I spoke to four House candidates yesterday...two said they wanted new leadership

[brooklynite]

I'm hearing that more and more...

[Squinch]

1. Dem or republican?

[brooklynite]

2. I don't take meetings with Republicans...

[MrsCoffee]

5. Lol!

[Squinch]

6. But seriously. There was nothing in tbe post that identified

the arena where this happened. It could have been a chi-chi wedding for all we know. Either party's reaction would have been interesting but for different reasons.

[ucrdem]

3. I think we all want new leadership

But if you mean to replace Pelosi who do they have in mind ?

Or do you mean someone else, Schumer perhaps?

[brooklynite]

7. They's all referring to House Democratic leadership...

....most on the basis of age.

[Me.]

28. Basis Of Age

At the same time are they among those who would back a nearly 80 year old candidate for pres?

[brooklynite]

29. I haven't asked any of them about Presidential choices...and I won't until after November

[NCTraveler]

4. They are going to get it, IMO.

I just hope Tim Ryan isn’t the direction they go.

[Funtatlaguy]

12. Ted Lieu, Adam Schiff, Maxine Waters or Eric Stillwall

[Hortensis]

8. Well, we get to make our choices in the primaries,

and the people we send to our congressional caucuses will make their choices. That's the way it's always been. It's why we have the leaders we do, and it'll be why they change over time, which they always do.

One thing I find interesting is the number of Democrats of military background who are running. Actually makes me a little uncomfortable. Don't like military in government. However, they're vastly outnumbered by the women who are running, and winning, though larger numbers of those are ex- military also. And they're Democrats, not right-wing authoritarians.

Btw, children are STILL being held in detention facilities, separated from their brothers and sisters, as well as parents. And, yes, many still in cages. The right is currently claiming nearly half the parents are unfit and the children can't be returned.

?mod=1522689633

VOTE DEMOCRAT to make sure we make this right for them! Only 104 days to midterms.

[Squinch]

10. +1000

[ucrdem]

11. I hope those holding facilities have functional A/C

or those kids won't last long in this heat. That means good A/C that's well-maintained. What are the chances?

[Hortensis]

13. Fairly decent? Absolutely they have AC in the

southwestern states. Children would drop like flies without it. I'm with you, though; this is all very badly run. We have to assume that in some places it will be inadequate and that in some it will break down, requiring children to be moved to other buildings and tents.

[MrsCoffee]

19. Well said.

[Me.]

9. Here's What Bothers Me About That Meme

We get the House back and blow the whole deal with inexperience at this crucial time

[Hortensis]

14. Not going to happen. People are voting responsibly.

We see that in primary after primary, special after special.

[Me.]

25. Thanks

[mythology]

15. If the current leaders haven't brought along new leaders

That's their own fault. Having leadership all be the same age range is dumb

[Me.]

24. Nancy Pelosi Has Been Doing Just That

and it isn't a matter of their own fault it's a matter of what will be best for us.

[Hortensis]

27. Older leaders always bring along new ones.

Part of the dissatisfied noise we hear, of course, is from wannabes who have not made the cut by showing themselves as outstanding among their peers. Remember, the caucuses have to work together to accomplish their goals and they choose their leaders. We don't.

Among the many desirable qualities for those who are brought along is leadership ability, and people without a very good record of achievement and whose ideology varies too greatly from most of their colleagues' are not going to lead many, if any. Those both were Sanders' problems, as shown when NONE of his colleagues endorsed him when he announced his candidacy.

As for our outstanding people becoming old in the job somehow being dumb (?), wouldn't choosing leaders FOR age be dumber still? Instead of for good character, good judgement, education, intelligence, competence, experience, and just plain proven outstanding ability?

We imagine because our system allows just anyone to run that it's appropriate for them to do so and go on to make decisions with huge impact on others. Would we choose an attorney, physician, or accountant FOR complete ignorance and lack of experience? Oh, yes, and let's not forget age -- because just being 37 makes one more fit than 73 to vote on whether to allocate funds for soy bean research, on the wording of 200-page trade agreements, and all the other bills that come along.

