Nancy Pelosi says she'll seek House reelection in 2024, dismissing talk of retirement at age 83

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Fri Sep 8, 2023, 06:57 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that she will seek reelection to Congress in 2024 as Democrats try to win back the majority. Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” Pelosi said in a tweet. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”

Republicans now control the House, but just narrowly, with a 222-212 majority and one vacancy. Democrats believe they have a chance to regain power as President Joe Biden runs for a second term.

Pelosi’s announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader, who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential lawmaker, pivotal party figure and strong fundraiser for Democrats.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pelosi-house-speaker-democrat-congress-san-francisco-a251e03986a589d5c0bd7f1122f291e4

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Article updated.

Original article/headline -

Pelosi says she'll run for reelection in 2024 as Democrats try to win back House majority

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she will run for reelection to another term in Congress as Democrats work to win back the majority in 2024.

Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” Pelosi said in a tweet. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”

First elected to Congress in 1987, the Democratic leader made history becoming the first female speaker in 2007, and in 2019 she regained the speaker’s gavel.

[Bayard]

1. She's too old! She's too old!

And we'd have never survived Jan. 6 if she hadn't been in charge. So much good legislation passed because she pushed it through too.

I so admire this woman.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. THIS RIGHT HERE 👆👆👆

She was born and raised in there (her dad was a Congressman from Baltimore elected a year before she born, and remained in the seat until she was about 7 years old).

[onetexan]

5. THIS!!☝️ We need Madam Speaker Emeritus, now more than ever.

[2naSalit]

11. The greatest Speaker in our history.

I trust her to make the most sound decisions.

[MontanaMama]

20. I do too.

Further, she drives the nutters out of their minds. Bonus.

[2naSalit]

21. She scares the shit out of the magats.

And I love her just for that, but there's soooo much to love about her.

[Artcatt]

22. She's a national treasure!

[yankee87]

31. K & R

A national treasure

[TreasonousBastard]

2. With others I might think it's just ego, but Nancy is one of the greats.

[Mike Nelson]

4. Yay!

... watched the tapes of her on 1/6... and she really doesn't display any problems due to her age. I'm happy with her decision, either way... but even happier she will run again. Her decisions are as sharp as ever.

[Grins]

6. Don't like this...!!!

She's 83, will be 84 when she runs, and will turn 85 three months after being sworn in in January 2025.

To paraphrase Nikki Haley: "Congress has become the most privileged nursing home in the country."

This comes at a time both Party's are being looked at like they were caricatures of the 1970's Politburo. As if McConnell's, Grassley's, and Feinstein's recent delusions were not enough of a warning - it IS an issue. Then top that off that the Reich-wing will be screaming about the age of Biden, with the D's countering with the age of the bloated orange gasbag!

This is just giving the Reich another issue to use as a club. As much as I believe she was the greatest Speaker of the House since the founding of the Republic - time's up.

[deurbano]

13. I think she has proved she is still at the top of her game (unlike the others).

This is a two-year (not six-year) term in an assured Democratic district (MY district!) in a state with a Dem governor.I also like her being a role model for being a team player, as opposed to the usual resignation of those no longer in leadership.

[housecat]

23. Give her at least another two years to make magic.

[sheshe2]

44. Well said, deurbano.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[Malmsy]

33. Well if Nikki Haley says so...

[sheshe2]

45. IKR?

[sheshe2]

47. I really don't give a dayum what Nickie has to say.

I am glad she is running again!

[obamanut2012]

62. Listening to Nikki Haley about how Dems should handle elections?

What other asvice of Haley's do you like?

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

7. I'm fine with Pelosi running

Feinstein needs to retire tho.

[JohnSJ]

8. We need her on the judiciary committee. She won't run for reelection.

[FakeNoose]

9. I'd prefer to see her in a mentoring role, and she's quite good at it

There needs to be a "school" or mentoring program to help young inexperienced candidates. Especially the Democratic candidates who aren't born with a silver spoon. Nancy Pelosi would be perfect in that role, she can show them the ropes and give them many pointers along the way. She's spent a lifetime of service to the people of California, let her stay in the background now and help the next generation get a foot in the door.

[2naSalit]

12. She already is and...

Has been such for quite some time. She's been forming much of our Democratic House coalition for much of the past few admins. She mentors nearly all if not all when they enter the House. She's the MOM and nobody challenges her about it for any length of time beyond a month or two.

She's the GOAT and magats are scared of her.

[usonian]

14. Nancy Pelosi is a heroic person who saved democracy, and bullshit on age.

When you've got brains and experience and magic, great things happen.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

42. I love that gif.

[sheshe2]

46. And she did it in heels.

Great gif!

[betsuni]

50. +1

[deurbano]

15. My daughter was invited to the breakfast this morning where she announced this...

but was unable to attend (we are in LA for her younger sister's white coat ceremony to start her doctoral program at USC in occupational therapy), so first heard it on CNN at our hotel. We are thrilled!

