Nancy Pelosi is poised to take back the House speaker’s gavel with the new Democratic majority, rebounding as the face of her party in a political “year of the woman” as a rebellion among younger Democrats lacks any real leaders.
This time, Pelosi is signaling publicly she’s ready to serve a “transitional” speaker to lay the groundwork for future leaders, although she hasn’t said how long she will stick around.
Pelosi, 78 -- long disparaged by Republicans as a polarizing symbol -- is the only woman to serve as House speaker, for four years starting in 2007. Known for her unparalleled fundraising prowess and ability to keep her caucus together for crucial votes, she played a major role in enacting Obamacare, only to lose the gavel and become minority leader in 2011. The Italian-American daughter and sister of former Baltimore mayors has represented a safely Democratic San Francisco-based House district since 1987.
Now she and Democrats will control one of two chambers in Congress, with deal-making power and legislative expertise to serve as a check on Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda, while potential Democratic presidential contenders try to get traction heading into 2020.
Trump and Republicans had attacked Pelosi’s leadership during the campaign and some Democrats vowed not to support her for speaker. But Trump took another approach in a morning tweet Wednesday: “In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!”
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Ohio, vote today for Troy Balderson for Congress. His opponent, controlled by Nancy Pelosi, is weak on Crime, the Border, Military, Vets, your 2nd Amendment - and will end your Tax Cuts. Troy will be a great Congressman. #MAGA
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‘Speaker! Speaker!’
At a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee event in Washington Tuesday night, a crowd chanted "Speaker! Speaker!" as Pelosi delivered remarks. Pelosi said Democrats will strive for bipartisanship but when they can’t find “common ground” they would “stand our ground.”
Trump called Pelosi before midnight to congratulate her, and acknowledged her call for lawmakers from both parties to work together, according to a tweet by Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill.
There will be some Democratic resistance to Pelosi’s return to power in a year when a record number of women were elected to the House. Backing Pelosi for speaker in January could be complicated for some freshman House Democrats who said during their campaigns that they wouldn’t back her to lead the House.