orderly transfer of power when the time comes. But it would be really dumb to let themselves be influenced by GOP smear campaigns.
Don’t let your adversary choose your leader.
12
For the Congressional Black Caucus it is all about color. For the DNC, it is all about gender. Nice to watch a gaggle of safe seat Democrats racing forward to claim a victory none of them had a hand in making. The incoming first term class members are there because they flipped seats, not because they were gerrymandered into safe seats. These people are the future of the Democratic Party. Gender, race, or seniority are not viable excuses for locking them out. It is as though the spirit of Debbie Wasserman Schultz still runs the show.
1
Unless you have a viable and capable candidate, which so far you do not, Pelosi is the one.
Come on Democrats! Let's not lose focus now.
23
Please note that the signatories to this letter are NOT progressives. They are mostly ambitious white men who want to play to the white working class, joined by Linda Sanchez, who is a conservative Latina, to give them a bit of "color". Don't fall for it! We need Pelosi with her expertise right now and I trust that she is wise enough to mentor a truly progressive successor.
17
@theresa
Agreed!!! Ego Ego Ego - haven't we all had enough of an old white man's ego? There's work do - sit down and get to work team.
4
@theresa
If she would be wise enough, she would have made certain that successors would be in place a long time ago. She did not do that, she just wants to hang on to her position. It is just nonsense to think that she is the only person to do the job. A truly wise person would know that.
2
@Ton van Lierop
With all due respect - there was little time for planning - no one could predict the carnival of horrors that is the Trump administration - I fully support a proactive, planning approach, however, in the case of being blindsided, I rather wait til we've contained the current problem and then revert to BAU.
2
Same team guys! Get your act together!
So you made a campaign promise not to support Pelosi? It's what the team does in the next year that will decide your fate in 2020. If that promise was popular due to Republican vilification of Pelosi: News Flash, Republicans will villify whoever the speaker is.
The challenges facing the House in the 116th Congress are historic. Too long to list here and most on the left know what they are anyway.
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater like you did in the 2016 election. Be smarter than that. There is too much at stake right now.
25
Speaker Pelosi has done an incredible job. I am tired of the sexist attacks. We don't need a male speaker of the House. We need Nancy.
17
I can't believe with what we've dealt with the past two years that this gang is going to screw it up all to make themselves feel good (for their egos) - what about the my vote? Taking a risk that the important things would be focused on and now it's all about juggling the seats around and satisfying egos - my conclusion - both parties are exactly the same - I'll be letting my rep know that I expect him to keep Pelosi in place - she is solely responsible for where they find themselves to day - these newbies haven't a clue how to work with the republicans - once again, they confuse being voted in with having some kind of magical intelligence....news flash - you don't, now do your job and put your silly ego aside - you work for your constituents - remember that.
35
Male privilege and entitlement rear their destructive heads- how sad after mid-term elections voted in the most diverse group of representatives in US history.
7
The Committee Chairman/Ranking Member (RM) need to be term limited as well.
Unlike the Republicans who have a 6-year limit on being the Chairman/RM of a committee, the Democrats allow their members to remain 'in the cat-bird seat' indefinitely. Democrat chairs/RM are indeed old bulls.
New D-leadership should include the Committees.
9
These folks are doing every they can to assure that Trump gets re-elected in 2020 and they lose their newly-won seats. Couldn't happen to a more sensible bunch. No doubt Trump is wishing them god-speed in their stupidity.
16
These purists are like the candidates who run hopeless campaigns for office that siphon off just enough votes to result in Republicans – who play as a team – to win office after office with a minority of the votes. Democrats, don’t screw this up!!
14
A message of change coming from a group that's 88% white men?
102
So what? Looking at everything from the lense of identity politics is a cheap shot. It takes courage to swim against the tide, easier to go with the flow. Win or loose, this group of rebels are trying to change the status quo. Even for Pelosi and Co, it's a good thing ... Will keep them aware of need to share their power.
7
@Amy
Neither Hillary nor Pelosi have any message of change. So maybe gender doesn't much matter.
6
@Amy If a reader criticized the signers of a letter because they were all women, or all black, or any irrelevant factor, the reader would be rightfully criticized as sexist or racist. Your comment is no different, not one bit. For just a moment take a hard look at the implications of your comment. I guess white men are incapable of recognizing that a person who has held a congressional leadership position for more than 30 years may (gasp) actually be part of the problem. Or that these men can only have opinions that are "correct".
We dont need the leadership that led us to this spot to "show us the way forward." That leadership caused this mess. We need new leaders, not tomorrow, not after they put in their time - NOW.
