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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCharles P. Pierce: You Want Nancy Pelosi Out? Find Somebody Better.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a22718149/nancy-pelosi-democratic-leader-replace-campaign/
You Want Nancy Pelosi Out? Find Somebody Better.
And before all that, give an accurate accounting of her not-inconsiderable accomplishments.
By Charles P. Pierce
Aug 13, 2018
All right, if we must, let's talk about Nancy Pelosi. She is in the unenviable position of being both the perfect target for the lower forms of algae who comprise the Republican base and the people who pander to them, as well as being one of the Democrats' most formidable fundraisers and (perhaps) the greatest Democratic legislative leader since Sam Rayburn and Lyndon Johnson. Texans, as the traitor R.E. Lee once said, always move them.
So there is more than a little talk of replacing her as a potential Speaker if her party retakes the majority in the House in November. But we must have some parameters for our discussion, so here they are:
2) "We need new blood" is not, in and of itself, dispositive, in that it's one of those things on which Democrats tie themselves in knots while Republicans are perfectly willing to leave the Senate Judiciary Committee in the hands of Chuck Grassley, who is 236 years old.
3) We have to have a good-faith stipulation of Pelosi's not inconsiderable accomplishments.
For example, not a single Democratic member of the House voted for any of the schemes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, nor for the ludicrous tax package that the president* signed into law. Red state, blue statein the House, it didn't matter, because Nancy Pelosi held her caucus together. That takes a kind of otherworldly political skill, considering that Chuck Schumer is forever calculating which of his senators he can afford to lose while waiting patiently for Susan Collins to sell someone out again.
Pelosi's performance since Camp Runamuck opened for business not only has been a masterclass in how to manage the limited power of a legislative minority, but also it has given all Democratic House candidates, both incumbents and non-incumbents, a consistent platform on which to run. As Speaker, let us recall, she helped shepherd through the most significant social program passed by Congress since Medicare and Medicaid, and then, as minority leader, she held her caucus unanimous in its support.
She is not incorrect to point out that a lot of the criticism aimed at her is both ageist and sexist, and that's where a lot of this new blood business comes in. Pelosi can fairly be criticized for not grooming young leadership to succeed her, but, you'll have to forgive her, she was busy trying to keep the Republicans from selling off the Grand Canyon to Exxon, and from turning Social Security into a Keno parlor. I would point out, however, that the problem of new leadership is solving itself, both in elections to the House and in the election of state legislators around the country.
If Pelosi had allowed her caucus in the House to split on the ACA or on tax-cuts, a lot of those Democrats would have had a harder push in their elections. I would argue, for example, that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has had an easier time selling Medicare For All because the ACA was still largely intactunless you're one of those heighten-the-contradictions dopes who would prefer to have the whole system fail, and to have people sicken and die while you build something else from the bottom up that no Republican ever would approve.
No, if you're going to convince me on Nancy Pelosi, you're going to have to come up with a better argument than the fact that she's old. This is a pivot point in history. Who are the alternatives? Tim Ryan? Seth Moulton? If you want to see all hell break loose in the Democratic caucus, put a white male into the Speakership after showing Pelosi the door. I heard someone mention Hakeem Jeffries of New York, whom I find intriguing, but the fact remains that a new Democratic majority is going to have to be the primary brake on a renegade presidency on every issue from healthcare, to congressional oversight, to a possible impeachment. I know who I want whipping votes if the latter comes to pass.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Thank you Mr. Pierce!
onit2day
(1,201 posts)from last year. If you know Florida voter tell them to go to vote.org to ck if they are still registered. vote.org, vote.org tell everyone to ck their registration.
DownriverDem
(6,228 posts)I don't get folks who think Nancy needs to go. It is so clear they do not know all she does and has done. No one should run on getting rid of her either. Who are these folks that seem to not know anything about Nancy?
Docreed2003
(16,858 posts)There is no substitute for experience!
spooky3
(34,439 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(31,109 posts)ideas of how they can do it better.
Yeah, that's the ticket
Autumn
(45,056 posts)stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)GopherGal
(2,008 posts)That should probably tell you enough right there.
I shudder to imagine what would have passed in the past 18 months if Paul Ryan had been half as effective as Pelosi, but you know the deplorables would be lauding him as god-emperor.
