Pelosi keeps her grip on Democrats in the House
Pelosi got 134 votes to Ryan’s 63 ”” winning 68 percent of the votes after declaring before the election that she had the support of two-thirds of the caucus. The victory sends a message that while there’s a growing appetite for major changes in the party’s leadership structure and messaging tactics, it’s not strong enough to loosen Pelosi’s grip on a liberal-heavy group that’s rarely challenged her authority.
Ryan and his supporters had argued that the Democrats’ grim performance in this year’s elections ”” the latest in a string of cycles planting Republicans firmly in the majority ”” was a clear signal that Pelosi’s leadership strategy has failed to attract the broad coalition of voters required to return the Speaker’s gavel to the Democrats’ hands.
If the Democrats want to reward failure, that’s their business.
However, it makes perfect sense to re-elect Pelosi. She (and the majority of Democrats) sees the Democratic task in the House right now as trying to block changes that would nullify Obama’s eight years of what they consider to be achievement. Pelosi was very instrumental in getting things like Obamacare passed by strictly uniting the party to do it, and she’s the best bet for an oppositional role now. Her power is much reduced, but Pelosi isn’t likely to go wobbly on anyone or anything.
Unless dems thought they had read this election correctly, especially for House Reps (did they? seems they missed on all fronts), then it is time for them to change.
Anyway, better for us that the dems remain on the same course with the same leadership. Wouldn’t want them to get the idea that they could pull back those rust belt voters.
They say Pelosi is a veritable ATM of campaign funds for Democrat Reps. Her House constituents voted for more of the same. They don’t care what Party policy is as long as they can get re-elected. When Pelosi can no longer provide them with those campaign funds her day in the sun will end. But she may well have retired before that happens.
More proof that the Washington D. C. elite could care less about fly over country.
Pelosi as the public face of the demcrats is a good thing. Schumer is only slightly less deplorable than Reid. What more could we ask for?
J.J.,
If only they would leave us alone, I could care less that DC cares less about flyover country. Often in the morning there are 20 plus contrails over my little fiefdom. Its when they land in flyover country that we have a problem. 😉
I am now changing my long time catch phrase to: “DEMOCRATS: THEY THIRST FOR DEATH.”
Vanderleun,
Might I suggest Democrats: THEY EAT THEIR OWN!!
Don’t forget to fit YUGGE!!!!!! In there some place.
Kellyanne Conway remarked: “What a relief. I was worried they had learned from the elections & might be competitive and cohesive again.”
On the bright side–63 votes against her is significant. Voting against her is likely to have negative results for a representative, so many might oppose her but not have the courage to risk not voting for her in a failed rebellion. He tipping point might not be far away.
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer — this is why Trump won. Clearly the Democrats have learned NOTHING. They can’t because they cannot face reality. They are so deep into denial and have doubled down on their narrative that they have no alternative. Good.
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer – this is why Trump won. Clearly the Democrats have learned NOTHING.
They have learned that no matter who you elect to DC, their power will not be shattered or even appropriately eliminated, since even without that office they have enough power and wealth to last a few life times. A lot more than those suffering under O Care.
And they have learned that because anti Leftists have been soft on Leftists for decades now.
Contrary to public re arrangement of the narrative now, it is not the Democrats in denial so much as their opponents have been in denial as to the true power of the Leftist alliance.
Times are changing with breakneck speed. Who could expect just 3 week ago that Princeton history scholar Walter Russell Mead would publish an article titled “Trump’s Path to Mount Rushmore”?
That was said about Bourbons: they have learned nothing and forgotten nothing. But the same applies to any failed ancient regime party: Labor in Britain, Communists in Russia and now Democrats in USA. They just dig in heels and refuse to accept reality on their way to irrelevance.