Democrats dream the unthinkable: Speaker Pelosi

[workinclasszero]

Democrats dream the unthinkable: Speaker Pelosi
Donald Trump's nose dive has suddenly made it possible.
By HEATHER CAYGLE 10/17/16 05:01 AM EDT

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House.

As Donald Trump’s poll numbers tank, dragging the whole GOP down with him, the possibility that Pelosi could return to the speaker’s chair after a six-year absence has suddenly grown very real. No one has done anything like this since the legendary Sam Rayburn did 60 years ago, and it is still unlikely to happen. Yet the House is definitely in play, according to experts on both sides of the aisle, which means the 76-year-old Pelosi could be wielding the speaker’s gavel again come January.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/nancy-pelosi-house-speaker-229807

[MoonRiver]

1. So hoping!

With all 3 branches of government we could FINALLY get some great things done!

[Little Star]

2. That would be a dream come true!

[workinclasszero]

3. Yes it would be

Democrats could really do good things for America if that happened

[Coyotl]

4. The House Is Back in Play

The House Is Back in Play

This from a week ago: The House is so much more in play this week than last, it is really remarkable. This was the swiftest shift in political fortunes I've witnessed, a concession of the Presidency race for all practical purposes. But a Clinton victory was going to happen anyway. What has really shifted is the overall picture for the Republican party. Now every candidate has to declare their position on Trump. For Republicans, there is no winning that inevitablity.

What a five-point shift could do = 455-83
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512496668

2016 House Race Ratings for October 4, 2016
Cook Report: Summary
Solid Seats: 202 Rep, 177 Dem
Likely/Lean Seats: 25 Rep, 7 Dem
Toss Up or Worse: 20 Rep, 4 Dem

October 6: Poll Update = Clinton 46%, Trump 39% (Morning Consult 9/30-10/2)
2016 National House Race
Asked of 1778 Likely Voters
Democratic candidate 46%
Republican candidate 37%
Don't Know/No Opinion 17%

[femmocrat]

5. My dream is seeing Hillary, Pelosi and Shumer standing together at the SOTU in Jan.

I wish I had the skills to Photoshop that.

[Stuckinthebush]

6. Could we do something about gerrymandering if we get the house?

Is it possible to legislate fair congressional lines or would that require a constitutional amendment?

[DarthDem]

9. Not Exactly

Although the answer here about requiring a Constitutional amendment isn't quite right either, because that's not the only way it can happen.

The matter is decided on the state level, state-by-state that is, so we have to fight in state legislatures to undo gerrymandering. Some of this has already begun: see Virginia, California, and even Florida. PA is arguably the worst-gerrymandered blue state. We have a Dem governor there; we need the legislature back before the next census. Basically, Dems need to understand that it's not just about winning at the highest level. That's obviously the most important thing, but we ALSO need to compete and win at the state level, everywhere.

The other, more sweeping possibility is that a liberal-dominated Supreme Court could declare gerrymandering unconstitutional, ending it effectively overnight. Some citizen (or some phony advocacy group like "Citizens United&quot - remember?) could file a suit and get it to the SCOTUS in time for the next redistricting, after the 2020 census.

It's no overstatement to say that this is one of the most important issues facing the party. Without gerrymandering, i.e. rigging, Gooper control of the House is very, very difficult for them to achieve, bless their little hearts.

[MineralMan]

7. So Mote It Be!

[yellowcanine]

8. No. It is controlled but the state legislatures. Only a constitutional amendment could force a

change - which would have to be ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures. Checkmate.

[DarthDem]

10. Not Quite - See My Post 9 Above. n/t

[Demsrule86]

11. A dream come true indeed. I love Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton...

[Hortensis]

12. Oh, great! Pelosi is very good at what she does.

Unlike so many of their many other enmities, extremist Republicans have very good reason for not wanting her presiding over the House. She's a consensus builder.

[adigal]

13. Of course, I hope we win, but I would like a different Speaker

I've never been very impressed with Pelosi. And she's a really bad public speaker.