General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnti-Pelosi House Democrats Surrender And Admit Defeat
https://www.politicususa.com/2018/11/26/anti-pelosi-house-democrats-surrender-and-admit-defeat.htmlPosted on Mon, Nov 26th, 2018 by Jason Easley
Anti-Pelosi House Democrats Surrender And Admit Defeat
The white male rebellion against Nancy Pelosi as speaker has been crushed as they have surrendered and want a deal on changes to her leadership team.
The decision by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) to shift his attention from Pelosi by far the front-runner for the speakership and currently running unopposed to potential discussions over the lower-ranking positions of House majority leader and House majority whip underscored Pelosis strength and the desire of her critics to reshuffle the leadership even if she holds the gavel.
Moulton, who served four tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine, is an informal leader of a group of centrist Democrats that has been organizing against Pelosi (D-Calif.) and pushing for new leadership across the partys ranks in the House.
Nancy Pelosi doesnt need to negotiate any deals
Rep. Moulton doesnt have a leg to stand on. He doesnt have enough support to deny Nancy Pelosi the votes she needs to become speaker, so it is fascinating to watch him try to negotiate something when he has no cards to play. Nancy Pelosi doesnt need to cut a deal, and she certainly shouldnt agree to any condition like a time limit on her speakership that would weaken her position both with her own caucus and in dealing with Trump and the Republican Party.
Nancy Pelosi isnt going to make a deal.
What the white male Democrats tried to pull on Pelosi is the same stunt that the far right pulled on John Boehner and Paul Ryan with regularity. The Democrats who opposed Nancy Pelosi did so out of ageism, sexism, and blind personal ambition. These guys didnt care about what was best for their party. They wanted power, and they didnt want to wait for it.
She hasnt agreed to any talks, which means that it could be a very long two years for the dudes who tried to oust Nancy Pelosi.
Wintryjade
(814 posts)with the judiciary committee. This is a good thing.
pwb
(11,204 posts)Or maybe handing out towels in the wash room.
Kingofalldems
(38,361 posts)erronis
(14,949 posts)Most of the GOP congress are just dumb parrots of their masters. They worship money, and not being hoisted by their filthy petards.
I'd look to all of the "conservative" organizations and outside agitators well funded by oligarchs from around the world.
OnDoutside
(19,906 posts)Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)Unnecessary descriptor.
Wintryjade
(814 posts)There is no argument that the majority of the Republican party are whites. There is no argument Trump is supported by racists and misogynists, Evangelicals and the stupid. Sanders is white middle class. This group of nine are white men working with Republicans.
It absolutely does matter, as the Democratic establishment of women and blacks and lLatinos and gays.
pecosbob
(7,502 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(31,097 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)76% of the electorate is white. 39% of white men voted Democrat in the midterms! That's not fabulous, but it means a bunch of those who left in 2016 returned in 2018 (+8%!).
A claim that no white men are part of the Democratic "establishment" seems a little strange since they basically defined it not that long ago. But please note this: In the midterms our Democratic white male "I voted bloc" apparently was roughly comparable in numbers to our black "I voted bloc" and to our Hispanic "I voted bloc," all in the mid-teen percents.
So let's also give our white male voters (some of whom are actually right here on DU!) the same inclusion and respect every single one of us who stood up and voted Democrat deserves.
Wintryjade
(814 posts)But, I did not claim this.
I should not have to go out of my way to pat a white male establishment Democrat any more than I go out of my way to pat a woman's back, or AA's back being the Democratic base.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the use of "establishment" in reference to "white male" and the use of "Democratic base" for women and AA? Perhaps I'm reading that sentence wrong too and you were actually referring to how we're all establishment (whatever that means in this context) base Democrats? If so, warm fuzzies for all.
Wintryjade
(814 posts)I like our establishment and since so many of us have been put in that box the last two years, I can no longer see it as an insult.
Yes, to your second point. That is exactly how I am referencing it. PP was labeled as establishment, for goodness sake. Make me establishment. I like our establishment.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)klook
(12,134 posts)Hes in the Senate, last time I checked. Not sure why his name crops up in your post.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Had Sanders's support been less confined to middle class white voters, the primaries would have been a lot different.
efhmc
(14,709 posts)also true.
sheshe2
(83,335 posts)It was what it was.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I get it...
LiberalFighter
(50,496 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)the other 2 were women so while 'most' might've been a better word the men, especially, Moulton & Ryan seemed to be the ringleaders, both white males.
marble falls
(56,358 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Referring to white men as white men - just as other groups are identified as part of their demographic - may make some people uncomfortable, but it is what it is.
