Pelosi: Should the Democrats change leaders?

last updated 8 January 2015

In an announcement nearly as “extraordinary” as last week’s Republican electoral tsunami, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi now says she wants to stay on as Democratic leader, said The Wall Street Journal in an editorial. “Lose 61 seats? Whatever.” Pelosi’s bid to cling to a leadership position in the next Congress is singularly devoid of “political logic,” but it does exhibit a totally characteristic degree of hubris. “Remaining in power deprives her party of one of its better opportunities to show the public that Tuesday’s message was received.” If the liberal Democratic caucus wants to elect Pelosi their new minority leader, said William Kristol in The Weekly Standard, all I can say is “Good for you! Don’t be intimidated by the election returns!” With the hugely unpopular San Francisco liberal as their public face, the Democrats will likely maintain an ironclad grip on minority status for years to come.

Even among Democrats, Pelosi’s announcement definitely “raised some eyebrows,” said Steve Benen in WashingtonMonthly.com. She is a skillful player behind the scenes, but comes off badly on TV, and some of her longtime allies question her decision. “In the wake of drastic losses, it’s not unusual to expect a leadership shake-up.” Yet the job of minority leader in the next Congress happens to be perfectly suited to Pelosi, said Greg Sargent in WashingtonPost.com. Above all, the next leader must “draw a very sharp line against GOP efforts to roll back Obama’s accomplishments.” On Capitol Hill, “we’re about to enter a period of bruising procedural wars,” as Republicans try to defund health reform and chip away at financial regulation and other Democratic legislation. Pelosi’s inside skills will be badly needed.

There’s no doubting her strategic mastery, said William Saletan in Slate.com. Yes, the Republicans have now seized control of the House, but “the big picture isn’t about winning or keeping power. It’s about using it.” Pelosi and her Democratic colleagues “risked their jobs—and in many cases lost them—to pass the health-care bill. It was worth it.” Democrats have tried and failed to provide universal care, and reform the health-care system, for decades; in a deeply divided country, they probably wouldn’t get another chance. “So spare me the tears and gloating about her so-called failure.” The landmark legislation she passed will endure. “Democrats didn’t lose the most important battle of 2010. They won it.”