Why are DEMOCRATS fighting Pelosi but McConnell goes untouched?????

[Stinky The Clown]

The RW turned Pelosi into a villain and too fucking many DEMOCRATS bought into that. Why aren't DEMOCRATS demonizing Mitch McConnell in the same way the right demonized Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. Neither woman deserves the treatment they get from the right AND the left, but McConnell, who actually is a villain is not attacked the same way.

What The FUCK, people? Aim your vitriol at THEM, not back at us.

[NewJeffCT]

1. Don't Republicans in the House have their own leadership battle?

Jim Jordan and Kevin McCarthy?

[DownriverDem]

66. We need Nancy for 2 years

Nancy knows the game and will take it to trump. We don't need someone new who is clueless.

[NewJeffCT]

77. I didn't say anything about Nancy Pelosi

who I believe should be the speaker. I was asking about Republicans - aren't they going to have a battle for minority leader between Jim Jordan and Kevin McCarty? If so, why isn't the media talking about Republicans in disarray?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

81. hmmm. Not sure I see it....the "take it to trump". Think she has

tremendous attributes and people love and respect her. But political savvy might not be her long suit...IMHO.

I would think people like Eric Swallwell CA and Jim Himes CT have a tremendous amount of knowledge on Trump and have high energy and political savvy. Eric's been around for 5 years and Jim 9.

My favorite though is Ted Lieu - CA. He is the most witty and zeroes in on Trump better than anyone. But, he's only been in office for 3 years.

P.S. There's nothing wrong with at least talking about someone different, is there? Doesn't mean you don't appreciate Nancy Pelosi. just saw poll on CNN - 1/2 dems want someone new.

[Chickensoup]

152. Are you saying that Nancy is the democratic

party and no one else is capable to do
a better job. Under nancy leadership
we lost the senate, the house many state
houses and the 2016 election.
Enough is enough. Fresh face and ideas
,new leadership.

[George II]

96. Yes they do, and McCarthy, a more reasonable one (is that possible??) is the likely winner.

[NewJeffCT]

100. McCarthy is the somewhat sane extreme conservative

Jordan is the batshit crazy extreme conservative

[George II]

117. McCarthy was just elected Minority Leader a few minutes ago.

[AllTooEasy]

115. Imagine Maxine Waters as Speaker! She is willing and able to do Trump a lot of harm.

Oh wait, so she's Black, so she's not a leader...or capable of doing the job...or Trump's worst nightmare...blah, blah, blah. Yes, only Pelosi can do it! :sarcasm

Pelosi has been WAY to nice to Trump for my taste. I want to reward someone who has done a better job of firing up the masses against Trump the past two years.

[rzemanfl]

2. Because "Post removed" needs somewhere to post? n/t

[NurseJackie]

5. Ha!! :-D

[George II]

17. Bazinga!

[JHan]

29. lol

[JDC]

37. I am stealing thqt for future use!

[Amimnoch]

55. Okay.. now that's funny shit right there.

Thread winner.

[elmac]

57. whoop whoop

[George II]

151. what? what?

[ehrnst]

83. Well played....

[Cha]

126. Yes indeedy!

[Codeine]

146. That guy is indefatigable!

Hats off to Post Removed!!

[Loki Liesmith]

3. Deserve's got nothing to do with it

Pelosi has power. Other Dems want it.

Let’s see who wins.

[Hortensis]

43. +100. Our tea partiers want power

same as the right wing's. Factional resentment, issues later.

They'd better hurry. With no issues, they're going to have to steal them from the big main stream coalition again.

Oh, too late. Btw, check out the huge agenda of our democracy reform task force. The chair will be Rep. Sarbanes, and they're all ready to hit the ground running in January, first day.

😊

[NurseJackie]

4. Your questions and observations are valid. You're not the only one who would like an answer.

What The FUCK, people? Aim your vitriol at THEM, not back at us.

Your questions and observations are valid. You're not the only one who would like an answer.

[haele]

12. I think a lot of it is the same reason my stepdaughter is always yelling at her dad.

The leadership in one's own party is a cheap and easier target to go after than actual competition with the opposition.
All one needs to do is "react" and pontificate from a personal sense of importance about how much the leadership is wrong.
It can be all about "me-e-e-e-e", and how much "house" we have to clean to be perfect Democrats.

