Nancy Pelosi is FANTASTIC and just orchestrated, with much help of course, the LARGEST

[Eliot Rosewater]

blue wave of electing WOMEN in our history...Women of COLOR as well!

Some folks dont like that so they attack her.

Not me, I am a Democrat.

[wasupaloopa]

1. Who attacks her because of women winnng elections?

[lark]

70. They attack her because she's elderly an ignore her effectiveness.

Shallow people. Yes, we need new blood, but right now we need to hang together more and so we need the greatest vote counter and fund raiser for the next 2 years. During that time she can develop new people, saw a suggestion of her appointing a deputy to make announcements and groom that person. I think that's an awesome suggestion, very effective in lots of ways. I hate this ageism against women that doesn't seem to apply if it's a guy.

[pazzyanne]

74. K & R and a thank you.

[ehrnst]

71. Many here on DU said that she was the main reason Dems lost the House 2010.

So, it's appropriate that she also be given credit then, when we win.

[mcar]

2. Nancy rocks!

[Wintryjade]

3. And, she will be excited welcoming our young leaders into their roles, and strive for their success.

I am sure. It is a given.

[Hortensis]

20. Yes, it is a given, who she is and what she does.

[Iliyah]

4. Yeah!

[leftofcool]

5. I love Nancy and expect she will once again hold the gavel.

[Autumn]

6. Who attacked her? It sure as fuck wasn't the newly elected POC

Congresswoman Ocasia-Cortez like Fox news is implying.

[George II]

8. Why do you bring her, specifically, into this discussion?

I don't think Eliot's comment was specific or directed toward anyone in particular.

[Autumn]

11. Why? You missed part of my post, it's really self explanatory.

like Fox news is implying.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211425389#post6

[George II]

13. I didn't miss it, and still am wondering.

[Autumn]

17. You are? Please don't lose any sleep wondering about it. I can't make it any clearer.

Who attacked her? It sure as fuck wasn't the newly elected POC
Congresswoman Ocasia-Cortez like Fox news is implying.

[George II]

48. Yes you can. Eliot was referencing the flip of dozens of House seats, not singling out any. Yet....

.......you zero in on only one. Also, there were 40 newly elected Democrats in the House/Senate, 18 of which are POC.

I don't understand why only one of them drew your attention.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

64. It's a mystery for the ages!

[Autumn]

67. It is. I was thinking if I diagram the sentences it might help but I haven't done

that in well over half a century. If I screw it up I can only imagine the angst it would cause.

[pazzyanne]

75. Time for a break!

[Autumn]

76. I wish I could get a break.

[pazzyanne]

78. The break comes from yourself, not others.

When you start a bruhaha, be sure it is a hill you want to die on. I prefer to die on mountains. That may just be me, however.

[Autumn]

79. Really? Go for that mountain, I don't plan on dying on a hill or a mountain.

bruhaha

[pazzyanne]

81. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, dear!

[Autumn]

82. Wisdom/sarcasm. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

[pazzyanne]

84. I rest my case, Autumn.

You are dying on a hill!

[Autumn]

85. So you say my friend. I disagree.

[George II]

7. I can't think of a single other Congressperson, man or woman, that I'd like to see as Speaker.

She really knows how to get things done, and done the right way.

[SubjectTrip]

9. Who is attacking her?

Only attacks I've seen are coming from right wing media

[George II]

15. Go to the upper left, click on "General Discussion", and scan the titles of the discussion threads..

....for a page or two.

You'll get your answer.

[pnwmom]

21. Well, for one, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez participated in a sit-in yesterday outside Nancy''s office,

protesting about climate change.

Even though Nancy is NOT YET SPEAKER and she's already announced it will be a priority when she is.

[LudwigPastorius]

44. According to Politico,...

Steny Hoyer already has the support he needs to lock up the Speakership.

https://www.politico.com/amp/story/2018/11/13/hoyer-majority-leader-987658

[SubjectTrip]

49. Interesting

Why is there not a ~300 reply thread about how Steny is ATTACKING Pelosi?

Can't possibly be because he's not a young woman of color, right? Right?