6
Forgive me if I am chary of your promise to show real change in Washington. Mr. Trump was elected saying he would drain the swamp and I am not real happy with the real change in Washington. so far.
So, tell me what you mean by "change the status quo." Your first move at "real change" appears to be removing Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. Believe me, that's not real change. I am not buying that a new speaker will lead to real change. Besides that, you can't even find a candidate.
Tell me what you have in mind. When will your constituents know you've delivered on your promise? How is a new, yet to be determined Speaker going to bring real change.
All I've heard is empty talk.
12
Tim Ryan is almost as establishment centrist as Pelosi - this sounds more like a power struggle between status quo elites.
That's a pity because Pelosi is really decreasing the party's electoral prospects with her appeasement of the Republicans.
Her announcement that she intends to follow the "pay/go" formula of no new spending unless it's offset by cuts or tax increases is typical Pelosi, caving to Republican austerity demands even before the new House members are seated.
If the Democrats adopted the policies which polls show significant public support, like Medicare for all, INCREASED Social Security benefits, a financial transaction tax etc., the Republican Party would be extinct in two or three election cycles.
But the Dems are too closely allied with corporate interests to pass popular legislation - Pelosi will continue that pitiful pattern.
6
Leader Pelosi should be the next majority speaker since she has done more than anyone else to raise money for the Dems and gain the house. Competent and tireless and above all experienced in the ways of politics. We need her not a newbie on the job.
35
This is not news, this is noise and will be resolved with careful and thoughtful negotiation by Mrs Pelosi who is a skilled politician. The media did a terrible disservice to their readers and viewers in 2016 and vilified Mrs Clinton about her email use, it hurt her campaign for no reason, and look what we have now media, real crimes happening all around us and being executed by our our government....please be careful with the stuff you spread around going forward, please.
23
This would be a great time for the three top democrats to say that they would step down from the roles in 2020 and start preparing for people to 'understudy' them to be ready to take over after that....a succession plan is standard in the corporate world, why not in the political one?
15
Nothing like snatching Defeat from the jaws of Victory. There are more pressing and immediate issues to address. It would be another matter if there was a Democratic contender with demonstrative ability to provide the leadership abilities shown by Nancy Pelosi. A good portion of the opposition to Nancy Pelosi has been the result a very effective GOP disinformation campaign. The same inability to unite behind a qualified Democratic Candidate is why trump is president today.
13
How phony-brave of these 16 rebels to oppose Nancy Pelosi — the only Democrat in Congress, or anywhere, that has the smarts, experience and nerve to stand up to Trump. Who will these folks want in that job? There's a reason Pelosi is reviled by Republicans — she knows how to get things done, even in the face of rabid opposition. These 16 had better get this out of their systems fast by voting "no" in the caucus and "yes" on the House floor.
23
A cynical-but-wise commenter writes:
"I have never heard of a newly elected candidate for anything who did not claim that his or her victory was a message for change."
I disagree, sort of. Several decades back, I remember some candidate saying he or she wasn't going to change anything -- just "stay the course." I can't remember exactly who that was, or what he or she was running for, or whether the race was local, state or national, or whether he or she won, or later got re-elected, but I do have this vague memory of at least one "no change" candidate.
Just that one, though.
2
Both Pelosi and Schumer must let the younger generation dems lead the party.
She can't take credit for dems winning this time the house when under her, actually their leadership (with Schumer) they have lost the house and senate time the last time.
The ultimate reason dems won the house and did well in the last election is Trump!
15
yes, let's put a green commander in charge of the new troops instead of a seasoned veteran who has experienced defeat and is winning the war . brilliant. I'm sure George Washington and Abe Lincoln would approve.
11
I agree with @NB and @Marilyn. We need tough, experienced leadership to counter the Republican house and the president. But leader Pelosi isn't young. So -- instead of hoping to retain her former top-three majority team, I hope she brings in fresh blood -- at least, as a new fourth apprentice -- to help Democrats get ready for the inevitable.
3
There isn't a credible reason to bounce Ms. Pelosi from leading Congressional Democrats nor is there a credible alternative to her leadership. The republicans don't like her but, truth be told, they would have bad things to say about Jesus Christ if he were Speaker of the House.
She has been an effective leader and that is why republicans demonize her.
The issue that resonates is the notion of seniority as a primary factor in who gets leadership positions in both the House and the Senate. I could care less about the republicans but the democrats need to find a better way to get their younger and fresher voices heard and recognized.
6
Thank god for these 16. I hope others have the courage to come forward.
