How the Pelosi "issue" will end

[Jersey Devil]

Nancy will win overwhelmingly in the Dem caucus vote with a few dissenters and those who swore on their mothers' graves that they would never, ever vote for her for Speaker will vote "present" in the full vote on the floor. All the rest is theater staged for the media so that individual reps can get a bit more media attention. Apparently, their campaigns did not get their names in print enough times for them, so this gets them a bit more attention than the anonymity that they will get as freshman congressional members thereafter.

If there was really someone in the wings who could compete with Pelosi as an alternative I could understand all the attention it is getting, but there isn't anyone who comes within miles of her in terms of experience or accomplishments. I think Dems would be complete idiots to seriously consider anyone else.

[PubliusEnigma]

1. Speaker Pelosi. That's how it will end. But that's just the beginning!

[samnsara]

56. well i hope it ends as Madam President Pelosi...after

..trump is arrested and pence resigns

[Johnny2X2X]

2. I'm not sure of this

I know I like Pelosi a lot, but I want a vigorous debate about this, let's hear about other options and let them make their case. I am for whoever gives us the absolute best chance to win in 2020.

I think there should be a debate, do you think I am an idiot?

This idea that we can't look at the options and discuss them is disturbing. The shouting down of anyone questioning Pelosi as speaker is wrong. No one is attacking Pelosi by saying let's look at all the options and pick the best one.

[MaryMagdaline]

3. If there were other options, I think we would have heard by now

There are a few names out there, but no groundswell support for anyone else, and frankly, no exciting candidate.

Is Nancy Pelosi the best candidate for Speaker? As Barny Frank used to say, compared to what?

[Johnny2X2X]

4. I want it to be discussed or debated

If the conclusions of that discussion/debate are what you describe, then yes, Pelosi is the only option. Do you think we have 0 other people capable of being a great speaker out of 235 House members? If that is the case the party is in terrible shape.

The fact that people are being shouted down and called sexist for saying we need to look at all our options is disturbing.

[MaryMagdaline]

7. My point is, I don't know

Only names I have heard are Fudge and Ryan. Did they put their hats in the ring?

What names are we debating?

[Johnny2X2X]

8. We don't even know who will be ion Congress yet

There are still several elections too close to call, we don't even have a complete caucus yet, why the rush?

[2naSalit]

29. With all that is at stake and that must be done on day one

we don't have time to wait. it is obvious there is no other strong leader who can guide us through this nightmare and out to the light of day than the woman who just guided us to the greatest House turnover in over a century... but let's discuss this while the clock is ticking.

Await the proper time for this debate which would be some time in the not so distant future, just not right this minute.

[Johnny2X2X]

31. Day 1 is 7 weeks away!

The fact that this is being rushed makes me really want to take a pause longer, I want to hear all sides, I want to listen to who may be better, and now I really want to know why Pelosi supporters thinks there can be no bedate at all or you are a closet Republican.

[2naSalit]

33. I beg your pardon!

I am a lifelong Democrat and have no regrets about it.

Hem and haw as you like, there is no other option for this nation than to have Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House at this time and place. I have been paying attention to politics since Eisenhower was in office and participating in my government since before I was of voting age. And I hold an advanced degree in political science, thank you very much.

There is one side right now, get over your personal need for frivolity and get with the team effort with regard to stopping the mass destruction of our country and turn it around. There are no other better options until a certain number of actions take place. The first and most important thing right now is Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House.

I am quite certain that some shocking events are about to take place which few have considered. I suspect that this will turn out to be far more important than many imagine at the moment.

[True Blue American]

46. There are always

Those who are full of themselves who won an election, can not even find the water cooler yet think they should run things. It does not work that way.

Right now we need a strong,capable Leader who knows what she is doing to set the agenda.

But keep in mind all this,” Democrats fight among themseleves,” the Republicans are not doing so hot right now. Keep your eye on that. They have the same leaders. Ryan quit because he saw the writing on the wall,even in his home state.

Nancy will win,she will train the best to take over. A closed door vote is to be November 28th.

[2naSalit]

34. and to your concern with the time frame...