One actually has to think about ramifications and acknowledge one's own weaknesses as well as other points of view when going up against the opposition policy actions. One has to see one's opponent(s) as a human being with their own motivations for their actions.
It's a constant uphill political slog to be able to point out one's opponent is really totally wrong, and where there might be wiggle room that one can manipulate for a more agreeable outcome that all parties can work with instead of blanket bumper sticker condemnation.

Haele

[JHan]

30. yup

[justhanginon]

74. Yep! A whole lot of pontificating goin' on. Seems to usually

originate from the same sources. Just like a few years back.

[Farmer-Rick]

75. Very insightful

It is also sometimes easier to attack the one you know then the one you don't.

[In It to Win It]

6. This is not the time to show a divided Democratic Party

I’ve read a couple of articles that show the division starts with the freshmen congresspersons.

[Hortensis]

60. Only a certain type, a few.

Most of them are very excited and eager to get to work.

[George II]

7. Excellent question. Makes one wonder about some "Democrats", doesn't it?

[Me.]

69. Theirs Would Be A Vote For THe GOP & Comrade Trump

INstead of Seth Moulton they need to listen to Elijah Cummings who urges Dems to NOT vote against Pelosi for Speaker.

"That will only play into the hands of House Republicans and President Trump. Our new members promised their constituents to bring stability and common-sense to a dysfunctional Washington,"

[janterry]

8. That's not fighting, it's democracy in action

I think it's healthy.

If there was no discussion, no vying for power, no lobbying - THEN I'd be worried.

[KPN]

21. Yup. And I support Pelosi. She's done a better than great job overall and I can see no good

reason she shouldn't continue in that role. Change solely or the sake of change isn't defensible. But to this point, that's basically what I'm hearing: move aside, time for new blood. Nothing about what is specifically or substantively wrong with her past leadership that outweighs her strengths.

At the same time, I agree. Discussion, debate and vying for power is a good thing. These people engaged and took the time and risk to run for office (in my mind, a real sacrifice for those who didn't do it simply for personal power) and are entitled to their views about leadership. The last thing I want our party to be is like the Repuglicans (top-down, fall in line, driven by fear).

[spanone]

9. I've seen the media ask just about every dem who won a seat if they will support Pelosi

do. not. trust. the. media.

[Bleacher Creature]

10. I think it's entirely possible that some of this is staged.

Nancy Pelosi is incredibly good at whipping and counting votes. I wouldn't be shocked if she has given some subset of these "no" votes her OK to vote against her for political purposes, while still being sure that she has enough votes to win.

That being said, I've never understood why people treat her like the kiss of death in some districts. The entire GOP strategy this cycle was to run against her, and it failed miserably.

[PCIntern]

15. I LIKE that:

“Kids of death”

Gotta remember that for my family!!

[Bleacher Creature]

18. Whoops!!

Fixed it, although I kind of feel bad doing so.

[PCIntern]

20. Great slip!

Very creative!

[Hortensis]

65. Google can be very creative. :) The chair

of our democracy reform task force is The chair of our democracy reform task force is Rep. Sarbanes, which my phone keeps correcting to sardines.

[George II]

22. I'm sure it is. There isn't even anyone yet who has seriously considered being Speaker....

....other than her.

What gets me is the dozen or two who have said they won't support her as Speaker, but can't say who they DO support.

[romana]

32. Too chicken shit

IMO the white guys behind this move against Pelosi are too chicken shit to throw their hats officially in the ring (Tim Ryan D-Weaksauce, I'm looking at you) until they are sure Pelosi is out of the way.

[Me.]

71. Not Just Ryan

Moulton is leading the charge

[Hortensis]

76. Or what their leaders agenda would be.

How on earth did these people get the idea that the existing caucus is so awful any unidentified, inexperienced and untested man would be better? Not just bad judgment, but I don't see that judgment comes in it at all. And only one objective, unseating the existing Democratic leadership and causing chaos, which is not we send people to Congress.

[George II]

79. I just saw a quick on-the-run "interview" of one of the new Democratic members, she was asked....

....if she was going to vote for Pelosi. She said "I made a pledge to my district that I wouldn't support her". The next question was "who will you support instead?" The response: "we'll have to wait to find out".

So, they won't support Pelosi but have no idea who they will support in her stead.