[pnwmom]

52. Because he is NOT attacking Pelosi. He's in line for a DIFFERENT JOB.

There are two separate positions: Speaker of the House. (Speaks for the whole House). And majority leader -- leads the Democrats in the House.

[pnwmom]

51. No, he has the support he needs to remain MAJORITY LEADER. That''s not the same thing

as Speaker of the House. He will remain the leader of the Democratic (now majority) party. She's the Speaker for the whole House.

[LudwigPastorius]

56. Sorry, my bad.

I wondered why it wasn’t being talked about here.

My brain is fried. I haven’t been getting more than 5 hours of sleep for about three weeks now.

As Emily Litella used to say, “Nevermind”.

[pnwmom]

58. No problem. I had to read the article to make sure. But whatever's causing you

to get so little sleep lately, I hope you can fix it!

[LudwigPastorius]

60. Thanks.

Got a doc appointment Thursday. We'll see what she says.

[SubjectTrip]

47. AOC and Pelosi have a cordial and respectful relationship

If you see her actions as an attack that's because you want to see them that way.

[George II]

50. And Ms. Cortez hasn't even been sworn in yet, either.

[Eliot Rosewater]

97. I was gonna add more to certain stuff but not worth it. No point.

Said I am a Democrat and was attacked for saying it on Democratic Underground.

[Me.]

27. These 4

Abigail Spanberger (Va.), Jason Crow (Colo.), Joe Cunningham (S.C.) and Max Rose (N.Y.). are making it plain they will vote to give the GOP and Trump what they really, really want. No more Nancy.

[GemDigger]

29. They need to realize that the reason that the GOP is terrified of Nancy is the reason

that they need her. Country over party!

[ffr]

10. Me too.

[ProudLib72]

23. You simply couldn't Resist

could you?

[Drahthaardogs]

12. The best thing about Nancy is that it pisses off the right

Plus she is Italian American and embraces her ethnicity. I get so tired of the mafia references to every person with a name that ends in a vowel.

[brush]

28. Repugs hate her because she's boss who doesn't take shit.

Also because she a Democrat from that left-leaning City by the Bay. Fuck them.

As to why some on the left are going after I'll never get. She raised millions, more than any other Dem, during this election cycle which helped elect some of the ones who are now saying they don't know if they will support her.

[Lefta Dissenter]

14. Tough as nails.

I think she’s under-appreciated because so much of her work is behind the scenes. I admire her strength, courage and tenacity.

[ismnotwasm]

16. She is the best person for the job at this time.

I would her to mentor another young woman of color specifically, and as she’s a great mentor, I’m sure this will happen. People forget Nancy Pelosi was the first female speaker of the house, and we can also look forward to the first African American of either sex to finally, become speaker of the house.

We, Democrats, are making a lot of things happen in these few decades, a lot of firsts going on, or are on the edge. Republicans can cause horrific damage to the emerging social structure, but they can’t stop it.

Nancy Pelosi, being one of the firsts is an invaluable resource.

[Mr. Ected]

18. At this juncture in American history, we cannot afford to hand over the most critical responsibility

To a newbie.

Period.

Nancy Pelosi is the right Congresswoman at the right time. It is her destiny to lead us out of this quagmire. If not Nancy, who the hell else?

[brush]

32. Agreed. Some may not realize that there will be an unoccupied...

leadership position second to the Speaker—the majority leader.

Let's see if this spot is filled by a new, younger person elevated into a leadership position. Or maybe Hoyer will move up and his whip position will be open for a newbie learning the ropes of leadership.

[yellowdogintexas]

100. Stenny Hoyer, currently Assistant Minority Leader will easily become

House Majority Leader. Stenny's current post will be where someone newer will be. Not brand new but someone who has the potential plus in this job the ability to round up the votes; brand new members are going to be learning how to do the jobs they were elected to do by their constituents. Speaker Wright used to say it took a full term to really get it going.

There will be plenty of mentoring and opportunities for rising in the House organization. Not just by Nancy either; there are a number of formidable members of the House who can and will spot the raw talent and help them move along.

