Pelosi Blows Off Calls to Step Down

[DonViejo]

Last edited Thu Jun 22, 2017, 12:46 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Roll Call

Minority leader says of calls from Democrats: ‘It's not up to them’

Posted Jun 22, 2017 11:25 AM
Rema Rahman
@Rema Rahman

Describing herself as “worth the trouble,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Thursday blew off calls from House Democrats for her to step down from leadership in the wake of special election losses this year and failing to gain the majority in four straight national elections.

“It’s not up to them,” she said of members calling for her to let someone else give it a try before calling herself a “master legislator."

The comments were in marked contrast to those of people like Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who Wednesday night on CNN joined some other Democrats in saying it was time for Pelosi to go.

"Whether she's a leader or not is up for the (Democratic) caucus to decide," Moulton said. "It's clear, that I think, across the board in the Democratic Party, we need new leadership. It's time for a new generation of leadership."

Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/pelosi-blows-off-calls-step/

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Pelosi to critics: ‘I think I’m worth the trouble’

BY CRISTINA MARCOS AND MIKE LILLIS - 06/22/17 11:15 AM EDT

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) delivered a defiant message Thursday to those Democrats calling for her ouster following a string of special-election defeats: Bring it on.

“When it comes to personal ambition and having fun on TV, have your fun,” Pelosi said during a press briefing in the Capitol, referring to her detractors making the cable news rounds.

“I love the arena; I thrive on competition; and I welcome the discussion. But I am honored by the support.”

A number of Democrats, most of them younger members, had tried to oust Pelosi last year after President Trump won the White House, and those lawmakers have revived that effort following Tuesday’s special election in Georgia, where Democrat Jon Ossoff was defeated by Republican Karen Handel in the most expensive House race in the nation’s history.

Pelosi’s critics said the outcome was just the latest evidence that Pelosi’s place at the top of the party is a liability as the Democrats seek to pick up the conservative-leaning seats they’ll need to win back the majority in 2018. Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal despised by the right, has long been the subject of GOP attack ads on Democratic candidates, and the Georgia race was no exception.

more
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/338953-pelosi-defends-leadership-after-special-election-losses

[pirateshipdude]

1. I just read a headline stating "if" Pelosi leaves.

Pelosi is not going to step down. She is too strong and focused, knows what is up. The reason so many of us respects her and sees her value in effectiveness.

[obamanut2012]

2. Good -- she shouldn't

Nothing but sexism and misogyny to call for her to step down.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. this will RIP the party apart, EXACTLY what certain folks want...

Forget about the House and Senate, they are gone to the GOP for 20 years.

All judges, courts, etc, rightwing sycophant criminals.


Jesus we are dumb.

[Initech]

15. Exactly what the GOP and Putin want.

It would make them unstoppable.

[Me.]

17. It Seems Like We Can At Times....Be Dumb

Like the people in this new, so called....The People's House Project

[Eliot Rosewater]

22. Oh dear god WHAT is THAT?

I googled, sigh.

You know in NORMAL times, this would be good.

But now we are faced with ....what's the point, they dont get it, they wont get it. Someone told them their candidates had to agree with you know who or they were no good.

[Me.]

25. A Little More Info For You

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029237502

I'm trying to spread the word so their attacks don't get a pass

[ehrnst]

38. FFS. What a bunch of asses. (nt)

[Me.]

39. Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

[bluestarone]

45. i agree 100% and

we better stop this BS and i mean NOW

[lamp_shade]

4. That's my girl. As she said...

One is one. Two is a couple. Three is a few. Four or maybe more is "some". She has full support of the vast majority of her caucus.

[The Wielding Truth]

5. That's OUR GIRL!

[RiverStone]

6. We need a new generation of leadership!

With all due respect to Nancy's big accomplishments and fundraising, she is no longer a unifying fixture in the party. This is particularly true from the perspective of 20 something year-olds ( my kids age)...who see her as uninspiring and not reflecting a winning strategy. She needs to retire!

[ehrnst]

11. Is her job to "inspire 20 somethings" or lead the Dems in congress?

They elected her, and they work with her every day of session. She must be doing something right.

I'll trust their judgement about her, since I'm not in congress myself.

[totodeinhere]

12. I think it's both. n/t

[ehrnst]

16. Do you think Tip O'Neill or Dick Gephardt were "inspiring to 20 somethings?"

Were they ever told that they were supposed to be?

The minority leader is responsible for:

(1) developing the minority position,
(2) negotiating with the majority party,
(3) directing minority caucus activities on the chamber floor and
(4) leading debate for the minority.

The minority leader is chosen by the representatives in the house to do those jobs. The public doesn't choose them, because the public doesn't work in congress, and know who is and isn't effective at the above.