[Hortensis]

90. Oh my.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Because Democrats fall out, but Republicans fall in line.

[AllTooEasy]

92. No. Democrats think. Republicans blindly follow

Democrats would never capitulate to a Dem Presidents that pulled 1/10 the shit that Trump, or even W, has pulled. I love and respect the Dem party for that! I don't want us to be the liberal equivalent of Repukes.

[world wide wally]

13. How can they complain about Nancy Pelosi when we just had a huge win and dodged Jim Jordan?

[AllTooEasy]

93. Maxine Waters fired up more of the masses against Trump than Pelosi did.

I wish Waters put her name in the hat. Imagine a world where Trump had to battle that Sista' for two years!

[shanny]

97. I agree.

[brush]

14. Also Schumer just got re-elected as leader and we lost seats in the Senate.

Pelosi helped engineer our fantastic blue wave of nearly 40 seats in the House but some are trying to force her out.

Misogyny? Probably. Repugs have pushed this hatred of a powerful woman in power for years now and some on the left have fallen for it.

[Pisces]

48. I don't think Shumer should be the leader. People want new blood. When Pelosi and Shumer speak

It does not inspire action, or intimidate anyone. It just sounds like more of the same. The young voters don't want business as usual attitude. I don't think this is a bad thing. We may need Pelosi right now with all of the turmoil and Trump crap, but change will need to happen at some point. This has nothing to do with her being a woman. Most of the Freshmen woman joining the Congress have not committed to her yet. THere is a reason. Yes they are more progressive, but people Obote do them in because we are sick of business as usual roll over Dems

[brush]

54. Don't kid yourself. It has plenty to do with her being a powerful woman...

and to fall for the repug talking points on her is foolish on our part.

As far as more of the same, hello, we just had a huge win.

Hardly more or the same, despite repug cheating and vote suppression. And all those calling for new faces in leadership should consider the position of House Majority Leader which will be open once Pelosi becomes Speaker. That way whoever fills it will get the valued experience needed to assume the speakership when that time comes.

[AllTooEasy]

95. Make Maxine Waters the most power woman in America

Why does it have to be White Woman at the top?

Plus, imagine a world where Trump has to battle that Sista' for two more years. DAMN!

Pelosi has been too nice to Trump the past two years for my taste. I want a lady has brought more pain to him, and I trust to bring a lot more.

[Stellar]

63. Exactly right...

..but the complaints that I've read about Nancy is that she takes lots of PAC money, and people need to see where her priorities are, with the dark money or her constituents. Other than that, I think she's cool.

[brush]

101. Haven't heard about any PAC money but I do know Pelosi raises more money...

for the party than anyone else. She's also kept her conference together during all the legislative battles during trump's admin.

Detractors have no one willing to even come forward to say they are running against her. That's certainly not leadership.

Maybe they should actually run for House Majority Leader which will now also be open—ya know get the experience needed to be Speaker when that time comes.

Right now is not the time.

[Stellar]

130. It's on Open Secrets....

Over a million dollars in PAC money. Also, $304 thousand in healthcare...

https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/pacs?cid=N00007360&cycle=2018

[brush]

133. And the problem with Pacs raising money for Dems when everyone else and repugs...

also benefit is?

[Stellar]

153. Personally, I like Nancy..

but, as they say, when one is taking PAC money, they could go against the constituents interest.
But what do I know?

[jmowreader]

50. We expected to lose seats in the Senate

We were defending several D seats in states that broke heavily for President Traffic Cone. That we kept as many as we did (especially Jon Tester, Trump’s Special Project) was excellent.

We won the House. Trump’s presidency is over except for the part about moving him out of the White House. Celebrate that.

[brush]

56. I am celebrating. I don't like that fact that many are trying to force out...

an effective leader though.

We did indeed put a check on trump's orange behind.

[jmowreader]

72. How true

Pelosi Hate is endemic. We had a city council candidate (lost in the primaries) whose platform was fighting her. Fortunately, even Republicans know that level of Pelosi hate is wrong.

[shanny]

98. Hmmm.

Schumer got re-elected by the same people who elected him last time? I'm shocked.

[Cha]

123. Now see.. I don't like Schumer for Senate

leader. He's not demonized by the fascist machine AFAIK.. I wonder why?

