Why is there so much dissatisfaction with Pelosi?

[potone]

I really don't get it. Is it the fact that she is a–gasp!–liberal from San Francisco? Is it her age? Is it her sex? Is it that she has made bad decisions? If the move to reject her as a leader is about actual policy positions, I would like to know what those are. I fear that much of the opposition to her among Democrats is simply playing into the hands of the Republicans. They will oppose any Democrat having power. I may well be wrong, so I am hoping that other people here can help me understand this.

[RainCaster]

1. She has offended the Russian trolls

Who are all over DU and other social media.

[SharonAnn]

27. The Republicans have been demonizing her for more than a decade. Like Hillary.

3 reasons:
1. She's a Democrat with power
2. She's a woman with power
3. She's incredibly effective.

[Hortensis]

53. Barney Frank agrees, plus. Here's his analysis.

As said, the Republicans have been demonizing Democrats for decades and now they, and Russia, are using Pelosi.

Barney Frank last fall:

In Pelosi's case, there are three factors that are increasing their desire to target her.

* First, there is the fact that she is the only woman in American history to hold one of the three major policy-making positions in the federal government.

* Second, using San Francisco as a symbol of moral decay is a convenient way of dog-whistling several prejudices which "respectable" politicians do not want to voice explicitly.

* Third, less recognized but maybe most important, she has been one of the most successful Speakers in decades. The negative passions she incites are clearly fueled by her record: Much of this year's Republican agenda consists of efforts to undo the legislative record she helped compile in 2009-2010.

Having noted all of this, I believe that the benefit Republicans get from demonizing her have been exaggerated. Anger at President Obama was the determining factor in the 2010 midterm elections and Democrats did much better than the norm in each of that year's special elections.

The centrality of the anti-Pelosi campaign in Republican plans for the 2018 House elections is not because of its potency, but because of the weakness of every other option. Demonizing Nancy Pelosi is not a magic bullet; it's simply the only one they have.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/14/i-am-starting-to-wonder-which-side-trump-is-rooting-for-in-2018-commentary.html

When Frank speaks his colleagues still listen. No one has to like Pelosi, or not want her replaced by a younger person perhaps, but any here who are actually badmouthing Pelosi here should really think about who she really is, what's really happening, and who they're inadvertently teaming with and why.

[Beartracks]

34. This, precisely. Nothing to do with age, gender, etc.; only...

... that trying to kneecap her is a low risk, high reward endeavor, as even the attempt will foster fractures in the Democratic party.

=============

[Cary]

51. That makes so much sense.

[bottomofthehill]

2. She has become a lightning rod

As any other good Democratic Leader would. She is a slightly easier target for the right wing because she is a highly affective woman much like Mrs Clinton, and that scares the hell out of the right.

[EffieBlack]

61. As someone else here noted, consider what a lightning rod is and does

n. -
a metal rod or wire fixed to an exposed part of a building or other tall structure to divert lightning harmlessly into the ground.

In other words, she draws away the heat to protect everyone else.

[bottomofthehill]

62. Agree Totally

[shraby]

3. She's a woman in a position of power.

republicans can't stand such a thought, so they demonize her. They did the same with Hillary, but Hillary is gone, so Pelosi is going to get double what she used to.

She is smart, knows her business and does a good job. I can't think of one republican who can match her.

[FakeNoose]

24. Bingo - not only Repubs but some Dems too

Sorry to say it, but it's true. Powerful, intelligent women are a threat and must be cut down.
I agree that she is awesome, and men don't like it one bit.

[Guilded Lilly]

28. Absolutely. Strong, smart, successful older women scare the hell out of millions of

Insecure, threatened, whining, entitled men...and more than a few handfuls of holier than thou weak women, too.

[Squinch]

32. Yep. That's all it takes. It causes republican shrinkage, and that makes them furious.

[RandySF]

4. Gephardt was a bigger failure.

[MaryMagdaline]

5. Sexism. It's hard to admit your leader is an elderly woman

Everyone values white male approval, even Progressives. Progressives are embarrassed when RWers mock our congressional leadership. It was cool to have a young male president, though. Brought in enough of the bro vote. We were the cool party then.

Pelosi's record is astounding. She never brings anything to a vote until you have the votes. No descenions

[Adrahil]

6. I think she was a fine speaker....

But I also think it might be worth considering some new leadership.

[imaginary girl]

7. Line of succession?

My best guess is bc if dems retake house in November, she is in the line of succession.

[PaulX2]

8. She Will Soon Be Speaker Again BTW Nancy Thanks For Healthcare

Thanks again.

