Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi thinks she has the votes to become the next Speaker of the House. Pelosi spoke today (watch above) about Democrats taking control of the House saying it’s, “One of the most transformative new body of members of Congress in our country’s history. The biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974.”
As for whether she will get the votes she needs to be Speaker she remarked, “I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House. I happen to think at this point, I’m the best person for that.”
Despite her confidence, more than 15 Democrats say they want Pelosi out and a new Democratic leader in.
After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership.
The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes . However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010.
Pelosi said many of those who aren’t supporting her are men.
??????
.@NancyPelosi: "I think of the 17 (who oppose her), 14 are men"
Asked if its sexism: "You know I never go to that place…if there is misogyny involved in it, it's their problem, not mine"#PelosiForSpeaker— Jorge_Silva (@Jorge_Silva) November 15, 2018
It is amazing,really. @ChuckSchumer loses in the Senate and keeps his leadership role and @NancyPelosi makes the biggest democratic gain in the House since Watergate and they want her to quit. Go figure. A man loses and keeps his place, a woman wins and gets booted?!?
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) November 15, 2018
Pelosi does have some big support outside of Congress as well.
Nancy Pelosi has been an effective national leader, an architect of the recent midterm success and a great partner in the fight against gerrymandering. She’s been successful-that’s why she’s a target of the right wing. She should be the next Speaker of the House.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) November 15, 2018
.@JoeNBC: "To borrow a phrase from Michael Dukakis, it's all about being competent and tough and knowing how to keep your caucus together in very difficult times. And Nancy Pelosi is better at that than just about anyone." https://t.co/1QHJ76YA8i
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 15, 2018
The Democratic caucus votes on Speaker November 28th, then the entire House votes January 3rd.