[KPN]

16. Democrats are generally open-minded and think for themselves, i.e., they use their brains.

To be clear, I am not saying I support the challenges to Pelosi as leader. In fact, I support her. Just providing my two cents re: your why Dems and not Repugs?

[George II]

19. The curious thing is that people are whining about Pelosi but don't have anyone else in mind...

....that says a LOT.

In my last class in college (46+ years ago) our Dean addressed us, saying (paraphrasing) "you're going to come across things you don't agree with or like, but if you speak up you'd BETTER have an alternative suggestion".

In other words, don't complain for the sake of complaining, present something yourself.

We don't see that here.

[padah513]

34. Excellent post

This should be required reading

[AllTooEasy]

91. Maxine Waters - there you go

...if she was interested.

[nini]

23. Because they're playing Putin's game

Not impressed with some of these folks right now. We have one of the biggest crisises the country has ever seen and they spend time on attacking our own.

[violetpastille]

25. +1

[AllTooEasy]

108. How is picking one Demo over another "attacking our own"?

So Nancy Pelosi is the Democratic Party now?! It's either Pelosi (not Waters, not Duckworth?), or Putin Wins?!

[AllTooEasy]

109. How is picking one Dem over another "Playing Putin's Game"?

So Nancy Pelosi is the Democratic Party now?! It's either Pelosi (not Waters, not Duckworth?), or Putin Wins?!

[SweetieD]

24. No one is attacking Pelosi. Geez. Some people feel it is time for her to mentor someone

To be the next house leader speaker. She can't be house leader forever. She is also not without faults. I don't give a damn what Trump or republicans think about her either. It is two separate issues. Anyone who suggests that maybe dems should think about future leadership, is considered an attack on Pelosi.

[Demsrule86]

27. it is an attack...and the usual suspects are involved...

[mcar]

35. It is an attack

on her, her age, her sex. It demeans her incredible leadership. Again, why aren't we hearing an equal # of calls for Schumer to step aside? Hmm?

[AllTooEasy]

110. Bullshit: So desiring a Black woman like Waters or Kamala is an attack?

That says a lot about you?

[mcar]

112. Kamala is a senator and is thus ineligible to be House Speaker

But nice try. And nice personal insult.

[mcar]

122. WTF are you talking about?

My mistake, but my point about Waters still stands
View profile

Too Black for ya, huh? Wouldn't want to make you feel (how did Bernie put it?) "uncomfortable".

You are calling me a racist. You know nothing, nothing about me. I dare to support Nancy Pelosi and you discern from that that I am racist.

You are way out of line.

[Cha]

125. Wow, mcar.. That Is WAY

OUT of Line!

[mcar]

131. It was quite hostile

I still don't know why.

[Cha]

134. And, Stupid!

[kelly1mm]

127. Technically the Speaker of the House of Representatives does not even need to be a member

of the House (see Article I, Section 2, Clause 5). In theory Senator Harris COULD be speaker. That being said, no person who has not been an elected member of the House has ever been named Speaker.

[George II]

38. I think she's savvy enough to already be doing that.

[Pisces]

49. +1

[guillaumeb]

53. Very well said.

But framing it as an attack is perhaps meant to put people on the defensive.

[haele]

61. She has been mentoring others - for over a decade.

But of course, since her mentees are:
1) relatively safe House representatives who have been able to both win their districts regularly and have worked their way into committee leadership roles, and
2) have shown themselves to be politically savvy, realistic, and reliably stable enough to both manage group dynamics and as effectively as possible getting their job done,

the populist and pontificating types are complaining loudly that she's holding onto power and more importantly, ignoring them and their very important, very serious talking point policies. (I'm looking at you Tim Ryan...)

There's a difference between being able to get elected and being able to govern. Ms. Pelosi is has proven she knows how to govern, and is above all, realistic. And if one is able to step aside and look at the people she puts on committees, it becomes very obvious that they are the ones she's been mentoring to take her place.
Remember, she wasn't young when she was elected Speaker the first time. And every other effective Speaker of the House in history has taken the position after a long, hard political slog through committee leaderships and smokey back-room dealings.
Because that's part of the job requirements of governance - being able to deal with your opposition and get as many people on "your side" of a politically charged situation.

So when you look at the last "Young Gun" Speaker, Paul Ryan, you can easily see that youth and enthusiasm - which is great for banner carriers drumming up support on your own side, does not typically make a good political leader - you really do need suck up your pride, know where the bodies are buried and where the landmines are located to be able to govern.

