General Discussion

Brenda

(1,576 posts) Mon Apr 28, 2025, 04:36 PM Apr 28

108

75-Year-Old Democrat Who Beat AOC for Key Role Resigns After 4 Months [View all]

Reminder that in December, Nancy Pelosi, from her hospital bed, whipped the vote for Gerry Connolly—who'd recently been diagnosed with throat cancer—against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

On Monday, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) tendered his resignation as ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, a key role during a presidential administration that’s churning out hourly (minutely???) corruption scandals. He’ll be “stepping back as Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee soon,” he wrote in the resignation letter, without offering a precise date, and adding that this will also be his last term in Congress. Six months ago, Connolly, who’s 75 years old, announced his throat cancer diagnosis—in his letter, Connolly shared the devastating news that “the cancer, while initially beaten back, has now returned.”

Hey Democratic leadership: You're doing it wrong!

https://www.jezebel.com/75-year-old-democrat-who-beat-aoc-for-key-role-resigns-after-4-months

108 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

75-Year-Old Democrat Who Beat AOC for Key Role Resigns After 4 Months [View all] Brenda Apr 28 OP

Who'da thunk it? BeyondGeography Apr 28 #1

I've known three people who have had that cancer. He lasted longer than what I Autumn Apr 28 #2

Post removed Post removed Apr 28 #6

And I'm married to someone with that cancer and she's doing fine three years in. onenote Apr 29 #41

I'm glad your wife is doing so well. My cousins son wasn't so lucky. nt Autumn Apr 29 #50

Thank you for speaking out for the Congressman, who has always had a good reputation as a strong Dem Hekate Apr 29 #69

Thanks onenote Apr 29 #75

A fighter indeed Hekate Apr 29 #82

Perhaps this is the time JBTaurus83 Apr 28 #3

Or not... there are more senior and experienced people ahead of her.... getagrip_already Apr 28 #30

She's not even a member of the Committee. onenote Apr 29 #42

She was a member though, wasn't she. gab13by13 Apr 29 #51

She was, but she chose instead to become a member of Energy and Commerce onenote Apr 29 #52

Who didn't see this coming? IzzaNuDay Apr 28 #4

Exactly. Connolly has served well, but should have stepped down from that position. Raven123 Apr 28 #18

maybe it was his last wish? Give the guy a break LymphocyteLover Apr 28 #20

"Give him a break"? With Democracy on the line? That's a big negatory, good buddy. nt Shipwack Apr 28 #23

He was not going to be the difference FFS. The GOP controls that committee and have not even had LymphocyteLover Apr 28 #34

My last fucking wish could be America doesn't become Alpeduez21 Apr 28 #24

A fascist Demicratic party would have dumped him.nt delisen Apr 28 #32

He wasn't going to keep us away from fascism, FFS LymphocyteLover Apr 28 #33

Agree and it's delusional to think otherwise imo Meowmee Apr 30 #107

Bit of a harsh take, I think. Make a wish? yorkster Apr 29 #84

The US Congress isn't the Make-A-Wish Foundation, especially in these times of the darkly looming Trumpian dictatorship. Celerity Apr 29 #46

A fine strategy at the country club, but not Congress. Duncan Grant Apr 29 #89

" hasn't exactly been energized to take on an existential political fight for the soul of the nation..." IrishBubbaLiberal Apr 28 #5

not just a bad idea Skittles Apr 28 #11

But... but... but... You don't understand! Shipwack Apr 28 #25

OH! OH! and it would be AGEIST to not give him his turn! Skittles Apr 28 #27

I am thinking that the Democratic Party that survives this Trump mess Dan Apr 28 #7

One would hope. sop Apr 28 #9

it will be a different party, for sure LymphocyteLover Apr 28 #21

Pelosi's belief in the Old School DEMs to the detriment of all Democrats. IrishBubbaLiberal Apr 28 #8

gee, who would have thought that about a 75 year old with cancer Skittles Apr 28 #10

Think u and I also used to agree a lot when DU first started IrishBubbaLiberal Apr 28 #12

heyyyyy! Skittles Apr 28 #13

What ageist and ableist claptrap. Ms. Toad Apr 28 #14

No, it is not ageist, it is about truth. Brenda Apr 28 #15

That would be true IF the fact of AOC's age were what was used to reject her. Ms. Toad Apr 28 #17

Preach! Oopsie Daisy Apr 29 #92

So why was AOC passed over for a guy with cancer that admits he wasn't doing the job and is stepping down. Cuthbert Allgood Apr 29 #97

Was someone stating it was the fact of her age that was used to select him over her? Ms. Toad Apr 29 #99

Totally agree. This isn't about any old school Dem leadership. ancianita Apr 28 #16

I agree, will never understand why so many are so quick to throw experience out with the bath water... blue_jay Apr 28 #19

I do believe Conolly got the job because Pelosi stepped in and Pelosi's MadameButterfly Apr 28 #22

The same thing happened in Texas when Jessica Cisneros ran against Henry Cuellar Rob H. Apr 29 #72

Congress is the worst example to use for throwing experience out EdmondDantes_ Apr 29 #49

Thank you for saying this Hekate Apr 29 #71

Thank you, Gerry Connolly, for your years of service. I hope you recover from your cancer. Gore1FL Apr 28 #26

AOC will not "slide in" to the position of Ranking Member on the Oversight Committee. lapucelle Apr 29 #35