These so-called generals of the status quo who have been in power for decades (and that goes for all of these millionaire 70- to 80-year-olds (Schumer, McConnell, Graham, Grassley, Feinstein) need to go!
These people above have destroyed America, either through direct malignant action (Republicans) or passive inaction and serial concessions (Democrats).
The House was won in Nov 2018 in spite of Pelosi NOT because of her. She didn't help anyone get elected. It was entirely grass roots efforts, individual donations and the new representatives actually listening to their constituents.
Pelosi has had more losses and failures -- serious failures to safeguard Democracy and represent the majority of Americans -- during her tenure. She has represented corporations and illegal migrants and helped Republicans. Look at her actual record before you automatically place Pelosi on a pedestal.
Eric Swalwell and other men and women of his ilk are more than ready to be speaker. I want as many women as possible in positions of leadership, but I also won't limit my thinking this way, because I want the best person for the job.
50
@Misplaced Modifier
Well, she mustered enough votes to get the ACA done. And it was even more liberal than the senate version. So yea, she did help get people elected this time. People's memories are shorter than goldfish it seems.
41
@Misplaced Modifier You fail to mention a single issue, Ms Pelosi has failed the public on. I can think of only one way she fails to entrance the young Turks out there trying to replace her. And that sin is age. Hopefully we will not continue the all to common discrimination against the elderly. If you want me to instruct my congressperson to vote against Nancy Pelosi, you will need to present so actual cases where she failed the American electorate.
27
@Pajaritomt name a President, Speaker, etc. who hasn’t had a slew of failures and half-wins. She has the experience. You can see what happens when political neophytes get into senior political roles with Mr. Trump. Not pretty.
18
I don't want her to run. As an old woman myself, I know that change is important. But if she runs, I hope that she is supported and that the country's first glimpse of Democratic leadership is not our own infighting--that will surely be mocked, exaggerated, and debilitating. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Pelosi will support change, not stop it. Young Dems, don't worry. Your day is not just coming; it is here.
44
@Cathryn. Give Rep. Pelosi two more years to get us to the 2020 election: meanwhile let her groom a replacement who can match her fundraising abilities and talent for holding to the core principles of the Democratic Party.
13
One of the representatives backing this whisper campaign is my congressman, Kurt Schrader in Oregon. He's a self-proclaimed blue-dog Democrat who's wagged his tail for Trump on more than one vote.
So far as the others on the alleged letter resemble Mr. Schrader, they are not progressives and they don't represent "change." They represent triangulation and capitulation.
I predict a tough primary challenge for Mr. Schrader in 2020, if he keeps this up.
109
@Joel Geier
I'll back your comment. I have a dear friend in your district who has growled for weeks, months about Schrader. My problem with Pelosi is that she isn't progressive enough, but no way will I back anyone who is even more rightist.
Thanks for the head's up.
5
@Joel Geier , totally agree--it would be interesting to see if any of the 75+, soon to be 100 members of the Progressive Caucus have any better suggestions--I have elsewhere mentioned Barbara Lee, but it would be nice to see the progressive half of the Democratic party rally behind "one of their own" before January, just to see if that's even possible, even if it needs to ultimately be Pelosi. They might even be able to get some "blue dog" "anyone-but-Pelosi" votes out of it.
2
I'm a Democrat, and, yes, I voted for change. But the change I voted for was to get rid of Republican control of Congress. Mrs Pelosi is by far the Congressperson most qualified to be Speaker. She deserves the post, and she certainly deserves the support of the Democrats elected to Congress.
It was the Republicans who vilified Mrs Pelosi. Why are Democrats playing into the Republican song book?
200
@Jay what does being qualified have to do with anything?
she's pushing 80, no private co. hires someone that age.
3
@Jay She "deserves" the post? Why? Last I checked, the Speaker position is a popularity contest. I can't blame the new leadership for questioning why they would support a person who has been in washington for 30 years and part of the machine that brought us to this point. Time for new people.
5
@Jay
Some Democrats aren't thrilled by the prospect of an 80-year old center-right multi-millionaire getting yet another turn at the job, with the help of two other center-right 80 year-olds. Didn't these folks lose the House once before?
With friends like these, who needs Republicans?
4
So tell me, group of sixteen, what are you going to do for me? What are you going to do for the voters better than Nancy Pelosi would have done? What is your breath of fresh air going to bring in?
So far, all I read is talk. You don't have a speaker in mind. You just want Nancy Pelosi out. Believe me, you don't lead by saying what you don't want. You lead by saying what you do want.
So what's your legislative plan for the next two years? What are the issues you want to address, in order of importance. How are you going to get legislation passed with a Republican majority Senate? How are you going to make your constituents' lives better by installing a new Speaker?