Nancy has already formulated initial committees and has been working on what needs to happen each and every day from yesterday to Jan 3 and beyond. You seem to think that on the job training at a crucial point in our dilemma is a valuable thing and it's okay if they mess up when we have no time for such things.

[True Blue American]

47. Right!

Not now! Too much is at stake and we have 2 years!

[LiberalFighter]

44. Day 1 may be 7 weeks away

but every second without the Speaker determined puts the Democrats at a disadvantage. The Democrats need to know ASAP who they will be working with as Speaker and to promote themselves for the key committee positions they have an interest. Any delay will also be criticized by the Republicans and DT. When the Speaker is determined she will then have the task along with her fellow leadership to assign committee assignments. That is not an easy task to do with nearly 240 members especially with members wanting a different committee from the past and not knowing enough about new members. New members may not be sure what they would want. And not everyone will be totally happy. And then they need time to get up to speed on their committee assignments if they are new or there is a change for the new session too.

[Doitnow]

67. I like to look at candidates' RECORDS to see if they are the best. Words and promises

don't go far enough. They have to have had experience in something similar to the position they are wanting. A RECORD. They have to show that they have actually performed capably and in a manner that benefits most of the people, not the top few. How many people would like to start at the top?----lots of them. That's simply not good enough. They have to prove themselves first, then come back and show their worth before being considered.

[haele]

13. Fudge more or less has her hat in the ring.

I haven't heard any other names seriously bandied about. Karen Bass just said she's voting for Pelosi, and she was the only other serious name I've heard.
What really frosts me is that Steney Hoyer was just re-confirmed by vote with no issues, but Nancy Pelosi...Oh, no, she's got to go, she's too old, too "San Fransisco", not progressive enough, too much of a lightning rod, etc., etc., etc...

Face it, for most, she's that High School Senior Civics teacher who won't take any guff or BS about how being the treasurer and secretary of a local freshwater turtle fancier's club based out of the local hobbyist pet store somehow gets one the same civics and political understanding as someone who busted their butts as a congressional page over the summer for the state legislature.

Granted, the politics in those local fancier's clubs can be vicious, but their political focus and actions are internal - very small and constrained, and everyone is always working to more or less the same goal, unlike real world Congress. The long-term implications of any of the actions rarely has any affect on people's lives or rights outside of the group.

Haele

[Johnny2X2X]

35. Wow.

"but Nancy Pelosi...Oh, no, she's got to go, she's too old, too "San Fransisco", not progressive enough, too much of a lightning rod, etc., etc., etc.."

Literally no one has said those things.

This is actually giving me more pause now. Why is there this rush, why are people flying off the handle saying people are saying things about Pelosi that they simply haven't been saying?

On this board today. all I've said is I want to hear the other options and have a debate, for that I've been:
"Called a troll Republican."
"Called a sexist and a misogynist."
"Told that the debate is over, there are zero other options to consider."
"Told I am repeating Republican talking points."
"Told that time has run out and there is no more time to discuss this."

I actually like Pelosi, she's been great and she has the added bonus for me of really pissing off Republicans. But I want to hear the other options, a name or two is surfacing, let them make their case, and let Pelosi make her case too.

[LiberalFighter]

45. We don't get a say in the matter. We are not members of Congress.

Whether they make their case will be mostly be behind closed doors or one on one. With those that will be doing the voting.

[LakeArenal]

68. You folks are discussing and debating it right now..

And will continue as any names are put forward.

[Jersey Devil]

5. Sure, certainly it should be debated

But so far I have not heard a single person put up as a candidate that we can debate about, unless you want to count Fudge, who, frankly, I never heard of before the past few days.

All I hear is opposition to Pelosi, but with no real alternatives proposed. So what is there to "debate"?

[Johnny2X2X]

6. Well yes

It's been 10 days since the elections, we don't even know who all of the members of our caucus are yet. Debate it, I want to see names. But absence of names doesn't mean there aren't capable Dems.

.Why are people shouting down anyone who says we need to have a debate about the next speaker? This is a big choice that could sway 2020, if Pelosi is the leader that gives us the best chance for 2020 I want to hear her case too.

[EffieBlack]

30. Are you suggesting that someone who was just elected - or hasn't even been elected yet

could be a contender for Speaker?