[pandr32]

30. +1

[EffieBlack]

9. Her steel spine, brilliant mind and Ladyparts are a dangerous combination for some people

[justhanginon]

15. Nothing scares weak men more than strong women!

[Greybnk48]

10. Because she's a smart, savvy, competent woman

who has repeatedly outwitted and made white guys look dumb over the years.

I fucking love her! (her age is irrelevant, btw, unless she's drooling and acting the dotard).

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. I think she has done a good job

but I am a bit concerned by her age.

We must be thinking about the day when she is no longer in office, and who will replace her.

[BannonsLiver]

17. How dare you think of such things!1!

[KPN]

12. The natives are restless. Not to worry --

my crystal ball says Pelosi will almost definitely retain her role as House Dem leader for at least a few more years. But if we win the WH in 2020, that might change. She may even retire at that point if we have both the House and the WH. Didn't she say she would retire if Hillary won?

[flyingfysh]

13. I think she has been very effective

She has been making the best of a difficult situation.

[OregonBlue]

14. The GOP made her their target and lots of people, even Dems fell for it. I love her

and think she is one of the greatest speakers of all time. I do not think however that she is very good at actually speaking. Would love to have someone new who could also give a great and rousing speech and someone that is younger who she could start training now. She has been so effective, we really, really, really need her to teach everything she knows to whoever is going to follow her!!!!!!!

They broke the mold when they created Nancy Pelosi :

[Beartracks]

36. Sowing discord among Dems is what Republicans & Russians do, trolling the electorate.

They don't do it out in the open; they do it in disguise or anonymously. And they pull the strings of more unwitting trolls when they do so.

===========

[OregonBlue]

63. Exactly and it has worked on both Hillary and now Nancy. Even with Dems. Nancy is one of the great

Speakers of all time.

[rock]

16. Misogyny

Need I say more?

[Me.]

18. This Article In The Atlantic Explains It All

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/04/the-nancy-pelosi-problem/554048/

[NCTraveler]

19. A certian contingent made it clear the wanted a moderate white male.

They worked hard to make it happen and Pelosi kicked his ass. Bitter.

[safeinOhio]

20. Old White guy here.

I love and respect her. Think she would make a great President.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. Do you remember what some DUers were calling her around 2007?

The language and accusations when she said she wasn't looking to impeach Dubya were disgraceful. It only died down when Obama became president.

[lamp_shade]

40. BINGO!

[dawg day]

22. Two X chromosomes: Nuff said

[Initech]

23. The GOP wins when we fight with each other.

So they're going to keep us fighting about anything and everything in order to keep their power. We can't let them get to us! Kicking Trump's ass in November should be our #1 priority!

[librechik]

25. vagina

that is all.

[Botany]

26. Because she is a good and decent person and so the GOP/Fox/Russia/and so on have to ....

... bring her down in any possible way.

[democratisphere]

29. Didn't know there was so much dissatisfaction with Pelosi.

Who is inventing this decention?

[Jane Austin]

31. Because Democrats, as usual, are buying into

the Republican view of us.

[krispos42]

33. Impeachment is off the table.

After the 2006 elections. That's either an exact quote, or very nearly so.

[mreilly]

37. Precisely my grievance against her...

... her attittude was simply "No, nope, nope, not happening, forget about it." She seemed either preoccupied with "moving on" or fearful of a backlash against Bush supporters since God forbid their man face up to anything bad he's done.

Either way, my reaction was "Why even have laws, then? If Bush and Co. can do what they want with impunity, why have laws at all if you won't bother to hold lawbreakers accountable? Why even have impeachment if you're too afraid to use it?"

[krispos42]

38. She was far from alone, of course...

...but think of how things would have been different if she had said simply "nothing is off the table" and left it at that?

She got the flak because she was the leading Dem. I think it would have been the same if another person was in the role of leading Dem and said that.

Shit like this is why "both sides are the same", while wrong, often feels right!

[Demsrule86]

41. also...the votes were not there for conviction. She made the right decision.

[krispos42]

42. You mean, before there was an investigation?

Before there were subpoenas, and testimony, and hearings? Yeah, I guess there weren't enough votes to impeach on January 4th, 2007.

Of course the possibility of impeachment could have been a valuable tool too, but, nope, off the table.

[Xolodno]

46. The investigation would have shown...

...not only did "W" commit crimes, GOP Congress members were complicit, but also Democratic Congress members as well. Virtually everyone had blood on their hands. Be it "reluctantly voting with", "abstaining" or just keeping silent.

