Dems Have No Idea Who'd Replace Pelosi

If they lose the House, expect big leadership shakeup
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 13, 2010 8:42 AM CDT
Dems Have No Idea Who'd Replace Pelosi
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., takes part in a news conference on Capitol Hill, June 16, 2010.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

If the Democrats lose control of the House—as it is widely expected they will—Nancy Pelosi will probably step down, sparking a clean sweep of Democratic leadership. The only problem? Democrats have no idea who their new leaders would be. “This is a subject that everybody in town is thinking about,” a former House Democrat tells Politico. Steny Hoyer could take over as minority leader, but one longtime House Democrat says that would be a temporary fix.

Pelosi herself forbids talk of losing in November. “It is impossible to imagine Nancy thinking anything negative at all, so therefore you can’t get a read on what she would do if bad things happen,” says one lawmaker. Almost all the current Democratic leaders are Pelosi appointees, and if Democrats lose they’re likely to go with her. The House has plenty of young Democrats that might replace them, but “there is no Prince Charming or liberal alternative out there,” says one party activist. For other news on Pelosi, click here.
(More Nancy Pelosi stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X