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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCentrist Group Behind Pelosi Holdouts Plotted to Make Her 'Bogeyman'
As incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi works to consolidate votes for her leadership bid, a group of largely centrist House Democrats have remained holdouts. Publicly, theyre pushing for tweaks to House rules once Democrats take over the chamber in January. But behind the scenes, a leading advocacy group that has helped organize this coalition of moderates has been itching to make life hell for Pelosi.
Internal communications reviewed by The Daily Beast show that early this year the group No Labels, a centrist advocacy organization, contemplated a plan to kneecap Pelosis political standing. In one exchange, a top official with the group even laid out the pros and cons of turning the California Democrat into a bogeyman.
That was well before Democrats took back the House of Representatives. In the weeks since they reclaimed congressional power, Pelosi has sought to earn back the Speakers gavel. And though the vast majority of her caucus supports her bid, moderate Democrats allied with No Labels remain some of the few party members refusing to give her their votes absent concessions from Pelosi and her team.
No Labels has publicly couched its efforts in conciliatory language, posting items on its website that subtly nudge other Democrats towards a Pelosi challenge, or that gently suggest it might be time for a leadership change. The group also wants Pelosi to commit to weakening the power of party leaders and committee chairs, among other measures that it says will empower rank and file members and reduce gridlock.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/centrist-group-behind-pelosi-holdouts-plotted-to-make-her-bogeyman
chowder66
(9,011 posts)in return for consideration on anything they demand or propose.
msongs
(67,199 posts)zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)This is an attempt by the centrists to formalize what they did during the early years of the Obama administration. When you are a centrist/conservadem/Third Way, whatever, you find yourself in a position where you are as close, or closer to many in the minority party as you are to your own party. As such, one can leverage the support of the minority to move legislation without the majority support of ones own party. In essence, they are trying to "undo" the "Hastert rule" which says that any legislation that moves forward must have at least the majority support of the majority party. It allows the centrists of both parties to be in the majority regardless of which party wins an election. A very appealing concept if one is a centrist.
manor321
(3,344 posts)The No Labels people want Republicans in power, period.
pecosbob
(7,511 posts)What revolts me is how many Dems I see connected to these people when I research the group.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2010/12/the-new-political-group-no-labels-shows-why-labels-exist.html
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/the-slick-no-labels-effor_b_1678389.html
Me.
(35,454 posts)All noble and otherwise about just wanting good for the party. These traitors should head back to the Con party and join Lieberman who has had an itch and a grudge ever since the Dems felt obligated to back the Dem candidate in the Conn. Senate race. You know the guy who lost because Lieberman strongarmed everyone, the guy who is now Governor of the State. Whiny white boys, Lieberman, Moulton, and Ryan. I hope the Dems insist on a pound of flesh/no prisoners.
And it doesn't serve Schumer, my senator, well, that he gets on great with them which explains why he hasn't been a great/effective leader.
awesomerwb1
(4,256 posts)Why didn't this crap come up in the primaries???
Are we seriously that innocent*???
* Not really the word I wanted to use.
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)They think the big takeaway from Democrats taking back the House is that the American people want bipartisan compromise with criminal, Nazi-sympathizing liars who are set on turning the world to ashes.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,483 posts)spanone
(135,636 posts)never heard of them
hope i never do again
Gothmog
(144,005 posts)It seems that Nancy Pelosi is ignoring Moulton and this group https://politicalwire.com/2018/11/26/moulton-seeks-negotiations-with-pelosi/
Pelosi, however, has given no indication that she is open to talks with Moulton about a deal for the support of moderate critics, or that she would ever waver in her support for her longtime deputies, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and James Clyburn (D-SC), who are in line to hold the No. 2 and No. 3 posts in the House next year.
I agree with Nancy Pelosi's actions in ignoring Moultin and this group
mcar
(42,210 posts)I hope every freshman Dem gets a bigger office and better committee assignments than this loser.
Gothmog
(144,005 posts)This makes me smile https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/27/1815602/-Pelosi-s-momentum-builds-Voting-against-Pelosi-on-the-floor-is-a-vote-for-the-Republican
Connecticuts Jahana Hayes, who had said she wouldnt support Pelosi, cut right to the chase:
Link to tweet
Illinoiss Jesus Chuy Garcia said in a statement that It is time for Democrats to come together and support a unified agenda of progressive values. I urge my freshman colleagues who are undecided to join me in supporting Leader Pelosi.
According to New Hampshires Chris Pappas, after careful consideration and discussion with many constituents and future colleagues in Congress I believe [Pelosi] is best equipped to lead the House at this point in our history.
Wintryjade
(814 posts)policy. That alone says something about the nine democrats as a part of this group. That defines them.
pwb
(11,205 posts)And democrats have been given no compromise for years and years. All this fake division is getting old, especially here.
suffragette
(12,232 posts)being the ones attacking her.
All in a bid to increase their power and diminish the power of the incoming Democratic majority, many of whom are progressives.
Quite the insight into the machinations of this group.
Kurt V.
(5,624 posts)Gothmog
(144,005 posts)I am not impressed with this group https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/11/05/house-problem-solvers-caucus-has-solved-few-problems-bipartisan-critics-allege/?utm_term=.ed0298951137
In addition to supporting partisan agendas, the Problem Solvers campaign talk about their efforts dramatically outweighs their accomplishments, the groups critics say.....
But many members of Congress and their aides expressed skepticism, sometimes bordering on ridicule, that the organization amounted to much more than a useful talking point. Several argued the legislation cited by Reed and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), the groups Democratic co-chair, would have passed easily with or without the Problem Solvers' support.
They are just roadkill in the legislative process, Jim Manley, who was an aide to former Senate majority leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), said of the Problem Solvers.
Their track record is nonexistent, said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), a liberal member of Congress. Its more of a political cover operation than real legislative operation theres no policy product.
I am really not impressed with this group
Wounded Bear
(58,440 posts)with real Democrats, not so much. I'm sure almost all of us could list a few flaws in Ms Pelosi's resume, but for the most part we all know she's been the most effective leader of the caucus in modern history.
She may be the Wicked Witch of the West, but she's on our side.
mcar
(42,210 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)...they decide to leave the Democratic Party. They'll pay for that in the next election.