Pelosi Seeks Power - here with Obama - mutual adoration apparent - image PatDollard
Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, is determined to seekthe position of Democrat Minority Leader, regardless of the fact that some in the Democrat Party would prefer another member take the lead. Pelosi, who, despite support for her Republican Opponent in 2010, John Dennis, coming from every corner of the 8th district, including the endorsement of Cindy Sheehan, won re-election by a an astounding 80.1% of the vote. Pelosi, who along with the House Democrats, lost leadership positions when Republican’s regained control of the Congress in November, simply refuses to go away. Perhaps it is the fact that she did so well in her own District, or the dogged nature of the Progressive, whose ideology trumps reason in all cases, that leads the most unpopular figure in American politics to compete in what is partially, a popularity contest.
All leadership positions, regardless of which political party controls the house, are subject to politics inside the party; members must convince their “peers” that they deserve a specific leadership post. Nancy is now in the stages of doing just that, while the GOP is perhaps her biggest cheerleader. Her biggest detractor however, comes from the Bay State, where one would think that Progressive Democrats would heartily support Nancy’s quest to be the Minority Leader – not so.
The Boston Globe reports today, (or more to the point opines and blasts several Democrat incumbents for bad manners) suggests that Michael Capuano (D-MA8), is not pleased with Nancy’s performance and suggests she seek retirement. Capuano, unlike the balance of the 9 Massachusetts Congressional Representatives, did not face a tough fight for reelection this year (he ran uncontested. He understands the consequences should Pelosi remain the face of the Democrat Party. It was the numbers that came into play in the once “secure” Democrat Commonwealth of Massachusetts that made Mike stand up and take notice.
Normally, members of Congress in blue states like Massachusetts and California, do not even face a serious challenger, and go unchallenged for decades. In 2010 that changed, and both California and Massachusetts saw challengers in Districts that are home to some of the most previously powerful in Washington. For example, when looking at Districts the New York Times suggested would be taken by each incumbent with at least 70 plus percent of the vote, they actually came in a tad too close for comfort. The MA2 (Richard Neal (Formerly seeking Chair of House Ways & Means), saw 1st time challenger Tom Wesley with little financing, take 42.7% of the vote, MA5 (Niki Tsongas), saw 1st time challenger, Jon Golnik take 42.3% of the vote, the open seat in the 10th District, Democrat Bill Keating won by merely 4 points, and in the MA4th, Barney Frank (former Chair Finance) was chased by Sean Bielat, and won by 10 points, which had Barney Frank fuming (see Globe article on Frank’s bad manners.) The balance of the races, were in the same vein in MA, with entrenched incumbents coming in with lower overall percentages than in previous decades.
Capuano understands that those results are encouraging, not to the Democrats, but to those who are now considering run in 2012 at the same Congressional Representatives who only won by 10 points or even 20. The challenges will come, and these former powerful members of the House, will have to begin fundraising again, to battle opponents unknown. It is that with Nancy Pelosi’s face as leader, which will be used in every possible ad against those who support her, which has smart Capuano running as far away from his former protégé as possible.
It will be interesting as the infighting continues, to see if, between now and January when the new Congress convenes, who will take the titles of Democrat Minority Leader and Whip. Capuano may be hoping it is a moderate face, however, Nancy is not going away quietly, and may, in the end, manage to take the lead. According to the Globe, all Nancy Pelosi needs is the backing of the California Congressional Representatives (D) as well as the 10 Democrat Massachusetts Congressional Representatives and she will be well on her way to meet her goal. Note that report was made prior to the Capuano announcement/analogy vis a vis Pelosi and baseball (the losing coach is normally fired (paraphrased), leaving Pelosi, 1 short. Surely there are other Progressives, left in the Congress who will stand for Pelosi, and give the GOP the opportunity of taking the rest of the House and Senate in 2012. Of course, this depends on whether or not the GOP stands on its principals and delivers on the promises made - that is the only option before these new Congressional members.
No comments:
Post a Comment