I am Progressive, white male, Nancy Pelosi is not progressive enough for me

[rufus dog]

And she should be the next Speaker of the House. She earned it. She can have it for two years, she can take it and transition it.

To add, you do not start off conceding to Repukes and that is exactly how the media and Repukes will categorize anyone else other than Pelosi becomes Speaker.

[mr_lebowski]

1. I feel identically ... though there's others I'd also be fine with ...

But certainly NOT some freshman/woman, however.

[guillaumeb]

2. And that transition, that mentoring, should begin immediately after the Congress is in session.

The next generation might also have some good ideas, and older members can serve as advisors and mentors.

[brush]

3. IMO Pelosi should continue on. Many are overlooking that the Majority Leader position...

will now open up when Pelosi becomes Speaker. That's a great spot for the wannabe Speakers to learn the ropes.

They'll probably have to go against Hoyer to get though as nothing is just given to someone no matter how ambitious.

[Hortensis]

4. If wise colleagues feels she's the BEST, that's enough for me.

You're wise enough for me also, Rufus Dog.

As for ideology, let's remember how the Democratic caucus works. This one will be made up of over 230 members divided into dozens of committees and subcommittees, each under committee leadership, and their various ideologies will have a huge effect on the legislation written.

Republicans top leadership has far stronger control, always has had. The Republican caucuses have always been much more authoritarian and hierarchical, with leadership concentrated at the top and the rest of the caucuses supporting, often signing legislation written by the people at the top without being allowed to read it.

To put it mildly, that's not how Democrats roll.

Btw, here's an analysis of house leader ideology for the 114th congress put together by a political science professor in Florida. I've seen similar in articles and such, so it should be good enough to get a general idea. You of course want more than they tried to/could get passed since 2010, but at least it shows the stories that they are not strongly progressive are all tall tales.

ALL Democratic leaders were almost as far to the left of 0 as Republicans were to the right, with a vast ideological gulf between. Many of us probably can compare these Republicans to those before and after Reagan and realize today's are really hard core in comparison.

John Lewis was evaluated as our most liberal at -0.59, Steny Hoyer the "least" liberal at -0.38, and Nancy in the middle at -0.49. Paul Ryan scored +0.56, and we know him to be a conservative-libertarian extremist compared to what Republicans once were.

http://www.carlislerainey.com/teaching/pols-209/files/leadership-extremity.pdf

[dhill926]

5. A pwm as well...

I want an effective and proven leader that can move our agenda thru the House. I think the best person is Pelosi...by far.

[LiberalFighter]

6. Transitioning is a matter of others stepping up and doing the work.

I'm sure that has been on going.

IMO those complaining the most have not stepped up where needed and done the work. But they want all the glory.