[highplainsdem]

16. VERY good news!

[flying_wahini]

17. Can't she just be on call for suggestions on how to handle things?

I love Nancy , I really do.
She needs to find somebody Young to support and show them the ropes.

[mysteryowl]

18. This cycle of aged-out politicians needs to stop.

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” said Pelosi.

It is a problem that she thinks no one else can do that. Learn from George Washington; it is time to lead by saying goodbye.

[summer_in_TX]

51. San Francisco is facing major challenges.

Having a woman of her experience and caliber working to help them turn things around is terrific news for them.

[mysteryowl]

54. Truthfully, I don't know what she can or can't do at a local level working in DC.

Last edited Sat Sep 9, 2023, 10:26 AM - Edit history (1)

She had been in office for 35 years now and many of them as speaker. I wonder the impact she has made on locals?

Our federal congress persons can hold public chats for locals during a break from congress (when they are not traveling overseas), and maybe author a bill, but I don't think they have any power at the local level. That is up to mayors and city council. Right? That is my experience anyway.
Pelosi is very busy in DC with all that drama there, plus the committees she is on.

DC politicians do represent a vote for their district, that is true.

Yet, local power is just that, local. US congress reps are working on another level.

[summer_in_TX]

60. I think her role would be ensuring legislation passes that provides

funding for San Francisco and communities with similar needs. Communicating opportunities for applying for funding, connecting people to those who may be able to help them can be done at the federal level.

[Lancero]

19. Repugs will pull the same shit they did with Feinstein.

Here's hoping that people here don't fall for it again.

[republianmushroom]

24. I like it

Got my vote

[truthisfreedom]

25. Jeepers. Good luck Nancy!

You may need it!

[pandr32]

26. Keep on keepin' on, Nancy Pelosi!

With your experience, wit, and wisdom we will prevail. She knows everybody's weak spots and will help rally the troops along with Jeffries.

[NBachers]

27. This San Franciscan will be proud to vote for Nancy Pelosi - again.

[deurbano]

40. My family finally got to vote for her this last time (after redistricting), and

I'm looking forward to doing it again!

[NBachers]

41. There is actually a certain thrill involved in marking the ballot for Nancy.

[progressoid]

28. Uh.

Can't we have some new blood in there?

[Malmsy]

32. Maybe her constituents value her track record.

Like Bernie's do.

[CountAllVotes]

36. +1

n/t

[Cha]

37. Hmm... It's up to Nancy's Voters, isn't it?

[Bobstandard]

43. You can have new blood. Find a contest where it's appropriate

Say you challenged Nancy and won. Your new blood would spend five years learning what Nancy has forgotten, another ten getting up to Nancy speed and may never have the knowledge and smarts to pass on to a new generation like Nancy does.

You gotta remember, Nancy was and is extraordinary. Compare her to past Speakers of any party. Who was as savvy, effective, and successful as her? It’s a really tough, complex job and she excelled in a unique way.

Now be honest. Are you a constituent? Do you have anyone in my mind? Are you working for them?

If you’re not a constituent, how’s your Congress person doing? Are you involved in supporting or replacing them?

[progressoid]

57. This is going to happen at some point anyway.

Rather than having "new blood spend five years learning what Nancy has forgotten, another ten getting up to Nancy speed" she could help guide that new person now; teach him/her all the tricks of the trade she has learned. She's already turned over the leadership reins to Jeffries.

No, I am not a constituent. Neither are most of the people on DU who voiced an opinion.

And yes, i am very involved in replacing our local congressperson. Thanks for asking.

[Bobstandard]

61. So we're in agreement

It’s worth having former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in the house for another term.

As you argued:

she could help guide that new person now; teach him/her all the tricks of the trade she has learned.

She’s doing that now for new Congresspersons of the last few terms. A couple more years of mentorship will do Democrats in Congress more good than otherwise.

[progressoid]

63. But is she?

DUer below says that "she very deliberately declined to assume even an unofficial advisory role."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3127705

[Bobstandard]

66. Sample: Washington Post describes Pelosi's mentoring role thusly

Inside the Capitol, Pelosi has taken up a mentoring role: not to the trio of new leaders of the Democratic caucus but to the junior lawmakers who want to learn, particularly the few dozen freshmen Democrats who never served under her.
And she maintains a role as a fundraising eminence, particularly for an outside group led by former attorney general Eric H. Holder fighting legal battles to draw up House district maps.

A quick Google turns up other descriptions of an active mentoring role. Hate to contradict a DU’er, but come on.

[Hortensis]

52. Progressoid, every 2 years all 435 seats are up for grabs, and

EVERY freshman class brings "new blood," most of them fairly to very young. The problem with age isn't lack of new blood but lack of leadership positions opening up because old leaders don't move on. Of course, please note that Pelosi has. She resigned from leadership, opening that position for a younger person.

