Nancy Pelosi is in big trouble.
She thought she would face no opposition to becoming the next Speaker of the House.
But this piece of paper put Pelosi’s career in serious jeopardy.
Democrats Sign Letter Opposing Nancy Pelosi
Over 50 Democrats campaigned on opposing Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House.
But no one thought there would be any serious opposition to her ascending the position.
However, that all changed when 17 Democrats released a signed letter announcing their official opposition.
“Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington,” the letter read. “We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise.”
In addition to the 17 letter signers, at least three other Democrats have also promised to vote against Pelosi.
Democrats look to hold 232 seats in the House.
To win the Speaker’s election, Pelosi must earn 218 votes on the House floor.
The letter signers have enough votes to defeat her.
“The fact of the matter is she might get the overwhelming votes of the caucus votes but there are enough votes to stop her from becoming speaker — and that’s really all that matters,” New York Democrat Kathleen Rice declared. “And she knows that.”
Democrats Need A Candidate To Oppose Pelosi
The one thing the anti-Pelosi forces currently lack is a candidate.
They are working to convince Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to run against Pelosi.
Fudge seemed open to the idea and announced she would reveal her plans after Thanksgiving.
But Fudge also told Politico that she would be willing to back Pelosi if she pledges to serve only one term and then retire.
Politico reports:
But Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, a Pelosi critic who is considering a bid for speaker as well, suggested to POLITICO in a Friday interview that Pelosi could possibly win her support should the Californian declare that she will serve for only one more term. Fudge had signed an earlier version of the letter but apparently has withdrawn her signature; she was not on the letter released Monday.
“We talked about some succession plan,” Fudge said after meeting with Pelosi on Friday to discuss her potential challenge to the leader. Senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus were trying to broker peace between the two. “I’d like to know what her plans are [for retirement]. She did not share them with me. But I think that it is something that our caucus is interested in finding out.”
Democrats know Pelosi is unpopular.
Exit polls put her favorability rating below Donald Trump’s.
Some Democrats know that Trump would love to campaign for re-election against a Nancy Pelosi led Congress.
They fear that would cement his re-election.
But they also know every Democrat in Congress is a radical leftist.
They could switch out Pelosi for a lesser known liberal who will be just as radical as Pelosi on policy, but without any of the political drawbacks.
We will keep you up to date on any new developments in this ongoing story.