I apologize that I didn't spell out the complete process. Gore1FL Apr 29 #45

She can still be elected the ranking member of the Oversight Committee, but she needs a waiver from Dem House leadership Celerity Apr 29 #48

She also needs the votes of the Democratic members. comradebillyboy Apr 29 #63

Lots of folks don't seem to have any idea about how any of this works. lapucelle Apr 29 #79

Yes, one of the chronic disinformation mongers was blaming Nixie Apr 29 #96

And it was a secret ballot. lapucelle Apr 29 #98

As always, a perfect explanation and needed reality/info. Nixie Apr 30 #104

Well, that's a glorious pile of Malarkey (nt) NoRethugFriends Apr 29 #81

well, of course she needs the votes, I was only discussing the procedure where she could even run for the position Celerity Apr 29 #88

I certainly appreciate your explanation of the procedures. comradebillyboy Apr 30 #101

AOC applied for a waiver to be allowed to serve on both committees. It wasn't granted. N/T lapucelle Apr 29 #68

And she chose energy and commerce over oversight onenote Apr 29 #77

Indeed she did. She's wanted to be on Energy and Commerce since her first term. N/T lapucelle Apr 29 #80

😂🤣 Oopsie Daisy Apr 29 #95

What part was funny? nt Gore1FL Apr 29 #100

Cancer is so horrid! Just when you think you have it beat--it pops up its head again. I have known riversedge Apr 28 #28

Not A Good Look, Nancy Chasstev365 Apr 28 #29

Sorry to hear this. I hope that he gets treatment. This does not mean that AOC should just slide question everything Apr 28 #31

AOC is no longer on the Oversight Committee. lapucelle Apr 29 #36

And folks are excoriating David Hogg for proposing we boost new fighters Arazi Apr 29 #37

What is it y'all used to say? "Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command..." Prairie Gates Apr 29 #38

These positions are won by convincing members you are the best person for the job. No matter how much whining is done tritsofme Apr 29 #39

I'm sure the Dems most powerful member putting her thumb on the scale meant nothing Arazi Apr 29 #40

It was an open vote of the Democratic caucus, AOC overwhelmingly lost. tritsofme Apr 29 #43

Pelosi is absolutely welcome to weigh in Arazi Apr 29 #44

Yes, Pelosi has done much to earn the respect of her colleagues, and her opinion matters to them. tritsofme Apr 29 #47

Are you implying AOC was wrong to challenge Connelly? Arazi Apr 29 #56

Not at all, I think it was a valuable learning experience for her. tritsofme Apr 29 #60

Was she not "owning" her loss? Did I miss something? Arazi Apr 29 #62

No, you're right, she handled it fine. However some supporters, OPs like this being a good example tritsofme Apr 29 #64

And in typical fashion, the deciders got it wrong. Renew Deal Apr 29 #53

She's free to try again. tritsofme Apr 29 #54

No. A lot of times they're won because the leadership is pleasing the corporate donors Sky Jewels Apr 29 #59

If you think that is an accurate description of Nancy Pelosi, you are off your rocker. tritsofme Apr 29 #61

It's disgusting slander meant to discourage support of Democrats and encourage hate for them. betsuni Apr 29 #66

Down thread, someone called supporters of Connolly the "cancer of the party". N/T lapucelle Apr 29 #86

Dt, someone called people slipping in needless digs at AOC in their praises for Rep Conolly "cancer of the party SunImp Apr 30 #105

Yep. And while going after fellow Democrats might earn you a lot of likes on social media... W_HAMILTON Apr 30 #106

It is so nice to see the enthusiasm at DU regarding someone's demise, and open the door JohnSJ Apr 29 #55

Yes, that lust to hate Democrats. betsuni Apr 29 #58

I wish him well - truly. I will add, health aside, he wasn't right for the moment. I hope that the party... themaguffin Apr 29 #57

I wish him well and I hope his replacement is someone who's as experienced and respected as he is. Oopsie Daisy Apr 29 #65

It's part of the rule of never giving Democrats the benefit of the doubt, assuming evil corrupt motives betsuni Apr 29 #67

Reasons? You want reasons? --- Well... I'd start by suggesting that vanity and arrogance and virtue signaling... Oopsie Daisy Apr 29 #90

I have to remind myself: Nothing is better than something, incrementalism and compromise for progress is a sin. betsuni Apr 30 #103

Well, his selection kept AOC from getting the job, so he's served his purpose nt Rob H. Apr 29 #70

Connolly was elected by the Oversight Committee, recommended by the Steering Committee, lapucelle Apr 29 #73

The usual cancer of the party out here complimenting Connolly, but at the same time SunImp Apr 29 #74

There's a pretty sizable portion of DU posters comprised of older, conservative Democrats nt Rob H. Apr 29 #83

"The usual cancer of the Party are out here..."? lapucelle Apr 29 #85

That was shameful and disgusting, wasn't it? Oopsie Daisy Apr 29 #91

It was shameful and disgusting. lapucelle Apr 29 #93

It is definitely MAGA level discourse. For shame. tritsofme Apr 29 #94

Gee MorbidButterflyTat Apr 29 #76

Little early for grave dancing. marble falls Apr 29 #78

We can't afford this kind of bullshit orangecrush Apr 29 #87

Perhaps Jared Golden can take his place. DJ Synikus Makisimus Apr 30 #102

The big decision that could shape AOC's future AZProgressive Apr 30 #108