Posted on 10/19/2010 12:07:31 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Democrat says he's heard Pelosi won't run again for Speaker By Michael O'Brien - 10/19/10 01:47 PM ET
A House Democratic lawmaker said late last week that he'd heard Nancy Pelosi wouldn't seek another term as Speaker.
Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) said that not only would he not back Pelosi (D-Calif.) for Speaker again, but also that he'd heard she would not seek another term in that position.
"From what we're hearing, she's probably not going to run for Speaker again," McIntyre told WWAY-TV in North Carolina. "And if she does, I'm confident she's going to have opposition, and I look forward to supporting that opposition."
The seven-term centrist Democrat is facing one of the toughest re-election challenges of his career from Republican Ilario Pantano. The district, covering the southern tip of North Carolina, is seen as generally favorable territory for Republicans, though the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a "lean Democratic" contest.
McIntyre joins the growing flood of Democrats who are saying they will oppose Pelosi as Speaker if Democrats retain the majority. An additional crowd of Democrats — most recently Staten Island Rep. Mike McMahon (D) — have refused to say how they would vote.
The phenomenon isn't unique to Democrats; some Republican candidates have refused to commit to supporting House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) as Speaker if the GOP wins back a majority in the House. Still, Boehner is seen as enjoying broader support than the slowly-eroding backing for Pelosi among centrist Democrats.
Pelosi has said she doesn't mind Democrats distancing themselves from her — "I just want them to win," she recently told PBS.
But Pelosi has also generally declined to say whether or not she'd run again for Speaker. It's often been customary for Speakers to step aside and perhaps resign if they lead their party to major losses in elections. Pelosi has shown, though, every intention of running again.
That’s nothin’. I’ve decided not to be Pope.
Those are great pics of yesterday’s TEA Party rally that Jim and Sheila attended posted on today’s Freepathon thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2610306/posts?page=62#62
This is just a bit of misdirection, to plant a seed to allay some fears, and depress turnout just a little.
Kind of looking ahead a tad are we Kommaczar Nancy? Speaker comes from the Majority Party.
That’s because your party has to control the House in order to be considered for Speaker.
Indeed. I smell another diversionary talking point. Of course, she'll run again.
Pelosi is the same today as she was two years ago — when McIntyre voted to put her 3rd in line for the presidency.
If he now says she’s not fit, he should be thrown out for being stupid enough to vote for her 2 years ago.
I agree.
There were rumblings about Heath Shuler and others not voting for Pelosi 2 years ago but when push came to shove they did it. I don’t believe it this time around either.
Now if Dems do lose control, there are only 2 slots for 3 bodies....Pelosi/Hoyer/Clyburn. I suppose Pelosi could step down but I actually find her more charismatic than Hoyer. I don’t think they’d bump Clyburn. My first guess is that Hoyer will take one for the team, and Pelosi will be back.
My second guess is that Pelosi will not run for Minority Leader, and then Hoyer will keep his present position.
Further down the leadership ranks are Caucus Chairman John Larson (CT), Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra (CA), Campaign Chairman Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Senior Chief Deputy Whip John Lewis (GA).
I would be surprised if any “blue dog” successfully challenged the liberal wing of the party.
The “centrist” they refer to is McIntyre, not Pelosi.
Ooops... thanks for that correction; read too fast!
I recall Pelosi sanctimoniously saying it was harder for a woman to get elected Speaker than President. But when was the last time either party leadership didn’t have a woman?
Dems especially are big on tokenism. I can’t see Hoyer and Larson being in the leadership. Possibly they might push Pelosi and Hoyer out and move Rosa DeLauro (vice chairman of the Steering committee) up the ladder. Some will depend on whether any of the current leadership gets defeated.
I still think the most logical result is that Hoyer, not Pelosi, gets dumped.
Nope...Pelosi is done.
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