[brush]

9. Now is the time for unity. Pelosi as speaker and be done with it and get on...

with confronting trump's wannabe fascism.

The rest is a waste of time.

[Johnny2X2X]

11. We are democrats!

Now is the time for democracy, now is always the time for democracy. We have a big party tent, listen to all sides, discuss, and then move forward. Not doing so will guarantee some of those brand new Democratic Congressmen are out of jobs in 2 years.

Absolutely ridiculous that people are trying to brow beat people into supporting Nancy Pelosi and only Nancy Pelosi.

Why the hurry? We don't even know who will be in Congress yet, several races are still too close to call, those potential Democratic Congress people don't matter at all?

[brush]

12. Pls stop kidding yourself. Pelosi has the votes. All this is a waste of time.

There are important battles to fight and this ain't one.

[Johnny2X2X]

17. Nonsense

This Congress won't even be seated for several weeks, there is plenty of time to talk about this and give people a chance to voice their opinions.

It's this type of bullshit that gave Democrats a bad name during the 2016 Primaries.

[brush]

20. Don't try re-writing history. Disunity helped defeat us in 2016.

Is your memory that short?

[Johnny2X2X]

21. Disunity created by shutting down other opinions

You want disunity? Threaten these freshmen congress people to go back on their campaign promises, you'll get your disunity in spades.

Shouting down opposing voices does not create unity. Letting them speak, discussing fairly, and then moving forward together creates unity.

[brush]

22. They'll have their say (repeating anti-Pelosi, repug influenced talking points),

but after they're finished, Pelosi will be elected speaker.

Hope they have the good sense to vote "present" when it comes to the floor of the full House so they can then go back their district and say "I didn't vote for Pelosi".

[Johnny2X2X]

25. That's exactly what I am talking about

Saying that any criticism is anti Pelosi Republican Talking points is bullshit. I have criticisms myself and I like her.

There are legit things to discuss.

[brush]

27. In politics no one ever agrees with anyone 100% of the time.

Last edited Fri Nov 16, 2018, 03:33 PM - Edit history (1)

These anti-Pelosi people are no different. But they can't even come up with someone who they like better or even has the cohones to challenger her so they need to stop wasting our time.

[LBM20]

59. That's right. A discussion of some change and new ideas is also NOT sexist or ageist!!

[LBM20]

58. It is not "Anti Pelosi." It is Pro-Change. There need to be occasional leadership changes or

you get stagnation. I am fine with Pelosi and Hoyer being in for another few years, but then we need to seriously look at some change.

Time for some new blood.

[brush]

66. Who? Some are hollaring for change (#FiveWhiteGuys and some newbies)...)

but no one has the cohones to step up and challenge Pelosi who just raised 49m for the party which helped deliver the blue wave change we just had.

Might try researching the bills she pushed thru the House when working with Pres. Obama, one being the ACA with public option (repugs stripped that part out in their Senate version of the bill).

Experience of the in-and-outs of House procedural protocol is vital now in thwarting the disaster that is the trump admin and complicit repugs. We don't need on the job training now.

[Gore1FL]

39. So then why the hand wringing?

Let the vote happen then we move on.

[brush]

40. It'll happen in the Dem caucus and all the ones afraid that the repugs don't like...

Pelosi can vote against her while they search for one of their number who even has the cohones to challenge her.

They're still searching btw.

Once the vote gets to the floor of the whole House they will vote present so they can go back to their district and say "I didn't vote for Pelosi".

Some want to go through this charade.

[MrsCoffee]

16. Pelosi told anyone interested in running for the position to "come on in, the water is warm".

No one is shutting down discussion. In fact the discussion has been going on for quite some time now.

For fuck's sake there was nothing but blabbering without even offering up another option.

There is no one better for the job. The writing is on the wall.

[LBM20]

57. That's right. Parties need periodic changes in leadership. I am all good with Pelosi for another

year or two, but at least within a few years we need to seriously look at new leadership. And not just Pelosi. Hoyer too.

[Midwestern Democrat]

63. Agreed. Personally, I think we should have an entirely new House leadership by 2022 at the latest.

In this scenario (Pelosi retires in 2022), ideally, we should elect either a new Majority Whip or a new Majority Leader in 2020 with the understanding that this person takes over for Pelosi in 2022. Of course, if we lose the majority in 2020, Pelosi/Hoyer/Clyburn should all be ousted on the spot.

