Democrats Lash Out At Pelosi

[Purveyor]

House members go on the record with rare open criticism of their leaders.

By John Bresnahan and Lauren French

The discontent with Nancy Pelosi is breaking out in the open.

Democrats in the House have quietly grumbled about Pelosi since suffering devastating losses on Election Day, but there is a growing number of members willing to go public on their party leaders.

The list of grievances — from the election losses, to routine procedures erupting into nasty fights — has shaken the confidence many Democrats hold in their leader. So while Pelosi will be unchallenged for the top House Democratic post on Tuesday during a closed-door party meeting, the incoming minority leader is about to be in the worst position with her caucus since the end of their short-lived majority in 2010.

“They wiped the floor with us, so no, we’re not feeling good,” said Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus. “We think clearly there was a lack of a coherent and compelling message. We believe that certainly our leadership worked hard, but there obviously was something lacking because we lost so many seats. I want to see members who have a better handle on the caucus brought in, whether they be young or old. I want people who have a good pulse of what is going on in our caucus … people who are more inclusive.”

Rank-and-file Democrats are complaining loudly that the party’s message operation failed during the election cycle. Members of the CBC are angry over the defeat of Nevada Rep. Steven Horsford. And nasty fights over ranking member spots have broken out all over the place — including another tug of war between Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer over the top Democratic post on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/nancy-pelosi-democrats-112962.html#ixzz3JNyb88uD

[bigwillq]

1. Pelosi needs to step down

The DEM party need new leaders.

[quadrature]

2. NP is good at raising money, so...

she calls the shots.

on top of that,
her critics end up on the
Post-Office committee.

[bigwillq]

3. She could step down and still raise money.

Maybe she is a good fundraiser, but she's been a horrible leader, imo.

[quadrature]

5. lots of people have their hand out, asking for $$ ...

nobody hangs up on the
minority leader in the House.

[bigwillq]

7. Pelosi buys them all off.

Isn't that great. That's why our country is in the toilet.

[DonCoquixote]

12. ok then

give her debbie schultz job

[WhoWoodaKnew]

16. Amen

[RandySF]

4. It's time for Reid and Pelosi to both step down.

Time to clean house.

[MannyGoldstein]

11. Reid's got some good points

He stopped Social Security cuts and the TPP, and elevated Sen. Warren.

But he needs some help.

[arcane1]

6. There are many in her district who are eager for a primary challenger.

Myself included.

[quadrature]

8. are you talented at speaking-in-public? ...nt

[arcane1]

9. Exactly. I'm not even talented at BEING in public :)

[pa28]

10. Pelosi is a skilled politician but what does she really stand for?

She labelled the Simpson-Bowles Social Security and Medicare cuts as "unacceptable" complete with made for TV finger wagging. Later she did a public 180 degree turn and said she would have voted for it if the plan had actually reached the floor of the house.

She paid mean lip service against the $700bn banker bailout on the house floor with even MORE finger wagging . . . then she passed it.

She's a very effective guardian of the status quo. That's great for her and her fellow decamillionaires but she is also part of the Democratic party leadership that squandered our majority status searching for a non-existent third way.

I'd hoped we have some new leadership in the house but it looks like we'll have to hit rock bottom first in order to overcome our denial.

[blkmusclmachine]

13. Impeachment is off the table, but gutting Social Security is on the chopping block.

The 1% have spoken.

[Paladin]

14. These Congressional gripers are way late.

Calls for Pelosi to leave have been going on here at DU since back in Dubya's administration, when she and Harry Reid couldn't crater to Dim Son's war efforts quickly or frequently enough. The sooner she's gone, the happier I'll be.

[antiquie]

15. Reelected unopposed, as was Hoyer.