[athena]

46. Excellent post.

Some people watch too much TV and think that being a leader in the House is all about looking good on TV. They don't understand that politicians who look great on TV are rarely the ones who are good at doing the important work of legislating. If Nancy Pelosi were the quintessential "ineffective mediocre female" the sexists want to see her as, the right wing wouldn't be attacking her so fiercely.

In my early days on DU, I used to admire people like Kucinich and Weiner and Spitzer, who all looked so impressive on TV and on YouTube. I was bored with hard-working statesmen and stateswomen who avoided making grandiose statements. At least, I've learned my lesson. It seems others have not.

[RiverStone]

14. Over the last decade Dems have lost over 1000 seats!

That's 1,000 Dem legislative seats at the state and federal level. Im not suggesting Nancy is fully responsible, but as leader she has some culpibility. At the least, the optics are of a formally very successful but now losing coach.

With the orange fascist destroying our country, I don't see Nancy illustrating any new winning strategy. It's time for a fresh reboot.

[ehrnst]

18. So, Pelosi is responsible for Republican Gerrymandering?

I had no idea that she had that kind of power over time and space to prevent it....

[RiverStone]

31. Of course not, but she has culpibility for not articulating a winning strategy

We can't just be about opposing the orange fasict...we also need to show how we can win.

[ehrnst]

37. So... Pelosi "not articulating a winning strategy" is why the GOP won?

The minority leader is responsible for:

(1) developing the minority position,
(2) negotiating with the majority party,
(3) directing minority caucus activities on the chamber floor and
(4) leading debate for the minority

in Congress.


Not seeing developing a strategy for state elections anywhere in there. Has that been added since Nancy was leader?

And perhaps this graphic will put recent "losses" in perspective for you:



Instantaneous change - that lasts - doesn't exist. Incremental change does. Demanding instantaneous change is unrealistic.

[athena]

47. That's an impressive graphic.

I totally agree with you. "Instantanous change that lasts doesn't exist. Incremental change does. Demanding instantaneous change is unrealistic." It took me over a decade of following politics closely to undertsand the truth of that statement.

[Me.]

20. Due Respect

But kids need to be inspired to perform their civic duty and vote? And Nancy is not the head of the party but the Dem House. Her job is to manage the Dems in the House to accomplish what the leaders of the party ask of her/them.

[Eliot Rosewater]

24. So Bernie didnt inspire them?

This approach of yours will divide the party and will result in GOP maintaining control.

You want better candidates? So do I, but not at the expense of losing the one chance of saving the country.

[RiverStone]

30. Bernie did inspire my kids to vote!

What approach are you suggesting i have which divides the party? Just because I don't want to walk in lock step and support Nancy indefinitely?

More than anything, I want Dems to win!

[Eliot Rosewater]

32. Someone said Pelosi was too old to inspire them.

Dont recall if that was you or who.

The point is nothing wrong with Pelosi.

What is wrong is a certain "progressive" out there has convinced many young voters that their candidates have to agree on certain things or they wont vote at all or they will vote 3rd party.

This is deadly.

[RiverStone]

33. That was not me, but we both want younger folk to vote for Dems!

My desire for new House leadership has nothing to do with Nancy's age.

Rather, I seek a unifying individual who inspires both the younger generation and older.

[Eliot Rosewater]

34. But it kinda is when you imply she cant do the job.

Either she is too old to appeal to the young or you are saying she is not a real liberal.

You see, she is. I understand that many progressives dont understand that, though.

If you are actively seeking a FIGHT for power in the D party, which is what this is, then that will almost certainly harm the party at the time we need unity the most.

Simple fact.

[RiverStone]

36. Eliot, I do think a fight for power is healthy!

Thankfully, the Dems exist in a BIG tent. What differentiates us from the rethugs is we don't bow to one voice, one bigot.

We can agree to disagree on Nancy-s optics as leader, but I hope we can find a way to have a vigorous debate that's good for the party.

BTW, she's plenty liberal enough...just not a uniter (anymore). Perhaps we can find someone we ALL agree on who can articulate a winning strategy for 2018?

[ehrnst]

50. Clawing opportunistically at leadership does not healthy, big tent debate.

And that's what I see happening.

[ehrnst]

48. Dems don't demand people walk lockstep - if we did, we would end up like Ralph Nader.

The only leaders demanding lockstep manifesto thinking aren't even in the Democratic party.

[Gothmog]

7. I do not think that Nancy Pelosi should step down

[ehrnst]

8. Well, neither Hillary nor Chelsea is running, so someone has be the lightning rod...(nt)

[cisco man]

35. This is IT!!

These folks have to keep going down the list of dems to find people to demonize.