[INdemo]

10. There are/were a few incoming Democratic Freshman Congressmen

that have all the wrong reasons for not supporting Pelosi. Its as if they were reading from a Republicans script when interviewed.

So did we actually end up with a few Republican lites in the House?

[haele]

15. We always had a few Republican lites as Democrats. Because those are their constituants.

They had to be able to appeal enough to the conservative church-goer types who have finally realized that the GOP was going to take away their healthcare and their social safety net without any jobs to show for it to win. So they ran on preserving the ACA, social decency, and against Nancy Pelosi (even though she got the ACA passed) and her anti-gun, socialist, feminist, pro-Gay agenda, because that was what was going to win those districts.
They were still conservatives running against other conservatives.
Give them some jobs, hope, improvement to run on and they can win their districts back even with a "present" vote that is neither for or against Nancy Pelosi.
If they can tell - and show - their constituents "your life is going to be better", they'll get re-elected, even with that San Francisco she-devil or whomever she's passing her gavel on to in charge.

Haele

[INdemo]

23. Ok ..well at least they count toward the Majority!! right?

[True Blue American]

48. We used to call

Republican Lites,” Blue Dogs,” Democrats in name only.

But getting elected by Republicans who finally figured out they are losing their health care, did not get a huge tax cut are votes they needed.

[Johnny2X2X]

19. They made campaign promises

I expect them to keep their promises if they promised to oppose Pelosi remaining speaker.

And party leadership needs to respect that too, if Pelosi has the votes, fine, but let people oppose her now if that's what they promised their voters they'd do, they will all support her after this fight is over, but the thing is that there are people who are saying not to even listen to debate. That's a problem.

[pwb]

54. So you think everyone who voted for her was a vote against Nancy Pelosi? Come on....

Think again.

[Adrahil]

14. I've been an advocate of new leadership....

But the way some of the asshats act, I want her to get the gavel now.

[MrsCoffee]

18. +1

[True Blue American]

49. I see +1

So I am +2!

[Doitnow]

24. I think media wants to create a conflict where none exists. Remember, Nancy

Pelosi knows how to count votes. A big reason she is so confident. She's done a very good job in the past--no doubt she will continue to do the same.

[EffieBlack]

32. The media has been ginning this up for months

And only asking about Pelosi, not about the male leaders.

It the press had spent half as much time doing "McConnell and Schumer don't have 100% support in their caucus" stories and hounding everyonr with a pulse to state whether they would vote for them to keep their leadership jobs, they'd be in a world of trouble right now and, unlike Pelosi, they'd have no hope of survival.

[JustAnotherGen]

38. This times 1000

There are very few people qualified - Pelosi, Lewis, Waters -

And Lewis and Waters aren't turncoats. So it's not happening.

[libdem4life]

26. It's just too early. Republicans hate her and I believe are likely behind this.

She needs to train a successor. Partisan politics does not make a good Speaker. Their ignorance of this fact ... and likely the duties and skills and experience needed ... speaks volumes. It's petty, personal and just stupid...at this moment. Later, fine. She's not been my favorite, either.

A week after the Midterms...great timing...again, for the Republicans. Gawd, can't we have some time to ride our brand new Blue Wave. I think the naysayers are positioned on the beach watching...and damn jealous.

I must believe that superior minds will prevail.

[True Blue American]

50. Of course they hate her!

Nancy can run rings around Republicans and they know it.

Republicans have lost 2 Leaders, retired,hah, could not manage anything except try and destroy the ACA. Thanks to one brave man, John McCain they failed!

Now we can fix it. And if Mitch and his gang refuse, we can oust them!

[BlueJac]

28. Pelosi wins!

[allgood33]

36. How many "present" votes or "no" voters will get placed on substantive committees?

[DeminPennswoods]

37. Speaker Pelosi is how it will end

She's already obtained Karen Bass' endorsement. I believe Bass was in with the "rebels" for a time. Today she met with Marcia Fudge. Fudge told reporters she'd decide "after Thanksgiving", but since the caucus vote is scheduled for Nov 28, that's not a lot of time to wrangle votes.

