Tim Ryan beating Nancy Pelosi on 11/30 is exactly what we need!

[CBHagman]

17. I'm all for reexamining the leadership and reenergizing...

...but again, there are multiple factors to consider there, including institutional knowledge, discipline, negotiating skills, listening skills, diversity, collegiality, etc.

One of the reasons Joe Biden joined the much younger Barack Obama on the ticket was to bring that mix of experience, skills, institutional knowledge, and relationships. Did it work perfectly? No, but it was always important to have that balance. Biden's warmth was a nice plus, too, after all those years with Dick Cheney riding shotgun (or, to be fair, sitting in the driver's seat) and occasionally shooting someone in the face.

I've just finished a stint at volunteering in a local campaign office staffed by a variety of people. I was very impressed with the discipline of the young campaign workers and the savvy of the youngest volunteers, but I don't think anyone would have wanted to do without the diversity.

As Democrats we are at a crucial stage regarding diversity, and hints of sexism (an old issue for progressives) and ageism suggest it's time for some serious self-examination.