Pelosi has been very effective in placing her replacements high up enough that when they get good enough for the party to consider as a replacement to her, she'll be able to step down without the Democrats losing advantage. For all their bitching about "change", it's not going to be a "in front of the cameras" pretty-faced populist type Democrat that will replace her - it's going to be someone who has worked within the system for a long time and understands the process and the system.

I'm actually excited. This upcoming year is basically going to be audition time for her Democratic replacement, and I can think of at least a dozen qualified and ready contestants up to the challenge of taking her place.

Haele

[brush]

137. So instead of trying to dump Pelosi why not go for House Majority Leader?

That position will be open and will be the perfect place to get valuable exprience working hand-in-hand with the Speaker.

Pelosi presided over a fantastic blue wave. Why would we dump her now.

If we had lost, ok, but we won big.

[Demsrule86]

26. Because Republicans don't let Democrats demonetize their leaders...we shouldn't either.

[BeyondGeography]

28. Because they can actually walk and chew gum at the same time

[mcar]

31. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

[Renew Deal]

33. House Democrats don't vote on the Republican Senate leader.

[JHan]

36. just to expand on your excellent points: This is not about legitimate challenges to leadership..

some are saying .. "well it's democracy in action" as if anyone is arguing Pelosi cannot be challenged.

When that is not the point and what no one is arguing.

The point is there are a bunch of jokers out there who feel they are entitled to have something happen without fucking working for it - Don't complain to me about Pelosi if you haven't done the hard work on MAKING THE CASE for yourself or someone you have in mind, else you are wasting everyone's fucking time. Do the hard work involved in making your case or miss us with the bullshit.

And the point still stands- The demonization of Pelosi is out of whack, bizarre, fucking dysfunctional.

Pelosi is not going to sever her own head for anyone, and she shouldn't.

[0rganism]

39. when Democrats have a PR machine doing to McConnell what Republicans did to Pelosi...

... then you will see the Republicans challenging him.

last polling i saw put Sen. McConnell's net rating (positive minus negative) 10-points higher than Rep. Pelosi's

i don't think it would take a huge PR campaign to turn this around, but it would take a PR campaign of some kind that hasn't happened yet.

[Guilded Lilly]

40. WTF indeed. Old white man McConnell has no target on his back? Pelosi is attacked? ...

It smacks.
Of several things, perhaps.
Sexism, if not misogyny.
Ageism towards women, but not men.
A certain fear, if not cowardice.

WTF indeed.

[beachbum bob]

41. Democrats aren't excessive, we already know what a POS McConnel is

[saidsimplesimon]

42. Stinky, this Democrat

never misses a chance to express my disgust with "The Turtle".

I may not have the exact words of a Pelosi quote, it goes like this, "Why do I get all the critique but not the male." I think Senator Schumer is less effective as a leader. For the sake of party unity and because I keep my own counsel, it would serve no purpose to be critical as his peers elect their leader.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

44. Damn pissed to see Democrats falling into ageist, sexist attacks.

If she were a man, etc. etc. 🤬

[FiveGoodMen]

86. "If she were a man..." what?

Certainly some men have been noted for being to old for various roles.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

145. Men don't face the kind of sexism linked with ageism

That women experience.

[FiveGoodMen]

147. Perhaps.

But I like Bernie a lot. Voted for him in the primary (of course for Hillary in the main election).

But I don't think he should run again, partly because he's getting pretty old. If he ran in 2020 and won two terms, he'd be 88 before he was done.

At some point that does come into play.

[blue-wave]

45. +100

Yup, we need to turn the circular firing squad around. The enemy is from outside my friends, not within.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

46. Good question. . . . nt

[Hulk]

47. Maybe because the Republicans are all lock step Nazi's?

Honestly, the Republican Congress are spineless cowards, unwilling to fulfill their duty as a third and equal branch of government. Totally unwilling to hold this president in check.

The Democrats, on the other hand, remind me of herding cats. We have the super progressives, we have the moderate liberals, we have the conservative middle of the road Democrats, and they are a tough group to Corral. Hell, I was listening to one Democrat this morning on CNN who is expressing opposition to Nancy Pelosi, and he made absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. The Democratic Party is notorious for shooting itself in the foot. It looks like we have enough lost that talent with this group of congressman.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

52. Opposition to voting for somebody for leadership

but having no actual alternative in mind is mindlessly stupid/pointless.