FSogol
(45,480 posts)brer cat
(24,560 posts)lindysalsagal
(20,670 posts)marieo1
(1,402 posts)I have seen her fight over the years. I think the only thing they can say 'against' her is that she is 78 years young. She is still very effective and a super fighter. Grassley is 84 and McConnell is 76!!! No one says a word about their age, because they are men. Since when does age have anything to do with anything unless they have Alzheimers!!! lol. They are grasping at straws just trying to find a reason to justify their negative comments.
pazzyanne
(6,549 posts)We do need young blood for their energy and ideas, but that does not mean we turn our backs on experience leaders who have proven track records in working for Democrats. Nancy gives consistent results in the House against fierce repug push back. It is time that we stop throwing talent under the bus because the repugs want us to do just that. We need both younger newbies to revitalize Democrats and seasoned people with proven leadership to provide stability.
theaocp
(4,236 posts)Is this just hyperbole about fighting the Republicans or is there something I missed? I'd like to knock some conservatives over the head with her work, but I don't remember the exercises referenced above. I don't like knocking people when they don't deserve it, nor do I like giving accolades when they're undeserved. What is the OP talking about? If it's just standard fighting against the opposition, I'm all for it. I just want clarity. For those who want to attack me for this post, please just educate me with what I asked for or do something else that will bring you joy. This place is a slog these days. Thanks.
Older Than I Look
(95 posts)Then there's this:
https://247wallst.com/energy-business/2008/05/23/putting-oil-wel/
theaocp
(4,236 posts)I'm seriously not trying to just argue, but want to have ammo. Otherwise, there's nothing to justify supporting her. Thanks!
babylonsister
(171,056 posts)Pelosi Statement on Top Social Security Republicans Bill to Slash Benefits
Dec 9, 2016
Press Release
Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616
Apparently nothing upsets House Republicans like the idea of hard-working people getting to enjoy a secure and dignified retirement. While Speaker Ryan sharpens his knives for Medicare, Chairman Johnsons bill is an alarming sign that Republicans are greedily eying devastating cuts to Americans Social Security benefits as well.
Cutting Social Security would have devastating consequences for Americans retirement security. At a time when Americans are more anxious about their retirement than ever, the top Republican on the Social Security Subcommittee is rolling out legislation that cuts benefits by more than a third, raises the retirement age from 67 to 69, cuts seniors cost of living adjustments, and targets benefits for the families of disabled and retired workers.
Slashing Social Security and ending Medicare are absolutely not what the American people voted for in November. Democrats will not stand by while Republicans dismantle the promise of a healthy and dignified retirement for working people in America.
theaocp
(4,236 posts)I can certainly google on my own, but REALLY appreciate you helping me out. This is the feeling I WANT to get from DU and actually gives me warm fuzzies. Yay!
babylonsister
(171,056 posts)theaocp
(4,236 posts)I'll have to look at it in greater detail later. While it's not immediately about the Grand Canyon, I get the hyperbole now.
worstexever
(265 posts)I love his columns.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Post removed
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)My impression from the moment Obama took office in 2009 was that the administration had no interest in prosecuting the Bush Administration en masse. IMO it was a mistake, just as failing to go after the banksters was a mistake. But I think she took her cues from the administration.
I'm more ticked off with her for - if not making impeachment an issue - making going after corruption an issue.
summer_in_TX
(2,733 posts)She did what was possible, not what some wanted her to do (and I was one of those pushing for W's impeachment).
In the 2006 elections, Dems took control of both houses of Congress but they had 49 Democrats in the Senate, plus two Independents who caucused with them. Well short of the two-thirds required for a successful impeachment.
She ruled it out because it wasn't achievable. The various Democratic committees did investigate various abuses and got some accountability done. The FBI however was controlled by the Republican in the White House and there was no special counsel investigating so investigations that could reveal "high crimes and misdemeanors" and ensure the American public would demand impeachment. It needed to be more than Dems calling for it for it to be considered a valid action, I'd say with the benefit of hindsight.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)Unfortunately, manufacturing blame out of discontent and/or antipathy is extremely common.
wryter2000
(46,037 posts)I am so sick of the wailing "She took impeachment off the table!"
She said that during the extremely important 2006 campaign. Pushing for something that would never get BushII out of office was a loosing strategy. Plus, if you think of it...if she'd managed to eject Bush and Cheney at the same time, she would have been President. She would have looked totally self-serving and power-hungry if she'd agitated for impeachment.
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)FakeNoose
(32,634 posts)However I also believe that it's time to start training younger people, so somebody will be ready to take over in a few years. Nancy can delegate some of the important, hard work and at the same time she can be a mentor while people get valuable experience working with her.
This way everyone can relax and stop talking about Nancy's age, which is mostly irrelevant. Her effectiveness as a leader (and mentor) is the only criterion that she should be judged on.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)...withholding vital info and important tasks? Do you have any idea how staffers get hired and interns get appointed? They apply for jobs in Congress and work their butts off because they want to learn the political ropes from the inside out. Then voila they have experience -- and references. The Speaker is not in charge of all those positions.
I just can't
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)The people who are running around the country giving speeches and are all over television criticizing Pelosi and claiming they should be the new party leaders because doing what it takes to develop into a Congressional leader is hard, grueling inside-the-house work that they won't do because that sh#t is too hard.