And then their was the other problem, too many in this country still supported Bush. Following through with impeachment proceedings would galvanize a good portion of the electorate. Hell, the GOP would play this off as "revenge for the impeachment attempt of Clinton". It would have played perfectly into their hands....and we probably would have gotten a president McCain or worse, Cheney (I don't believe for a second he had no intention of being President, he just read the tea leaves and was content, if their was huge red wave of support, he would have run) and wouldn't even be talking about a blue wave today.

Yes, Bush & Cheney in Co. were guilty of not just our own laws, but international as well. But getting rid of them also meant a significant portion of Congress would have to go. And do you see Congress members voting to impeach and then get nailed back at home and losing their job too? Not gonna happen.

Nancy Pelosi had two choices, be in waste deep shit or neck deep shit. She chose waste deep. I liken it to the Battle of Moscow, Mikhail Kutuzov didn't win the battle against Napoleon, and for all intents and purposes, his "withdrawal" from the battle was nothing more than an organized retreat. He may have not won the battle, but he knew he just won the war.

[Demsrule86]

47. What is the point if you can't convict?

Now Trump will be in power if we get the House so we should investigate but no impeachment if we can't get the GOP to go along...not worth losing the next election.

[krispos42]

48. You don't know until after you investigate

And public opinion has lots to say about it as well. Plus there is the secondary effect that all the negative attention can have on House and Senate seats, plus local seats.

Plus, you know, basic justice for the dead American soldiers and the dead Iraqis and dead Afghans.

[Demsrule86]

49. If you don't have a sufficient majoritiy to convict, you know. The GOP isn't going to help us..they

simply don't care about this country. I am all for investigating Trump and bringing his transgressions to light... but it is not worth losing 20 to impeach him.

[Skittles]

58. DOING THE RIGHT THING - THAT'S WHAT

a war was started BASED ON LIES.....people still die EVERY DAY because of that

IT DOESN'T GET WORSE THAN THAT

[Sentath]

39. 2006 article from the New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2006/11/08/cq_1916.html

“I have said it before and I will say it again: Impeachment is off the table,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said during a news conference.

[Skittles]

57. BINGO

[pwb]

35. Because maybe you listen to the wrong people?

I am completely satisfied with her. The hate talkers labeled her, just like they made the word liberal a swear word. Like the way they call us the Democrat party. Most of us don't buy their meanness anymore, it's old and played out. Easy for me to see that. Anyway that how I understand it all, and you asked. Peace

[dlk]

43. She's a Woman

[JNelson6563]

44. The right doesn't like her.

I suppose those on the left falling for this are the same who shared all the russian anti-Hillary bullshit too. Sad.

Edited to add: I do believe we have as many gullible suckers on our side as they do on theirs. Sadly ours eat their bullshit up!

[LexVegas]

45. Sexism. nt

[tblue37]

50. Because propaganda works. Same reason for the unhinged Hillary hatred. nt

[Freethinker65]

55. this

[LonePirate]

52. People tend to forget that the House with Pelosi as Speaker passed a public option health care bill.

Could you imagine how better off the entire country would be today if the Senate had the courage to pass that same health care bill?

[Lithos]

54. She's old school

She represents the party as it was back with Bill Clinton. She also has become such a lightning rod that very, very few candidates bring her into their campaigns or let her associate herself with their campaigns. While she's an excellent leader in Congress, she's only able to do half the job which includes serving as a senior leader and representative of the Democratic Party.



L-

[applegrove]

56. The Republicans always go after the people who are great democrats and who they think

would effectively lead our party. Double down on supporting Pelosi. She is a winner with a winning message.

[Beartracks]

59. Yes, they always do. Regardless of age, gender, or race. n/t

[applegrove]

60. Right now they may be afraid of women voting after the #METOO and after

Trump. They may want to create hesitation and apathy in how we relate to female politicians. Women are running for office everywhere. They want their woman to go all clenched and church lady on female politicians.

[mythology]

64. Republicans hate her for being effective as Speaker and that they can caricaturize her

I think some Democrats hate her because they are disappointed in her based on frankly unrealistic expectations that she could snap her fingers and get Bush impeached or get into a situation where the House passed Medicare for all and somehow get that through the Senate.

It could be worse though. Look at John Boehner and Paul Ryan as speaker or Mitch McConnell as Senate majority leader. Not only have they had trouble passing bills even within their own chamber, they have attracted the ire of the Republican base and nobody on our side likes them. There's a reason Boehner was literally whistling in joy when he resigned.