[AllTooEasy]

111. No alternative?! Try Waters or Duckworth

Oh, but they are minorities, so no alternative...whatever!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

121. Are they being put forward?

Duckworth? Isn't she in the Senate?

[Hulk]

149. Nice try....

Weak at best. Waters is a loud and obnoxious representative. Minorities have nothing to do with it. Senator Duckworth is in the Senate...not the House.

Good try, but no prize. There are perhaps some qualified candidates that will step forward and possibly even soon. But Pelosi is a known quantity, and until some other qualified representative steps forward, I'd take Pelosi in a heartbeat.

Your minority swipe is absolute bull shit, by the way.

[treestar]

144. True. But it works to their advantage.

[MrsCoffee]

62. Welcome to DU.

Enjoy your stay.

[Hekate]

64. Izzat so, I-Ching? We're back to CorpDem and Republican Lite slanders? wtf

[MrsCoffee]

84. Someone had to prove the second reply in this thread was spot on.

[Gothmog]

58. Nancy Pelosi is one of the party's most effective leaders

The people attacking her are trying to help the GOP by limiting the party's most effective leader

[democratisphere]

59. Democrats are divided.

The time is NOW to get united!

[Me.]

67. Because Seth Moulton Is Waging A Capmaign Against Her

conference calls, whispers in ears so on and so forth. Don't know if it's ambition, envy or dislike.

[Cha]

120. These Five Guys, Me..

Link to tweet

I'm thinking power-hunger that is taking advantage of the years of rw hate machine.

[Me.]

132. Good Find Cha

I wonder which of them is secretly angling for the job. I thought Ryan, with delusions of grandeur, was thinking of president so is it one of the others or maybe he realizes he doesn't have a snowball's chance in ...well you know. We should keep spreading the word on these 5 guys none of whom are the least inspiring.

[Cha]

135. Oh I dunno know.. Check out Ryan's threat..

Last edited Wed Nov 14, 2018, 07:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Link to tweet

Ashley Killough‏Verified account @KilloughCNN
Talking to reporters, Rep. Tim Ryan forcefully argued incoming freshmen could face political peril if they go back on their promise to oppose Pelosi. “We can’t do this to them. This is unfair. They will lose their seats,” Ryan said. “They will be done.”

Link to tweet

I'll be trying..

[Me.]

138. You'd Almost Think He Was A Con & A Comrade Trunp Supporter

after all, he is advocating a vote for what they really want which is Nancy out of the way

[Cha]

141. Let's also not forget that @TimRyan threw reproductive rights to the wayside during the ACA fight

Link to tweet

[Me.]

142. Keep Them Coming Cha!

[Cha]

143. lol.. Nancy has Strong Brilliant

Peeps on her Corner

They're all in one place here..

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11429150

Back@cha!

[duforsure]

68. Does he blackmail them

After he doles out russian money for their campaigns?

[watoos]

70. Why do you think that Republicans demonized Pelosi?

Nancy Pelosi is one of the best Speakers we have ever had. Ask a Republican why Pelosi is a bad person, I guarantee they won't be able to come up with an answer. Let's give her 2 years, whole hearted support, and I guarantee we will be in a better place.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

73. Was wondering. Isn't it ok to admire, revere, and appreciate Nancy Pelosi, yet still

respectfully think it's time for new leadership?

I wish it was ok to at least talk about it here.

[relayerbob]

78. THIS

[watoos]

87. I have no problem if new blood beats her out,

I'm just saying that people bashing her are repeating right wing talking points.

As a matter of fact, I support Pelosi but think that we need new blood to replace Steny Hoyer. My one criticism of Pelosi was when she pushed Hoyer over Murtha.

[INdemo]

80. Could some of the Democrats elected really be Republicans with a "D" label

in front of their name.We really don't need any Republican lites.

[BamaRefugee]

82. Why bother voting on Speaker then? Just let her rule by decree if we're all supposed to just STFU. I

support her, but I am TOTALLY open to seeing who else is up for the job, and what they bring to the table in their quest!

[matt819]

85. Along these lines. . .

What's with the venom directed at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

[FiveGoodMen]

89. Tammy Duckworth started it

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/01/democrats-ocasio-cortez-tammy-duckworth-midwest

[Me.]

