Despite pressure from Democratic colleagues to step aside and predictions that might accede to their demands, House speaker, Nancy Pelosi will be staying on in a leadership position in the next Congress.
This afternoon, Pelosi defeated her lone opponent for the leadership of the Democratic minority, Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina. The vote, as Shuler had acknowledged beforehand, wasn’t close, with 150 supported the Speaker to 43 opting for Shuler.
Rep Steny Hoyer of Maryland will now assume the No. 2 spot in the party, which leaves the Congressional Black Caucus ringing its hands over the fate of Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. Earlier discussions suggested he might move into an ad hoc “leader’s assistant” position, but no official word has been released.
As New York Times write Carl Hulse notes in an article on the election, “Pelosi became something of a lightning rod for public anger over some of the sweeping and costly legislation passed during the past two years.”
One might argue that a lightning rod she remains, even though her party has been stripped of its power. It will be interesting to see how the new division of power in the House plays out. It will be the first time that Pelosi will be the number 1 voice in the minority caucus. Will she attempt to make nice with the GOP or will she now head up the “party of no”? Stay tuned for answers.
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