Nancy Pelosi Easily Wins Over Heath Shuler, 150-43, in Secret Balloting

Unapologetic liberalism:

In a sign of Pelosi's strength, Democrats voted 129-68 to proceed to a vote earlier in the day over objections from those who sought a delay in order to have more time to mount a viable challenge to Pelosi.

In making his case to the Democratic caucus today, Shuler said the Democratic Party needs to be a "big tent" party. He argued that it can't take back the majority without a change in leadership, according to a Democratic aide who was in the room. Utah's Jim Matheson, a Blue Dog who argued "it's time to shake things up" in the wake of the midterm losses, nominated Shuler.

Pelosi has argued that she should remain in the leadership in part because she knows how to lead Democrats out of the political wilderness, having done so four years ago. She also argues that she is the most effective fundraiser for members of the caucus. She blames the party's losses on the country's lingering economic troubles and high unemployment rate, not her leadership.

Fundraising, fundraising. Every story mentions her ability to get high-income people to donate money. No one in the media seems to notice this is the sort of thing they usually say is poisonous in politics. For a determined liberal, it's a wonderful thing.

posted by Ace at 03:10 PM

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