This was indeed a rebellion of and by white men against an accomplished, powerful woman, and it fell flat.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,097 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)IronLionZion
(45,256 posts)They could have gone after Jim Clyburn, a black male. Or Chuck Schumer, a Jewish male who didn't win us a Senate majority.
But these centrist guys targeted Nancy Pelosi because of her age and gender and liberalism despite her second historic house victory, and she spanked them down like an experienced boss who doesn't have time for this nonsense. They have nothing to bargain with, just their own sense of entitlement.
When you come at the queen, you best not miss.
Me.
(35,454 posts)erronis
(14,949 posts)Not to say that others aren't but most of them are white, male, privileged, and loving power/money.
mcar
(42,210 posts)as the vast majority of the small # of those rebelling are white men. One presumes that if the "rebellion" was instigated by AA men or women, it would be noted.
Do not let the false narrative of white male rebellion cloud the changes we are seeking. I was never thrilled with Pelosi's leadership. I will support her as a leader, I think change is needed. Fear of retaliation is what is keeping those who are willing to lead from stepping forward. I commend fudge for her gumption but there were too many lemmings. I hope they gave Fudge something for her troubles.
sheshe2
(83,335 posts)The white boys lost their power grab using ageism, sexism, and blind personal ambition. Nancy RULES!
I am sooooo loving this.
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)Poor bebe.
Reminds me of this.
Me thinks and this is just me...tis better to come to the table with all parts intact if you wish to negotiate.
Cha
(295,902 posts)brush
(53,469 posts)WTF, now they want to negotiate the length of her speakership?
Can you get any dumber than that?
They have zero leverage and they want to demand Pelosi tell them how long she will stay.
Don't hold your breath, #FiveDumbGuys.
BeyondGeography
(39,280 posts)None are particularly good with the media and all are coming up on 80 years of age. Moulton and Ryan have gotten nowhere but using their ineptitude as an excuse to keep the same ole same ole leadership team is a mistake IMO.
sheshe2
(83,335 posts)Eliot Rosewater
(31,097 posts)Mislead I suppose by the name of the place.
sheshe2
(83,335 posts)mcar
(42,210 posts)I honestly don't care that Pelosi may not be that great with the media - unlike Paul Ryan, of course ( ).
She is the best, most successful leader in at least a generation. She gets things done.
Do they need to be cultivating younger leaders? Of course. Moulton & Ryan deserve all the criticism they are getting.
JI7
(89,173 posts)He's never criticized for his media presence. Wonder why?
brush
(53,469 posts)raised 50M and helped pull off a great victory. It would be idiotic to replace her. Ask Barack Obama who herded his legislative victories through Congress.
And as far as new leadership when the time comes, there are twenty-some ranking members of House committees who will soon become committee chairs, many of them being in mid-career.
Every heard of Schiff, Cummings, Lowey and others?
BeyondGeography
(39,280 posts)As the voice of the party, you could do much better. But nobody else has any experience at the leadership level! Nor will they get any in the next two years, as it looks now.
Carry on.
brush
(53,469 posts)mcar
(42,210 posts)Who do you support for Speaker if not Pelosi? You obviously have an idea.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)pecosbob
(7,502 posts)such as those suggested by the 'Problem Solvers' and it's parent pac No Labels. If you got elected as a blue dog in your state, then fine, be a blue dog for your state...just don't try to force your watered down Regonomics on the rest of the country. And tell your billionaire sponsors to go fuck themselves.
LiberalFighter
(50,496 posts)when Mooton or is it Pooton thinks he can negotiate when he doesn't have a tit to tat.
dlk
(11,433 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)And thinks thats all he needs.
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)It seems that Nancy Pelosi is ignoring Moulton and this group https://politicalwire.com/2018/11/26/moulton-seeks-negotiations-with-pelosi/
Pelosi, however, has given no indication that she is open to talks with Moulton about a deal for the support of moderate critics, or that she would ever waver in her support for her longtime deputies, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and James Clyburn (D-SC), who are in line to hold the No. 2 and No. 3 posts in the House next year.
I agree with Nancy Pelosi's actions in ignoring Moultin and this group
hatrack
(59,439 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)in addition to +1 for this piece
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211475160
Cha
(295,902 posts)Problem Creators
Me.
(35,454 posts)comes out and we know exactly what they're pushing for their benefit and who they are. Nice try at hiding behind a bunch of goobledegook boys.
for your smilie
lapfog_1
(29,166 posts)I think it would be great to have two 1-week or 1-month Speakers...