I haven't read anything about how you are going to make my life better. I have only read how you are going to make your lives better.
180
@Rebecca,
And what exactly did this near octagenarian do for you when she had her turn, aside from presiding over the loss of the house in the first place, and giving rise to the anger that brought us Trump?
3
What exactly is Pelosi's agenda besides trump investigations? What can she realistically achieve in the next two years that a new face could not? You seem to forget about Senate control and the man in the white house. Be smart Dems! The new house majority was won in purple America, listen to those people as they decided the 2016 election and will again in 2020.
1
@Dan The Affordable Care Act. My cousin could not afford health insurance without it. Managing the 2018 midterm elections and winning back the House now. Last time the minimum wage was increased, she was Speaker...But what am I saying, you can look it up and read it for yourself. The list is long.
Or was that a rhetorical question?
25
To the "sixteen": We didn't vote for Democrats in order to get rid of Pelosi (if we wanted that, we would have voted Republican). We voted for health care (Pelosi kept that on message) and against Trump and the GOP policies.
And many of the people who broke their backs for you the last two years, are now ready to primary you for the next two years.
35
This is key: "Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, 79, is running to reclaim his former spot as majority leader, and Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, 78, is seeking to return to the No. 3 position as whip."
The cognitive dissonance of running as Progressives with three nearly-octogenarian leaders is astounding to me. Also, let's not forget that no one has ever been Speaker, helped their party lose the majority and then be elected speaker again. Moving forward always requires letting the old guard fade away.
6
@Dana I disagree that Pelosi lost the house in 2010.
2008 70 million Democrats voted. Nancy was speaker.
2010 40 million Democrats voted. Nancy was speaker.
There are many reasons for Democrats not voting in mid-terms. I credit Nancy for being one of the reasons for the 2018 turnout; she kept the candidates focused on healthcare.
12
@Steve, I didn't say that she lost the house, I said "helped," as did every other party leader, which is how parties work.
Corruption has no political affiliation or social conscience. Any newly elected democrat or independent who would put OUR United States of America in further danger by tyring to uneseat Nancy Pelosi should be voted out next election.
She has done more to hold democrats together and get new reprensentaives elected than nearly any other person.
She is to be celebrated - not thrown out.
Are Bernie Sanders and his supporters trying to be the new Newt Gingrichs who would destroy the democratic party for personal gain - as INDEPENDENTS?
Stop it, ladies and gentlemen. We have all seen what trying to destroy the party structure did to the nearly-dead republican party. Do NOT let it happen to the democratic party. OUR lives depend on it.
46
@njglea Thank you for your comment. This is no push from the left, but a hard pull to the right. Republicans hate Pelosi, and behind the hate is fear. Beware of any Democrat that stands with those people. I hope they catch on. These insurgents could become the next Blue Dogs.
13
@njglea Read up before you comment. The people opposing Pelosi are 'centrists'--i.e. from the right wing of the party. Bernie Sanders is not among them, and Ocasio-Cortez has voiced her support for Pelosi.
The people opposing Pelosi are mostly from conservative leaning districts and they are, no doubt, fulfilling campaign promises to oppose Pelosi.
I have to be a bit critical of the Times for not pointing this out.
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They aren’t rebels. They are freedom fighters.
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@PeterCThey are conservatives, not Bernie bros, so it depends on what you are whether they are fighting for freedom or not.
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@PeterC
They are unruly children who believe they know best what is good for all.
They just need a dose of reality and they will get back in line or get steamrolled out
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I think everyone knows that the future of the Democratic Party, like life in general, is with younger leaders. But those who want Ms Pelosi to simply step aside because she's "been around too long", or, let's face it, what they really mean is "old", forget that the adversaries are the same the Democrats have faced before. Unless the Dems have a seasoned, proven leader who can step in, with no learning curve, they are better off keeping her. But let's hope she's smart enough to bring in younger Representatives to help her craft her messages and strategies for the next two years. Unless both sides are willing to work together, we could easily lose the House again.
Finally, this bears repeating: Pelosi ran the election strategy for this election, and we won. Yet many want her out. Has anyone said anything about Chuck Schumer? I note we actually LOST seats in the Senate.
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@NB An effective leader also mentors and prepares new talent to step into their roles when it is time for them to move on - for whatever reason. Unfortunately, this is something Pelosi has utterly failed in as a leader. If she is willing to take on a younger representative or two to mentor, then I have no problem with her continuing as speaker, but I don't see that happening.
As for your take on the elections, I think the less is said the better.
