Dem. Congressman to Pelosi: You Must Go

Following the drubbing Democrats took last week, it took many by surprise that the out-going House Majority Leader, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, would declare that she wanted to become the Minority Leader.  While many Democrats towed the line in the aftermath of their defeat, several have spoken out against her.

The newest on the list: nine-time Congressman Sanford Bishop from Albany, Georgia, who just barely won reelection this season.  According to Bishop, a change is needed in the Democratic structure of power and Pelosi simply is not the one to provide it:

“I have nothing against Speaker Pelosi; she has worked tirelessly to bring Democrats together. But given the fact that we suffered substantial losses in the election, I think a new face is needed for leadership of the Democratic Caucus. I am part of a group looking for an alternative."

By "new face" Bishop did not mean a new, botoxed-filled face, but a new person in charge of the Democrats in Congress.  Showing that Mr. Bishop might have been one of the few Democrats who actually learned from last week's defeat, he went on to say:

“I’ve had a number of my constituents and supporters ask me to help change the face of the party, and I am listening to my constituents.”

Mr. Bishop joins the growing number of Democrats who want a new leader in the House.

In North Carolina, Democrat Larry Kissell stated that he hopes Pelosi "will change her mind and step aside."  Representative Joe Donnelly of Indiana has stated that he is "disappointed that Speaker Pelosi is going to seek the position of Minority Leader."  Representative Dan Boren of Oklahoma stated that Pelosi's bid is "very disappointing."  Representative Heath Shuler said he may even challenge Pelosi's bid.

With many against Pelosi, it is hard to understand why she is pushing on.  Yet even these Representatives do not comprise the entirety of Democrats against Pelosi in the House.  Even hardened supporters of Pelosi, ones who voted with her near or at 100%, want her out of power.

Pelosi

Democrat Albio Sires of New Jersey admonished Pelosi, saying she didn't "know when to move on."  "I voted for everything she asked me to vote for.  You know, sometimes in this business it's difficult to know when to move on," he stated.

As the numbers grow against Pelosi, it will certainly be interesting to see how this all plays out.  Is Pelosi that desperate to hold on to power?  Only time will tell.

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