136. You KNow, I Wasn't Aware That AOC Was A Bernie Staffer

[Azathoth]

88. Oh stop. Turtle gets attacked relentlessly. nt

[Rizen]

94. I agree

The problem is right wing propaganda works. Exposing it should be our primary focus.

[apnu]

99. I don't know a single Democrat who thinks McConnell isn't the Devil.

Believe me, Dems know what kind of asshole he is. See how badly he got dragged online for his stupid bipartisan joke article on Fox News.

[blue cat]

102. Their side hates powerful women

It gets them riled up.

[George II]

104. I think many on "our" side do, too.

[R B Garr]

103. Exactly. This makes as much sense as protesting Al Gore to

demand action.

Maybe someone should educate them on what Democrats have invested in climate change and who blocks and reverses those efforts (not Democrats/Nancy Peliso!). I’m sure the Republicans and ex-Republicans just love this nonsense.

[TeamPooka]

105. Turtle abuse angers PETA

[JCanete]

106. There's plenty of air to deal with who we want as speaker. Its about the direction of the party.

That said, the efforts being put up to contest Pelosi are coming from a more conservative democratic place, and I certainly wouldn't support those candidates over Pelosi, and I doubt any of the less than bullish on Pelosi lefties will support them in their bids either, so my guess is she's pretty safe.

[Kaleva]

107. Count the threads here attacking Democrat AOC & compare to # of threads attacking McConnell...

and you'll have your answer.

[GWC58]

113. I'm with you! The next

Speaker of the House will be Nancy Pelosi, period! As she should be. And I guess the “turtle” gets a pass. 🤔

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

114. So true. TY.

[Cha]

119. And Dems Don't Have to "Demonize"

mitchmcconnell because he IS a FUCKING DEMON.

Thank You, STC

[vsrazdem]

124. I think Cheri Bustos would do a good job.

[Power 2 the People]

128. Republicans aren't swayed by public opinion

They're only swayed by money,power and their donors.

[Thrill]

129. As usual. You can bet on Democrats to fuck up their wins

Never fails. Never stick together

[DFW]

139. Peter Ustinov did a very insightful (and very funny) photo book back in 1960: "Ustinov's Diplomats"

He took photos of himself with various facial expressions and hairstyles, pretending to portray diplomats from the USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, The Soviet Union, "Red" China and "the Arab Bloc," conforming with American political perceptions at the time.

There were various situations for all the "diplomats (he was all of them)." A "no" vote had the US "diplomat" with an angry expression saying "the unexpected support of the Soviet Union for our motion is one of the most callous, cynical....." The "no" vote of the British "diplomat" had that man saying, "Before we send a gunboat, let us pause and consider whether the enemy has not a gunboat, too. In fact, the one we sold him."

Either the "no" vote or the abstention (I forget which) of the diplomat from "Red China" had him saying, "dragon outside house still better than mosquito inside. Explanation why attack Taiwan, not USA." This could be directly applied to the situation described in the OP. Ustinov, a true world citizen, though also very British, made observations about the various traits of the various cultures he satirized, and they all hold completely true today as they did then (genius is timeless).

[Midnightwalk]

140. Vitriol vs ambivalence

Hadn't thought about this much before but have been seeing lots of threads on this topic lately. Up until now, I've been mostly ambivalent on this.

Thinking more and not seeing good concrete reasons I'm starting to realize my ambivalence is really coming from hearing from friends and coworkers about how they hate her without ever saying exactly why. Pretty embarrassing.

Being too lazy or not having the words to counter that is hardly a reason to not support Pelosi. The same vitriol was aimed at Hillary. Whoever we put in leadership roles, particularly women are prone to that. We need to better at countering that bs. Pelosi got Obamacare through the house which is enough in my book.

I'm ok with debate and a vote, but for now I support Pelosi as speaker. As you say we should be defending our own and attacking republicans.

[Charlotte Little]

148. The Left Eat Their Own

[ariadne0614]

150. I cite Occam's Razor.

Republicans demonize Pelosi, therefore we should ask ourselves why. The answer is simple. She’s way too effective for their misogynistic comfort. Also, her deep institutional memory and steady hand provide a powerful infrastructure for the wonderful young blood flowing into the chamber.