The only thing that makes this ridiculous system work is that every year people enter as junior members of caucuses that are run by people who've been doing this work for a long time. They identify promising new people and put them on committee paths where they can develop the experience needed for advancement.

[Me.]

31. To Your Point...From Nancy P's Rolling Stone Interview

“Let’s look ahead to the speaker contest that would follow the election. What do you make of the Tim Ryans or Seth Moultons who’ve called for a new generation of leadership–

Inconsequential. They don’t have a following in our caucus. None. (Oh Snap)

I think some of it is a little bit on the sexist side – although I wouldn’t normally say that. Except it’s like, really? Has anyone asked whatshisname, the one who’s the head of Senate?
[Aide Jorge Aguilar who is sitting beside Pelosi] McConnell.

McConnell. I mean he’s got the lowest numbers of anybody in the world. Have you ever gone up to him and said, “How much longer do you think you’ll stay in this job?” Nobody ever went up to Harry Reid and said that. Nobody ever says that to anybody except a woman. But it’s a thing.

And you know what? You get the upside and the downside of it. The one thing I want women to know is that you don’t walk away from a fight. You don’t let them make your decisions for you. I don’t mean to sound arrogant. But I am confident. I am confident.“

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/nancy-pelosi-interview-696750/

[Hortensis]

34. LOVE it. "Whatshisname, the one...McConnell." And so true.

I didn't want to get into the rampant misogyny behind so much of the constant attack on her and the rest of our female leaders, but I'm glad she did.

But for those who don't care for any of this, only excuses for why their faction should have power, THIS should be to the point:

"Inconsequential. They don’t have a following in our caucus. None."

That's why they campaign to the media, instead of to the colleagues who will be choosing their own leaders. To create a phony image of a leadership and respect among those who know them best that simply do not exist.

[Me.]

35. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[BeyondGeography]

16. An overhaul is needed

Not just with top leadership but more importantly seniority rules. The current situation is dangerously absurd. Octogenarian leaders who won't let go and a hollowed-out generation behind them. Talented people like Becerra and Van Hollen have bailed while the troika at the top and the committee chairs grow older. Term limits for chairs will be an incentive for talented people to stay in the House, then maybe we won't be talking about our "inexperience problem," which benefits who exactly?

[Squinch]

18. Troika?

[BeyondGeography]

20. Go away

[Squinch]

21. You mad, bro?

[Wounded Bear]

17. Not my primary concern at this time...

We need to take at least the House, then we can worry about who to put in leadership.

IMO, the best leaders will emerge. Personally, I like my leaders to have their ambition tempered with a bit of experience.

[WhiteTara]

22. men or women?

[DeminPennswoods]

23. I'm not sure some of the new candidates

appreciate Nancy Pelosi. She gave Obama the backbone to keep fighting for the ACA. She was at the forefront of fighting to keep and expand social security and medicare when it was threatened. She has raised enormous amounts of money for Dem candidates and the party. Most importantly, she has willingly taken all the slings and arrows thrown at her and never complained - all while holding her often contentious caucus together.

She should be revered, not tossed to the curb like used furniture.

Can anyone say the same about Boehner or Ryan?

[betsuni]

26. What's with the obsession about leadership?

Cats and Democrats don't need leadership. They know what they're doing.

[brer cat]

33. ...

[WhiteTara]

30. How many Senate candidates want to remove Schummer?

I have to keep calling his office to remind him to take his balls out of the closet and put them in his pants. His caucus is not united, but the House is.

I think this is more misogyny disguised as "new leadership" When we get a senate leader that doesn't sounds like he's asleep during his important statements and can hold his caucus together, I'll bet it will be a woman.

[NurseJackie]

32. I guess it's settled then.

[octoberlib]

36. Let me guess, the two who want new leadership nominate themselves as the best

person to do the job.

[KitSileya]

37. Didn't I just see a thread about Barbara Lee and Linda Sanchez are both running for Dem Chair?

Crowley is out, so they'll get new leadership by default, won't they?