Democratic congressman says party leaders' rising ages are a 'problem'

The leader of a centrist bloc of Democratic lawmakers expressed concern Friday that the party's top three House leaders are in their late 70s, joining a chorus of younger Democrats questioning older leaders' ability to overcome the party's "generational gap."

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the chairman of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, told CNN that party leaders' rising ages are a "problem" and declined to say whether he would support House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for speaker if Democrats take control of the House in the midterm elections.

...Acknowledging he is a "huge admirer of Nancy Pelosi's operational ability," Himes, 52, said Democrats will soon need leaders who can communicate effectively with younger voters.

"The fact that our top three leaders are in their late 70s - I don't care who those leaders are - that is, in fact, a problem," he said.

"We are at a moment in time where young people are involved as they never have been before," he said. "I don't care how good you are - there is a generation gap.”

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