Democratic Civil War Watch

I mentioned this in the Olbermann thread but it's worth highlighting...Pelosi is going to run for House Minority Leader.

Despite the dyspepsia among some moderate House Democrats, outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi has always had first dibs on the position of minority leader, even if the branding of her as the legislative handmaiden of President Obama contributed to the party’s losing control of the House.

House Democrats told National Journal all week that the job was Pelosi’s for the taking and that current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer would never challenge her for the post.

Hoyer, Democrats said, would only seek a promotion if Pelosi was retiring. She’s not, so he’s not. End of story. There may be a rump group of moderates who oppose Pelosi, but Democratic insiders say they will soon discover two unsettling realities: They don’t have the votes to defeat Pelosi; and the longer they pursue this futile strategy, the more they will alienate Pelosi and the formidable fundraising prowess she still commands.

“It’s understandable that (Democratic) Caucus members would encourage her to run,” said Erik Smith, a Democratic strategist with close ties to the White House and a former top adviser to former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt. “The daunting political and fundraising work that needs to occur over the next few years is overwhelming. I suspect many (Democrats) want as many of their top players in uniform as possible. “

It makes sense since now that the Blue Dogs are gone, the progressives are left behind so they'll want to stay left and not move anywhere. Electability is overrated or something.

On behalf of Republicans everywhere all I can say is, THANKS NANCY!

It'll be fun to see if Heath Schuler or another of the surviving Blue Dogs takes a symbolic run at the job.

With Nancy hanging around that means everyone else is going to have to take a step down.

Current House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer puts out statement he's thinking about running for House Minority Whip under Pelosi.

Of course the current holder of that job, Jim Clyburn of SC, isn't so thrilled with that notion.

Clyburn is the highest ranking black member of the Congressional leadership team. You think the Congressional Black Caucus is going to be thrilled to see him forced out by Stenny Hoyer?

And oh yeah, Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangle are still facing their ethics trials by the House.

Don't put away the popcorn yet.

posted by DrewM. at 03:10 PM

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