Please people...Nancy has & is doing her damn job & she's about the best at THIS particular job- personally, I don't know where she gets the energy to keep doing it so well- this shit show is soooo exhausting just to watch. Why is everyone forcing her to be the party's so-called leader to begin with??? It's the same thing with all the finger-pointing at Tom Perez; like he's supposed to perform freakin miracles all of a sudden???? How stupid.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. "failing to gain the majority in four straight national elections. "

This is a disingenuous statement given that in 2010, we were treated to a debut of "Citizens United", with unlimited funding to SuperPacs, and Democrats having lost 63 seats in the House. At the same time, it was a census year and gerrymandering went to the extremes, impacting future elections for the next 5 cycles.

However since that time, we have whittled that deficit down to just a 24 seat difference in this era of rampant gerrymandering, which is significant itself. I.e., a near 40-seat pickup since 2010. In fact, Democrats in the House even gained seats during Obama's off-year 2014 election (although we lost the Senate due to the mechanics of who was up that year).

Large seat pickups don't normally happen for the party controlling the Presidency and 2018 will be the first real test.

[ehrnst]

19. This! (nt)

[BumRushDaShow]

29. It has been tough going but Democrats HAVE been clawing back those seats

under extreme duress -including this recent Russian hacking.

The distractors have lifted the bar so high that some of us readily give up rather than see that we have just about breached it against all odds.

[Midwestern Democrat]

40. The Democrats have picked up 40 House seats since 2010? We had 193 seats after the 2010 disaster

and now hold 194 - a stunningly impressive net gain of one seat. We also didn't gain seats in the House in 2014 - we LOST 13 seats in 2014 - we were down all the way to 188 seats (as someone who was pretty depressed about the Democrats' persistent inability to regain the majority in the 1990s, I never would have imagined back then - even in my darkest, most pessimistic moment - that the Democrats could actually fall below 190 seats in the House).

[ehrnst]

49. See also: Gerrymandering and voter suppression. (nt)

[jcmaine72]

10. Good for her!

I love how Pelosi is suddenly emblematic of any problems the Democratic Party is having right now. I'm glad she's not allowing herself to become the designated pinata du jour from some of the more, shall we say, gullible and jittery elements within our party.

[leftofcool]

13. Good for you, Nancy

Tell them to go fuck themselves.

[Me.]

21. Fight Back Nancy...Don't Put Up With This

Neera Tanden
✔ @neeratanden
One important lesson is that when they go low, going high doesn't f**king work.

[ehrnst]

23. I kept hearing from Tea Partiers how Obama "wasn't being accountable to the citizens"

And they could never specify what it was that he was doing that was "not accountable."

And all this "Pelosi is complacent and inactive" accusations sound like the same vague cover, with no specifics when asked.

All this "Pelosi should be inspiring to the party base, especially 20 somethings," didn't seem to be applied to Dick Gephardt or Tip O'Neill.

If people can't come up with specifics on what the person has actually done, or some responsibility they failed to do, then they should be looking at the root of their anger at this person.

Just like the tea partiers didn't do with Obama.

[Rene]

26. Way to go Nancy....!!!! Stay strong my dear

You're so admired by so many of us.

[Progressive dog]

28. This crap about Pelosi stepping down

because Republicans can make up stuff about her sure doesn't sound like something a real Democrat would ask for. When Democrats decide to stop defending ACA, civil rights, voting rights, then they should call themselves Republicans or whatever--I intend to remain a Pelosi supporting Democrat.

[ellie]

41. Good.

Nancy isn't going anywhere.

[Cha]

42. Good.. looks who's calling for it.

[dalton99a]

43. Excellent.

Fuck that noise

[CakeGrrl]

44. Good for her. Watching side-by-side broadcasts yesterday

at my gym, CNN's topic was Trump saying he didn't have Comey tapes.

Fox News was: Dems who want Pelosi out, Johnny Depp threatening the president.

Too many Dems fall for divide and conquer EVERY TIME.

If the RW bitches about someone, Dems need to figure out that that person is a thorn in the RW's side. That's a GOOD thing.

[The Genealogist]

51. Nancy Pelosi is where she belongs

She's a strong leader and knows what she is doing. I'm sure she is used to being used as the poster child for EBUL LIBRULZZZ and the latest flap isn't phasing her. If it wasn't her we'd be hearing about how a Dem candidate is an ADAM SCHIFF LIBRUL!!!1! or TIM KAINE LIBRUL!1!! or CHUCK SCHUMER LIBRUL#@#!!

[Thinkingabout]

52. Why do you think the GOP runs ads using Pelosi's name? It is because she is very effective

in the House, she has the leadership which produced ACA and she is willing to continue to work.

[tirebiter]

53. In 2000 after the Bush selection there was a demonstration in SF

And Pelosi was the only elected Democrat to show up.

[Tarheel_Dem]

54. Stay strong Nancy!