Maxine Waters and John Lewis
just to really piss off Trump.
SHRED
(28,136 posts)erronis
(14,949 posts)It does keep life interesting.
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,538 posts)In Iraq, the worse that could happen would be a sudden death by a bullet. In politics, it's death by a thousand cuts, death by being drawn and quartered by constituents who are not getting all their expectations met, death by being stretched in all directions by special interests. And of course there are the endless speeches from the floor, which won't kill you but make you wish you were dead.
Tiggeroshii
(11,088 posts)None
charlyvi
(6,537 posts)KPN
(15,587 posts)sharp, shes tough, and shes a winner. She gets things done.
Shes a GOP target for a reason, and its not just because shes a woman.
mcar
(42,210 posts)She has done what she said she would do. She is a great leader.
Hassler
(3,321 posts)NoMoreRepugs
(9,260 posts)NBachers
(17,001 posts)Downtown Hound
(12,618 posts)Perseus
(4,341 posts)Its hard not to think that way, the only interview I have seen of him I thought he was a republican, and I do admit that I did not know who he was, the interview was at CNN with Alisyn Camrota, who I think is fantastic, and she made him look like an idiot.
I am convinced there are republicans who register and run as Democrats just to unbalance the party, when you have someone like Moulton and his other members of the 'five-white-guys' team who have voted with republicans so much, then you have to wonder.
ellie
(6,927 posts)Is there a list of these people somewhere?
Hamlette
(15,388 posts)petty I admit, but still
ananda
(28,782 posts)This is just the definition of insanity.
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)babylonsister
(170,962 posts)lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)I never thought they had a chance anyway.
LBM20
(1,580 posts)And change is coming soon enough anyway. Pelosi is probably done in two years, though I do agree current leadership should remain for this transition and the next two years.
Right now Pelosi is going to focus on the bread and butter issues, and she maintains control and discipline very well. She also knows how to deal with McConnell and Trump, so we need that experience. But in two years, time for a change of the guard.
yardwork
(61,416 posts)Gothmog
(143,999 posts)This story makes me smile. Moulton comes off looking like a putsch https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/26/speaker-nancy-pelosi-revolt-seth-moulton-222686
And yet shes still here.
Pelosi strides into Wednesdays House Democratic Caucus elections with her head held high, and her high heels on Moultons neck. She remains without a Democratic challenger. She has unleashed a wave of support from the Democratic faithful, from Barack Obama on down. She turned two of Moultons allies who had, just days before, stated their opposition to her. A third opponent suggested hell vote for Pelosi on the floor if no other Democratic option emerges. And she has kept several other Serve America PAC alumni from jumping aboard Moultons rickety bandwagon. While Pelosi isnt completely in the clear for the final vote on January 3 on the House floorwith Moulton clinging to 14 fellow holdouts and eight other Democrats in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus playing hard to getshe unquestionably holds the whip hand.
Dumping a historic figure like Pelosi, the first female speaker, after she weathered a Republican blitzkrieg to help her party win back the House, was always going to be a tall order. (And dont say I didnt warn them!) But Moultons operation has been, to borrow some military jargon, FUBAR. Hes poised to not only lose his battle with the party establishment, but to lose in such humiliating fashion that it could ruin his reputation and douse whatever presidential fires may be burning in his belly.
still_one
(91,947 posts)viability.
After a good number of House progressives within the party sided with Pelosi, it cinched it
LBM20
(1,580 posts)Takket
(21,424 posts)and got knocked out 10 seconds into round one.
The new congress doesn't even get sworn in for 40 days and they are already FINISHED
Give Nancy a belt!!!!!!!
Progressive dog
(6,861 posts)will use every piece of leverage, including threatening any limits that the House could put on Trump's power. They are hostage takers who have no alternative proposal and no logical reason for opposing Pelosi.
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)This makes me smile https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/27/1815602/-Pelosi-s-momentum-builds-Voting-against-Pelosi-on-the-floor-is-a-vote-for-the-Republican
Connecticuts Jahana Hayes, who had said she wouldnt support Pelosi, cut right to the chase:
Link to tweet
Illinoiss Jesus Chuy Garcia said in a statement that It is time for Democrats to come together and support a unified agenda of progressive values. I urge my freshman colleagues who are undecided to join me in supporting Leader Pelosi.
According to New Hampshires Chris Pappas, after careful consideration and discussion with many constituents and future colleagues in Congress I believe [Pelosi] is best equipped to lead the House at this point in our history.