We do not need: an inexperienced person in any of the top leadership positions. We do not need: internal strife and bickering in the party. We do need a united front, our votes locked down and members who can pull in someone from the opposition if needed. We do need the strongest, toughest, most experienced person we can get as Speaker. Her name is Nancy Pelosi.

[DinahMoeHum]

19. This bears repeating. . .

The Speaker of the House is the 2nd in line of succession to the POTUS position
POTUS
VPOTUS (1st in succession)
Speaker of the House (2nd in succession)

So Democrats better make damn sure they have someone who is qualified for that possibility,
and that possibility may not be that far-fetched.

Remember, we are not living in normal times right now.

Just sayin'.

[pazzyanne]

80. K & R x 1000

[littlemissmartypants]

98. So much this eom

[Dolly123Jimmy]

22. Democrat YES...

Lets stay together....

So many of the newly elected have said ...No to Pelosi

We need to stay together

Yes to Nancy

[ProudLib72]

24. This infighting bullshittery has to stop now!

Nancy knows strategy. Nancy knows how to get things done. Hurray for Nancy!

[KPN]

94. Tell that to Elliot -- the bullshittery that is.

[SCantiGOP]

25. She orchestrated?

Hyperbole much?
We turned a seat in SC Democratic for the first time in 40 years.
The winner stated during the campaign that he would not vote for Pelosi. Don’t think she gets credit for that seat.

Politics is still local.

[Eliot Rosewater]

33. Why are you picking out ONE of the many to say that Nancy really didnt do all that much?

I am guilty of hyperbole?

REALLY?

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

You are right, what was I THINKING supporting our LEADER on Democratic Underground

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[SCantiGOP]

36. I picked out the race I was directly involved in

Was not really making any comment on her as potential Speaker, just saying that it is preposterous to say that she “orchestrated” the nationwide campaign.
There were dozens of races where anti-Pelosi was the main tactic of the GOP candidate, and they won many of those.

She is not “our leader,” that honorific goes to President Obama.

Didn’t mean to make you grrrrrrrr.

[mcar]

69. See, Eliot, Pelosi gets criticized here when Democrats lose

but isn't allowed to get credit when we win.

She made it very clear that she wanted Democratic candidates to do what they needed to do to win in their districts. It didn't bother her when some said they wouldn't support her.

[brush]

34. Some of the millions she raised probably when into that race.

People need to chill on getting rid of such an experience, qualified leader.

And think about this, the slot just under the Speaker, the House Majority Leader, will be vacant once Nancy Pelosi regains her Speakership. Install a young, newbie in that spot to learn the ropes of leadership.

[George II]

38. How about the other 40 seats that flipped last Tuesday? Funny how when Democrats LOST...

....seats in the House over the last several years it was Pelosi's fault. Now we've GAINED seats and Pelosi had nothing to do with it.

[zipplewrath]

86. This one kinda goes both ways

When I mentioned that the democratic party was in the worst shape since reconstruction after the 2016 election, I was told Nancy had nothing to do with that, even though she had been in one leadership position or another for at least 10 years. So now after one election that the democrats have earned a large number of seats in the House, but lost them in the Senate, this is supposed to be evidence of Nancy's power and influence? Which is it?

FWIW, the GOP's number one concern was that they don't have a fund raising vehicle like Act Blue.

[lpbk2713]

26. Some fear her.

And that's what makes her a target so often.

[NBachers]

30. My Congresswoman is the best man for the job! We have a lot of icebergs up ahead, and she's the one

who can best navigate them.

Proud to live in Nancy Pelosi's district, and to vote for her every time.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

31. Thank You!

Refreshing!

[AlexSFCA]

35. love her

one of the most progressive voices in congress

[Le Gaucher]

37. She got help from Trump

Not saying she had no positive contribution to the tally. But in statistics there is something called confounding where more than one factor drives the dependent variable.

There is no way for us measure the impact of each.. We would need a counterfactual - ie what if someone else was the president ( and possibly a Democratic president) But considerthe following

A large number women tossed their hat in the ring/marched/organized either because of Trump or the Me too movement. I personally know a few of them. I dont know of a single case who was inspired by Pelosi.

