The problem with the opposition to Pelosi is that they don't have a candidate

[Renew Deal]

So how can there be opposition without an opponent? It ends up being symbolic. I guess they can hope to keep her under the majority and then force people to accept a compromise candidate. Still, it doesn’t make sense to not have an alternative

[sandensea]

1. Of course they don't

This is just a little kabuki to make sure their red-strate/district swing voters don't swing against them.

I think the Nancy Pelosi 'scare' factor is way overblown - even in such districts.

It's mostly a GOPee construct designed to undermine the best leader House Democrats could ask for: Nancy Pelosi.

[Renew Deal]

9. At least two of the people on the list are in blue districts.

I do wonder what happened to all of the Democrats like AOC that said they wouldn’t commit to Pelosi during the campaign. I think you bring up a legitimate issue.

[sandensea]

13. Thank you, Renew Deal. I can't decide if this is a real problem, or a media tempest in a teapot.

whenever Eddie Munster had this problem (and he certainly almost lost his Speakership more than once), the news media mostly chalked it up to backbencher antics.

Now that Pelosi is having some dissent in the ranks, all of a sudden it's "Pelosi's Speakership in doubt" and "Dems balk at Speaker Pelosi"

[mitch96]

15. "Of course they don't"

Sounds like a Putin move if you ask me... Just sew discontent and make 'em look stupid.
Loose confidence in the Democratic party..
m

[sandensea]

16. Could well be in one or two cases, maybe more.

Wither the thought that any Democratic lawmaker be in Putin's employ, Bibi's, or any other despot's.

But just as Putin had Dana Russiabacher bought off, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. I hope not.

[HumblePi]

2. There really is no other able candidate, than Pelosi

The newly elected Congress is anxious to make sweeping changes. They remind me of freshmen entering high school thinking they're bringing big changes rapidly. That's not happening. I think that once they settle in and get their feet wet in Congress, they will be surprised at how much they're going to learn from the senior Congress.

I'm happy to hear that Nancy Pelosi will remain as Speaker of her House caucus. She has such value as far as experience and the ability to sway votes. She's pragmatic, "do whatever you have to do baby, just win" is what she told students at Harvard. She doesn't care what anyone has to say about her, she's developed a pretty hard shell in Washington, that's something that takes years to develop. She's also one of the biggest money raisers for the Democratic Party by far.

These times ahead are going to be pivotal, not only for the Democratic Party, but for the country. We absolutely cannot take any risks at this juncture with someone less experienced. We will need her firm resolve and her ability to work along party lines.

[Renew Deal]

4. That's nonsense.

Really? There is only one “able candidate” from 230+ Democrats in the House? We’re in big trouble if that’s the case. It proves the point of those that want to replace Pelosi and criticize her for not developing leaders in the Democratic caucus. The fact is that there are many “able” people in the House, but not many willing. I don’t buy any of the scare tactics about it being a pivotal time. What exactly is a Democratic House going to to pass other than a budget? Anyone can do that. But that’s not the point of this thread. The point is what someone said recently that “you can’t beat somebody with nobody.”

[brush]

14. You do understand that the party in power can investigate trump, hold hearings...

issue subpoenas, right? There's a lot more to do than budget issues.

And whoever said is right, you can't beat somebody with nobody.

If the opposition can come up with someone willing to challenge, that says all we need to know about their leadership abilities and courage.

[Raven123]

3. One would think they would have learned from the GOP

They whipped themselves into a frenzy over "Repeal and Replace" the ACA, but never had a replacement plan. It doesn't make sense

[JI7]

5. it's like republicans wanting to repeal ACA and saying we need something better

but have nothing else to show.

the anti pelosi types are cowards also since they are too scared to come forward and run against her.

[Small-Axe]

6. There isn't a better person for the job that Nancy Pelosi.

She's got this.

[obamanut2012]

7. There's McCarthy

[pwb]

8. It's hard to see even our own here drinking the cool aid.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

[Renew Deal]

10. DU like the Democratic Party has a diversity of opinions.

[hatrack]

11. Maybe Joementum Lieberman can be lured out of retirement!

[no_hypocrisy]

12. I heard Al Franken has some free time on his hands.

Although the Constitution does not require the Speaker to be a Member of the House, all Speakers have been Members.

http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/memberfaq.aspx

[UTUSN]

17. "don't have a candidate" *or*ideological integrity: Here's from TruthDig/what they're about:

(Thanks to DUer Rainy: )

**********QUOTE*********

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/whos-really-leading-the-democratic-rebellion-against-pelosi/

Who's Really Leading the Democratic Rebellion Against Pelosi?

.... ... ideology is not driving this campaign, and this is no populist rebellion. In fact, its leaders have no discernible ideology at all.
That’s how corporate money rolls in the Democratic Party. It lays low, hides its true colors, and pretends it only wants to “get things done.”

The anti-Pelosi insurgency is not a movement. It’s a cabal, orchestrated by the appropriately hashtagged #FiveWhiteGuys, a group of self-self-interested players with big money behind them. ....

...vague on the issues, big on cliches and platitudes, ... is the hallmark of “centrism,” the billionaire-funded political faction that serves its financial backers by selling themselves as “non-ideological,” “technocratic” architects of “bipartisan” consensus who can “break the gridlock” and “solve problems.”

For this crowd, “solving problems” always winds up meaning the same thing: cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and an unwarranted obsession with the federal deficit that always—just accidentally, mind you!—winds up helping corporations and the billionaire class. ....

...claims to be “above parties and partisanship”—which, in the end, is another way of saying it’s free of any principles except the interests of its paymasters. It often comes in the guise of patriotism, as when Seth Moulton says he places “country over party”—a comment that, implicitly, is a deep insult to those who believe one party’s proposals would serve the country better than the other’s.

The anti-Pelosi campaign is being supported by one of the mainstays of the corporate centrist world—the cynical political ploy known as “No Labels,” which I wrote about in 2012, and its creation, the “Problem Solvers Caucus.” ... a guaranteed-employment plan for Republican and Democratic political hacks, ... ....

**********UNQUOTE********