As for the new blood someday moving up, a very important task of house leadership is to identify people of particular ability who arrive in each new class, both innate talents and special expertise, such as in agricultural policy and climate change, and to help bring them along. In 2013 Hakeem Jeffries was one.

Now and then a new class will include a prospective star who may someday be invaluable in leading them all to great achievements and in saving us from the MAGA movements of the future. Pelosi and the others watch each class eagerly for signs of new leaders. Now we watch to see if Jeffries will someday match her.

HOWEVER, as Bob and others suggest, the chances that any one new person will match those who've risen to special responsibilities are not strong. As for any one having the capacity to someday match Pelosi's extraordinary abilities, extremely unlikely.

u]Typical "new blood" serves two or three terms, contributes as an on-the-job trainee among over 200 Democratic colleagues, and others, to some group achievements to be proud of, and learns some things worth knowing, but never rises among his or her colleagues before moving on and making way for more new blood to be tested.

[enigmania]

53. 66 year old

Southern white male here. I love Nancy!

[Hortensis]

55. :) Congress's founding "fathers" were mostly in their 20s and 30s,

their fathers staying home and sending them on the long journeys to Philadelphia. Presumably they appreciated the need for people like them, but also the need for guards against takeover by people of inadequate experience and unproven character. No doubt they all knew a bunch of those themselves. They were very concerned about the danger of demagogues and those who fall for their trickery.

Imperfect, but Hakeem Jeffries worked his way from being a new but good, qualified choice of his constituents to Democratic house minority leader in 10 years. So it works.

Including that the door's open for Nancy's constituents to keep sending her too. A big thank you to them as well!

[progressoid]

58. Right.

So when would be a good time to hand over the reins to someone new? When she's 86? 88? 90? Because it has to happen at some point anyway. Wouldn't this be a great time for Nancy to impart her years of experience and wisdom to a new member?

We aren't talking about a coup. This could be a great mentoring opportunity.

Jeffries is already seemingly competently taking over the leadership role. Something like that could happen in her seat as well.

[Hortensis]

59. Already done, right? Last January Jeffries was elected by his peers

to the position she once held, but no longer does. HE is the minority leader/speaker-to-be.

Pelosi has remained in the house but returned to being one of the rank-and-file members whose work is representing their own district in the national congress. Hers is the interests of San Francisco. Yes, unusual for a former leader, but she's always been a remarkable one.

She also requested NO committee assignments, though she was once on powerful Appropriations and others before she became Speaker. Also very unusual, but again, that's her.

I'm among the many who like having her institutional knowledge available to the new leadership, but again, she very deliberately declined to assume even an unofficial advisory role. Unusual, but she's a strong-minded woman of strong principles who felt that was the best way to handle the turning over of power to a new generation.

What you think should be done, right?

[progressoid]

64. So let me see if I understand this...

She's not in a leadership position. She's deliberately not advising anyone. And she's not requesting committee assignments.

So rather than having someone that could be actively pursuing committee assignments and leadership roles etc, we'd rather have her there for...what? Legacy?

[Hortensis]

65. She's working for her district's interests in congress.

That's THE job all reps are sent to congress to do.

In 2022 her district reelected her to do that work, and in 2024 her constituents will once again be able to choose to continue to be represented by her or someone else.

Their choice, of course.

Imo, that is what all citizens of a democracy need to understand and respect.

[Bobstandard]

29. I'm in her district. She gets my vote

All that institutional knowledge she has needs to get passed on. She can best do that from inside the House. Period

(Don’t want 80 something’s in Congress? Go find an aging republican to trash but speak no I’ll of a super achiever Democrat)

[Cha]

38. Thank You! Age is just a Number.. Nancy's

knowledge is invaluable!

[Luzblanca]

30. And I will vote for her

Hurray.

[kimbutgar]

35. I'm a San Franciscan in her district and am thrilled she is running again

She is a major badass woman who is a great example for younger members of congress to emulate. Nancy doesn’t take shit and pushes back. I saw her a few years ago marching in a rally in heels for over a mile until I quit early! I saw on the news that night she made it down market to the Ferry building to deliver an address at the end of the march.

[orleans]

39. i heard a news bleep from the a.p. on one of the radio stations i was listening to in the car

and the way the guy read it it sounded like she would NOT run again

(those assholes! A.P. kinda sucks)

anyway, i'm glad to hear that is not the case (even tho i'm in illinois, not california so ...)

[Aristus]

48. I'm only posting this because I'm a little blitzed.

She still pretty hot, too.



Sorry…

[AKwannabe]

49. Lol

Enjoy

And you are not wrong!

[Hortensis]

56. Reminding that her herd has always been mostly tomcats.