If Hillary had been the president, going by past elections, Democrats would have lost seats.

Many Republicans in my town voted for Democratic Malinowski - because they wanted a congress to check Trump. I highly doubt Pelosi figured much in their calculations.


So as I said Pelosi maybe a net positive - but to lay all the gains in this election at her feet is going a bit far.

Oh and by the way - I am a Democrat too. I am an elected Democratic committee member of my district.

[Cha]

41. Nancy Pelosi deserves a lot of credit.. of course

she didn't do it by herself..

Link to tweet

Amanpour interviews Congressman-elect Tom Malinowski (D flipped seat that was R since '81)

snip//

I want to play something that maybe speaker, certainly Leader Pelosi said to me in September because a lot of people said well you know what, the Democrats don't really have a message to complete with Make America Great Again.

There's no slogan, there's no clear strategy but this is where she laid out in September.

What we're about in our campaign is that we are for the people, for lower health care costs, lowering prescription drug prices.

We're for raising pay checks, lowering healthcare costs, increasing paychecks by building the infrastructure of America and for cleaning up government to make sure people understand that the people's interest, not the special interests are served here in the United States Capitol.

So there she was laying out a strategy and one that clearly is a winning strategy

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/congressman-elect-tom-malinowski/

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11406195

[phleshdef]

39. Its pretty stupid to think we wouldn't pick our current majority leader to be our speaker...

...after just winning the house.

I kinda think she has alluded to the notion that she might step aside after we have all our ducks in a row. Thats her decision either way. Currently, she is the best equipped and most common sense choice.

[LostinRed]

40. In another post I stated I was ok with Hoyer

I take that back. Nancy Pelosi deserves the post back she did a great job last time we in the Democratic Party let Republicans scare us. They make Nancy Pelosi a boogeyman. Well they’re going to do that anyway the best person for the job is Pelosi.

[Cha]

42. It said Hoyer wasn't running for

Nancy's job.. The Leader not the Speaker.

That's the way I understood it.

[pnwmom]

53. Right. Speaker of the House and Majority Leader are two different jobs.

And the third major job in leadership would be the majority whip.

[Cha]

54. Thanks, pnwmom!

[LostinRed]

63. My mistake need a civics lesson

☹️

[Cha]

65. It was confusing..

until we learned.

[BigmanPigman]

43. Emily's List is also partly responsible for so many great female candidates.

[Cha]

45. Elijah Cummings on Nancy Pelosi..

Link to tweet

Mahalo, Eliot

[DownriverDem]

46. How come

the new women reps protested at Nancy's office about climate change? Nancy supports climate change. I don't get it.

[George II]

57. Face time, publicity, and........................

[George II]

90. Actually I believe only one did so. The others were probably at their orientation sessions.

[AdamGG]

55. Nancy may be fantastic, but her national approval rating is 35%

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/nancy_pelosi_favorableunfavorable-6673.html

I've always liked Nancy Pelosi, but I'm strongly in favor of anything that maximizes Democrats' chances of securing the greatest number of seats in national/state elections in 2020, to be able to reverse gerrymandering to the greatest degree after the 2020 census.

For PR purposes, I don't think it's unreasonable to have a new figurehead. Twelve years is a long tenure. She's more underwater in approval polls than Trump is and he's going to try to run against her like he did with Hillary. She's very good at her job, but she could do a lot of it as the Whip.

[pnwmom]

59. Speaker of the House isn't a popularity contest. Tip O'Neill did a great job as speaker

Last edited Wed Nov 14, 2018, 12:40 AM - Edit history (1)

because he knew the rules and how to get bills passed. But I bet his national popularity was never higher than Nancy's.

Your use of the word "figurehead" is telling. The job is anything but a figurehead. It's not about branding. It's about working with hundreds of House members and with the Senate to get legislation passed. It requires intricate knowledge of arcane rules, and experience negotiating with hundreds of people. No newbie will arrive with that knowledge or experience.

