So, let's say Pelosi gets replaced by (insert name here). Do you think that will stop the . . . .

[Hortensis]

253. Oh, WRONG argument, Cuth. :)

No, not only are speakers and other congressional leaders NOT the faces of their parties, but they all understand that accepting these positions means basically giving up pursuing higher elective office outside congress, such as governorships or the presidency or VP.

Bob Dole is the only congressional leader to win a presidential nomination since the early 1800s, and he and the last one both lost. Similarly, congressional leaders almost always lose when they run for governor. The dynamics of this are complex, but the electorate sees them as part of a group in congress and want them to stay there. And at that, very, very few have any idea who they are or what they do--until they step out of the pack and run for other office.

Also, only on forums like this do silly people imagine that they, instead of the members of those groups, should have a say in choosing congressional leaders. No one else. And at that they're ALWAYS, always, always deluded into this arcane conceit by malicious troublemakers for the usual reasons.