The people who are grooming themselves for leadership are doing it the way Pelosi did it - and are doing it right alongside her with her guidance and support - slogging along, building relationships, late nights working on the Floor, in the cloakroom, and on the phones, learning the rules, the procedures, legislative strategy, raising money for their colleagues, email, etc.
They're not in our faces or in our ears constantly telling us what great leaders they'd be because they're too busy doing the work it takes to actually BE a great leader.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Congressional leaders identify those who rise above or otherwise stand out in the crowd for good reasons. Also others who are becoming competent, responsible members of the caucus. This is a crucially important, ongoing part of being a congressional leader.
They choose whose abilities and personal power they should help develop, including by positioning on important committees and giving special assignments.
Of course some ambitious people aren't suited to this path to power for whatever reasons (Ted Cruz, Tulsi Gabbard for outstanding examples), including impatience, look for other routes to power, but people need to realize this is what is happening.
Me.
(35,454 posts)along with Post #39
brer cat
(24,560 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)mcar
(42,302 posts)NBachers
(17,107 posts)brush
(53,766 posts)GeorgeGist
(25,319 posts)from getting Democrats elected.
babylonsister
(171,056 posts)She's an elected Democrat highly thought of and the majority of us want to keep her.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Guilded Lilly
(5,591 posts)Squinch
(50,949 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,339 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Pierce said what Ive been trying to say for months - only better, smarter and funnier.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)wryter2000
(46,037 posts)He's not only amazingly astute, but he can write better than anyone else around. I'm totally jealous.
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)I've always wanted to be your "boyfriend."
happy feet
(869 posts)heaven05
(18,124 posts)JaneQPublic
(7,113 posts)Why can't our reps and rep candidates answer with this when hounded by the media about Pelosi?
geardaddy
(24,926 posts)Paladin
(28,252 posts)I got more than a belly-full of ageism back during the 2016 campaign. It was directed at me here at DU, by posters I took to be arrogant young Bernie worshippers---but who, in fact, may have been Russian disruptors. In any case, if you want to replace Pelosi (someone I've found plenty to disagree with over the years), you better come up with somebody damn good. Happy hunting.
Wounded Bear
(58,647 posts)If someone better comes along, sure, elect them Speaker. As for now, I don't see anybody better than Nancy.
lark
(23,093 posts)As always you are a bastion of logic and clear thinking. Pelosi delivers is paramount to know, the pretenders, not as much.
Brainstormy
(2,380 posts)lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)calimary
(81,220 posts)She never brought a bill to the floor of the House for a vote unless she knew for sure itd pass. She never got outflanked or surprised by a small band of renegades or malcontents. Boehner got short-sheeted all the time. Rolled, and rolled again, and rolled yet again a third time. And onward. She wouldnt have stood for that, and she never did. And I rather LIKE the idea of the House led by a WOMAN again. And second-in-line to the presidency.
Gee - just imagine. If we were able to get rid of trump and then Pence too, then wed finally get the First Female President after all.
happy feet
(869 posts)Progressive dog
(6,900 posts)Nancy Pelosi has been one of the best legislative leaders the Democratic party has ever had. The Democratic party that I belong to would not even whisper about replacing her.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)samplegirl
(11,476 posts)N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,721 posts)Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Past accomplishments should be recognized, but is no reason to give someone the helm in a changed environment.
Take a look at the video of her being giddy that she & Schumer have an agreement with Trump to move forward with DACA. Naive, at best. Even a reporter asks to confirm if she trusts Trump. Oh, yes, she says...very happy. The next day he reneged, like he always does. She and Schumer don't understand that they aren't in a normal government, any more. They are not dealing with a normal Senate & House of Representatives, a normal President. It's more like a mafia, with ties to Putin.
They can't help it. It's hard to change to a new environment and recognize the pot is boiling, when you've been in it the whole time.
summer_in_TX
(2,733 posts)I suspect she felt confident because she thought Trump would calculate it would help him and his party.
A learning process for all involved. The American people too.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)That's why I pointed out the reporter even asked her if she "trusted" Trump to keep the agreement. She's so naive. She and Schumer really didn't get it. Excusable for me and you, maybe. But a leader of the Democratic Party? With all that's gone on with him? The things he's done, the deals he's broken, the collusion with Russia, the lies he tells every time he opens his mouth? And they believed him?
peggysue2
(10,828 posts)Hits the mark squarely. We win in November? We're going to need a strong, steady hand. Pelosi fits the bill like no other. She'll step aside eventually after applying those masterstrokes to get this runaway train back on track.
But for the moment?
We should all be happy that Pelosi has proven herself the Energizer Bunny with awesome legislative skills. Which is why the Republicans despise her.