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@Sam
So how much did Sam Rayburn and Tip O'Neill "mentor and prepare new talent to step into their role"?
Is a female once-and-future Speaker expected to be more nurturing than a male Speaker?
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@NB When I saw that 26 Democrat Senators were up for reelection in 2018, I felt the odds were against taking over the Senate. In 2020 the tables are turned and there are 21 Republicans up for reelection and only 11 Democrats.
I don't think any senate minority leader could have done a better job with the midterms.
Back to your point. I want Mrs. Pelosi as House Speaker and Mr. Schumer as Senate Minority Leader, Well, I actually want Mr. Schumer to be majority leader now, but that option doesn't open until 2020.
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The last thing a Democratic House needs is a "centrist" leader that will kowtow to the GOP and it's extremists by offering concessions for nothing in return. We've seen that movie before. The center of American politics is FAR to the right of the political spectrum. If we need new leadership, how about a minority progressive for a change?
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@Steve Why do some many commenters here assume the this challenge is coming from the left? These new Democratic challengers are "the centrists". Remember the Blue dogs? They are back, and this is them.
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@Steve your description of Pelosi as a centrist who offers concessions for nothing is wildly inaccurate.
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While it's good to debate priorities, let's remember that if the House Democrats can't get behind a leader who will unite them, all the effort that went into re-taking the House will be for naught. My fear is that we'll end up with two years of in-fighting and everyone just chasing the distractions of Trump's chimera instead of sticking to a cohesive plan to win the White House and the Senate in 2020.
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@Edward Whether it's Pelosi or someone else, the Speaker of the House will have taken (and passed!) "Speaker of the House 101." That course teaches would-be Speakers that they'll be expected to persuade fellow party members to vote the same way.
Fairly basic. If you're looking for more "unity" than that, it's not going to happen. Nor will it be necessary.
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@MyThreeCents There is no "Speaker of the House 101."
Learning to be Speaker of the House is on-the-job-training. There is a learning curve. The longer a person's done it, the more they know how to do.
The Speaker's job is not just about party unity. It is the Executive position of the House of Representatives.
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@MyThreeCents taking a class is no substitute for decades of experience. We need an effective speaker, not someone who took a class.
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I have never heard of a newly elected candidate for anything who did not claim that his or her victory was a message for change. Let's get real. What change, exactly, and how to make it effective? First, those opposing Nancy Pelosi for Speaker are succumbing to Republican smears going back a decade or more and threatening to split the new majority caucus. Not an auspicious beginning.Their re-election in 2020 will depend for the most part on how the Democratic caucus in the House behaves and what it accomplishes over the next two years. Starting off with a surrender to Republican/Trump smears will not cut it.
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@Daniel Hudson Many of the newly elected members succeeded as a desire by the electorate to "Check" the excesses of trump and his crew of grifters, to reinforce Democratic Leadership, not to destroy it.
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@Daniel Hudson, I for one would welcome a change in leadership but certainly have not succumbed to Republican smears, that is preposterous. The party has grown stale, time to shake things up a bit. Question authority, even so called eventual or entitled authority.
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@Steve
How shake things up, exactly? It is preposterous to say as some opposing pelosi have that she is a historic figure, that she has been extremely effective, so let's shake things up.
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While I can understand the desire of some newly elected members to replace Ms. Pelosi and the old guard with newer people, I am also concerned that, in the process, there may be a loss of expertise and connections. Wouldn't it be better if someone serves as Pelosi's working assistant and become the Speaker after on-the-job training. I am worried that the newly elected members may be underestimating the significance of experience in their fervor to replace the old guard.
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@chickenlover That would be best - so why hasn't Pelosi done so and mentored the next generation of leaders in her almost 16 years as leader of the Democratic party in the house?
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@chickenlover good point
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@chickenlover
No. We need fresh intelligent young blood now. They’ll come up to speed in no time. The problems we face — the problems us boomers have shamefully passed along to the future to address (those related to energy, infrastructure, financial security, education, environment, etc etc). Pelosi’s generation are still generally clueless about the technologies of the 21st century and the changing mores of the younger generation. No-one needs on the job training to be a good speaker. But they do need confidence, intelligence, curiosity, creativity, and vision. I’m not seeing that among Democrats over 50. Time for a generational change, as soon as possible.
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Lots of us can support change within the Democratic Party. I hope, however, that the newly elected remember that they also need to support the party as a whole for there to be any chance at all to defeat Trump in 2020. I would rather see Ms. Pelosi at the helm for a little longer, but I wonder about those other spots. I am a senior and I wonder why everyone in D.C. is older than I am!
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