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Nancy Pelosi Dismisses Talk Of New Democrat Leadership

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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi still wants to hang on to power for as long as she can.

After many Democrats have called for a change in the leadership of their Party the Speaker appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday and said, “in some cases, there’s no substitute for experience.” On Sunday, Democrat Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin was on “Meet The Press” where she called for a change in leadership.

“I have been very vocal, including with my own leadership in the House, that we need a new generation. We need new blood, period, across the Democratic Party, in the House, the Senate, and the White House,” she said.

“I’ve said I think we need new leaders. I would love to see some Midwestern leaders in there. Right? That’s been important to me, is to reflect on the middle of the country. We’re here too. And but I do think new blood is a good thing,” she said.

But the Speaker dismissed those words as a rhetoric used to help win an election.

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“I say, just win, baby. Just win. If that’s what you have to say to win, fine. We will not in any way do anything but totally support, mobilization, message, money for those people to win their races,” the Speaker said.

“We need generational change, of course, we do, but, in some cases, there’s no substitute for experience,” she said. “I think that what we had been through with the legislation under the leadership of President Biden, who has done a spectacular job — he has had a better two years than most presidents you can name, certainly in the recent generations.”

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Rumors continue to swirl that Pelosi is “expected” to retire or “step back” after November’s midterm elections.

A new report reveals that California Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff is positioning himself as heir to Pelosi’s speakership if she chooses to retire after Republicans likely win back the House. Pelosi, for her part, has announced that she will seek re-election in November.

The Washington Post reports that Schiff’s efforts have “focused on consolidating support among his home base” in California, but that he “has not made an explicit ask for endorsements.”

Instead, the Post says Schiff “is gauging members’ interest and planting the seed that leading the caucus is his goal.”

The outlet adds that Schiff has reached out to progressive and minority-led congressional groups but that the response to some of that outreach has been “tepid.”

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Other Democrats reportedly gunning to lead the House Democratic Caucus if Pelosi steps back include Democrat Reps. Steny Hoyer, James Clyburn, and Hakeem Jeffries.

These rumors have become so loud that apparently Democrats already have several successors in mind to potentially replace Pelosi.

“I think we want leadership that bridges some of the different ideological wings of the party, that is committed to listening to all of the perspectives, that will be capable of helping move the Senate or things that have stalled in the House. But whoever it is, I hope they would adopt progressive positions and also listen to the broad caucus and build consensus,” California Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna told the Post.

“I think there was a ‘holding of power’ model that worked very well for a long time, and I think now it is more about a recognition of different centers of focus within the Democratic caucus that have to be brought in and brought together. It takes some acceptance of more-decentralized leadership,” Washington Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal said.

Last year, Fox News host Maria Bartiromo reported that Pelosi may be planning to step down.

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During a segment on Fox, Bartiromo said that sources had told her that Pelosi is stepping down after Democrats pass Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

“First, this morning is exclusive, sources tell Sunday Morning Futures there is speculation swirling in Washington that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may step down after getting the massive spending package through,” she said.

“So all those Democrat members who had their arms twisted to vote on the multitrillion-dollar package and put their own reelection in jeopardy may be fuming to learn that the speaker could be planning a cut and run,” she added.

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