House Democrats mull future leadership

While the Republican party loses its collective mind over trying to find a presidential nominee who's not abhorrent to the majority of Americans who will turn out for a general election (and worrying about the prospects of a lost Senate majority), the House GOP majority isn't going anywhere anytime soon. They've rigged it too far in their favor to endanger their hold before the next redistricting in 2020. That leaves House Democrats to mull their leadership options for the next few years, and consensus seems to favor sticking with the known: Nancy Pelosi.

The call for Pelosi to lead her party for three more years highlights the bind that Democrats are in: Few want her to leave the caucus’ top job, for fear of losing her name recognition and clout, even as there is near-universal recognition that Democrats want an expanded leadership table filled by newer voices. […]

Pelosi has given no signs she’s headed for the exit, saying only that she’ll continue to serve as minority leader for the foreseeable future.

Still, the caucus is grappling with the future makeup of its leadership. A push last year to scrap the tradition of giving top committee posts to the most senior members died after younger lawmakers advocating for change failed to build any real momentum in the caucus.

Pelosi has been about as successful as anyone could have been in the current House situation, in which the maniacs have essentially usurped leadership. Whether that can continue with Paul Ryan in the leadership instead of John Boehner remains to be seen. Of course, it also remains to be seen if the maniacs are going to allow Ryan to stick around. Regardless of what happens there, Pelosi seems uniquely able to navigate the chaos. 

It's also worth remembering, when considering her role in both the party and the House, that Democrats got 52 percent of the popular vote in House races in 2012, and 48 percent of it in 2014. The inability of the Democrats to take the House has little to do with Pelosi's performance, and in fact she remains a formidable fundraiser for Democratic candidates.

What House Democrats who want to make a splash by becoming leaders should do to make that happen is focus their energy back home, working to get key legislative and state-level Democrats elected. Then they'll have a prayer of getting the House back, and perhaps one day having shot at real power.