[AdamGG]

61. Actually, Tip O'Neill was Speaker for 10 years, from 1977-1987

And even when Reagan was at his peak, I doubt O'Neill's approval rating was 20+ points underwater. We should appreciate Nancy Pelosi's abilities and all that she has done, but being pragmatic, I don't see why she couldn't perform many of the same tasks from the Whip position.

In today's media, the Speaker has de facto taken on the role of representative of the party, especially when they don't hold the Presidency. Ryan & Boehner were seen as representative of the Republicans to a degree that Dennis Hastert wasn't.

[pnwmom]

62. The only reason her popularity is low is because DT has demonized her. Why should we

reward him for that?

He's demonized her because that's what he does with strong, smart, effective leaders who happen to be women. All the more reason to support her now.

[workinclasszero]

99. Speaker of the House is not a national office

So no worries.

You pick the best democrat for the job which is by a country mile, Nancy Pelosi!

[annabanana]

103. It's not a "figurehead" job. It's 3rd in line.

I want experience and political savvy in that job.

Those polls are of the whole populace, subject to relentless hammering by RW talking points. They mean nothing. She will be a wonderful teacher for all the newbies.

[Cha]

66. And, these guys are fighting to take down Nancy

Link to tweet

[mcar]

68. She raised tons of $$ for Democratic election efforts

[Jersey Devil]

72. I like Nancy as Speaker but I certainly don't credit her with the Dems victory

I think that is pretty ridiculous.

[MadDAsHell]

73. The popular DU opinion when we've lost is that it isn't the Speaker's fault.

I’m not sure why we would reverse that opinion and suddenly give credit just because we won.

I agree with other posters, politics is local. Speaker Pelosi no more deserves credit for the recent win than she deserved any credit for the hundreds of lost seats over the previous 8 years.

[wiggs]

77. before 2020 as speaker feasible she could become first female potus (acting potus, not elected) nt

[aikoaiko]

83. Lame.

This is lame framing of a serious discussion.

I support Pelosi being speaker for the next 2 years and working on transitional leadership.

I welcome the conversation about leadership because I am a Democrat. And I think you should too.

[bdamomma]

87. Repigs in Congress or whatever you

want to call them hate smart women or women in general.

[karin_sj]

88. This is not the time for "on the job training"

We can't afford to have someone new to lead the House at this point in time. Nancy is experienced, savvy, and strong. The Republicans hate her and would love to see her out because she is an effective leader. This should tell us all we need to know about keeping her at the helm! I wish the Democrats who want her out would STFU. She will retire when after our country is stable again.

[peggysue2]

89. Pelosi has said herself that . . .

she sees her role as a bridge to future Democratic leadership. To reach that future, we need the most experienced, savvy and seasoned leader at the helm in this moment, possibly the most critical time in the country's history. Nancy Pelosi has the knowledge and grit to move us into 2020 and a successful presidential election. Then and only then can I envision her stepping aside and handing the gavel to a new generation of Dems.

But we have to get there first. And as you suggest, she'll retire when the country is on stable ground. To push her out now is suicidal, not merely for the Party but the country as a whole. You don't retire your best player when the contest is as rough as it can be. You retire that player after the win is secure.

[SunSeeker]

91. K & R

[NastyRiffraff]

92. Love Nancy

I love her because she's smart. I love her because she's dedicated to the Democratic Party. I love her because she's experienced. I love her because she knows the process and the players.

Most of all, I love her because she's a BADASS the Republicans fear.

[KPN]

93. I really like and support Pelosi.

Having said and fully meaning that: Oh Brother. This I’m a Democrat crap is arrogant, self righteous and divisive. It pits “real” democrats against real democrats. Sort of like the whole GOP patriots schtick, but that at least puts them against us. Geesh.

[Dennis Donovan]

96. Hear hear!

[Ciaphas Cain]

101. We're in the middle of a battle

You don't change your commander in the middle of a battle. Especially after she won such a decisive victory.

This would be like firing Washington after the Siege of Yorktown.

[Sloumeau]

102. Going after nancy right now is like firing a coach after her team wins the Super Bowl. ☺

[NurseJackie]

104. Excellent analogy!