I think if Pelosi addresses some of the concerns of incoming members, like including younger reps in leadership and a few more open rules, the only opposition left will be the #fivewhiteguys.

[stopbush]

42. All that's left is to learn which Ds got the shittiest committee assignments

or no assignments at all.

To quote Ralphie in “A Christmas Story” - “Oh, fuuudge!”

[saljr1]

43. My problem is

Why is a 2nd term congressman from Massachusetts who loves his face on national tv ( CNN) going on tv and saying we have the votes to block her without meeting behind doors with all seniority leaders and discussing it. Mr. Moulton thanks for your service to this great country and it's time for you to find another job. You just can't try to remove someone from leadership without long discussion in private and a better alternative. Nancy is the right choice for these trying times. Maybe in 2 years after 2020 elections is the time to think about younger faces for the Party leadership positions.

[RelativelyJones]

51. I hope Moulton comes out with egg on his face.

[BeyondGeography]

52. It will end when she commits to leaving after this term

Asked whether Pelosi could smooth her return to the speakership by pledging to serve only one additional term, Fudge replied: “Absolutely. No question about it.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/fudge-says-she-might-delay-a-decision-on-whether-to-challenge-pelosi-for-speaker/2018/11/16/a6c39b2c-e9b8-11e8-bbdb-72fdbf9d4fed_story.html?utm_term=.d0efe06037e2

[Jersey Devil]

60. Perhaps, but that chip is not played up front

If serving one term is the deal maker it would be wise for her to hold back that chip until needed at the end. In the meantime, she probably can get support by making deals to put younger, more progressive members on important committees, promoting members of the black caucus to leadership positions, etc.

Personally, I think all the jockeying right now is perfectly normal for a party assuming control of the House for the first time in a while. It would be strange if members were not seeking influence and leadership roles for themselves and their constituents.

[BeyondGeography]

62. What's strange is no change at the top

Not just Pelosi, but Hoyer and Clyburn look set to stay too. It’s a waste of two years and a bad look for the party if you ask me, but nobody’s askin’.

[Jersey Devil]

64. I look at the next 2 years as a setup period

We aren't going to get anything actually enacted into law in the next 2 years. The Senate will not even vote on legislation passed by the House and even if they did, and approved it, Trump would veto it.

So I think we would do best by setting the table and saying to the public, "This is what you will get in the future if Democrats are in control", and passing all kinds of progressive legislation in the House on health care, voting rights, jobs, infrastructure, etc., etc. I think Nancy would be very effective and efficient in passing such legislation and certainly not a "waste" of time.

In the meantime, over those 2 years, some of the younger members will learn the things necessary to govern once we really do take control.

[Midwestern Democrat]

65. Honestly, Clyburn should have been bumped from leadership back in 2010. When we lost the House in

2010, Pelosi should have allowed the traditional process to play itself out - the minority party only has two leadership positions instead of three - so what Pelosi SHOULD have done is let Hoyer and Clyburn run against each other for Minority Whip - a race Hoyer would have won. Had Pelosi simply allowed the normal process to happen, right now we would have an opportunity to elect a younger, rising star Democrat as Majority Whip. Instead, Pelosi created an entirely new leadership position in 2010 so Clyburn could remain in the leadership and essentially be Majority Whip in Waiting.

[Eric J in MN]

69. Congressman Joe Crowely (D-NY), Caucus Chair, is on his way out of Congress.

And Barbara Lee (D-CA) wants to be Caucus Chair. I hope she is.

Link to tweet

[irresistable]

53. The skills that make her a great Speaker, are the same skills that she is using to win it.

She WILL be speaker, because no one else has the skills to defeat her.

[samnsara]

55. the new congress is like a new puppy being thrown into a household of older established dogs...

..there will be a fight for pecking order and the puppy gets his butt whupped a few times but the pup eventually settles down into his role as the STUDENT and will eventually mature its way as the head of the pecking order.

[Jersey Devil]

61. Excellent description, and all perfectly normal

The only problem in these situations is that there are not enough bones to toss around. Satisfy the most aggressive among them and the others will probably fall in line.

[joet67]

70. It will end in her election.